CHAPTER XIX

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The Franco-German War -- Friday, July 15, 1870, 6 p.m. -- My friends "confident of France being able to chastise the insolence of the King of Prussia" -- I do not share their confidence; but do not expect a crushing defeat -- Napoleon III.'s presence aggravated the disasters; his absence would not have averted them -- He himself had no illusions about the efficiency of the army, did not suspect the rottenness of it -- His previous endeavours at reorganization -- The real drift of his proposed inquiries -- His plan meant also compulsory service for every one -- Why the legislature opposed it -- The makeshift proposed by it -- Napoleon weary, body and soul -- His physical condition -- A great consultation and the upshot of it -- Dr. Ricord and what he told me -- I am determined to see and hear, though not to speak -- I sally forth -- The streets on the evening of Friday, the 15th of July -- The illuminations -- Patriotism or Chauvinism -- The announcement of a bookseller -- What Moltke thought of it -- The opinion of a dramatist on the war -- The people; no horse-play -- No work done on Saturday and Sunday -- Cabmen -- "A man does not pay for his own funeral, monsieur" -- The northern station on Sunday -- The departing Germans -- The Emperor's

## particular instructions with regard to them -- Alfred de

Musset's "Rhin Allemand" -- Prevost-Paradol and the news of his suicide -- The probable cause of it -- A chat with a superior officer -- The Emperor's Sunday receptions at the Tuileries -- Promotions in the army, upon what basis -- Good and bad officers -- The officers' mess does not exist -- Another general officer gives his opinion -- Marshal Niel and Leboeuf -- The plan of campaign suddenly altered -- The reason -- The Emperor leaves St. Cloud -- His confidence shaken before then -- Some telegrams from the commanders of divisions -- Thiers is appealed to, to stem the tide of retrenchment; afterwards to take the portfolio of war -- The Emperor's opinion persistently disregarded at the Tuileries -- Trochu -- The dancing colonels at the Tuileries 367

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