The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-21 00:00:00

THE AMAZONIAN CORPS.

The Paris correspondent of the Standard, who forwards
is letter by balloon post, writes as follows concerning the
:ormation of the Amazonian corps :—" Having been
attracted by a crowd round an insignificant-looking
bill which caused many readers to turn away
after perusal with a smile on their lips, I find
that in the Rue Turbige an office is open for the
enlistment of Amazons. My curiosity being some-
what aroused I continued my walk in that direction.
Arrived at the house indicated I found two of these
placards posted on each door-post, which circumstance
added greatly to the difficulties of those who were endea-
vouring to enter for enrolment, owing to the crowd they
drew together. I managed, however, to elbow myself
a passage, though it is doubtful whether I should have
ventured on such a course if I had not seen several
Amazon, s perform it successfully. I found the office in
course of arrangement ; the list will only be open to-
morrow, but there was a gentleman there to give infor-
mation, which he did with great politeness to the many
most respectable ladies I saw there. The conditions are
these Every Amazon must be presented by some person
in a position to answer for her respectability, and must
engage herself for the duration of the war. The duties
they will be called upon to perform are the same
as those of the ' Garde Nationale Sedentaire,' to which
will be joined the first care of the wounded on the
ramparts. Their uniform (found by themselves) is to
consist of black trousers, with an orange stripe, a black
woollen blouse, furnished with a hood and a `kepi,' with
an orange band. The Government is to be asked to supply
a light gun, carrying not less than 250 yards, and to grant
them the same pay as the National Guards, if 50c. per
day. From what I can judge from the women I saw in
the office, I should not be at all inclined to underrate the
services this corps might render; they were principally
women of the lower middle class. However, the higher
ranks in society were not unrepresented. • One lady espe-
cially shewed great enthusiasm ; her husband, who had
been a lieutenant in a foot regiment, had been killed at
Sedan ; her brother was in the garrison of Metz, and her
uncle had been taken prisoner after having taken part in
the defence of Strasburg. In her eyes gleamed a thirst for
vengeance, and her words and actions expressed the joy
she felt shat the opportunity had presented itself. It would
of course, be premature to express any very decided
opinion, but I left the office far more inclined to encourage
the movement than I had entered it. It is stated in an
evening paper that a gentleman noticing a contemptuous
smile on certain persons' faces while reading the
announcement, reproved them in these words :
Citizens, let us not laugh. Everything is serious at the
present conjuncture. Who can tell butthat in the ranks of
the Amazons, a Jeanne d'Arc may not be found to save
France.' An announcement was made in the newspapers
that a number of merchants had undertaken to furnish the
town with provisions, and it is believed that they will succeed
in getting their waggons through the the Prussian lines.
Misery however continues to grow, and nothing has yet been
heard of any provisions arriving. Cannonading has been
heard this afternoon in the direction of Clamar•t. One of
my friends, on whose information I can rely, tells we that