On the next day there surrendered 83,000 prisoners by virtue of the capitulation, along with 419 field-pieces and 139 cannon of the fortress.

Some 3000 had escaped, through the gap in the German lines on the north-east, to the Belgian frontier, and there laid down their arms.
The news of this unparalleled disaster began to leak out at Paris late on the 2nd; on the morrow, when details were known, crowds thronged into the streets shouting "Down with the Empire! Long live the Republic!" Power still remained with the Empress-Regent and the Palikao Ministry.
All must admit that the Empress Eugenie did what was possible in this hopeless position.

She appealed to that charming literary man, M.
Prosper Merimee, to go to his friend, M.Thiers (at whom we shall glance presently), and beg him to form a Ministry that would save the Empire for the young Prince Imperial.

M.Thiers politely but firmly refused to give a helping hand to the dynasty which he looked on as the author of his country's ruin.
On that day the Empress also summoned the Chambers--the Senate and the Corps Legislatif--a vain expedient, for in times of crisis the French look to a man, not to Chambers.

The Empire had no man at hand.