Anything so dull as existence here it is difficult to imagine.

Before the day is out one gets sick and tired of the one single topic of conversation.

We are like the people at Cremorne waiting for the fireworks to begin; and I really do believe that if this continues much longer, the most cowardly will welcome the bombs as a relief from the oppressive ennui.

Few regiments are seen now during the day marching through the streets--they are most of them either on the ramparts or outside them.

From 8 to 9 in the morning there is a military movement, as regiments come and go, on and off duty.