They hope against hope that what they call their "sublime attitude" will prevent the Prussians from attacking them, and that they may pass to history as heroes, without having done anything heroic.

I had thought that the working men would fight well, but I think so no longer.

Under the Empire they got high wages for doing very little.

Since the investment of the capital, they have taken their 1fr.
50c.

and their rations for their families, and done hardly anything except drill, gossip, and about once a week go on the ramparts.