'We left Metz on the 7th of September [1869], and "made" direct for Paris. It happened that, before starting for the railway station, we got hold of two Paris journaux -- "Le Siecle" and "The Tribune." Our astonishment was mutual at the altered tone of these papers. "Why, bless me! H.," cried George, "here are these French papers talking the freest language. I cannot understand how it comes to pass that, all at once, the press should break forth in such unwonted style!" "Well," replied I, "we shall know more about it when we get to Paris, I suppose."' 'When we arrived there, sure enough we found a wonderful state of things. None of my readers needs to learn at this time of day, from my pen, what were the circumstances under which the democratic sentiment found a vent in the autumn of 1869.'