CHAPTER XVI.
PARIS, _January 1st, 1871._ Our forts still, like breakwaters before a coast, keep back the storm which the Prussians are directing against us.

I went out yesterday by the Vincennes gate to see how matters were looking.

In the Bois de Vincennes there were troops of every description, and a large number of guns.

The usual scenes of camp life were going on, although, owing to the cold, everyone seemed gloomy and depressed.

I confess that if I were called upon to camp out in this weather under a _tente d'abri_, and only given some very smoky green wood to keep me warm, I should not be quite so valorous as I should wish to be.