" W. R. G." evidently begins to think that Germany
may, after all, have to retire without having conquered France. In one letter he complains that France is so obstinate, that Germany may have to retire without her rightful prize, and evidently thinks Germany is somehow " done " in the matter, as if war were a game of cards, with provinces for stakes. In another letter he says it is France which is continuing the war, for she will not give up Alsace,—which is just as much as to say it is a garotted man who is violent, for the garotter only wanted his watch ; or, rather, that a plaintiff in a crim. con. suit has no case, for the adulterer only stole his wife. He affirms, however, that Bismarck never wanted Metz, which is significant enough. If Trochu or Chanzy win a victory, Bismarck will never have wanted the Vosges ; and if the siege of Paris is raised, he will never have wanted anything. Poor, dear, innocent man it was all those papers which put such thoughts in the mouth of a man who never desired anything except to retire after Sedan, content with having repulsed an unwarrantable invasion.
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