Nothing has happened before Paris since the breaking-off of the
negotiations, except energetic drilling of 'Frochu's army outside the western walls. A great sortie has been expected during the whole twelve days, but none had happened as late as Tuesday (15th), and since then the telegrams from Versailles have suddenly failed us. The only news of interest in relation to the great siege is in Mr. Russell's letter from Versailles, dated on Wednesday week (November 9). Therein he mentions that the French works are in more than one place assuming "a very formidable aspect." 4 From the Seine south of Valerien and the Bois de Boulogne on the west to the Seine south of Charenton on the south-east, the forts Ivry, Vanvres, Montrouge, &c., have been connected by a parapet and ditch like that which connected the Great Redan and Malakhoff, covered with rifle-pits in front, and, it is believed, with extensive mines. But the most important work is on the plateau of Villejuif, over the valley of the Bievres." "There, a very for- midable work, armed with twenty-four heavy guns, has been run up," and from this "they are working on along the crest of the ridge," and Mr. Russell thinks that if they are permitted to go on, they will wedge themselves in between the Germans, and be able to enfilade the corps on each side, and so "separate the right of the Crown Prince from the extreme left of the Wiirtembergers." This was on the 9th November, since which General Trochu has had ten days more to work in, and to gain great advantages for his sortie when he makes it. There is something curious about the long silence.
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