duty to repel the invasion and drive the enemy from the territory.
"3. M. Trochu shall be maintained in
The Invasion of the Hall of Deputies.
his functions of governor-general of the City of Paris."
There was no discussion whatever on these propositions, and after a very brief session of ten minutes the Chamber adjourned.
It was easy to foresee that the sitting of the Corps Législatif on Sunday was likely to become historic. I went early to the hall. When I arrived there I found a few troops stationed in the neighborhood, and there was not a large number of people in the immediate vicinity. Indeed, I was quite surprised at the tranquillity which seemed everywhere to reign in the quarter of the Palais Bourbon. Taking my seat in the diplomatic tribune at a quarter before twelve, there was not a single person in the hall of the deputies, though the galleries were all well filled. Instead of the session opening at noon, it was precisely one o'clock when M. Schneider entered and took the chair of the President. The deputies then came rapidly into the hall. Count Palikao was the first of the ministers to come in, and he was soon followed by the Prince de la Tour d'Auvergne, MM. Chevereau and Brame. All the other ministers took their places on the ministerial benches soon after. The members of the Left came in almost simultaneously, Gambetta hurrying along among the first, haggard with excitement. The venerable Raspail took his seat, and Garnier-Pagès hurried across the area in front of the President's chair in a state of intense agitation. Arago, Simon, Ferry, Estancelin, Guyot-Montpayvon, entered and took their seats. Thiers, the little, brisk and vigorous old man, walked quietly to his place. The President sat in his chair quietly, and seemed in no hurry to call the Chamber to order. The members became impatient and clamorous. There was loud talk and violent gesticulation. At precisely twenty minutes after one o'clock M. Schneider swung his bell, and the gruff voice of the huissier was heard above the din: "Silence, messieurs! s'il vous plâit."
