It is well that there is a man somewhere, for
the wildest ideas are current in Paris. The populace believe themselves betrayed, see a spy in every fair-haired man, and rave of Bismarck as they used to do of Pitt. M. Gambetta, who, as a trusted leader, ought to restrain them, demands in the Chamber the expulsion of all Germans, accusing them of having arranged a little outbreak at La Villette ; while M. Thiers on 1Vednesday declared that the way to provision Paris against a siege was to create a waste around it, by ordering in all country people, with their provisions and cattle. M. Clement Duvernois, in reply, stated that the Ministry were thinking chiefly of provisions, and especially of the means M. Thiers had recommended. The whole thing is nonsense. Paris will not be attacked, and cannot be defended except from outside ; but the effect of M. Thiers' suggestion would be to crowd the great city with people for whom there would be no bread, and cattle for whom there would be no fodder. M. Thiers seems to think that cattle can be kept alive on gritty asphalte.
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