As yesterday was the anniversary of the proclamation of the First Republic, we were in a very manifesting mood.

M.Gambetta issued proclamations every half hour, calling upon us, in more or less flowery language, to die for our country.

M.Arago, the Mayor, followed suit, heading his manifestoes with the old, rallying cry, "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite." I suppose the French are so constituted that they really cannot exist without processions, bouquets to statues, and grand phrases.

Notwithstanding all this humbug, a large portion of them mean, I am sure, to fight it out.
They have taken it into their heads that Paris can be successfully defended, and if it is not, they are determined that it shall not be their fault.

It is intended, I understand, to keep well beneath the cover of the forts, not to risk engagements more than is necessary--gradually to convert the splendid raw material of the Mobiles into good soldiers, by accustoming them to be under fire, and then, if things go well, to fall on one or other of the Prussian armies.