That poor old pantaloon, Villemessant, the proprietor and editor of the _Figaro_, who is somewhat roughly handled by them, attempts to defend himself in his paper this morning, but utterly fails to do so.

His interested connection with the Imperial Government is proved without the shadow of a doubt, and I trust that it will also prove the death of his newspaper, which has long been a disgrace to the press of France.

I went to look after the proprietor of another paper yesterday, as he had promised me that, come what may, he would get his own and my letters through the Prussian lines.

My friend, I found, had taken himself off to safe quarters before the last road was closed.

For my part I despise any Parisian who has not remained here to defend his native city, whether he be Imperialist or Republican, noble or merchant.
_Evening (Sunday)._ They could stand it no longer; the afternoon was too fine.