THE STATE OF PARIS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 255, 29 October 1870, Page 4

THE STATE OF PARIS.

Tlie Paris correspondent of the Southern Cross writes as follows :— Paris is preparing for the worst. Strangers believe they cannot get their passports vised quick enough to fly, and the Germans, at war with France, bave had to move on. Exceptions are made. It is a sad sight to witness these depar tures- — the destruction of many a successful business, the severance of maDy friendly ties. But, it must be admitted, France has suffered much by her generosiiy to her enemies. Equally painful, if not thrilling is, the sight of pui ting the city fortifications in order. Thousands of workmen labor day and tight to remove obstructions. The massive iron gilt gates, that gave entrance to the city, are taken dowr., and the spaces built up, except for the working of the draw-bridges. The woodman has not been found to spare a Iree before these approaches ; and to think hardly ten daye ago to touch a branch would render you liable to imprisonment. Now this is all desolation ; the cannon are put into position, and you can see their}

black throats as you waik rouud the front of the yawniug ditch, and their provender of piled balls. The sailors have charge of these peacemakers, all of which have a pet name. It is tbe first time the sea forces have thus joined the land defence. But the tars are very happy — their short swords, revolvel s, and. straw bats give them an unpleasant appearance for weak Derves. It is the fashion to visit the works — especially at night, when the " sheets of gas " throw a lurid glare around. Friend or foe is not allowed to look on. The capital is being well-pro-visioned — We have wine for three months, and quite a cornucopia of all necessaries, gunpowder not excepted. Nearly all spies have been cleared out of the city ; they appeared iu every Protean shape — as colonels and private soldiers, women and priests, waiters and barbels. Up to the present not one lias met the fate of Haman — possibly the French believe banging is the worst use man could be put to. The catacombs are reported to contain nothing dangerous to life or property ; and Admiral de 1h Ronciere, who will command the National Guard, which with his own boys will defend the city, is prepared to reply to tbe besieged, as did the former commander of tbe fortress of Thionviile : — "You may burn the city, but you cannot burn the ramparts." Every care is being given to the wounded — they arrive but too quickly to the hospitals. Every person, from Bnron Rothschild and Count de Chambord, down to the humblest tradesman who has a spare bed, place parts of their town and country residences at the disposal ot the sick. The same republican spirit animates the volunteers. Ex-Cabinet Ministers enrol in tbe National Guard. Father Kyacinthe's brother, a priest, has demanded to work as a navvy at the fortifications after his daily celebration of mass, and announces that the Church does not prohibit the clergy from fiphting for their country when it is in danger. Popes before now have led armies, and inflicted more than apostolic knocks. The French are loud in their demands to have the clergy, regular and irregular embodied. If so, the army will have many a stalwart son for a gun. A poor nun, while attending a trooper on the field at Forbacb, had both legs carried away by a shot.