Paris, therefore, ought to be able to hold out for these two months.

She has her own population, a large portion of which consists of the working men, who have never been backward in fighting.

The provinces have been drained of their best blood, which has been brought up to the capital.
All that remains of the French army is here.

At the lowest average the armed force in Paris amounts to 450,000 men, and there are about 500,000 more from which this force can recruit itself.

If, then, the capital does not hold out for two months, she will deserve the contempt of the world--if she does hold out for this period, she will at least have saved her honour, and, to a certain extent, the military reputation of France.
The newspapers are still pursuing the very questionable policy of exaggerating every little affair of the outposts into a victory, and assuring those who read their lucubrations that powerful armies are on the march to raise the siege.