[Footnote 127: _Sha-lon_, on the Marne, 92 miles east of Paris. The camp (45 sq. m.) is 12 miles north of the town.] [Footnote 128: Called by the French the battle of Borny; village 2½ miles from Metz.] [Footnote 129: _Vār-dun´_, town and fortress of France on right bank of the Meuse; 35 miles by rail west of Metz.] [Footnote 130: _Grav´lot_.] [Footnote 131: _Reh-zon-veel´_.] [Footnote 132: Nine miles north-west of Metz.] [Footnote 133: One of the seven archangels, considered to be the guardian of Israel.] [Footnote 134: _Seh-don´_.] [Footnote 135: _Gee-von´_.] CHAPTER XI. FRANCE UNDER THE HARROW. Before Paris fell, Bismarck's hour of triumph had arrived. The headquarters of the German armies around Paris was at Versailles,[136] where King William held his court in the palace of the French emperors. Early in December King Ludwig of Bavaria proposed that a German empire should be established, and that the King of Prussia should be its first emperor. All the leading states gladly agreed, and on January 18, 1871, an imposing ceremony took place in the great gallery of the palace at Versailles. Every regiment around Paris sent its colours in charge of an officer and two non-commissioned officers, and all the chiefs of the army were present. A chaplain read a special service, and then the king, ascending a dais, announced himself German Emperor, and called upon Bismarck to read a proclamation addressed to the whole German nation. [Illustration: Proclaiming the German Emperor at Versailles, January 18, 1871. _From the picture by Anton von Werner._ 1. Duke Ernest of Saxe-Coburg-Gortha. 2. Crown Prince, afterwards Frederick II. 3. William I. 4. Grand Duke of Boden. 5. Bismark. 6. Molke.] The Crown Prince, as the first subject of the empire, came forward and kneeled before his father in homage. The Emperor raised him, and clasped in his arms the son who had toiled and fought and borne so great a share in bringing about that unity which the German peoples had so long desired. * * * * * On the 24th of February terms of peace were arranged, and on the 15th of March peace was signed. Before I tell you how France was punished by her conqueror, I wish to introduce to you two men who fought in this war--the one a Frenchman, the other an Englishman. If you were to see the Frenchman to-day you would find him a sturdy, thick-set man, with a heavy white moustache, huge eyebrows, and teeth that flash when he speaks. His head is massive, his neck is short and thick, and he gives you the idea of a trustworthy watch-dog. He is General Joffre,[137] Commander-in-Chief of the French army. [Illustration: General Joffre, Commander-in-Chief of the French Armies.]