Chapter XIX

The Franco-German War -- Friday, July 15, 1870, 6 p.m. -- My
friends "confident of France being able to chastise the insolence
of the King of Prussia" -- I do not share their confidence; but
do not expect a crushing defeat -- Napoleon III.'s presence
aggravated the disasters; his absence would not have averted them
-- He himself had no illusions about the efficiency of the army,
did not suspect the rottenness of it -- His previous endeavours
at reorganization -- The real drift of his proposed inquiries --
His plan meant also compulsory service for every one -- Why the
legislature opposed it -- The makeshift proposed by it --
Napoleon weary, body and soul -- His physical condition -- A
great consultation and the upshot of it -- Dr. Ricord and what he
told me -- I am determined to see and hear, though not to speak
-- I sally forth -- The streets on the evening of Friday, the
15th of July -- The illuminations -- Patriotism or Chauvinism --
The announcement of a bookseller -- What Moltke thought of it --
The opinion of a dramatist on the war -- The people; no
horse-play -- No work done on Saturday and Sunday -- Cabmen -- "A
man does not pay for his own funeral, monsieur" -- The northern
station on Sunday -- The departing Germans -- The Emperor's
particular instructions with regard to them -- Alfred de
Musset's "Rhin Allemand" -- Prevost-Paradol and the news of his
suicide -- The probable cause of it -- A chat with a superior
officer -- The Emperor's Sunday receptions at the Tuileries --
Promotions in the army, upon what basis -- Good and bad officers
-- The officers' mess does not exist -- Another general officer
gives his opinion -- Marshal Niel and Leboeuf -- The plan of
campaign suddenly altered -- The reason -- The Emperor leaves St.
Cloud -- His confidence shaken before then -- Some telegrams from
the commanders of divisions -- Thiers is appealed to, to stem the
tide of retrenchment; afterwards to take the portfolio of war --
The Emperor's opinion persistently disregarded at the Tuileries
-- Trochu -- The dancing colonels at the Tuileries 367