The National Guards, who I hear are to occupy the forts, were laughed at by these warriors; as for the Mobiles, it was thought that in two months they might become good soldiers, but that their discipline was most defective.

"When we get them in here," said a gruff old Captain, "we do not stand their nonsense; but outside, when they are alone with their officers, they do very much what they please." The soldiers of the regular army, I was told, had recovered their _morale_, and if well led, might be depended upon.

As was natural, the sailors were greatly extolled, and I think they deserved it; the best come from Brittany; and like Joe Bagstock, they are tough, sir, very tough--what are called in French, "wolves of the sea." Breakfast over, we returned to Paris in company with two or three officers, who had been given leave of absence for the day.

This afternoon, hearing that egress was allowed at the Barriere de Neuilly, I started out in a fiacre, to see what was to be seen in that direction.

Along the Avenue de Neuilly there were encampments of soldiers of the line and Mobiles.