The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-10-22 00:00:00

THE SUBURBS OF PAHI,,

Herr Wlckede, in the Cologne Gazette, invites anybody
desiring to Bee war In all its destructive barbariam to In-
spect the environs of Farts. ' In the towns, villages, el'
tenon, and villas at a distance of more than twenty miles
trim the city, almost ell who possessed anything and were
able had tied, but women, children, and men not In uniform
were seen, though only those of the lower classes. In the
small village of Journau there was a pretty good hotel, laid
the stout hostess, courteous and obliging, like all French
si omen if politely treated, as unfortunately Infrequently
not the case, at a few French sentences addressed to
I her, did her best to make us comfortable, and pre-
pared us a supper of two courses, with dessert. When
in the morning we handed her a few francs as a
pour boot,notwithstanding our billeting cards, she
was so touched by this piece of generosity, Co un-
usual in war, that she brought us some fruit and placed it
on our waggon, which we four officers shared together. In
Brie, also, the peat hamlet, renowned in peace for its ex-
cellent cheese, a thin and lean mutton cutlet was to be had
at the hotel with some difficulty, and by dint of teeny polite
words and much tnorey. This, however, was the last meal
which a Freechwornan wan to prepare for us 'rue nearer we
approache I Farts the more we perceived the traces of the
war. All the houses in the streets were empty ; no human
being not belonging to our army was visible for miles. The
!lying French had repeatedly blown up the bridge., dug up
the streets, felled poplars on both sides for barricades and
obstructions, which they, perhaps, had wished to defend
Them had been erected in so strange a fashion, and the ob.
strnctions were so easy of removal, that even their defence,
lid it been attempt.d, which was never the case, would
have involved a useless cacrlfice. They showed how the
French are now cazrying on the war, without any method
or central direction. Although a few French troops figh, us
with the greatest tell-semi& e, the French, on the whole,
are waging the war In a wretched style, and there can be 110
doubt that In no long time we shall come Oct of this terrible
it. met to as victors." Ilerr Wiekede proceeds to describe
the Jubilant feeling expressed by the three FrussMn chlicer.
who accompanied him on their first, view of Faris from the
eminence of Hulsey, zed his own more serious reflections on
the fate which swatted a city whi re he hail formeriy met
agreeable society and good contrail.. Lila only wish is that
the heavy batteries may speedily compel a capitulation.
" What advances in civilisation," he exclaims, what bene-
ficent inventioes, but also what enormities, falsities, and de-
pravities of all kinds Europe and the whole world owe to this
city, which we are now approaching as conquerors !" The plc-
tem.!. Villeneuve he fmnd totally forsaken, and in other
suburbs also um° but soldiers wore visible, except here and
there a peasant who had been impressed with Ins waggon, and
who walked by his horse with bliderrancour, carefully watched
by soldiers. The letter have quartered themselves iu splendid
ch2teaux and elegant villas, sleepiug on luxurious ouches,
libraries serving as stables, and the kitchen fire led by
beariMil soldiere with costly works of art or with orange
trees. Fruit, grapes, potatoes, and vegetables are tumid in
abundance ; rice and coffee are supplied by the commissariat,
and men and horees are in good condition, the fatiguing
marches haring ceased. Eggs, milk, &a., are unattainable.
Ilow the people will lied subsistence oil the departure of
the troops in a region which will be as devoid of provisions
as the desert of Sahara Is. puzzle. Yet, this circle of 20 or
25 mil. belongs to the richest and meet 'exert°. district in
Europe. The whole region round nuis has become an inn
menu, camp of 2L0,000 men. In the immediate neighbour
hood of Versailles one first remarked old women sitting
hetore the housee, or saw in the street a emelt group of
children at play. I was two whole days travelling without
seeing a single female form, a child, a domestic animal not
belongiug to the army, era man without a MllivfM, or who
did riot belong to the troops. And this in one of the most
populous, active, and affluent districts in all Earopo !