Nor do these biassed critics consider the ruin that must have fallen on Bazaine's army, even if it had succeeded in cutting its way through the ranks of the besiegers, as the general tried gallantly, but unsuccessfully, to do on more than one occasion, besides making numerous sorties.

It is apparent to most unprejudiced minds now, at this distance of time from the momentous epoch of the struggle between the two nations, that the Marshal, in his situation, accomplished all that could have been expected in detaining for such a length of time a huge German army nearly on the frontier, thus giving the invaded country breathing time to collect its resources for just so long a period.

The fact is, that when an army like that of Bazaine's is severed from its communications and supplies, its surrender can only be a question of time; and, therefore, unparalleled as is the capitulation of Metz in modern history, the unprecedented catastrophe--can be fully accounted for on military grounds.
"I'm sorry I missed the sight," said Fritz presently, after thinking over the news.

"It would have been some fair return for all that bitter night work I had in the trenches before I was wounded.

Still, I'm glad it's all ended now, for my corps will be able to march onward on Paris like the rest." "That will not benefit you much, my poor friend," remarked Madaleine sympathisingly.