Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-12-05
5 BESIEGED PARIS.
The Balloon Service = Strength Of
the Gordon Milltaire.
The Republic--FrenOh Philosophy
Law and Order.
Amusements and Fashlons-Foreign.
ers-Fallen Greatness.
BESIEGED PARIS.
GRAPHIC VIEW OFPARIs.

PARIS, November 6. 1870.
We are now in the fftieth day Of the
Gordon miiitdire. Although not her
metically sealed, we are, nevertheless
so hemmed in as TO prevent mail com.
munications from entering. Now and
then newspapers find their way in, and
inform us of that which transpires be-
yond gU4a& sd fNWWf as
THE BALLOON MAIL SERVICE.
The balloon post performs its duty
with entire success in carrying our let
ters out, but, unhappily, it does not re-
turn to bring tidings back. While, there
fore, we cannot hear from those, many
of them far away, whom we love and es-
TEEN, we find consolation in the belief
that they hear. occasionally from us.
Apropos Of the balloon mail service,
it is already a selfsupporting system.
Not an accident has yet occurred involv-
ing the loss of life of single passenger.
The mail of one hitherward bound from
Metz was captured by the Prussians, but
the passengers effected their escape.
They have assumed business-like i'm
portance in their movem ents. / read a
few days ago in the advertisements of
the journals the following Outward
bound-The large and splendid balloon
Egalite will leave tomorrow morning,
or with the first fair wind thereafter
For freight or passage apply" ETC., etc.
The price of passage a month ago was
1000 francs, but competition has reduced
the price to half that amount. That of
freight have not heard stated.
The pigeon carrying is less reliable
than that of the balloon 1t is reported
thatin order to intercept the dispatches
thus conveyed, the Prussians have an
organized corps always on the qui vive,
and that they have falcons which they
employ with success. Yesterday morn
ing the celebrated pigeonniculteur, Mon
sieur Cassiers, went out with twenty
well-trained young birds, of from four to
six months old, from which the best of
results are expected. He will perhaps
furnish the governments with daily i'm
portant intelligence from Tours. Imay
mention that the value of one of these
birds at present is from 500 to 600
francs. am informed that, while they
are yet young, they seldom fail to ac-
complish with unerring aim their dest
nation. The love of parents is their pas
sion, and the Indictment in their rapid
movements until they are weaned As
soon, however, as they are mated, they
can no longer be implicitly trusted.
They are reluctant to start homeward,
and during their passage are arrested
and delayed by attractive objects on the
wayside. In this respect they somewhat
resemble human beings.
How strange! Just as had concluded
the preceding paragraph, my domestic
came in attended by two others, who in
habit the sky story of this lofty mansion,
all nearly breathless, bringing carrier
pigeon which had alighted upon the win
dow-sill of her room. He came through
rain and wind, and, though in his flight, |
resolutely shrugged on until he was so
exhausted that he could not reach home |
Iexamined him with care, but he had no |
message upon him. | then sent him to |
the Department of the Interior, where
he underwent like examination. In
the pelting storm his dispatch had doubt
less been severed from him. He is now
bright and vigorous, and, as well as / can
understand him, he expresses willing
ness TO start upon another such errand.
STRENGTH OF THE GORDON MILITAIRE.
During the week since the date of my
last, the belligerents have not been en-
gagged in any large fights, but in diligent
and successful skirmishing on the side
of the French, and there has scarcely
been an hour of intermission. To what
extent the Prussians have been damaged
in these small conflicts il is difficult to
ascertain. The French suffer more or
less in ALL but they not only maintain
their ground but advance in every d.
rection outward. We have ocular proof
that under this pressure, and the fire of
heavy artillery from the Notifications,
the Gordon is steadily stretching. En-
feebled in this manner, | think it more
than probable that in less than a month
hence shall have the Joy of announcing !
to you that it has been definitely sun
dered in one or more places. / have
reason to know that Gen. Troehu so be-
lieves, and ] have no small amount of
confidence in his judgment. Time has
been everything to him, and mortal man
could not, in my opinion, have en-
ployed that which has been afforded
him with better Judgment in prepara- !
ton. If ever he will be ready by
the lst proximo to make victorious de-
His army, to man, is
even now eager for tho combat. He I
holds it back from prudential motives, I
and its impatience yields without clamor a
to the considerations by which he is in c
fiueneed. In every regard, he is per- Q
Of 1f IL |
! admire him for the sterling virtues
which \ so much esteemed in my friend, c
General CsEaignac. Inside he has been |
equal to his responsible position. This d
is assuring evidence that outside he will 7
be equal to every emergency.
THE REPUBLIC.
That in which the PROVISIONAL Govern
ment Of i64S failed the Provisional Gov
ernment Of 1870 has accomplished. 1t :
has overcome the malcontents by mild
The extremists are, at pres
ent with comparatively few exceptions, o
in the most perfect accord with 1.-THE v
most intrepid Of the intrepid-in behalf /
Of the national defense. They are re- a
ceiving valuable practical lessons in {
and, by the time hostilities 9
ooass, their impatiehee 10 realize theo- b
retioal absurdities will probably be con- G
fined to the bounds of reason. They Il
are certain TO give good account Of a
themselves in the field and in conse- n
1hence in peace to be rewarded with ,
compensating civil Offices. In all this / J
cannot but see bright augury for the d
Iuture
Qf all the peoples Of the earth, the s
french love life the most and fear death /
he least Inveterate pleasure-seekers, Q
hey are not to be diverted from their b
purpose even though they are sure that 4
he grim monster is close upon their h
ieels. This fact is forcibly portrayed a
n their present condition. They are r,
ust as Joyous in the presence Of danger Il
IS they are in its absence. If they are a
o die tomorrow, they see in that GER r,
ainty no cause why they should contract D
heir enjoyments to-day. They philoso- d
,hize as did Brntus on the approach of 81
leath- To please and be pleased, TO T
muse and be amused, TO instruct and to
e instructed, creates and constitutes 81
heir happiness. Refined in intercourse a,