M. Dorian came to the Pavilion de Rohan this morning to see my sons. He
announced that capitulation is imminent. Frightful news from outside.
Chanzy defeated, Faidherbe defeated, Bourbaki driven back.
January 27.--Schoelcher came to tell me that he has resigned as colonel
of the artillery legion.
Again they came to ask me to head a demonstration against the Hotel de
Ville. All sorts of rumours are in circulation. To everybody I counsel
calmness and unity.
January 28.--Bismarck in the course of the pourparlers at Versailles
said to Jules Favre: “What do you think of that goose of an Empress
proposing peace to me!”
It has become cold again.
Ledru-Rollin (through Brives) says he wants to come to an understanding
with me.
Little Jeanne is unwell. Sweet little thing!
Leopold told me this evening that I was the subject of a dialogue
between Pope Pius IX. and Jules Hugo, my nephew, brother of Leopold, who
died a camerico of the Pope. The Pope, on seeing Jules, said to him:
“You name is Hugo, is it not?”
“Yes, Holy Father.”
“Are you a relative of Victor Hugo?”
“His nephew, Holy Father.”
“How old is he?” (It was in 1857.)
“Fifty-five years.”
“Alas! he is too old to return to the Church!”
Charles tells me that Jules Simon and his two sons passed the night
drawing up lists of possible candidates for the National Assembly.
Cernuschi is having himself naturalized a French citizen!
January 29.--The armistice was signed yesterday. It was published this
morning. The National Assembly will be elected between February 5 and
18. Will meet on the 12th at Bordeaux.
Little Jeanne is a trifle better. She almost smiled at me.
No more balloons. The post. But unsealed letters. It snows. It freezes.
January 30.--Little Jeanne is still poorly and does not play.
Mlle. Périga brought me a fresh egg for Jeanne.
January 31.--Little Jeanne is still ill. She is suffering from a slight
attack of catarrh of the stomach. Doctor Allix says it will last for
another four or five days.
My nephew Leopold came to dine with us. He brought us some pickled
oysters.
February 1.--Little Jeanne is better. She smiled at me.
February 2.--The Paris elections have been postponed to February 8.
Horsemeat continues to disagree with me. Pains in the stomach. Yesterday
I said to Mme. Ernest Lefèvre, who was dining beside me:
_De ces bons animaux la viande me fait mal.
J’aime tant les chevaux que je hais le cheval_.
February 4.--The weather is becoming milder.
A crowd of visitors this evening. Proclamation by Gambetta.
February 5.--The list of candidates of the Republican journals appeared
this morning. I am at the head of the list.
Bancal is dead.
Little Jeanne this evening has recovered from her cold.
I entertained my usual Sunday guests. We had fish, butter and white
bread for dinner.
February 6.--Bourbaki, defeated, has killed himself. A grand death.
Ledru-Rollin is drawing back from the Assembly. Louis Blanc came and
read this news to me to-night.
February 7.--We had three or four cans of preserves which we ate to-day.
February 8.--To-day, elections for the National Assembly. Paul Meurice
and I went to vote together in the Rue Clauzel.
After the capitulation had been signed, Bismarck, on leaving Jules
Favre, entered the room where his two secretaries were awaiting him and
said: “The beast is dead.”