His companions apologised to me for this piece of affectation.

"He is from Finisterre," they said.

In Finisterre, it appears, luxury is enervating the population, and they blow their noses with handkerchiefs; in other parts of Brittany, where the hardy habits of a former age still prevail, a more simple method is adopted.
The volunteering from the National Guard for active service has been a failure.

40,000 men were required; not 7,000 have sent in their names.
The Ultras say that it is a scheme to get rid of them; the bourgeoisie say nothing, but volunteer all the less.

The fact is, the siege as far as regards the Parisians has been as yet like hunting--all the pleasure of war, with one per cent.