I cannot believe myself that, unless Prussia has given up the idea of annexing Alsace and Lorraine to Germany, negotiation will be productive of good results.

If Metz can be taken, if the armies of the provinces can be defeated, and if the provisions within the city become less plentiful than they are now, then perhaps the Parisians will accept the idea of a capitulation.

At present, however, the very large majority believe that France must eventually conquer, and that the world is lost in wonder and admiration of their attitude.

The siege is one long holiday to the working classes.
They are as well fed as ever they were, and have absolutely nothing to do except to play at soldiers.

Although the troops are unable to hold the villages within the fire of their forts, they are under the delusion that--to use the favourite expression--the circle in which we are inclosed is gradually but surely being enlarged.