ent by their parents are beaten," while the
weak are pitched into the gutter. "In distributing the meanest portions
of food[4270] it is force which decides," the strength of loins and
arms; "a number of women this morning came near losing their lives in
trying to get four ounces of butter.--More sensitive and more violent
than men, "they do not, or will not, listen to reason,[4271] they pounce
down like harpies" on the market wagons; they thrash the drivers, strew
the vegetables and butter on the ground, tumble over each other and are
suffocated through the impetuosity of the assault; some, "trampled upon,
almost crushed, are carried off half dead." Everybody for himself. Empty
stomachs feel that, to get anything, it is important to get ahead, not
to await for the distribution, the unloading or even the arrival of
the supplies.--"A boat laden with wine having been signaled, the crowd
rushed on board to pillage it and the boat sunk," probably along with a
good many of its invaders.[4272] Other gatherings at the barriers
stop the peasants' wagons and take their produce before they reach the
markets. Outside the barriers, children and women throw stones at the
milkmen, forcing them to get down from their carts and distribute milk
on the spot. Still further out, one or two leagues off on the highways,
gangs from Paris go at night to intercept and seize the supplies
intended for Paris. "This morning," says a watchman, "all the Faubourg
St. Antoine scattered itself along the Vincennes road and pillaged
whatever was on the way to the city; some paid, while others carried off
without paying.... The unfortunate peasants swore that they would not
fetch anything more," the dearth thus increasing through the efforts to
escape it.

In vain the government makes its requisitions for Paris as if in a
state of siege, and fixes the quantity of grain on paper which
each department, district, canton, and commune, must send to the
capital.--Naturally, each department, district, canton and commune
strives to retain its own supplies, for charity begins at home.[4273]
Especially in a village, the mayor and members of a municipality,
themselves cultivators, are lukewarm when the commune is to be starved
for the benefit of the capital. They declare a less return of grain
than there really is; they allege reasons and pretexts. They mystify or
suborn the commissioner on provisions, who is a stranger, incompetent
and needy; they make him drink and