All this is natural, and in its way dignified, but
opinions differ widely as to the actual situation. Good soldiers, we know, hold that Paris is really an entrenched camp which might be defended for weeks ; but equally good soldiers say its fortifications were built to meet a different mode of warfare, and will not keep out men who would waste a corps d'armie to obtain an entrance. It is affirmed that the city is provisioned for two months, and asserted that the flour will be found deficient ; declared that the Army is resolved to conquer or die, and proved that the Army is demoralized. We believe the facts to be that the fortifications are good, but not good enough to resist modern artillery for any length of time ; that there are cannon and guns in abundance, but not enough ammuni- tion ; that the Army and people are resolute, but that their ultimate behaviour depends upon accident. If the Prussians get in at once, all may be over at once ; but if the fortifications hold out for three days Paris will rise to fever-heat, and the defence will be magnificent. The balance of probabilities is, on the whole, in favour of surrender.
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