New-York tribune., 1870-08-27

multitude very different. Quantities OF men In
blouses, who seemed to have 1t all their own way
mingled with soldiers Of every possible corps and
arm, ali half, not quito drunk, rendering
circulation anything but pleasant easy. As
my friend and walked about we were closely watched
by several OF the citizens in bouses mentioned above
but when no returned TO point out TO some beauty
the steepe Of the cathedral, considered To be
without doubt Prssian agents OF the most dangerous
kind, and the number OF followers increased
"You see, said one, "Tbey are looking at the
steepe Of the cathedral to send soldiers up there
when they come; let us watch them closely" We,
however, way looking unconcerned, and as
passed the Houssaye, who Is inspector OF the
In France went In TO ask the Sone
information. This Also diotc and benighed men who
watched thought suspicious, For" said one
there is there plan Of the old town OF Chalons ana
they going doubt to copy that. When my
friend out the excitement Of our prosecutors made
them brisk. All the forms they had kept in measure
till then, were dropped and they began to shout aloud
that we " "PIussians," &c. The excitement m
creased every second, jam Jasces ct sdr rodnI We
keep calm and quiet bearing till the con-
servateur OF the museum comes out and an
swers for u.s. We then released, and the
crowd disperses not without growing though
and hear man mutter that he does not know
whether the conservateur himself IA not Prus-
sian, for he him the day before looking at a
bridge being built YOu cannot form an idea OF
the snallness OF mind OF the lower classes in
the provinces Of this country, for it shows itself
to advantage only in crises like the present.
The episode 1 have related is only one Of many
which occurred to during the hours we were at
Chaons: and the only precedent can find to compare
the state things are In at present in France Is the time
the Terror. do not mean TO say that Is so Dad hoW
but the principle is the The mob are la the ascend
ancy, they have 1t all their own way, they
shout sing, drink smoke, and swagger about,
rfn
cap, myself, and dirtying my hands That is the
best costume to get in at present and TO be most
courted in. Just specimen to give you an idea:
Yesterday the hotel at Chaon on our asking to have
our boots cleaned, the servant answered, IN clean
them II you like but people don't have their boots
cleaned IOw-weve given it up"
But to return to my diary. We at length found cart
that was about to return Chaons camp and Joined
party Of people consisting of a scrubbylooking officer
of engineers arrived from Africa, and going TO the war
An army surgeon-major and a charming French woman
from Paris. who going TO see her husDand-a
feldOflcer OF the Mobile, at Chalons. At about
we got off the stout little ChampeneZe horse,
dragging the heavy load calamity say heavy, for the
two officers going campaigning had luggage enough for
two ladies going aur eatz aud IL all the officers Of
Gen Douays army had as much, do not wonder at
the Prussians saying al immense quantity OF punder
fell into their hands. The Emperor had three
trains full Of things for himself; carriages cooks,
chairs, Sofas beds, &c III remlnus OI
Of Antochus. We thought that being fairly our way
our troubles and fatgues had ceased the day. but it
was not so, and doomed that evening to 20
through many vcissudes before could lay down our
heads for a few hours sleep must tBke up this diary
where left of in my next, post time has arrived.
will erite by next post which starts at 8.
FRIDAY, Aug. 12.-Snce L dispatched my last this
morning have gone through multitude OF adventures
which shall recount in due time. left OFF my diary at
the time started for the camp at Chalons
We logged along very well, the Partisan Lady talk
ing about her husband, &C., till passed through
a little village called La Veuve" The
was written in large letters upon the walls, and
at its sight the lady covered up her face and seemed
hOrror-struck regarding it omen that she would
soon be "veuve" I hope she will not, for she is
very charming and spirtuelle woman. After rather
wearisome drive of about three hours through
what that they call La Champagne pouilleuse,"
or lousy Champagne, on account Of its ex-
treme barrenness arrived at the camp,
hungry thirsty and cold. The camp is built in ranges Of
brick huts, all round the village OF Mourmelon which
consists of long high street composed chiefly Of cafes
chantants beer-drinking kOsks, soldiers theaers &c.
and few shops Of different trades, who nOw by the way
are all making their fortunes rapidly 1t Is in this vii
lage that are the hotels and to the principal Of these
Drove We wanted bed and supper, and were told
we could have neither. We made the inquiries at
other places, and received the same dsheartening
answer Atslast reached small coffee house, which,
by the way is something else besides for the
filed with fashionably dressed girls, with powdered
faces, &C., some of them very pretty. They were
not at all tdrouehe, but were embraced with
out the sghestdficulty by officers Of all CORPS which
the place was crowded with Well, at this cofeehouse
or canteen, found coldfOwl and Omelete, well
as common Burgundy, which anywhere else
would be charged six shings a bottle, for 1t
was really excellent. Thanks to this good luck
we managed very well far. After supper we
women were singing upon a stage before crowded
house OF soldiers Of every rank and every
arm The male singers were Gardes Mobiles,
among whom men of every imaginable pro-
fession. One of these singers was pupil OF the
Conservatoire, and had resigned an engagement
at the Theatre LyriQue He had capital tenor voice,
and sang extremely well. 1 must tell you that before
we entered the Cafeschantant had, as we thought
secured two beds in house we had been recommended
TO- When however we presented ourselves there at
about 1880 we were informed that there beds,
that It had been q mistake. We had now to begin a
search up and down this long stTeet-about three miles
long-to find bed. We unsuccessful, and began
seriously to think should have to sleep out OF DOORS
which was not tempting Of rather cold night, when we
met a friend OF NJ Houssayes who said he thought he
could find us least place of shelter. He took us to
one of very ntan and the mistress OF the
establishments, when she knew it was NJ Arsene Hous-
saye who about TO sleep in the street. ordered bed
room to be got ready The bed was little narrow
thing, be but there two mattresses, 80 we
made bed the ground, and slept on 1t while he
slept the spring mattress assure you We were very
thankful for you cannot form idea Of the state OF
things here, and how unpleasant it would have been to
remain all night in the street Of MourmelOn.
This morning. after posting my letter. went up to the
headquarters OF the army, to ask about the Marshal
very gentlemanly looking officers answered me that he
had left with all his staff for Metz, but that his chef
Gen. Neury was very likely To be stlli at
the station at Petit Mourmelon about four miles off, and
49,. Il nkelx shnuld find him there and