The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-12
BELEAGUERED PARIS.
Edmond About Sketches the Situation

Edmond About Sketches the Situation.
I'm the SOtr Of August 20 NJ. About writes:-"on
Tuesday morning brought to Paris a specmen of
the Provinces, or rather, may say, tattered and
bloody rag of the invaded Provinces The genera
mass OF the public took certain amount OF interest
in that spectacle. Delicate and fastidious minds
found it somewhat strong, and have been told that
it is not well to speak the truth at all times re-
piled, like General Trochu, by my motto, Ontnia
rerd dicenda. To-Day it is Paris that wish to
exhibit to the Provinces such presents itself to
me after months aosence-Paris transformed by
flash of lightning, and profoundly disturbed in its
sentiments, ideas and manners.
Paris takes no heed OF the change which has oc-
CURED in itself it is as the eye which sees not ITSELF
found it on Tuesday morning IN state of great
anxiety but firm and resoute in all its sadness. 1t
had preseDtiment OF the great battle fought be-
success which experience had shown to be dinicult
and costly, but did not rely upon its own courage
and maze eneTgetlc preparations ions 1or its own ae-
moment OF victory. 1t is not msled by any
Illusions; inIt 1t It., does not attempt to persuade
stroke and 1t wasted no time In decorating
its houses with flags. 1t thanked and blessed
the army IN 9etto without desisting from
its own work, ready to support and reinforce it at
the first signal Youths and men alike were exer-
cising themselves in the use Of arms. met yester
day member OF the Institute a house porter, and
gay liver OF the Moulin Rouge, who had been
together receiving lesson in the management of
the chassepot. Bodily exercises have revived in
favor. The Paz Gymnasium is always crowded
population which had only nerves desires hence
forth to acquire muscle The children who will he
born next year will come into the world under
better conditions than their seniors and will become
substantial men. Paris has made immense progress
in politics. no longer troubles itself with politics.
The discussion of internal affairs is put Off;
all parties have signed an armlstce in the presence
OF the enemy. The state OF siege is accepted with
out discussion; the excellence of M. Duvernos is
not disputed. Paris allows the Government to do
ANYTHING so long as the Prussians are kept outside.
Gambetta, frateTDizng with the Comte de Pallkao,
gives strong strange, but accurate representa-
Of the Partisan feeling. The provinces, and espe-
cialy those which are invaded, have not come to
this state OF mind. They have two maledictons in
their mouths-one directed against the Prussians
and the other against the authors OF the war. In
mas thought fit to postpone, have
which Paris no longer mentions than If they dated
from the twelfth century. Let us attend to the
PEELED it will consult it win make up its accounts
and win dispose OF ITSELF Novel and admirable
would simplify affairs and would greatly abridge the
great crisis Pleasures which formerly constituted
Drilling, working, medtatng, there Is no longer
time or inclination for amusement: The capital
OF European good living whittier M: Haqssmann am
attracted all the eaters, the drinkers, the hat-
terers OF the world, has within few days
assumed Spartan aspect. The theatres are
closed except four or hve, which play TO empty
benches. Dress has become palmer and more sub
dued gay toilet would be as discordant as false
happy metamorphosis, WIN tell you that Paris, but
lately too rich, has suddenly become poor All those
documents representing shares and stocks-the
pieces OF paper, blue pink or green, which M. Rou-
her pompousy estimated en- bloc at forty milliards-
become reduced to their real worth The bank note
has undergone the logical depreciation entaled by
forced currency gold and silver are scarce and
each keeps by him the little that he may possess in
case of possible contingencies. An entire popula-
tion which hitherto had the foolish habit of living
upon its capital discounting the future and making
eXtravagant abuse OF credit, has returned to habits
OF foresight OF saving and OF that worldly simplicity
which constituted the strength of our forelathers
and which unhapply constitutes that OF our enc
mics. For twenty years we have been, or fancied
We were too rich: luxuries had been forced upon
the most modest tastes and fortunes; paruenus
being permitted to set the fashion, 1t was almost
discreditabe not to spend 100 900 francs year. War
has restored the credit OF poverty We may now
venture to walk. and we no longer fear to ask our
friends TO dine of beef and potatoes. When think
that only last winter, scarcely six months ago, the
humblest bourgeois Of Paris would have lost caste
had he failed to offer his guests sham Chambertn
and disguised Chateau Yquem with pheasant
stuffed with wooly balls, viOe la nisere it makes
more wise at the same time that 1t makes us more
manly Paris is beginning TO comprehend that il
can dine sufficiently well without trulies, and tha
a.woman may look as pretty in a b0-franc dress al
in a gauzy wave which cost 20 louis. We shal
emerge from this crisis better than we began it, and
France will gain in elevation without any diminu
lion OF her surface,O