CHAPTER IX

THE GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE

1870-1871

Departure from Paris to join Provisional Government at Tours--Chaudordy on cession of territory--Attempt of Gustave Flourens to overthrow the Government at Paris--Thiers's interviews with Bismarck--Bismarck and _Les militaires_--Gladstone on cession of territory--Denunciation by Russia of Black Sea clauses in Treaty of Paris--Question of Bismarck's connivance--French and German grievances against England--Lord Lyons joins Provisional Government at Bordeaux--Difficulty in securing a French Representation at Black Sea Conference--Revival of French hopes at close of 1870--Bombardment of Paris--Thiers willing to cede territory: his superiority to Jules Favre--Armistice--General election--Thiers's conduct of the Peace Negotiations--Peace conditions accepted--Outbreak of the Commune: Lord Lyons and other diplomatists go to Versailles--Malet and Paschal Grousset--Murder of the Archbishop of Paris and the hostages--Suppression of the Commune--Return to Paris. 322

LIST OF PLATES IN VOL. I

FACING PAGE

LORD LYONS _Frontispiece_ _From a photograph taken at Boston, U.S., in 1860_

WILLIAM HENRY SEWARD 32

PRINCE NAPOLEON 194

LORD LYONS

A RECORD OF BRITISH DIPLOMACY