The Sun.
London, England, 1870-09-15 00:00:00

THE SIEGE OF PARIS.

The correspondent of the Standard, writing from Paris,
says :—" I am inclined to think that the siege
of Paris will prove a far more protracted affair than
appears to be supposed by those who believe, with
Alphonse Karr, that Paris would surrender rather
than do without green peas. Your special correspondent
will probably describe the appearance of the National
Guard reviewed to-day by General Trochu. Whether they
are the sort of men the general would like to lead into the
field is a question I will not enter upon, but I have no doubt
they are quite able to hold their own behind the protec-
tion of fortifications, and their numbers fairly surprise
me. There could not have been less than 150,000 men
present. The battalions consist of eight companies, and
most of the companies were two hundred strong. They
received Trochu enthusiastically ; there were a good
many cries of Vive la Republique !' but a good
many more of Vive la France !' and unanimous
shouts of ' A bas la Prusse !' General Trochu
rode rapidly along the front of the battalions, giving
a quick searching glance at the men; he looked
extremely stern. Several of the battalions are
commanded by retired rear-admirals and old naval
officers. Most of them wisely did their duty oa.
foot, but one of these gallant veterans had hoisted
himsel on a raw-boned horse, on which his per-
formances strongly reminded me of Commodore
Trunnion. The men, I have said, were very loud
in expressing their determination to fight, and after
this day's display the sense of amour propre, which
is the predominating feeling among the Parisians,
would prevent the easy surrender which is antici-
pated [in some quarters, where the power of an idea,
ev, n though that idea be a vain one, over the French
mind is utterly ignored. The Mobiles continue to come
in in shoals. They are being supplied with kit and
uniforms with a rapidity which reflects the highest credit
on the Government. Of course their drill may not be
perfect, but they are stouter fellows than are to be met
with in any average regiment of the line,and unqueationably
march infinitely better. There are 100,000 of them,
formed into four divisions. Of their appear-
ance, however, even in their present semi-uniformed
condition, no commander need be ashamed. The
Prussians appear to be moving, not on, but
round Paris. The official announcement given yesterday
of their being at Noisy le Sec, about five miles from
Paris, was not true. The news was telegraphed by
Admiral Soisset, who commands the fort there, but he
reported that the bridge had been cut, not
at Noisy le Sec, but at Noisy le Grand,
a town in Seine-et-Marne, twenty-seven miles
off. To day we hear of the bridge at Corbeil having been
blown up (no doubt by the French), and that the bridge
of Creil (thirty-one miles from Paris) has shared the same
fate. The northern line, therefore, now only communi-
cates with Belgium and Calais rid Pontoise and Pont St.
Ouen, and when these bridges go, probably to-night,
after the mail train which carries this letter has passed
over them, there will remain but a precarious communica-
tion between Paris and London vid Rouen. The old
Norman city is expected to be visited by Count Bis-
marck's requisitionaries,' and I hear that in consequence
there is a perfect panic all along the coast."

The diplomatic duties of the French Embassy in
London are being discharged by M. Tissot.

The marriage of the Earl Cowper and Miss
Compton, eldest daughter of Lord and Lady William
Compton, is appointed to take place on the 20th of next
month.

The Bolton Daily Tolegraphlsays that a great Con-
servative banquet is shortly to be held at Manchester, to
which Mr. Disraeli and other notabilities are to be in-
vited.

The memorial pillar-to Daniel Defoe, which the
boys and girls in England have raised over his grave in
Bunhill-fields. will be nncovesed to-morrow, at 12 o'clock,
by Mr. Chas. Reed, M.P. The ground will be open to
the public.
Hitherto subscriptions in Ireland have been made
towards the relief of the French wounded only, but recent
events appear to have created a partial revulsion of feel-
ing in the sister island. At a meeting at Riverstown, in
the county of Cork, which was addressed by the parish
priest, it was announced that the proceeds of the collec-
tion would be appropriated to the relief of the wounded
of both armies.
The Folkestone-Boulogne Cable has been repaired
and is now working excellently. No private messages can
now be received for Paris itself, but for Italy, the South
of France, and places reached through Paris, the commu-
nication is still open.
A special meeting of the members of the Council
of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce was called
yesterday " To consider what action shall be taken by the
council or by the chamber in reference to the exportation
of arms and ammunition to Franec.,'
THE BLOCKADE OF GERMAN PORTS.—Telegraphic
information has beon received at Grimsby to the
effect that the French fleet has raised the blockade of the
Elbe and other German rivers, and has sailed
to the southward. Preparations are consequently being
made for re-opening the steamboat traffic to Hamburg.
The steamship Grimsby, it is expected, will leave for that
port on Saturday. The Anglo-French Company's steam-
boat, according to present arrangements, will also recom-
mence running to Dieppe at once.
SYMPATHY WITH THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.—Last
evening, Mr. George Odger, accompanied by Mr. Wil-
liam Trant, left London by the London, Chatham,
and Dover Railway, en route to Paris, to present to
M. Jules Favre, the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the
French Republican Government, an address of congratu-
lation to the Republic, adopted at a meeting of work-
ing-men, at Hyde Park, on Saturday last. Messrs.
Odger Trant obtained their passports without any
difficulty, and they did not, upon their departure, appear
to anticipate any trouble in reaching the capital
of France. Mr. Odger will seek a personal interview
with M. Jules Favre, and, if possible,
return in time
for the " democratic " demonstration in London next
Monday.