General Trochu, Governor of Paris, was suspected of being a Republican--at any rate he let matters take their course.

On the 4th, vast crowds filled the streets; a rush was made to the Chamber, where various compromises were being discussed; the doors were forced, and amid wild excitement a proposal to dethrone the Napoleonic dynasty was put.

Two Republican deputies, Gambetta and Jules Favre, declared that the Hotel de Ville was the fit place to declare the Republic.

There, accordingly, it was proclaimed, the deputies for the city of Paris taking office as the Government of National Defence.

They were just in time to prevent Socialists like Blanqui, Flourens, and Henri Rochefort from installing the "Commune" in power.