We are like a tribe of Africans beating tom-toms and howling in order to avert a threatening storm.

Yesterday a great council of war was held, at which not only the generals of division and admirals, but even generals of brigade, were present.

Although it is a military dictum that "councils of war never fight," I think that in a few days we shall have a sortie, as that anonymous general "public opinion" insists upon it.
We are still without news from the provinces.

The _Gazette Officiale_ to-day publishes an extract from a German paper which hardly seems to bear out the assertion of the Government that the Army of the North is advancing to our succour.

As evidence that our affairs are looking up in the provinces _La France_ contains the following: "A foreigner who knows exactly the situation of our departments said yesterday, 'These damned French, in spite of their asinine qualities, are getting the better of the Prussians.'" We are forced to live to-day upon this crumb of comfort which has fallen from the lips of a great unknown.