Up to Friday no tidings of the effect of all
this on Paris had reached London. It is believed that the truth had not reached Paris at all, or, at all events, the Parisians, for at midnight on Thursday they were joyfully celebrating a victory. Their rage, should Bazaine surrender or be forced into Metz, will be consequently extreme, and this time there is little doubt the throne will be declared vacant. Napoleon has already lost even the semblance of authority. He is never named, and Marshal Bazaine, who owes everything to him, has, according to a correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette, who " can vouch for the authenticity" of his statement, "ordered the Minister at War not to publish any placard in Paris not emanating from Marshal Bazaine," even " though it may be signed by the Emperor." Nothing is heard of the Empress, and General Trochu, who refused power while she was Regent, has at last been appointed Commander-in-Chief of all forces defending the capital, and Governor of Paris. This appointment is evidently preparatory to the Dictatorship, which, should Bazaine be cut off, will be vested in him.
