The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-27 00:00:00

TELEGRAPH COMPANIES

Pd Pd
100 Anglo-American L) 85 88 10 Great Northern .... 11 114
88 1}
10 Anglo-Meditrn (L) l3l 13/ 6 Grealt N. China, and
100 Atlantic — Japan Eximnsion.. 324 dis
100 Do 8p o — 5 Indo-European (L).. 12 14
10 British Australn (L) 34 31dis 10 Marseilles, Algiers,
If and Malta (L) .... 68 el
10 British Ind Exton (L). 64 68 10 Mediterrn Ex (L)
...... 41. 4
61 24 Pnma and S. Pcfoll.) 3 2 dis
10 British Indian Sub- 2 P-16 dis
marine, (L)
78, I, 13-16, I 20 Soc Trans France (L) 148 144
2 China Submarine (L) 4148 d is 14 4
4 100 Submarine 235 240
10 Falmouth, Gibraltar, Do Scrip _ 221

and Ma to (LI

THE WAR.

THE SIEGE OF PARIS.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SUPPLIES.

Nothing has been neglected in Paris to economise the
supplies of food, and to avert those epidemics which are
likely to result from a prolonged siege. For several weeks
before the investment of the city the inhabitants were
warned to provide themselves with provisions, and means
of light, and while the merchants were making purchases
to refill the warehouses which were speedily emptied, the
Government and the town were acquirinj
immense stores. At first there was a positive
incumbrance, especially when the vast herds of
animals came in, but order was soon re-established.
Sheds were erected for the cattle, which were distributed
in different places, under the . charge of the peasants
who had taken refuge in Paris, and under
the superintendence of a veterinary surgeon. The
immense stores of forage provided by the Govern-
ment were distributed, and part of it compressed
by hydraulic presses, thus preserving it from damp and
fire. There is in Paris a considerable store of wine. With
bread, meat, whether fresh or salt, and wine,
men can live. However, it was thought wise
to provide some variety by stores of rice, eggs,
butter, dried fruit, sugar, tea, chocolate, coffee. Of the
last-mentioned articles there is an enormous supply.
Some deficiencies cannot be supplied. The chief of these
is milk, and an ingenious substitute, having something of
its taste and appearance, has been designed, though we
are not told of what it is compounded. As for fresh
vegetables and fruits, they can no longer be procured
from outside, and the supply procured inside the enceinte
would not satisfy a hundreth part of the normal demand.
Sea fish and shell fish are not to be thought of, and the
provinces are enjoying fine fish, such as they never saw
in time of peace, at wonderfully low prices. But
setting aside such trifling hardships, . there is an
actual food supply in Paris for some time
to come. The hygiene of the city is carefully looked
to, the thoroughfares are regularly cleaned, no gutters are
left, and a long desired reform has been carried out, house-
hold refuse being no longer allowed to be thrown in the
public streets, but removed by a regular system. In all
respects care is taken to preserve the health of man and
beast, matters of drainage, ventilation, and the drying of
skins, &c., being scrupulously watched by an organisation
of the citizens themselves, who inspect the houses each
day, and report to the authorities. Three great problems
were the questions of water, light, and warmth. It was
feared the enemy might seek to cut off the waters,. whose
source is beyond the enceinte, and large supplies were there-
fore drawn from the Seine by powerful machines, and
stored. Wells were also dug, and pure water is now
plentiful. Lights will be supplied in case the gas should
fail, but the authorities do not wish to state in what
manner. The warming of the city is provided by stores
of wood, coal, and coke. Charcoal may grow scarce, but
it can be supplied by the wood cinders, which everyone
can make for himself, and the establishment of canteens
and economic furnaces will lessen the demand on charcoal
for private consumption. The Parisians are consequently
sanguine that they can hold out without risking extreme
hardships or sickness until the provinces succeed in
effecting their deliverance.