hat the bombs will not burst within striking distance; when the
thermometer is below zero, one imagines that every cannon within four
miles is pointed at one's head. I do not know how it may be with others,
but on me cold has a most unheroic effect. My legs become as wilful as
those of Mrs. Dombey's titled relative, and it is only by the strongest
effort of mind over matter that I can prevent them carrying me beyond
the reach of cannon-balls, bullets, and shells. I have a horrible vision
of myself lying all night with a broken leg in a ditch, gradually
freezing. On a warm summer's day I do not think very much of the courage
of those who fight well; on a cold winter's day, however, any man who
does not run away and take shelter by a fire deserves well of his
country.

We are by no means a very happy family. General Ducrot and General
Blanchard have "had words." The latter, in the course of the dispute,
said to the former, "If your sword were as long as your tongue, you
would be a wonderful warrior indeed." Ducrot and Trochu are the literary
Generals; Vinoy and Blanchard the fighting Generals. It is reported also
that General Fave is to be superseded, though why I cannot learn, as his
redoubt may be said to have saved the army from a greater disaster.
While, however, the military men differ among themselves, they are all
agreed in abusing the National Guards, whom they irreverently call "Les
Charcutiers"--the pork butchers. When La Gare aux Boeufs was carried by
Admiral Pothuan and his sailors, two battalions of these heroes followed
in the rear. The Admiral and the sailors were somewhat astonished to
find that in the order of the day hardly anything was said of those who
really did all the fighting, but that the "pork butchers" were lauded to
the skies. General Trochu on this wrote a letter to the Admiral,
informing him that it was necessary for political reasons to encourage
the National Guard. Whilst the battle was going on at Villiers and
Champigny, the marching battalions of the National Guard were drawn up
almost out of shot. An order came to form them into line. Their
commander, General Clement Thomas, replied that this would be
impossible, as they would imagine that they were about to be taken into
action. Notwithstanding this, General Trochu congratulates them upon the
"moral support" which they afforded him. It is not surprising that the
real soldiers should feel hurt at this system of humbug. They declare
that