The Sun.
London, England, 1871-01-02 00:00:00

THE SIEGE OF PARIS.

LIVRY, December 29.
The French batteries were pounded out of Mont
k
pon last night, and the plateau was visited by
toe Nan infantry patrols. Its regular occupation
el night is possible. Other German batteries are ready
lati"irlhere. On the north-east the French seem
ev- to be hankering after what is now more than
itnpossible, a sortie viii Le Bourget. A. deserter
here
reports that Ducrot is resident in Drancy,
tbtel'e also are four batteries of naval gulls,
10:15 batteries of 12-pounders, and one battery of
ter, tiers. Some breech-loaders and two bat-
-110::0f mitrailleuses are all pointed towards Le
the'let. But their possible effect is nuillified by
that'`Terman batteries at Raincy. Deserters report
day,,,-`48 Bourget is to be again attacked within two
with German batteries were to-day engaged
NbP°l:t Rosny. There was very hard hitting
oth, •
0.1 sides to seemingly little purpose.—Daily

SIiIRMISHING IN THE NORTH OF
FRANCE.

HATE,E, January 1.
o,l"terday an engagement was fought by
.the
band-I's llader General Roy, at La Bouilie, on the left
the Seine, when the Prussian 3 were driven
414: all their positions with considerable losses. on
hack nBide of the river the Prussians are falling
e? 1,8.
Rouen before General Pettingeas.—Dally

BALLOON NEWS FROM PARIS.
The f° ° 11 LE MANS, December 31.
wing(epen balloon news from Paris, dated 30th
olng) has been received hero :
t°°l3B yesterday morning evacuated the

plateau of Avron after removing all the guns.
General Troche superintended the operations
himself, notwithstanding the heavy fire of the

enemy.

"The Prussians continued to bombard the forts of
Noisy, Rosny, and Nogent vigorously all yesterday.
To-dav their fire is much slacker. Similar demonstra-
tions are expected on other points, especially in the
direction of Mont Val6rien.
" The population is grieved by the evacuation o f
Mont Avron, but in nowise moved by the bombard-
ment. It evinces an energetic resolve to resist to
the last, and to take the offensive vigorously in order
to break the enemy 'slines.

"The cold continues severe. this morning the
thermometer showed 10 degrees below zero.
"Perfect tranquillity prevails in Paris. The Prus-
sian batteries have in two days thrown 12,000 pro-
jectiles. Our total losses are 15 killed and 200
wounded."

BORDEAUX, January 1.
The following balloon news from Paris has been
received here :

An 'officer who left Paris by balloon yesterday
with M. Ducoux, the late Prefect of Police, reports
that it was announced in the capital that the Prus-
sian attack on Mont Avron was gloriously repulsed
with a loss to the enemy of from 7,000 to 8,000
killed.

7.30 p.m.

There was a great and enthusiastic Repub-
lican demonstration this afternoon before the
Prefecture, convened by the Republicans of Bor-
deaux as a manifestation of their adhesion to the
Government. The street (nearly 150 feet wide) was
filled for a quarter of a mile by a densely-packed
crowd of all classes. National Guards, sailors,
marines, and many line troops were present, but
without arms, and there were many children in
drilled ranks with banners. The members of the
Government appeared on the balcony at half-past
3. M. Gambetta spoke for a quarter of an hour,
exciting the wildest enthusiasm of the multitude.
He reappeared a second time half an hour later in
compliance with the reiterated demands of the people.
He spoke with great fervency and passion, and was
immensely cheered. There were cries of " Viva la
Repubilque l " u Vive Gambetta " The street
is still filled, and the crowd is singing patriotic songs.
The bombardment of Noisy and Rosny has
caused hardly any losses on the French side. The
plateau of Avron, having no casemates for the garri-
son, has been evacuated under the direction of
General Trochu, Paris accepts with joy the struggle
a outrance."

In Normandy the French troops have taken the
heights of La Bonilla, Orival, and Chateau Robert
Diable. The last position was retaken for a moment
by the Prussians; but the French again recaptured
it.—Reutcr's Telegram.

DEATH OF MARSHAL PRIM.
MADRID, December 30 (11.50 p.m.)
Marshal Prim died this evening at half-past 9
o'clock.
The King has landed at Carthagena. Admiral
Topete received him.
The Cortes passed a vote in support of the Go-
vernment. •
Madrid is tranquil.—nnes Telegram.
MADRID, December 31.
The death of Marshal Prim has intensified the
excitement which followed the first announcement
that he had been shot.
It appears that after removing one finger, as already
stated, inflammation set in, and it was found that
life could not be saved even by the amputation of
the arm.
The• Marshal retained consciousness to the last.
When made aware of the rapid approach of death,
he bade "Adieu" to his friends composedly. It is
said he expressed much anxiety for the safety of the
new King.
Great apprehension prevails here of an outbreak
The Government are endeavouring to allay the ex-
citement.—Telegraph Telegram.
MAD RID, January 1.
The death of Marshal Prim has caused a profound
sensation. The Cortes, in their sitting of yesterday,
declared him to have deserved well of his country.
His name gitl be inscribed in the Hall of the Cortes,
and the family of the marshal will be placed under
the protection of the nation.
In the same sitting the Cortes passed a vote of
absolute confidence in the Government.—Reuter's
Telegrams.

(TIMES TELEGE AXIS.)
ITALY. •
FLORENCE, December 31, 2.35 p.m.
The Roman inundation, extending over the whole
Corso Hill, prevents the intended departure for Rome
of the Minister of Public Works.
The King's entry into Rome on the 10th is also
thereby rendered uncertain.

5.10 p.m.

The King, on a sudden impulse of his own, and in
spite of the breaking of the railway bridge at Orte,
starts this moment (4.30) for Rome incognito,
deferring for the present his solemn entrance,
which was previously fixed for the 10th of
January.

On account of the disasters and the heavy expense
incurred' by the recent inundation, he requested that
the funds destined for his solemn reception should be
devoted to the victims.

• RUSSIA.
BERLIN, December 31 (11 p.m.)
The troops in the South-Western Provinces of
Russia are being continually reinforced.