Year: 1870

Visit to tie Seat OF Provisional Governments
Night Scenes at the Hotel de viIle--The Nn-
tional Guard and the Executive ID Departed
GIsry and Stern Rcality-Activity and visi-
lance as in 15SS'92.


PARIS Sept. % p. NJ.


went to the Hotel de Vile last night about eleven
o'cock-ihc quietest hour In the twenty there
for The purpose Of having chat with the members
Of the de Jacto government Of Franco.


Approaching the building found the great square
IN front Of the splendid old edlce deserted by visit
ors 1t was empty on Its balconies and the porch.
The pavement before the front was held and paced
by sentineis OF the National Guard, and the iron rail-
ing which surrounds the building as well as all the
gates leading inward were guarded. approached
one of the sentrics and was Immediately challenged
to halt, and my 'pass' demanded. produced It
at once ana showed 1t to the man. who glanced at 1t
and admitted Inc.


Going forward I entered one Of the numerous
porte c0cheres and assembled the staircase, which
leads into larger court, which is covered with O
roof OF glass and named Court OF Louis Fourteenth
1t was filed with company Of miscellaneous
character and Of very different occupations In life.
Soldiers OF the National Guard were scattered in
groups everywhere. Some were engaged IN CONVEX
satlon chatting on the occurrences of the day ap.
parently in free ana quite unconcerned manner.



losophizing or tending to sleep and dream. Many
OF them were laid on mattresses which were spread
on both sides Of the court and were In reality
asleep-fast asleep after day OF fatigue.


regimental company which had just been told
OF and mustered for night duty was ranged at long
tables which were stretched side by side In the
court and served. doubtlessly, for the purpose OF
mess tables. Another large table stood in The mid
die OF the court On this there were few oil lamps
lighted. These vessels Afforded the only light In the
place


Just as entered the captain OF the squad was
engaged in calling the roll OF the men who were
about to relieve the sentlnes on post duty at the
hour. The soldiers stepped forward. "iell in"
promptly and marched or the captain ordering the
''grand rounds"


Invent forward and upward. Ascending another
staircase OF stone reached door situated on the
landing above. This door opened into long mar
row room. Inside stood o National Guardsman
armed with musket, but not in military uniform.
My "pass" was demanded again by this sentinel.
produced 1t and went on. Entering the room I
found many officers OF the Guard scattered here and
there Some were standing others sitting down,
and all OF them talking with great animation and In
good-humOred style.


In this room stoUd another long table. This table
was covered with writing materials. II was not pre-.
pared for SUPPER as was the one IN the room under
meath.


Some of the employees Of the late Project of
Paris were here. The men were Still robed in
their dark livery and employed as pages. / re.
marked that the fodng-door, which ap
peared to lead into q side room, was guarded
by two sentinels Military officers and many
civilians entered this door. They went In FIRE.
quenty and kept returning to the anteroom in
haste. This was really the important and imposing
door-the centre OF attraction and interest.


Ihalted My name was given In writing here to
page, who at once disappeared inward from the
door to carry the card to member OF the govern
ment.


was told that the provisional government was In
session just then on very important business and
that the session was likely to be continued during
the night and into the following morning.


This news was very dlscouraging just at the mo-
menk took seat and remained for q time inter.