"We"-- and by "we" he means General Trochu and himself--"we have shown them that we are not to be trifled with," is his boast from morning to night.

Now, if instead of reading newspapers which only reflect his own views, and passing his time, whether on the ramparts or in a cafe, surrounded by men who share his prejudices, the worthy bourgeois would be good enough to accompany me to Belleville or La Villette, he would perhaps realise the fact that, as usual, he is making himself comfortable in a fool's paradise.

He would have an opportunity to learn that, while the working men have not the remotest intention to pillage his shop, they are equally determined not to allow him and his friends to make Paris the laughing-stock of Europe.

With them the "Commune" is but a means to an end.

What they want is a Government which will carry out in sober earnest M.Jules Favre's rhetorical figure that "the Parisians will bury themselves beneath the ruins of their town rather than surrender." The lull in the "demonstrations" to urge the Government either to carry out this programme, or to associate with themselves men of energy who are ready to do so, will not last long; and when next Belleville comes to the Hotel de Ville, it will not be unarmed.