The Sun.
London, England, 1870-11-28 00:00:00

AFFAIRS IN PARIS.

The French papers continue to be filled with the docu-
ments received in the late balloons from Paris, and ex-
tracts from the Parisian journals. The substance of the
news between the 12th and 20th is already known ; but
the details of life in the besieged city are naturally'
full of interest. On the 12th a report was cur-
rent that only sufficient fresh meat to supply the
inhabitants' for one week longer remained. This was
at once contradicted, and it was stated that there was fresh
meat enough to supply the inhabitants until after the end
of the month, and that the Government has salt provi
sions to last for three months. Vegetables are plentiful
in the market, but at ruinous prices. Eggs 10 sous each,
fresh butter 45 francs per lb., salt do., 14 francs, small
geese 25 francs, turkeys 65, rabbits 18 francs, carp 20
francs, a small dish of gudgeon 6 francs, ass and mule
meat 6 francs per pound, horseflesh 2-i francs, Lyons
sausage 32 francs per lb., ham 16 francs.
The horses, donkeys, and mules slaughtered are purchased
by the State at from eighty to ninety centimes per kilo-
gramme, according to quality, weighed alive, and the meat
is distributed to the twenty mairies of Paris, in proportion
to the population, according to the calculations
which previously served for the distribution of beef
and mutton. The Government also takes possession of
all unoccupied workshops for the manufacture and trans-
portation of arms. No Paris establishment has yet
produced any breech - loading field pieces. Those
which are ready were manufactured at Meudon,
but the Frans establishment is henceforward to
produce a full battery of twelve converted cannon, and
a battery of mitrailleuses weekly. The Parisians put
great faith in their artillery. They say that even
supposing the Prussian artillery succeeds in
destroying the two forts of Issy and Vannes,
the enemy would not have gained his point.
since he would have to cross a space of two kilometres
breadth to occupy the positions, that space being covered
by the French artillery. As soon as °retell was taken by
the French they began fortifying it, and turning to account
the works which the Prussians had already begun in the
village, they have constructed a formidable entrenched
work, with a deep fosse, and large embrasures. Great
exertions are being made in Paris itself, to form four new
companies in the artillery branch of the National Guard,
consisting principally of former artillerymen and
volunteers. It is understood. that these new companies
are intended to take the field soon as by order
of General Clement Thomas, all distributions of
uniforms to the other branches of the guard were
suspended until their equipment was complete. Twenty-
two men, consisting of Mobiles and Freeshooters, under
the command of an artillery non-commission officer, made
a daring attempt a few days since, which was crowned
with success. They divided in two parties, and started at
midnight with the intention of capturing the Prussian
advanced post at Choisy-le-Roi. The artillery
officer shot down the Prussian sentry, broke
open the door of the post-house, and flung himself
into it with ten men, while the eleven others
arrived from the other side. The Prussian guard, fifteen
in number. were taken by surnrise ; thirteen were killed,
and the other two captured and carried off in triumph,
with the arms of the whole force. Three hundred Prus-
sians were stationed at a short distance.

The Parisians are hard at work constructing a bat-
tery at a very great height, which is to be
armed with thirty powerful guns, and is intended
to throw projectiles over two of the most seriously
menaced forts. Great surprise was occasioned by the
arrival of two shells from Fort Ivry, which burst at the
foot of the plateau of Chatillon, seeming to indicate
that the Prussians have made the houses there their ad-
vanced posts, so as to protect their batteries against
surprise. A report has been spread in Paris that in
certain quarters the Pru-sians are merely simulating
cannon by the trunks of trees. On the other hand,
the dismal accounts given by some Bavarian soldiers cap-
tured at Bobigny were received with suspicion. Accord-
ing to these prisoners, discontent is general in the
Prussian rankss, while out of 2,000 men of their own regi-
ment,' 1,200 were invalided.

By order of the Prefect of Police. Odds, con-
certs, restaurants, wine-shops, and other establishments
of the same nature, have ceased to be lighted with gas
after seven p.m. They may remain open until midnight,
if other mode of lighting be employed.
The Jonrnal des Debats gives a further account of the
Revolutionary Clubs of Paris.. Those of the left bank are
languishing, and the other evening the Democratic Club
of the chausse,e of the Maine failed for want of an assembly.
The salle of Pre aux Clercs which was formerly ,
so noisy, and contained an image of the Republic,
surmounted by a Phrygian cap, only attracted
a small number of followers. Even this assembly appeared
very divided in its sentiments. There was an excited
minority, which resolutely applauded the notion of the
war being carried on a routrance, and a majority
which was animated by peaceful intentions,
but very willing to hear reasonable opinions.
Some extraordinary schemes were made known. One
inventor discovered a new strategy which he believed
would prove infallible against the Prussians. Fighting
was only to take place in the night, by throwing electric
fires on the enemy's lines, A discharge would be sent
forth, and then the assailants would conceal
themselves until the time came for another
volley to be fired. The same inventive genius
produced a plan for catching King William and
his staff in a net. He would not kill them, but Prussia
should not have them bank again until the war was over.
A more serious speaker quoted an article from an evening
paper on the subject of the peace negotiations, and the
idea that success might attend these efforts, appeared to
give general satisfaction.
,This attitude proved, however,
too much for the feelings of a citizen present, and he
mounted the tribune for the purpose of declaring that the
armistice was a trap, and that they must fight until death
to carry out Jules Favre's magnificent programme, " not a
stone of, our fortresses, not an inch of our territory."
(The applause to this was energetic, but not general.)
An animated debate next ensued between two speakers on
the subject of the manufacture of cannon. •One person
said they had heaps of cannon, to which the audience
replied—" Where are they ?" Another speaker, who had
visited the workshops of private industry, gave some ex-
planations which ' did not appear to be reassuring.
He declared that the attempts of private individuals had
not produced a single cannon, but that there was good
chance of future success. He went on to say that
in a month's time at latest. there would be a
sufficient number of.,cannons to enter a campaign
which would enable them to meet the Prussians
with advantage. (Exclamations of, "That is a long
time off, " how about the provisions?" among the
audience.) What would you have asked the speaker?
They have had to improvise the manufacture ; they have
made schools, and cannon cannot be made in the same
manner as a galette, but WO shall be ready in three weeks
time. He concluded by saying that it would be impru-
dent to fight against the Prussians until they had a suf-
ficient force to bring against them in the way of material
of war. They must have patience. The assembly soon
afterwards broke off for want of speakers.