Do you not think that during the last paragraphs the tone of the declaration is somewhat modified?  It would seem as though Felix Pyat had become tired, and handed the pen to Pierre Denis or to Delescluze, —­after Communalism comes socialism.

“Communal revolution is the end of the old governmental and clerical world, of militarism, of officialism (this new editor seems fond of words ending in ism), of exploitation, of commission, of monopolies, and of privileges to which the proletariat owes his thralldom, and the country her misfortunes and disasters.”

Of course there is nothing in the world that would please me better; but if I were very certain that Citizen Rigault did not possess an improved glass enabling him to observe me from a distance of several miles, without leaving his study or his armchair, if I were very certain that Citizen Rigault could not read over my shoulder what I am writing at this moment, I might perhaps venture to insinuate, that the revolution of the 18th of March appears to me to be, at the present moment, the apotheosis of most of the crimes which it pretends to have suppressed.

    “Let then our grand and beloved country, deceived by falsehood and
    calumnies, be reassured!”

Well, in order that she may be reassured there is only one thing to be done,—­be off with you!

“The struggle going on between Paris and Versailles is one of those which can never be terminated by deceitful compromises.  There can be no doubt as to the issue. (Oh, no! there is no doubt about it.) Victory, pursued with indomitable energy by the National Guard, will remain with principle and justice.

    We ask it of France.”

Where is the necessity, since you have the indomitable energy of the National Guard?”.

    “Convinced that Paris under arms possesses as much calmness as
    bravery ...”

You will find that a very difficult thing to persuade France to believe.

    “...  That it maintains order with equal energy and enthusiasm ...”

Order?  No doubt, that which reigned at Warsaw; the order that reigned on the day after the 2nd of December.

    “...  That it sacrifices itself with as much judgment as heroism ...”

Yes; the judgment of a man who throws himself out of a fourth-floor window to prove that his head is harder than the paving-stones.

    “...  That it is only armed through devotion for the glory and
    liberty of all—­let France cause this bloody conflict to cease!”

She’ll cause it to cease, never fear, but not in the way you understand it.

    “It is for France to disarm Versailles ...”

Up to the present time she has certainly done precisely the contrary.

“... by the manifestations of her irresistible will.  As she will be partaker in our conquests, let her take part in our efforts, let her be our ally in this conflict, which can only finish by the triumph of the Communal idea, or the ruin of Paris.”

The ruin of Paris!  That is only, I suppose, a figurative expression.