This account of the entry of the Prussians into Versailles is from the private letter of a very young man, with the eye of an artist and a keen love of music and fine horses.  The letter was seen by the editor of the “Nation,” who requested leave to publish it.  The writer says further,—­

“I got up at seven on the morning of September 20, and went down to the Place d’Armes.  It was filled with Prussian soldiers; some were sleeping, some were cooking, some eating, some grooming horses, some washing cannon, and all were smoking.  There were but two tents, belonging to high officers.  One of these was dressing in the open air before his tent.  A guard paced up and down with a drawn sword.  When I got there, he was brushing his hair and putting on his cravat, while a little French boy held a looking-glass for him.  He had a bright red shirt on, and riding-boots up to his hips, and silver spurs.  I saw his horse brought up, a beautiful, great black one.  His coat was covered all over with decorations, and he had a very brilliant sword.  In the other tent there were two officers writing.  They had about fifty bottles of claret and champagne stacked up beside them, and a guard set over it.

“In a little while all was bustle, but no confusion.  All the cannon and powder-carts were ranged in numerical order; the horses the same; and every bucket and every pot was numbered like the cart to which it belonged.  Soon as the bugles sounded, every man jumped, and knew what he had to do.  There was ringing and rattling of chains, and the horses were fastened to the cannon, the soldiers gobbled their last mouthfuls, strapped on their knapsacks, and in a few minutes everything was in motion, officers giving their orders; the horses neighed, the line was formed, and off they went.

“That afternoon we saw some French peasants brought in; they had fired on the men who were stealing their carts, horses, and cows, and were to be shot.  It was very sorrowful.  We heard afterwards that the Crown Prince had pardoned them.  Some noble-looking Zouave prisoners[1] were also brought in, and the crowd cheered them.

[Footnote 1:  Possibly some of the men who had shown “regrettable haste” the day before.]

“About one P. M. a squad of Uhlans, with long lances and black-and-white flags came in; then came other men leading horses, all very handsome, belonging to the Crown Prince.  Then came the royal baggage, cart after cart, mostly painted purple, with a great gold crown; but some carts had once been French.  One of the bands had a brass drum, with the imperial eagle and 3d Zouaves painted on it.  They showed it to the bystanders and laughed.  We found that the Crown Prince was to be received at the prefecture,—­a handsome building with a large court in front, and a black-and-gilt grille, such as they have round the palace and park.  We went there at once.  A guard of honor was drawn up in front, and a full band on each side of the gate.  The Crown Prince