A curious injustice is done to M. Gambetta by the
telegrams. The first words of his decrees only are sent, and as they are generally of a strong kind, the impression usually created is that they are mere words. In fact, however, every decree, say for raising an army at Toulouse, or organizing a common scheme of defence for the Gironde, or raising a levee en masse, is always accompanied by most carefully detailed instruc- tions as to the mode of action, the object to be sought, and the amount of assistance required from the Pro- vincial Government. It is curious to note, as the Army of the Loire swells up, the gradual change in English tone, about M. Gambetta. A few days ago no epithet was too con- temptuous for him ; now military correspondents whisper a wish that he were Generalissimo, Orleanists talk of his "astonishing energy," and Germans think him quite worthy of denunciation. If he were only seventy, given to gout, and a Peer, English- men woull almost be tempted to believe that he was a great man.
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