It was arranged that early in the morning General Vinoy should push forward in the direction of L'Hay and Choisy, and then, when the Prussian reserves had been attracted to the south by this demonstration, Ducrot should throw bridges over the Marne and endeavour to force his way through the lines of investment by the old high road of Bale.

At one in the morning a tremendous cannonade from all the forts and redoubts round Paris commenced.

It was so loud that I imagined that the Prussians were attempting an assault, and I went off to the southern ramparts to see what was happening.

The sight there was a striking one.

The heavy booming of the great guns, the bright flash each time they fired, and the shells with their lighted fusees rushing through the air, and bursting over the Prussian lines, realised what the French call a "feu d'enfer." At about three o'clock the firing slackened, and I went home, but at four it recommenced.