The word "Commune" is taken from the vocabulary of the first Revolution.

During the Reign of Terror the Municipality was all powerful, and it styled itself a "Commune." By "Commune," consequently, is simply meant a municipality which is strong enough to absorb tacitly a portion of the power legally belonging to the Executive.
The Government now meets at one or other of the ministries.

At the Hotel de Ville Etienne Arago still reigns.

Being a member of the Government himself, he cannot well be turned out by his own colleagues, but they distrust him, and do not clearly know whether he is with them or against them.

Yesterday, several battalions were stationed round the hotel.