THE FORTIFICATIONS OF PARIS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 276, 23 November 1870, Page 2

THE FORTIFICATIONS OF PARIS.

The following description of the fortifications of Paris, taken from tha Australasian of the sth inst, will, we have no doubt, prove interestiug to our readers at the present time : — As far back as the fifth century, Paris, which was then limited in extent to the islands in the Seine, upon one of which the cathedral of Notre Dame now stands, was a fortified town. As tbe narrow area became densely populated, people were gradually driven to build houses and workshops, churches and monasteries on both banks of the river. The more importaut edifices wero surrounded with lofty walls, and constituted independent fortresses. Eventually, so compact and important a city had sprung up around theold nucleus, and the necessity of protecting the place against foreign aggression had become so desirous that a regular circumvallation was constructed, and the site of these mediaeval bulwarks is indicated by the present boulevards. Outside of these were several fanbourgs, or suburbs, pleasant villages, embosomed iv green fields aud shady woods, all of which now form the great city of Paris, and still retain the uames they bore in the middle ages. By the 17th century most of the fortifications of the French capital had fallen into desuetude, and they were not renewed because Louis XIV, in his arrogant pride, would nofc admit the possibility of Paris being invested by an enemy. During the Regency, nnd the • reign of Louis XV, and XVI, tbe finances of the nation were iv such desperate straits that uo money could be spared for defensive purposes ; and, consequently, after the fall of Napoleou, the allied armies twice marched into Paris without obstruction. When, by the Revolution of 1830, Louis Philippe was elevated to the throve of France, the fortification of the capital became one of his chief hobbies. The project was often broached, and as often relinquished, for the republicans viewed the scheme with suspiciou, believing that the cannons on tbe walls were just as likely to be employed against insurgents or political malcontents inside Paris, as against a foreign enemy outside. In 1840, however, M. Thiers being then a prominent member of the French Ministry aud a warm supporter of the Kind's project, the Chambers were iuduced to vote six millions sterling for the construction of the fortifications. Marshal Soult and the Duke of Orleans both lendiug the scheme their energetic support. The undertaking was commenced in December, 1810, and was not completed until March, 1846. It is a striking testimony to the genius of Vauban, and a proof of the high perfection to which he brought the science of fortification 150 years ago, that his system was adopted with ouly a few unimportant modifications, by the distinguished body of men entrusted with the fulfilment of this magnificent work. The system combines simplicity with efficiency in an eminent degree. In the first place, the outline which the fortifications will assume is a polygon, and at each angle there is erected a bastion, resembling in shape the head of a spear. The two sides which converge to the external point are technically called faces, the two sides which slope inwards are denominated the flanks. The straight line of wall stretching from one bastion to another is designated the curtain. There are 94 of these bastions projecting from the walls of Paris, each of which it is calculated requires for its defence 500 men. Then there are the additional 15 detached forts, and three redoubts, erected at unequal distances from the city walls, and containing 75 bastions. These forts are placed at irregular intervals, and may be divided into three groups, the first commencing at La Briche, near the junction of the St. Denis Canal with the Seine on the north of Paris, and sweeping round in a circular line to the Fort of Charenton, between the Seine and the Marne, to the south-east of the city. In this group are comprised, besides the forts mentioned, those of the Double Crown of the Nortb, St. Denis, Aubervillers, Roraaiuville, Noisy, Rosny, and Nogent. Within this riu» of forts is enclosed the Castle of Vincennes, the principal arsenal of Paris. The second group comprises the forts of Ivry, Bicetre, Montrouge, Vannes, and Issy, auxiliary to which are the heights of Bagneux, and Meudou, admirably adapted for defensive

purposes, but equally valuable to the enemy if he should gain possession of them. On the west side of Paris, the great fortress of Mont Valerien, with its 10 bastions, erected on a lofty eminence, dominates the whole of the valley from Clichy to Sevres, wilh the beautiful Bois de Boulogne and a long reach of tbe Seine lying at its feet. Each of the forts we have enumerated is in telegraphic communication with tbe other forts, and with the capital, and is provided with bomb-proof magazines. For their defence they wili require to be garrisoned with 37,500 men, while the fortifications of Paris proper, which are furnished with embrasures for between 700 and 800 cannon, will have to be manned with at least 47,500 men. The ramparts of the city are 30 feet high, and they are 23 miles iv circumference. They are pierced with 100 gates ; and when the last mail left Europe, 35,000 men, with carts and horses innumerable, were employed in digging trenches, raisiDg embankments, getting cannon into position, substituting drawbridges for fixed bridges, demolishing houses which had been erected near the walls, cutting down trees, deepening the fosse, aud damming up the Seine so as to surround the city with a moat at the shortest notice. The gasworks are being removed to a place of safety, and every preparation is being made fora sixmonths' siege.

The Canterbury Provincial Council has voted a sum of £50 towards the expenses of the annual volunteer encampmen t. The masters aud boys of the Dunedin High School have contributed £10 towards the Lyttelton Fire Relief Fund. Lieut.-Colonel Philip Harrington has been gazetted Inspector of Militia and Volunteers for the Colony. His commission dates from the first of July last. Twenty-five tons of coal from Coalbrook Dale, near Westport, have been shipped to Melbourne, for the purpose of having the quality of tbe coal tested. We notice by our Auckland files that concrete buildings are coming into fashion in that city. They are said to be nearly as cheap as those built of wood, and are of course much more durable. Bishop Selwyn has written to Mr. G. P. Pierce, of Auckland, expressing his thanks for the haudsome writing table, inlaid wilh New Zealaud woods, forwarded to him at Lichfield by his friends in Auckland. It seems that the French nation have sympathisers even at this distance. At a meeting held at Napoleon's, on Saturday last, over £20 was collected in the room, and the Committee expect to raise between £100 and £200. Another of those accidents for which Ross has become notorious happened on Thursday night, to two meu who were ascending the shaft of Watson's claim. When near the surface, the cage by some meaus became detached, and of course down it fell, a depth of uear 100 ft, causing serious injury to Wm Hughes and Joseph Golding, besides having their legs broken. An Egotistical M.H.R. — Mr. Mervyn who had the honor of representing in the New Zealand Parliament the district rejoicing in the euphonious name of Manuherikia has recently been meeting the For remainder of News see Fourth page.

electors, and a correspondent of the Tuapeka Times gives the following amusing account of his appearance before his constituents : — " There was a difficulty in obtaining a chairman, but that difficulty removed, Mr. Mervyn commenced, and for two hours preached the gospel according to " I cay I." He cousumed bueketfuls of water during the process, and succeeded ia driviug away one-half his audience aud seud'mg the other half to sleep. Alter carefully boiling down his address, I arrive nt the following result, premising that I have retained all the ideas : — " I — yes, I, myself — faithful, vigilant, energetic — I, gentlemen — I — I — I — I — I — l — I — boon to the district — people's cause — I — l, gentlemen — I — abuse of hireling journalists — I — I — I — I — I — I — I — I — I — I — I — I." In fact the performance was I — dyllic. When the torrent of words ran itself out, and the meet'iDg had yawned, siretched itself, and recovered from the evil effects of the infliction, two brilliant members of cur teetotal society, proposed find seconded a vote of confidence in Mr. Mervyn. A pause followed, people took a long breath at. so preposterous a proposal, Mr. Mervyn benign antly smirked approval. At last Mr. JBeighton rose up, and in a masterly address reviewed tbe conduct of Mr. Mervyn iv the House. He had a good brief, and although he tempered justice wilh mercy, be literally demolished the unfortunate M.H.R. He wound up by proposing a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carried by acclamation, (he vote of confidence bein^ contemptuously ignored. The Mayor of Carisbrook, Victoria (Councillor Swalling) was fined £2 by the two ex-majors who sat on the bench, for selling drink ou a Sunday. Swalling admitted the offence, and regretted it ; but, i with sanctimonious unction, cautioned ' other publicans against committing the like error. Victorian Weather. — A correspondent of the Australasian writes : — An acquaintance just returned from an upcountry tour says he has seen some floods. He passed through the main streel of the ancient town of Seymour in aflat-bottomed boat in which there was such general confidence that everybody baled her, and nobody refused. After being discharged from his vessel, and when the water had risen over the top button of his travelling waistcoat, he sought and obtained refuge ia a farmhonse, where he passed a cheerful night with a man whose brother had just fceen drowned on the highway, and a parson promiscuously picked out of a cherry tree at the bottom of the garden. They have given up watering their geraniums for the present in that part of the country. Mr. Frank Buckland has had sent to faim by a London fishmonger, the iargest salmon of modern times. This magnificent fish just turned the scale at 701 b.; his length is 4ft. sin.; girth, 2ft. 7iD. He was caught io the Tay, by Mr. Alexander Speedie, the wellknown tacksman, of Fertb. The Temperance Question. — The following resolution was adopted by the last Wesleyan Conference held in England : — "lmpressed by the terrible social and moral evils resulting from iutemperauce, aud believing that more earnest and effective measures are necessary in order to check and repress these evils, the Conference is conviuced that the reformation <lesired must be secured chiefly by means of moral suasion and the influence of Christian truth. It is nevertheless of ©pinion that the facilities afforded for the opening^ of public houses, and beer houses, and the temptations piesented by them, especially to the young and intemperate, render the effect of the present law grossly demoralising, and constitute a legalised hindrance to the efforts of the Christian churches. The Conference therefore declares its judgment that a reform of the present liceusiug system is absolutely necessary, and that in any measures which may hereafter be adopted, provision should be made in harmony with the recognised principle of self-governmeDt, that the ratepayers, who bear the charges resulting from the prevalence of intemper»uee, aud its consequent pauperism and crime, shall also have power to control the issue of licenses for the sale of intoxicating drinks, within respective districts." Tbe Conference further expressed the hope that any well conducted measure, tending to secure this object, will meet with general and earnest support.