The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-01-12
PROVISION SUPPLY IN PARIS.

The captured staff officers Of the Saxon
Crown Prince related on their release that
they had been sumptuously entertained in
Paris, and it was inferred by some correspon-
dents, whose letters we have published, that
there was plenty In Paris. The London Times
correspondent in the capital intina:es that the
ssdelicacies of the season. are still TO be had
by those in the secret, but that the general
supply OF good food is sufficient is not proved
by this sort OF evidence. The correspondent
alluded to says, under date of December IA:
Those who have the courage to 20 to the
restaurants can still get meat, without any
stint as to quantity, and by no means bad rs
regards quality. At first-class restaurants
such as the Voisin-one finds either beef or so
good an Imitation of it that IL is impossible,
With all ones skeptlcism on the alert, to de-
tect the forgery. have been told, 10 answer
to my Inquiries how meat could still be got,
that great number of private spectators.
many Of them belonging to the so-caled poor
classes, have contrived, either on the Sly or on
some plausible preteXt, to keep COW or
sheep up 10 the last moment, IN order 10 sell
to the reStdurdteurS ready to pay high prices.
Among rich people the amount OF private pro-
visions slowed away is said to be very great.
They astonish occasional acquatntances by
Offering at breakfast, quite as matter Of
course fresh butter, eggs, milk. and perhaps
cold beef or chicken. 1t Is at first hard to re-
press the uncharltaDle suspicion that they
must be In secret communication with Ver-
sailles, but the mystery vanishes when one
learns that ones host had the forethought,
when the siege was about to commence, to fill
a garret with poultry, and find quiet cor
ner, out of reach of inquisitive eyes. In which
to stow away COW. hear that the govern
ment agents are beginning to ferret ont these
supplies rather indiscreetly, however, COM
mencing by asking significant questions about
them, instead of quietly selling them as soon
as the right moment for conhscation arrives.
Some of the restGurdte,trS have private farms
lust outside Paris, within the shelter of the
tortIhcutlons, and are thus enabled TO provide
such luXuries as fresh butter, eggs and milk
at rather heavy prices, however. A cup OF
chocOldt al lait, pat oil butter. Two eggs, ana
bread discretion, cost ST. or CT; but then the
bread alone can be considered necessary Of
life, and this has not yet even been rationed.
There was s. panic about il the other day. and
a report that it was running short, in conse-
quence OF a few bakers shutting up their shops;
but on inquiry it turned out that the shops
had been emptied by an unexpected rush
of customers, each anxious to lay IN
a stock Of flour for his own private
use, TO protect himself against the possible
horrors OF the siege when the moment OF sur.
render has arrived. l have already mentioned
that few are sanguine enough 70 hope that
this moment can ne postponed 10 the end OF
February, but that the beginning seemed 10
me more probable date. have since heard
the first week of January named on very high
authority, but this was on the assumption that
the population would not consent to hold out
on bread and wine. but would Insist on surren-
der the moment all other supplies ceased.
The politician who expressed this view, and
who has every facility for obtaining informa-
ton. ought To know his tellow-countrymen
great deal better than / do; but confess
have higher opinien of them, and believe
that Paris will submit to considerable priVa-
ton, provided the Provinces continue what is
supposed to be their present policy OF strenu.
Gus resistance, be they -uccessful or not.