The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-29

pewllderlng. Turn into whatever history you will
OF Italy, OF AUSTRIA or France Of Spaln-and every
few pages you will encounter some record OF this
phase Of warfare. Only few even OF the more cele
brated Will be noticed. 1t Is OF course, impossible
sieges.
by no means at present suffers the horrors Of siege
for the first time. She was besieged four times by
the hardy Mortimer during the ninth century,
three times with success. While the English held
France IN the fifteenth century Joan Of Arc
made vain but vigorous attempt to wrest
Paris from their hands. Six years later
attempt, which was crowned with success. The
English garrison made desperate resistance, re-
fused to surrender even after all hope had gone and
siege Paris has ever suffered, however, that by
Henri Nv. after the battle OF lvry. Paris had for
years been recognized as THE heart OF the League"
and determined to keep out tine terrible Bearnas
long as possible great many OF the citizens left
The city, and others sent away their wives and chill
dren, out still go, 600 persons remained within the
walls. Henri's forces only numbered 5000 men,
and he was, therefore, far too weak TO make gene
raj assault HIS only resource was to reduce the
ened period had been accumulated ana the citizens
were soon plunged into the horrors OF starva
ton. The nobility OF Paris came nobly 10 the
rescue, and did all that could be done. The
priests melted down the church plate and the LADIES
gave away their jewels to relieve the starving multi
Jude. But provisions could not be bought aud IL
was FOUND that gold was not always the equivalent
OF food. What followed is told with almost revolt
ing mnuieness by Votare In the "Henriade:i-"But
when the waters Of the Seine ceased to bear 10 the
city the fruits OF the harvest. and when hunger al
ready was seen In the streets, pale and cruel, and
pointing TO the spectre Of Death that followed in her
tram, then, indeed, were heard frighIiul waIlings
and this superb and beautiful Paris grew full OF I'M
fortunate beings, whose trembling hands and feeble
voices demanded valnly the sn5enance or life.
Soon, too the rich, after tess Efforts TO buy
food, proved the pangs of hunger by sad experi-
ence Of them in the very midst or abundant treasures
No longer aid they crown themselves at festivals
with myrtle and rose leaves. One could
now only look upon these same voluptuOus creatures
with pam. They were pale and bag2ard death
feeby shone in their eyes, and they were perishlng
OF misery In the bosom Of opuence, hating the
abundance Of their useless wealth. Here an old
man, whose days would also soon be terminated by
want saw his carried to the tomb, victim
already to hunger There, an entire family persisted
IN the lranuc fury Of starvation. And again, some
orunate beings lying III the dust, still disputed
with their last breath for the odious remains OF the
vlest ailments. Famished spectres outraging
nature sought nourshment even In the cold bosom
OF the tomb, and prepared horrible repast from
the powdered bones OF the dead. But what will not
men, reduced TO the last extremity OF misery,
attenptY Here we see them even nonrishing them.
selves with the ashes OF their ancestors From the
sth May when the siege BEGAN. until the end Of