The New York Herald Newspaper, October 31, 1873, Page 3

THE LAST ACT. eal Final Liberation of French Soil by the German Army of Gecupation. VERDUN, ETAIN AND METZ Graphic Letters from a Herald Correspondent Detailing the Closing Scenes. MANTEUFFEL ON STILTS. The Last German Soldier to Leave the Soil of France, THRILLING INCIDENT AT THE CLOSE. Verpun, Sept, 14, 1873, Tarrived at Verdun on the afternoon of the 5th fmst., alter an unnecessarily tedious journey from Metz; tor, although the distance is, or is said to be, enly forty miles, the Prussian train contrived to take nearly four hours in doing it.. A slow people, these Germans, in civil pus! and very method- fal in their manner of treating it, Immediately after I reached Verdun 1. went to wee M. de St. Vallicr, French Chargé d’Affaires at the German headquarters, who resides in the Bishop's palace. I passed’ through the quiet streets, the indwellers of which seemed to be greatly subdued in mind, for they evidently had learned the imprudence of evincing aby demonstrative or unwelcome curi- osity with respect. to strangers, or giving vent to the wonder which is wont to seize upon a country ‘town at the aspect of a new face. They let me go upon my way silently, hardly daring, I think, even toscan a stranger too narrowly, lest he should take offence and turn out'to be one of their con- querors and that terrible thing, an angry man in authority. Possibly some of them may have had to do with the chief of the staf, who hinted, in no mysterious manner, wnat a conqueror’s wrath can do, but an hour or two ago, on the Franco-German frontier at Batilly. In my wanderings I met a gentleman with the Ted rosette of an officer of THE LEGION OF HONOR fo one of his button holes, He had some papers in his haha, and he bowed to me politely, while ne re- quested to know my business. “I want,” said I, ‘to see M. deSt. Valiier. I am Soquainted with him and I trust that my visit will ‘Bot be unwelcome.” “I donot think he is at home,” answered the French knight courteously, “but I am the Secre- tary and can answer any question you may wish to put about our present doings here.” He was a very gentlemanly man, that oMcer of the Legion of Honor, and as I handed him my card he was so good as to remember my name, and, dropping the official style, he spoke to me with that easy famil- larity which belongs to the freemasonry of office 4m dealings between those who are or have been colleagues in the same service. “We know nothing,” he observed, ‘‘absohtely nothing, of the German movements or intentions, and we are expecting their decision with some anxiety.” He would have said more, but a door wear to us opened suddenly and another officer of ‘the Legion of Honor—a tall, slim, aristocratic gentleman, of two or three and forty years old— appeared upon the threshold of a stately room, Tarnished with a faded sort of splendor, but look- ‘tng bare and comfortless. Tne tall gentleman, who had dark hair, dark eyes, and that mild, sober, polished aspect which marks A SMOOTH NEGOTIATOR, ‘was M. de St. Vallier, hope of the French Foreign Office in these dificult times. M. de St. Vallier greeted me witn extreme kind- mess, and a minute aiterwards we were seated side by side upon a large sofa of the last century, talk- ing that language of half meanings which belongs to diplomacy, and which sounds so unintelligible to unpractised ears, but is nevertheless plain and convenient to those who are accustomed to it. ‘This is what I gathered trom the French diplo- matist, who met my interrogatories most loyally and frankly :— “France,” said he, “has no interest in conceal- img anything. She upon her side has honorably fulfilled the cbnditions of the treaty of peace with Germany, and Germany has done the same. “1 cannot express too highly the esteem and even the affection witn which General Manteuffel has inspired me. “Our intercourse has been and is in every respect most satisfactory. Ihave no complaint whatever to make against any one of the German authorities, who have one and all behaved to me with ‘niform candor, justice and respect towards the French nation, whose representative I have been during my oMcial negotiations with them. 1 am glad to have the opportunity of saying this dis- tinctly and unequivocally. Iam, if possible, more glad to know that my sentiments upon this subject ‘will be placed by you before tie great AMERICAN PEOPLE, ‘whom I honor and admire. “The good fecling at present existing here be- tween the French and the German 18 not confined to General Manteuffeland myself, and to the gen- tlemen attached w our personal staff. J believe it to be much more general than toa cursory observer it may seem tobe. The Frencn gendarmes, who have just arrived here, are respectfuily saluted by the Prussian soldiers; and our <roops, who are beginning to arrive, receive the usual military honors, which are paid to them with a scrupulous and chivalrous courtesy. “The last instalment of the indemnity was paid at Berlin yesterday. [t was paid in specie, according to the conditions of the treaty of peace; and to count itis rather a tedious business, which will take about four days, if | may judge by precedents. “As s00n as news can be received that the last franc has been told into the German treasury the @erman troops still occupying Verdun will depart. “All ramors of delay, or misunderstanding, or reluctance to fulfil our engagements, either upon the part of the French or the Germans, are and Rave been unfounded. There has been no shul- Ming, no tricks, no double or uaderhand dealing of any kind, I pledge you my word of honor. “No, there is absolutely nothing which the French government, under existing circumstances, might think it inexpedient to pubiish in @ French jonr- ‘Bal; or! might ask your aid, through the important Journal you represent, to make it known. “La France na eu qwi se louer des allemands Gepuis ta guerre, “I have the inexpressible satisfaction of assuring you most ponitively that tne Jast German army of Occupation which remains in France will leave »s ‘with good and friendly fectings, and there is not, to the best of my knowledge and belief, anything ‘whatsoever of recent ocenrrence whict.is likely to gow the seed Of & quarrel.” When I contrasted M. de St. Valtier and M. do Benedetti with certain other French dipiematists, ‘whose intimacy and confidence | have .enjoyed, Tcould hardly believe my ears or my eyes, There was nothing intractable or self-asserting abent M. de St, Vallier as there used to be about mostvof the high noblemen who formerly represented France in ner diplomatic relations with Germany. They were delightful hosts and companions, and I femember that 1 was seldom out of the Prench Bmbasay of an evening when I was in Hanover and Vienna, But when I saw either of the French Ministers at those courts, during the omMcia) in- terconrse with the German suthorities, they cer- tainly seemed to bristle all over with thorns, THE TOWN OF VERDUN F165 mllos $9 She PPAR OF Ratim 129, miles Went of, NEW YORK HERALD, — the Rhine and 40 miles west <¢ Metz, rt stgnds on the River Meuse, in % Meuse, at ® point whoré, the Btream, which tows through the town in five branches, begins. to be navigable. Its defended by a cifa@del constructed by Vauban snd by ten detacl.ea redoubts. It is not a sirohg place, however,sand is only reckoned as @ fortress of the fourth,/ciass, Its history is briefly told :— is Verdun was besfred by/the Emperor Charles V., , Who waa compelled to“retire; but in 1702 it was’ taken by the Prussians, after a bombardment of fifteen hours, and subsequently evacuated by them. From 1803 to 1814 Verdun was used as a place of detentton for Englishmen imprisoned by Napoleon, after which its records contained nothing of im- portance for more than haifa century, and at the beginning of the late war it was a@ quiet, sleepy, old-tashioned place, Which could number a popula- tion of about 14,000. Its garrisomat the time of the siege consisted of 7,000 men of all arms. Verdun was regularly invested on the 13th of Septemper, 1870, and on che evening of the 11th of October all obstacles were cleared away from the ground lying between the besiegers and the fort- ress, where the French had collected STORES OF POTATOKS, and whence they had been accustomed to recon- noitre the position of the German batteries, Verdun capitulated on the 8th November, when the Germans captured two gener eleven superior officers and 150 subalterns, and about 4,000 men, together with 136 guns, 23,000 infantry riftes, and a large quantity of military stores. Tt has been said of Verdun that, as a fortress, it 1s simply an anachronism, since it lies, like Sedan, in a hole, and can be commanded from the neigh- boring heights by modern siege artillery. 6 siege works of the town occu aja 1870 gp the same positions as in. 1792, whe! i@ King o} Prussia surveyed the place after its capture and remarked that it 1g 100 straggling for any per- manent resistance. @ defence, nevertheless, must have been reg) ble, for the besieged had shelled and reduced to ashes the dwellings in the environs, occupied by the enemy. g ‘fhe Captain of the French Pender, who re- cently arrived at Verdun, dined with me yesterday. I asked him whether anything had come within the sphere of his observations likely to disturb the present friendly state of the relations ex- isting between the French and Germans, and he oy that there had recently occurred a very serious RIOT AT LUNEVILLE, A Mob of about 3,000 excitable people had col- lected in the street there with the view of taking summary revenge upon the Germans by puttin, todeath two mercantile men who had arrived al Luneville for commercial purposes, and who were suspected of having served in the German army. It appeared, as the Captain of gendarmes was at pegeent advised, that these mercantile men had mn nearly torn to pieces by a reckless and ex- asperated crowd of 1oolish persons who had, said the Captain, very grossly misconducted them- selves, because -it was indecent for 3,000 people to , fall upon two harmless traveilers and attempt to murder them. The affair, he told me, might have ended badly, and one of the mercantile men had been already roughly handled, when the French troops were called out and ultimately suc- ceeded in Tencoing them. The mercantile men were shen smuggled through @ back door toa Place of safety, and finally escorted to the railway station by @ strong detachment of soldiers, who protected them trom further insult till they took their departure. Generally speaking, no hitch had occurred save hitches of a itesaant character. As I walked down the STREET OF THE VIRGIN I saw some German non-commissioned officers and French police iraternizing, and I observed a pretty French tobacconist, whose conversation was by no means of that rabi He Reeee sort which would conduce to the belief that she would be likely to offer any frantic opposition to modest advances from her hereditary enemies, several of whom ie peared to take extreme pleasure in her gay d course. ‘The dram major of a German battalion at Etain has married a French girl; and German officers, now here in garrison, have brought French wives from Nancy. I observed also that the trading por- tion of the community at Verdun were extremely Teady to turn an honest penny in commercial dealings with their country’s toes; and they ap- Ltregs to have so many opportunities of doing so hat the rumor of their gains had attracted a large concourse of French pediers, who hovered about the cafés frequented by the German cadets and volunteers, who had more money than experience, J saw one of them, alter having sold some trump- ery far beyond its value to @ blue-eyed lad fresh from a province on the Russian frontier, pack up his wares rather quickly, as though in haste to be of. He seemed rather ashamed of himself, for even @ French pedier fs seldom a rogue by na- ture; and he looked nervously toward the window pd wt bog ot pope Lays Bray bearded Majors: not be passin, jore he got clear away with his pinnder.. Perhaps that pedier had been troun Jor such doings im his day. THE MAYOR OF VERDUN, @ very worthy gentleman, has kindly permitted me to take a copy of an address which he is about to publish to his fellow citizens, declaring the view which he takes of the present state of affairs in his worshipful or official capacity. Here is the address of this civic dignitary, and it announces a great My Dear Fetiow Crrmens—In three days the German army will quit the territory of Verdun, which is the last pledge for the ransom of France, Soon afterwards French troops will re-enter our walls, which they so valiantly defended with us To celebrate this day, so en, awaited, we shall have but one single and only thought (seule et unique penser), Dut one sentiment—the Joy of beitg restored to our- selves. If anything could still add to our immense satisfaction it would assuredly be those proofs of sympathy which have been addressed to us trom different parts of Fran-e, and those which I have this instant received from the French residents of New York, congratulating us upon our HAPPY DELIVERY. Bat we must not forget that there are in our imme- diate nelghvortood certain popalations who have, re- mained French at heart, and who suffer becaure they are separated from their mother country. This grievous remembrance (ells us that we have neither lo celebrate # triumph nor a victory. Aiter tne departure of the Germans the GREAT BELL OF THE BELFRY will ring a joyous peal and the tricolored flag will be hoisted on one of the towers ot the cathedral. At this signal the Town Hall will be adorned with flags, and in the evening our public buildings will be illuminated. To invite you to follow. this example—that is, to hang, out fiags from your windows by day and light them up wo to imsult you. Your tease digs agement. inary dis- tibut of made to the poor. ‘The Mayor, BENOIT, which, being interpreted, signifies Benedict—by no means a bad name for a civic janctionary. I learn, toc, from a personal triend of Mr. Mayor that the Municipal Council of Verdun has passed the following resolutions to celebrate the day of deliverance :— A large distribution of provisions and a small distribu tion of money will be made, with other comborung suc- cors to the indigent, by the Bureau de Bienfaisance (Be- nevolence Office), out of the town funds. ‘As soon as thé German troops have left Verdun the tricolored flag will be hoisted over the city gates and elsewhere, and the city will be lighted up at the public expense. A tanguet will be offered by the town to the officers and soldiers of the first celumn of French troops which enters the citadel. “Moreover, behold!’’ (et puts tenez!) says the friend o! Mr. Mayor. “Here is the telegram which the Mayor has received trom THE WRENCH UF NEW YORK,” and he handed me a neat manuscript copy of the Jollowing document :— Telegram to the Mayor ot Ga lttacbee keatorkrns ne nom TO VERDUN FROM NRW YORK. Received the 10th September, at twenty-five minutes (past seven, post meridian :— Monaricu i MAIRE DE Vaupo, Maver — onnaissanc ir devouement; t Jiberation. ba m9 FRANCAIS Dey roee.® Now these words, being rendered into English, signify — . = To, tux Maron OF VERDUN, UPON tHE MavE Fatitude for devotion ;’ congratulation on liberat THE FRENCH OF NEW YORK.” And I thought as I read them, with somethin, like a tightening of the throat, which has, peruaps deen oiten felt by the iriends of France in her trouble, that the telegram of the French of New York was a true heart cry, expressed in that lat guage which, lar above all other modern ° guages, most tersely and memorably tells a great and generous peenaee, It was tine, vigorous and French. The French of New York have aright to know that it brightened the eyes and quickened the pulses of many gallant gentlemen; and. that, although bm are lar away irom the homeland, au: many of their hearts must be sorrowing over un- merited exile aud misiortune, they will fever more be forgotten by the brave citizens of Verdun. Maybe, sly Ae be can hetp them, it has been usan and not iail to the grou! be bi tig Na General the Garon Manteuffel is really a ne ns beet Sra BO le has been man ot work in France since the peace, and has often had a hard and thankless task, out of which little glory was to be got at best and which might very probably have put a end to along and honorabie military career, He has performed that task excellently well, and as the Vount de St. Vallier, the French commissioner at his headquarters, assured me he has not only dealt fairly and justly with a conquered nation which he might have sorely vexed, but he has been gentle and courteo ven kind, to ‘such a degree as to win the ‘ tion” (and that was the word used by M. deSt. Vallier) even of his country’s foes. But this man is not exempt from human weak- ‘ess, atid, ike moet of the German generals, is a queer compound of simplicity, shrewdness and a Testiess sort of vanity which betrays kim, and An extraort then very often into ndicalous positions. so having Tndiscreetly refused to receive newspepet correspondents, and yet desirous of being adver- Used at least once more, he quite as indiacree: sent @ secret emissary to King his praise and get it Printed. Said the fat man, who came to me on his behalf, and with a propitiatory seni; :—*Kxoellenz Man- teufel was very sorry tha’ could not But there are’ reasons of Best to ay State. K say Neliaricc parent eich oa to new ideas, He belongs to the party of the King’s friends, aud one of bis near relat: who Wap Migpoper i lo4h, reugerga himeedy way Swrtdh attemres fo stem the revolutionary i youhave, sir? His ari said J, not unamused by this Sa | en? His Excellency saw & Sarrespon nt at Nancy, and was so exuberently te that be Fode up and addressed Mr. Crawford while at the head of his troops and surrounded by his staf,” t “An!” said the. fat “The ‘Excelleng’ saw rimen' red, that he had better do 8o.’? “So, then,” saidil, with aa much gravity as I could muster, “His Exceliency wisely considers it be- heath his dignity to hold any intercourse with mewspaper correspondents?” ‘The fat man ed in & deprecatory manner, and said, “Ya! m Sie,” after the manner ‘of his countrymen when they are being demurely prapkes, and have an inward conscious- = that they are slipping, through mist and into & net acrape. “is the Excellenz” aware,” I pursued in sober tones of miki reproof, “that his Emperor is a news- eaged correspondent and was formerly a very ac- ve member of the press? Does not the Excelleng know that Prince arck is @ news} r writer of considerable diligence, and that even I, an bum- bie member of the most honorable profession now existing upon earth, inasmuch as it is purely in- tellectual, hola the rank of Brigadier General in Her Britannic Majesty’s service, and have con- versed personally with nearly all the crowned heads of Europe and Asia, also with some of the African monarchs! while my friend here, a distinguished war correspondent whom the Excelienz has also — rejused to receive, is afar more illustrious person than I by.) for he tye nainal received from the Emperor of exgnany imsell the same rank In the order of nobility as the Excelleng himself, and is a Ger- man baron. indeed, possess some titles, and am a count the Holy Roman Empire and a FEE of the first class in Spain. have two lukedoms in Italy and’one elsewhere, with other honorary distinctions and decorations not a few from many sovereigns, But 1 am not a German baron 6F * andl am modestly conscious that all other claims to nobility must appear smal! in the eyes of a Prussian, 2 Of yesterday. But why does the Kxceli¢nz refuse to recely gentleman, who is a German baron, besides being & Scotch genticman of good descent and a brave soldier, who followed the Excellenz through all the perjls and dangers of the late war, and chron- ieee them with rare ability and military expe- lence The fat man fidgeted with the roll of fine paper which he carried under his arm, and then observed, “Schen sie,” here is @ biography of the General. “What more could you want of him? I will tell you everything you can wish to know.’’ ‘This terminated the interview, and the military Messenger took his departure. THE CONDUCT OF THE GERMANS CRITICISED BY A ‘FRENCH WOMAN. “You think that Verdun has always been as quiet during the German occupation as you see it now,” said the youngest of three French women who keep the Café Comény, opposite my hotel. “Do not deceive yourself, We owe our present tranquillity and freedom {from insult to the repre- sentatives of the newspaper press who are now among us.”” As she spoke there occurred a fine practical illus- tration of her language; for three French boys, impelled from behind by the boot of a Prussian corporal, bumped first against the trail door of the case and then tumbled all of a heap into the cay, with angry, red face and touzled hair. “See now,’ pursued the vivacious little woman, who kept her coifee house, with her small sister- hood, as only French women could have kept it, “that is how we have been treated; but come and have A CHERRY SUPPER with us by and by. I wiil tell you more when the shutters are up, and we can have a quiet talk without being overheard.” Tleft her then, and went to the Café Labordére, which is set apart for the German officers, and into which no Frenchman puts his foot willingly. There was a strong muster of them, this last night of their occupation of Verdun, and they were busy with PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE on the following morning. 1 found many of them eagerly reading news- papers and letters containing the latest news, or instructions from the Fatherland. Money changers hovered about them, driving @ brisk trade in bar- tering French bank notes for imperial silver, for any one who had French paper money now got rid of it, Good horses were sold cheap at the last mo- ment, and excellent chattels. It Was now that the wounded major with the gray beard and the stiff knee parted trom his old arm chair, and now that the young lieutenant with the light mustache sold his phaeton and his superfuous trinkets for something very much less than the value of a song. The Germans ve already spent a great deal of money in Verdun, and even young lieutenants are bound to leave it with clean hands on pain of the displeasure of superior authority. So debts must be paid, and old scores which had been growing jor nearly three years were wiped promptly off; for superior authority must not be offended, Some of the elder men were packing little parcels o1 the fam wages de Verdun, “and toys and e ous e Verdun, an 3 ani uovograpns, with other stray odds and ends, so that everything belonging to them might be taut and trim in its place ready Jor to-morrow’s march. There were few curiosity mongers about—a stray Briton or two, but no Americans or tourists of other countries—a fact which seemed notable to me, for what I saw around was the Orst scene, in many vivid tableaux, of the last act of @ grand historical drama. Early in the evening boys began to steal fur- tively into the German ollicers’ café. Tney sold photographic views of the city and its suburbs, and all thi which boys can sell, being the most impudent things in creation; but no men or women came to hawk their goods, they having @ dislike to appear publicly among the Germans Jor prudential reasons, not unconnected with the probability of a rough and tumbie riot in the streets to-morrow, when they might come badly out of the hands ofan over patriotic mob. Here was to be seen the usurer who had so many heroes’ honor in his books and boxes. He waiked about with a cringing aspect, ready for business when wanted; but he had also a subdued air of pride and ill conceated authority, knowing well that he was the master oj many present, ior DEBT HAS ITS SLAVES ALL OVER THE WORLD, and gallant fellows they are too, some of them, who Wear thelr letters jauntily, or even naughtily. At yonder table, seated alone before a glass of beer, and looking wistfully at a handsome young man in @ cavairy captain’s uniform playing bil- liards, was the father of a family, who had come hither to clear off certain liabilities curred by the Oaptain, He seemed very proud of his tall son, thoagh ne had just had to pay smartly for his paternity; and there at Metz, not far away, was the gnidige Frau mother and the Frawein Schwester, and blushing Gretchen, the betrothed, ail waiting to Welcome the young soldier and sing “Heil Dir im Siegerkranz” (‘Hail thou in the vic- tor’s wreath’’). I soon got into conversation with this happy sire; for he was not sorry to display his Engljsh, jearned Jong ago in dictionaries und consis! chiefly of the first page of ‘The Vicar of Waketield.”” He was proud, too, of his courage in venturing here; and showed the sharp points of his nationality in a rugged outline not uncomical, though it would have been cruel to smile at it just then. BLUFF, HANDSOME GENTLEMEN were these Prussian officers, and most of them spoke English upon the'smallest provocation. ‘They | were puncttliously polite to each other, Apart and dreaming, bis glass empty, and his | fingers idly tracing the large noses of his elders | upon the table, was the cadet, with the morose want of purpose of sullen eighteen, angry in his untutored heart that he was not a little older and had not fought in the great war or got TWISTED EPAULBTS OF GOLDEN CORD upon his shoulder; wondering, too, this last night of the occupation, whether bis chance for tame and distinction would ever come. Alas for the young and the brave! aias for youth and courage! he thinks, and dozes off to sleep. Sitting solitary and silent were officers whose hopes of promotion and marriage had gone by without fruition aiter long waiting, having been blasted by the peace. There, too, was the inan in trouble with superior authority, to whom the war had brought not but vexation; and the man who bad lost his wife or bis betrothed, and who was about to return to @ cold hearth, saddened with memories whick would not be forgotte: ‘The war was over now for good or evil, and there was sometning of the confusion and chilli- neas which tollows the close of @ piay. The young were allowed some license, and the old looked on with saddened aret musing that all things come | toanend. Many of them had ridden in those knee boots, which will be | A THOUGHT OF ANGUISH Fos GENERATIONS TO THE FRENOH, over the mountains of the Vosges and through the valleys of Touraine, and the clank of their spurs had been heard among the wilds of the Ardennes. It was over now, that glorious pageant of victorious war, and had brought nothing but rheumatism to some of them. As I sat in the Café Labordére a fearfnl storm which had been gathering for days burst over the city of Verdun. The thunder roared in protracted peals, and the lightning Mashed in terrors as the drop scene fell on the death of French renown to the crash of that Olympian music. It had been a strife of Titans, and it ended fittungly—so far. A never saw such vivid flashesof lightning, They dominated and overpowered the gaslight, putting it scornfully in the shade, and the rain lasned THR CAPTIVE LAND with distinct strokes, seeming to shout @ Warning, or, perhaps, & propnecy, tI th the wind as 1 pauses ot that flery del amid the thander claps billfard balls kn click like » Yet eked. to- Eoin tats ced top ater asses i asi. a oe here “Lede hoch P’ So rarely do human creatures hear the voice of Heaven while strength broke, all international communications there, though I knew they bad been worried almost into brain fever the day before by the anxious cor- nts of the don papers, But they got out of their beds cheerfully enough, and the it words which were flashed from Verdun by wire morning made up the telegram to the New York ALD. 6 A. M.—The last fleld post of the Germars gal- way with letters and despatches for the 5 Dlg with news of the advancing army. stat of wa acateyi | which stands in the Market place, is provided with a flag and a string to pull it, that no time may be lost when the signal ny joie: ngs is rung out oe a etre iste is , Meantime @ company of Germany forming in the borhood. a At @ house overlooking the bridge of St. Croix and a sluggish branch of the Meuse is a little boy of six nears old, up betimes and standing at a win- dow, dressed iike @ tricolored hag. leis quite iramed in with fowers, and looks like @ picture. Beneath him is an angler fishing for perch, and u) moved by the exoitement of his fellow citizens, Everybody else is in feverish haste to see the last of the invading hosts. The very handbilla on the Walls are-printedin the national colors of red, white and biue. At 6:10 A. M. the German officers begin to cluster round the Caié Labordére in full uniform, ready for ‘coffee—perhaps for a little brandy, too. a are a@ little too boisterous and jocular. The peautifu: old town is coming out into the aaylignt gorgeous as @ nose- t% though the sky is overcast and lowering. maby priests with contented faces, well shaven, abd one or two dozen truculent fellows who ea to need a strong police; but there are no gendarmes avout. The calm before the storm, or father that chill quiet which comes just before dawn, is the ouly thing which can be compared with the hushed stillness of Verdun. I hear good- bys between some lovers and the sharp loueaee of French girls, some of whom (and these are the rettiest) are dressed inthe costume of Alsace- orraine. But they are allof the poorer Classes. he weil-to-do citizens remained within their houses, and ail their doors were closed, There Was a strange, unwonted silence in the best streets, it bad vee very wet ior the last week, ana the sky seemed still to augur Leavy roads for the German march. But as the drums begin to be heard the sun steals coyly out and gives agort of half promise ofafine day. “It js the sun of Austerlitz about to shine again over France?” says a Frenchman engaged in the nationai occupation of flirting, and ax , it up with history, poetry and great ou “Mais mon Dieu!” replies the young lady who is helping him, a getter up of tine linen, or UNE BLANCHISSEUSE DE FIN; “we shall not see it clearly till they are gone.” Indeed the sun withdraws from the scene alter a brief and unsuccessful first appearance, At7 A. M. the artillery and ammunition wagons are moving down trom tue citadel. Tueir teams run rather small, but the horses are strong and in exceilent condition ; 80 are the men, having both thriven exceedingly upon French corn and wine, Across the draworidge of the fortress ts seen a dark mass of bine uniforms, and the sun coming out again throws @ capricious glitter upon their M—Two non-commissioned artillery officers upon stout, well-broken horses, ride up to @ grogshop on the esplanade for a schnaps, which is a glass of brandy. Ao active French waiter Sips up to serve them, with a ‘Ya, messieurs,” lor the Verdun waiters have learned their German in fragments, and it ig necessary to be still civil to German non-commissioned officers. “GLUBCKLICHE REISE |?” gays the waiter whea the Germans have drunk their stirrup cup. “A pleasant journey to you, my lords,” The words are not unkindly said. ‘The scene upon the esplanade is interesting and icturesque as the German troops are mustering here. Belowis the valley of the Meuse, slowly awaking beneath the daylight. I write these notes tO @ ceaseless accompaniment of rolling wheels as the artillery wagons move off, the cry of command sounding hoarse and distant from the citadel. U) side path near me isa child’s go- pon cart with a baby in it. . 7:10 A. M.—‘Rechts! Ma-d-a-r-sch/” is the first distinct mil’*ary order which breaks upon my ears, and then harsh cries of command succeed each other rapidly. ltis the garrison artillery coming ‘Out of the citadel. 7:15 A. M.—The field officers sit like statues upon their horses, sword in hand, as their troops file steadily through the lortress gates. The first in- fantry Which sorms into line upon the esplanade 18 a Saye ge 720.4, M.— of music are heard faintly from within the citadel and distant barracks. Presently they sound nearer, and on come tne spiked helmets in serried masses, and the drums and fifes speak out in streams of martial melody. Taere is @ thunder crash of military music, which sets the blood tingling in my veins, as the first black eagle, surmounting the standard of the gal- lant Sixty-fourth, comes in sight. The Sixty-fourth Prussian regiment is the Most famous of that fighting Twelfth brigade which is still im occupation of the fortress and e¢ity of Verdun. During the early part of the war it belonged to the divi- sion Buddenbrock and was commanded by Colonel Bismarck, Itcame first into action when Budden- brock’s division, Which was at the leit of Stulpna- gel’s, received orders at ten A. M, on the 16tn Au- : 1870, to strike into the hot fight tor Vionville. ‘he attack was begun by the artillery of the divi- sion concentrated into a large group of guns, which vomited black death upon the enemy; but the brunt of the assauit jell upon the Sixty-fourth, which was Known as the regiment of Prince Fred- erick Charles. ‘The regimental commander was Colonel Von Butler, a gentleman or British origin, descended from the noble house of Ormond. The attack was concentric. The first battalion of the Sixty-fourth went ae? the main cha for the west outiet of the village; the second battalion took iton the south, and on the left the fusuleer battalion went against the northern front of it, The fog was very dense. Colonel Bismarck was one of the first who tell, and the slaughter of the Prussian troops all around him was terrible. Colonel Wunsch led the fusileers, and the fignting was heaviest on the north. The village was ulti- mately taken and the French driven out. 7:25 A. M.—General Linsingen, mounted upon a tail bay horse, rides on to the ground, looking very iresh aod hearty. He first came into notice at the memorable attack made by the Prussian Guards upon St. Privat. it was here that occurred the most stupendous slaughter Of modern times, 6,000 men going down in less than ten minutes. This wholesale butchery was occasioned by the close order in which the attack was made against rified artillery and small aris. It has since furnished one of tne strongest arguments for the open order of attack now adopted generuily by the Prussians and all European nations. Colonel von Linsingen took a distinguished rt in the assault, and led the fusileers of the ird regiment, who followed him on through a hail storm of bullets. Linsingen and his adjutant, phy | Rheimbaben, were both wounded. Major on Kotz had his horse shot under him, and, while trying to extricate himself, had his head blown oif by a French shell. 7:30 A. M.—The French gendarmes have formed by the great bridge which spans the River Meuse. One band atter another now comes into hearing, and the air i8 all ablaze with martial sounds, among which the grand old air of ‘Heil dem deutschen Vateriand |’ so Jamiliar during the war, is predominant, 7:35 A. M.—There is a deep pause and hush in the Prussian ranks jor some minutes after the music ceases, and perhaps some brave hearts are silently offering up thanks to Heaven for the issue of that momentous struggle which is now over, eee od the silence is stirred rather than broken by thé’ murmar of the crowd now gathering, and filty street boys make their preseuce felt, being unwillingly escorted by French police. Meantime Captain Mettral, of tue French gendarmes, at- tended by a Prussian orderly, canters ucross the open space and turough the open gates of the cita- del, disappearing beyond as thougn swallowed up | by that open-mouthea mass of masonry, and again the silence of expectation reigns over all. 7:40 A. M.—Prussian officers move about on horseback, saluting each other first with military precision, then shaking hands, and the crowd of sightseers grows larger; but it is not dense, and there are no well-dressed French people init. The Prussian troops show @ marvellous line as the word of command is ever and anon given out to them in guttural tones, not unlike the grinding of a coffee mill working rapidiy, tor every officer and non- commissioned oMicer repeats it. A photographer appears on the ground, under permission irom superior opto also under authority in more ways than one. He fixes his apparatus at a first floor window in @ small honse which commands a good view of the proceedings, and he sends a m sage to me requesting that | willask the gentie- men of the press not to move at the critical moment when the troops begin to cheer before they march past. 7:45 A. M.—The Twenty-fourth forms into line, and there is @ sound of druins thundering in all direc- tions as the latest companies arrive on the parade juarters. The black ner of the Twenty- arta ts borne aloft by an amazingly handsome man, and the word of com- mand 8 hoarsely down their ranks as they hait Tike some well mado piece of mechanism suddenly a Without strain or effort, by Morgen! briefly say the Prussian of- cers, already on the ground, the new comers, having no time for further salutation, for the bu: ness of the day and Colonel Bernardi has has sent his atde-de-camp to inform the Commander- in-Chief that all is nearly ready. ‘The French gendarmes are now in possession of the citadel of Verdun, the keys of the fortress having been delivered up to Je Capitaine Mev tral by the Herr Major Von B he, I notice that all the subdaitern Prussian officers carry small shini biack leather knapsacks strapped to their shoulders and containing their and heaith and youth remain to them! up, pac up, packing up—that was what I saw next; ing up fragile trumperies which I} heirlooms and deathly rem- iniscences of the late war—and I thought that if loould some faithful and exact account of this thing and trae ¢; might read it some day, if not now, and in as they gazed upon a faitnfal picture of some warrior about to ride away irom a conquered land. uw, hatarday, soplember 18, 1873, 18 the pentane of the end of the juberation ot France from latest invaders. ud ne revellie just boore dawn, and al Bol 10 A. M, the whole city was ons of sho de riny Degwe bo Fol oaroboriy maroning. kit, From all points of the compass the German hands are screaming as the main body of the Sixty-fourth arrive in beautiful order and form on the esplanade. ‘The fleld oMcers ride up and down their lines, hay- ing ¢yes as stern and watchful as ever even now. their Jorma fooan Debiud the dark blue anion Sone ‘owern ie blue uniforms like Every time tho sun comes out the of the —, ee ae like es api: N BRA OF GOLD, with scarcely a rule on its surface, no welbmatched he on is ne aa ee beedesn Me ce DOW 18 so Intense that one Might hear a whiaper, The sight upan bie eaDia Dade before the fortress Ta Rhys oman fu @ background, ma ann “DER HERR EX! wtra gleich de-camp gallopin, Linst ig by to and bring- ing his hotwe upon his haunches as be salutes the General commanding the brigade. The Prussians are rough riders, but the ground is soft and rotten on the esplanade, so that there will be fewer curbs and paving made than are usual on a field day. The last men who come on pai before the Commander-in-Ohiel are the Prygs| field ee: rae ae © pecs ve aneme guard, iy are ‘oung fello soa eda mounted. ws, smartly dressed e are tormen' by the assaults companies of wasps, who fiy in cape ated and aeysren Gy angry at having their customary exercise ground on the esplanade disturbed this sultry mo} es eee company of French gendarmes March out of the citadel to take possession of the barracks just vacated by the German troops. Everything is being done eonveniently ana in order. Meanwhile the German bands rest upon their musical instruments and the field officers be- gin to lounge in their saddles, gathering into Groups, expectant. ificent. Thi a gee, with dark blue 18 of the Meuse ior ” says an aide- A. M.—General Linsingen orders the | troops to present arms, and there is a sudden fash of sunshine as Excellenz Manteuffel, in spectacle: rides siowly on to theesplanade. He is mounted On @ peacetul chestnut, with ali the steel taken out of him, and the renowned Excelleng looks @ very feeble broken old man. I think I never saw & 80 ghastly and corpselike, His compiexion is of & pale blue, and nis mouth almost feartul in its ex- pression of fatigue and sickness. He is dressed in @lignt biue dragoon uniform, a frockcoat and high riding boots, but seems too weak to bear bi helmet, and performs his part in this grand mititary pageant in @ forage cap, eside him on his right rides Colonel Von der Burg, the caustic witted chicf of his staf, mounted on a black horse of great power and beauty; on bis left is Lieutenant Colonel Count Von Haeseler, riding one of the most magnificent chargers, a tall English chestnut, as thoroughored as Eelipse. The Com- mander-in-Chief and his staff move slowly down the lunes of that splendid army, and not @ sound is heard til Excellens Manteutfel halts in front of the troops in the centre of the esplanade, and, abruptiy taking out his sword, With a spasmodic movement indicating CHRONIC RHEUMATISM, he makes a stiff but impotent effort to rise in his stirrups, and, ina cracked voice, cries, or rather wails, ‘Hoorah! hoorah! hob!” when the cracked voice breaks in the middie, Every one of those wails is repeated from 4,000 lusty throats; but I fancy there is not much enthusiasm in those hoorahs, and they do not sound vigorous or hearty. The Germans are a simple, kind-hearted folk when they are not fighting. lany of them have fgrmed friendships, or closer connections, among the delightiul people with whom they have been living #0 long, and ure, perkaps, not giad to go @way ‘irom this gay Jand of lyre and lance.” Seheiden und meiden thut gar weh, And there are moist eyes as all the regimental bands together begin to play slowly the grandest of all anthems, “Het? Dir im Siegerkranz,” which is set to the fine old English (if it be, indeed, English) air of “God Save the King.” But its origin, like that of most other things in this world, is doubtful. Regiment after regiment now marches past that ghostly old soldier on the tran- quil horse. They salute him and he returns their salute, sitting on bis meek and long-tailed chest- nut very still, but with a sickly smile upon his lips, having so much of glory and £0 littie health. He is mot far from sixty, but looks seventy-five. The two heavy batteries of artillery with their splendid teame of six horses, each drawing a sixteen pound gun, march past him first. ‘They have not a strap or a buckle out of place or unclean, and they are followed by the rest of the last army of occupation in France, most ad- mirabie in their discipline, order and equipment. Down they march in serried squadrons amidst the clash of cymbals and the call of trumpets, the forest of bayonets ever moving on in time and Measure; on down the Rue de St. Pierre and through the Gate of France, the French crowd fall- ing back aa they advance. ‘The figure of the Com- mander-in-Onief, Excelienz Manteuffel, becomes bent more and more, as though his strength wero failing him; but the soldierly form of Colonel Von der Burg looks erect and knightly as he site on his great black charger, as though he were a statue carved in marble; while the [ret- tul thoroughbred of Lieutenant Colonel Count Von Haeseler moves restlessly about as the troops pass by with their bands playing and their colors flying, and strains uneasily at the sharp cavalry bit. The scene at this moment was very STRIKING AND PAINFUL. All along the high street of the dishonored city was the triumphant foe departing victorious and leaving the deflowered land to wail over its shame. There were burning blushes and hot tears on French faces, as they turned away from so much degradation, followed by so much anguish—not over even yet, as their impatience had hoped. But the halt was only momentary, and the Sixty- fourth marched on, as the biack and white flags of the Eleventh Lancers came down the hill, with the field gendarmes of the rear guard close behind them. Last came Excellenz Mantenuffel, bent nearly @oupvle, and dozing behind his spectacles. Beside him Colonel Von der Burg sat on his stately black, with his right hand resting disdainiully on his hi and bis forage cap aside upon his massive head, and the-tall chestnut of Lieutenant Colonel Count Von Haeseler plunged and reared, scattering the French crowd, which was smail and scanty. So the last Germans passed through the dark gaze of France and into the light, open country beyond! EVERYBODY CBLEBRATES. No, there was not a single house or a window in @ house where a flag of joy was not hung out to celebrate the departure of the Germans, and in the same breath that men rejoiced over peace they tulked again of war and hungered for it. Flags, flags, flags everywhere, and hoisted wherever a flag could be put. Hawkers went about the streets selling sheaves of flags, which were bought up eagerly. Some of the flags which hung from the best houses were surmounted by mourning crowns in memory of Alsace-Lorraine ; and, when the rain poured down again, a fair, blue- eyed woman said, “The skies are WEEPING FOR ALSACE,’? The French beta arrived by the train and tom- bled and- strage led out of the carriages with their arms and baggage, and when they had done 80, said to each other, “On n’a pas donné Vordre de ”* @ tact which had altogether slipped their memory. But their officers were not incitned to be severe on them for this breach of discipline, and Colonel Isuard, a tight little veteran in ample red trousers, marched about, attended by the Pre- fect, without paying much attention to the imme- diate details of his command. In the evening the city was beautifully tllami- nated with lamps of tricolored paper and Bengal aeets with transparencies and pretty and artistic jevices. On the March—Latest Public Appear- ance of the Prince Imperial in France— Evacuation of Etain—The German Host Upon the March to Metz. Era, Sept. 15, 1873. Down fell the rain at Verdun as I rose at haif- past four on the morning of Sunday, September 14, and I had scarcely made my coffee and opened my writing desk with a view to the readers of the New YORK HERALD and the next American mail than there came @ hurried knocking upon my chamber door. The brisk little city was already astir, and when I went to answer this peremptory summons aprinter’s devil of mach activity thrust a damp slip of paper into my hand and disappeared in the darkness whistling ‘‘Tres Jolie, peu polie,”’ the latest sparkling chorus which has charmed the people of France in “La Fille de la Mére An- got,” but which (alas for novelty!) I heard just twenty-two years ago at the Carl Theatre in Vi- enna, The damp slip of paper was sent to me by a friendly town councillor, and contained a manu- script copy of a telegram which three hours hence will be read by the greatest of French living | statesmen with glad eyes which, perhaps, will moisten with a patriot’s emotion. Here are the words on the damp slip of paper, which has been rained upon :— “Monsieur THreRs, & Ouchy, pres Lausanne :— “Verdun est completement évacué. Etain, notre bonne ville, le sera dans deux jours. La liberation du territoire est un fait accompli. C'est votre q@uvre. Nous yous en devons une ¢ternelie recon- naissance.”” {Suivent de nombreuses signatures.) Which, being interpreted, signifies ‘Monsieur Thiers” (and tuere is nothing flner even in America than this simple style of address to @ man who has held supreme power and quitted it without a singie nickname. Monsieur Thiers, then, nothing more), “at Ouchy, near Lansanne—Verdun is completely evacuated, Our good town of Etain will be in two days. The liberation of the territory is an accom- plished fact. This is your work. We owe you eternal gratitude for it.’? {Here follow the signatures of all who have signa- tures at Verdun.) It was surely a cruel mockery of fate when a decree went forth that the city which had made the bravest and most successful defence during the late war should remain the last pledge in German hands for THE RANSOM OF FRANCE. But it took the place of Belfort in French and Ger- man diplomatic negotiations and was obliged to submit to the hard destiny which {inevitably awaits ‘all famous men and things. Now, as to this “eter- nal gratitude” et My Taiers, fee Li] are really the only public honors Lage VI pg? . and ni ake, with Py saneliy posal y Jor three lives, got ereeen Piece shane Jn wal a Thiers Bre spontaneous thanks ‘oro. pecuniary advertising or the terul, The question Watch vom yale wetner ine first dent of W Farce ae Froneh Republte hes or bas not deserved YAY. OCTOBER Yl, 187%—TRIPLE SHEET. 3 such @ noble recompense as that a him this Ee sebaisiod JUST PRAISE TO A GREAT MAN, NOT ALONE PRENCHMAN, -onat When the last cannon shot had heard under the walls of Paris France was helpless, mutilated and ruined, Her administration was utterly dis- organized, her trade ganihilated, her resources gone. She stvod face to face with a frantic civil war nd an obligation to pay five miiliards of francs, be- ides her own expenses, to the enemy who had just. beaten ner. Although there are now so many pre- tenders to the chief authority in France not one of Shem expressed the least desire to undertake the conduct of a government which was at once in- solvenf and insecure, The French people were obliged to accept a provisional republic, for they could not have had a monarchy, and the provisional Republic saved thelr credit and restored their piace among European nations after it nad really ecome vacant. In two years the war indemnity was paid and nearly every trace of raip had disappeared. One name dominates this period, and history will not Know how to retuse it the meed of a greatness very true and high, It is thatof M. Thiers. This iilustrious French citizen, alter havi opposed @ rush and foolish war with unexample | peared and genius, was forced to sign the most | humiliating conditions of peace which have been { imposed by any conqueror upon the vanquished for More than half acentury. He did so, as he him- Self has told us, “shedding tears of blood,” and M. Thiers ts not a man given to hysterical feelings or | expressions. It was, however—it must have been— exquisitely painful to a wise oid man who had fore~ seen the disasters into which his country had beem wantonly plunged to set about the grievous and; heavy task of collecting her cinders and’ remains; to try against all reasonable chance or precedent if they could be reconstituted into @ great and living nation. He has, 80 ‘to speak, resuscitated France, and he was the founder. of that honest conservative Republic which has guided her swiftly baok to health and fortune. No such great results have been produced by any Eu- Topean statesman in so brief a time; and even compared with so gifted @ man as Prince Bismarck M. Thiers will not appear in the least favorable light. He bears, indeed, the same comparison to the hty Prussian as a Saviour to a destroyer, or it might be more just to say the difference be- tween them 1s that. between a great conservative andagreat reformer. There are few honest men in France who should not and who would not have signed the telegram which the city of Verdun. has sent to M. Thiers, The Germans lie to-night (14th September) AT BTAIN, and I drove over the bridge which spans the litte Orne in that small commercial town about three in the afternoon. There I saw that the Ger- Mans had halted upon their homeward march, and they are now resting upon THE SABBATN DAY. i They were lounging about in 4 friendly, Cone, cillatory way as my carriage stopped before the door of the Hotel de la Siréne, and did not seem ppprehensive of any disturbance, though the popu- lation of Etain is much of that tipsy, obstreperous sham-workman class, and the Captain of the French gendarmes at Verdun had told me he was fearful of a riot. I had expected to find the town very full, for itis a small, busy place, and I knew that the main body of the evacuating army was there, besides the Commander-in-Chief and General Lin singen, with their respective staffs, SoI had pro- vided myself with a special recommendation to the Jandiord of The Siren, in the hope that he mignt‘ find me a dinner and a bed tn some clean house, if he could not make room for me in hisown. But he stared with a wondering look when I asked if en- tertainment was to be kad for man and beast at Etain, and seemed to be under the impression that I was bt to get a rise out of him, Then he answered ‘‘Yes” in a deflant or inquiring manner, as who should say, “What next, Mr. Practical Joker?” At 7:30 A. M.on Monday morning (September 15) the German army of evacuation mustered on the open space before the Hotel de Ville at Btatn, and a considerabie crowd, all made up of blouses and the poofer sort of women and children, assem- bled to see them off. General Linsingen stood booted and spurred before @ stone fountain, and one by one the staff rode and saluted him, There were again the haughty face and gallant: figure of Colonel von der Burg seated upon his dark charger, and the spare, lithe .orm of Lieuten- ant Colonel Vount Von Haeseler mounted upon & vixenish brown mare, the tearing chestnut having been knocked up. At 8 A, M. Excelienz Manteuffel cantered up at a see-saw pace upon his well behaved OLP ROCKING HORSE, He looked much the better for his night’s rest and poe fare in the house of Mme. the Widow bry. There were a few ‘‘Hochs/" not many, and no enthusiasm. ‘The word of command was given out, and immediately afterwards the German pr ge oe moved off with the regularity and precision of clockwork. Excellens Manteuffel and General Linsingen, with their staff, rode first to-day, thongh they had closed the march from Verdun. The regiments had their banners furlea in black ol in covers. The ambulance wagons, surmounted by flags, emblazoned with the red cross of Geneva; the baggage carts, and adozen of led horses, tossing their heads under warm clothing, brought up the rear. As that grim ant went upon its way a tipsy fellow in the crowd of blouses, who had kept his impudence bottled up in him till it had turned sour, howled something—not to be printed here—while the stern ‘Teuton chivalry paced grandly ahead. Then the late sun of autumn struggied feebly through the rain clouds, as though it wished incoherently to iby, and it threw squat, awkward forms in aiong the ground. It was thus that the dread shadow of the mighty foeman passed athwart the pale face of France, ceasing to appal it; and the well-fed warriors of the German host went on their march to Metz, Rejoicings at Etain, Conflans, Jarny and Doncourt—A Strange Standard Bearer—Final Liberation of French Territory—A Stray Page of History— Passing the Frontier. MeTz, Sept. 19, 1878, Before dismissing a subject s0 creditable to the German nation as the uniform good conduct of the garrison in occupation of Etatn, I feel bound tosay that the regiment in garrison there till the day before yesterday was the Twenty-fourth Prus- sian regiment of the line, and that the names of the two officers in command who especially dis- tinguished themselves by their uprightness and good sense were Major Litderitz and Captain Burenthaler, names which might be inscribed in | letters of gold above the Town Hall of Etain with- out a single protest from its citizens, All the whiie I remained at Etain it appeared to be haunted by the ghost of the late Emperor of the French. He was pre-eminentiy an interesting man, and I thirsted to know all about him as he came hither in that biundering downward rush to Sedan. “How seemed he, madame, to your woman’s heart, which sees better than the eyes?” I asked of Mme. Liegeois, the landlady of The Siren. “Very sad, monsieur,’’ she answered, ‘and, above all, very tired. But not even grief and fatigue could overcome his natural desire to be kind. He spoke to me and my child. She was but a littie thing, and he did not know whether she was a girl or a boy, 80 he inquired with every demonstration ofinterest. No, his suite were not disrespectful to him, His friends had not yet fallen away from him. He had been still spared that sorrow. What particularly struck me about his manner was that it was so fearless, and that ne dared even at such atime tobe alone. He went into the case next door and wrote at a side table, with no attendants near nim, 80 that any one might have dealt him a foul blow. “The Prince Imperial, too, wrote # long letter to his mother, but he was more closely guarded. [I picked some ofhis pot hooks (grigonnage) when he was gone. He seemed childishly fond of his father, and in very weak health, poor boy. I (Mme, | Liegeows being @ kindly soul) longed to kiss him and wrap him up and keep him warm and quiet. “Many of the French officers who passed backe ward and forward through Etain while the war raged all around us,” continued Mme. Liegeois, “have left a deep impression on my memory. It was, I think, Monsieur de ia Tour d’Auvergne who interested me most, He arrived here hall dead with privations and fatigue, while every room in our house was crowded with the prisoners of Sedan. He was so gay and handsome, he boro pain and want so lightly, that we made place for him. A bow and a smile, most graceful, most gal- lant, were all I saw afterward of the brave gontie- man, snd | have since heard that he was killed, I spent the wretched weeks which followed the dis- aster of Sedan almost entirely in breaking eggs for omelettes. We could cook nothing else fast. enough or often enough to relieve the famine of ” Our peoples” IN WAS ILLUMINATED on the evening the Prussians left, and I went out with Mme, Liegeois, her brother and her httie to see the festival. But Heaven seemed to iidive wet its Jace against any demonstrations of feigned joy, and the rain came down as steadily ad done at Verdun. The wind tore the tri Oh Prussiens Is bie Prussiens ontere je la ligne du Rhin. Avery different chant irom of “A Berlin,” which was once populer, let us always have courage to tell the trut re were some red eyes and aching hearts which dared not teli their CONTINUED ON TENTH PAGE.