Not until 1879 did feelings of mercy prevail, and then, owing to Gambetta's powerful pleading, an amnesty was passed for the surviving Communist prisoners.
[Footnote 62: _The Autobiography of William Simpson_ (London, 1903), p.
261.] [Footnote 63: G.Hanotaux, _Contemporary France_, p.225.For further details see Lissagaray's _History of the Commune_; also personal details in Washburne's _Recollections of a Minister to France_, 1869-1877, vol.
ii.

chaps, ii.-vii.] The Paris Commune affords the last important instance of a determined rising in Europe against a civilised Government.

From this statement we of course except the fitful efforts of the Carlists in Spain; and it is needless to say that the risings of the Bulgarians and other Slavs against Turkish rule have been directed against an uncivilised Government.

The absence of revolts in the present age marks it off from all that have preceded, and seems to call for a brief explanation.
Obviously, there is no lack of discontent, as the sequel will show.
Finland, portions of Caucasia, and all the parts of the once mighty realm of Poland which have fallen to Russia and Prussia, now and again heave with anger and resentment.

But these feelings are suppressed.