During the night of the 21st of January the members of the National Defence and the chief officers of the army were assembled around the table in the council-room.  They were still under the mournful impression left by the fatal day of the nineteenth, on which hundreds of citizens had fallen at Montretout, at Garches, and at Buzenval.  Thanks to the want of foresight of the Government, the people of Paris were rationed to 300 grammes of detestable black bread a day for each person.  All representations made to them had been in vain.  Ration our bread by degrees, had been said, we should thus accustom ourselves to privation, and be prepared insensibly, for greater sufferings, while the duration of our provisions would be lengthened.  But the answer always was:  “Bread?  We shall have enough, and to spare.”  When the great crisis was seen approaching, the public feeling showed itself by violent agitation.  It was not surprising, therefore, that all the faces of these gentlemen at the council-table bore marks of great depression.  The Governor of Paris offered his resignation, as he was in the habit of doing after every rather stormy sitting; but his colleagues refused to accept it, as they had before.  What was to be done?  Had not the Governor of Paris sworn never to capitulate?  After a night spent in discussing the question, the members of Government decided on the following plan of action.  You will see that it was as simple as it was innocent!  The following announcement was placarded on all the walls:—­

    “The Government for the National Defence has decided that the chief
    commandment of the army of Paris shall in future be separate from
    the presidency of the Government.

    “General Vinoy is named Commandant-in-Chief of the army of Paris.

    “The title and functions of the Governor of Paris are suppressed.”

The trick is played:  if they capitulate now, it will no longer be the act of the Governor of Paris.  How ingenious this would have been, if it had not been pitiful!

    “General Trochu retains the presidency of the Government.”

By the side of this placard was the proclamation of General Thomas.

    “TO THE NATIONAL GUARD.

“Last night, a handful of insurgents forced open the prison of Mazas, and delivered several of the prisoners, amongst whom was M. Flourens.  The same men attempted to occupy the mairie of the 20th arrondissement (Belleville), and to install the chiefs of the insurrection there; your commander-in-chief relies on your patriotism to repress this shameful sedition.

    “The safety of Paris is at stake.

    “While the enemy is bombarding our forts, the factions within our
    walls use all their efforts to paralyse the defence.

“In the name of the public good, in the name of law, and of the high and sacred duty that commands you all to unite in the defence of Paris, hold yourselves ready to frustrate this most criminal attempt; at the first call, let the National Guard rise to a man, and the perturbators will be struck powerless.

    “The Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard,