Barricades made of paving stones in the streets, and forts of solid masonry outside, are considered the _ne plus ultra_ of defensive works.

For one man who will go to work to shovel earth, you may find a thousand who will shoulder a musket.

"Paris may be able to defend itself," the Americans say, "but it is not defending itself after what our generals would consider the most approved method." We have no intelligence of what is passing in France beyond our lines.

We presume that a great army is forming beyond the Loire; but yesterday a friend of mine, who received this assurance from M.Gambetta, could not discover that he had any reason to believe it, except the hope that it was true.
It is a somewhat singular thing that Rochefort, who was regarded even by his friends as a vain, mad-brained demagogue, has proved himself one of the most sensible and practical members of the Government.

He has entirely subordinated his own particular views to the exigencies of the defence of the capital; and it is owing to his good sense that the ultras have not indulged in any revolutionary excesses.
I have already endeavoured to forward to you, by land, water, and air, copies of the Tuileries papers which have been published.