PARISIAN AMAZONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 29, 12 August 1871, Page 16

PARISIAN AMAZONS.

The correspondent of the London “ News” says : Among the prisoners marched into Versailles were a company of the Amazons of the Siene. and a battalion of patriotic children. The former were dressed as vivandieres. Some, who had shown themselves restive, were handcuffed. One had a child strung on her back ; the arm of auother was in a sling ; the habit shirt of another pretty brunette was covered with fresh blood. Another Amazon was wounded. They all showed symptoms of fatigue, but still wove a defiant air and did not seem to belong to the class with which the Magdalen Asylums are peopled. All were not young ; indeed matrons were more numerous than maidens in this band of female warriors. They were forced to walk at a quick pace, under a broiling sun by a troop of gensdarmes. Their advent in the streets of Versailles was the cause of much mirth among the people. One stout old woman, who responded to the smiles of the bystanders by disrespectful pantomine, was hailed as Mere Duchesne.

Tn one detachment of 200 National Guards, ten of them were children not twelve years old. The young patriots seemed to feel that the eyes of Europe were upon them, and posed accordingly. They wore the uniform of the National Guard.