I did not conceal from myself the dangers to which my curiosity would expose me; but had I not, and that too without any advantage, incurred as great dangers in escalading Mont-Blanc and in going up along the borders of the Nile? Besides, as is generally the case, the certainty of an imminent peril only served to strengthen my resolution. Moreover, not wishing to run any useless risk, I thought good to take a few precautions: I went to see Monsieur ***, an old French refugee that I had known at London, by the interposition of M. Causidiere. I asked him if he could not procure me a permission, a pass, some paper or other. "Are you quite decided on staying?" Asked that gentleman, whom I do not name for a reason that will be appreciated by the reader. "Perfectly decided." "Could nothing, not even good advice, make you renounce your intention?" "Nothing." "Then come with me to the Town-hall." I followed him; and, half an hour afterwards, I was in possession of a pass signed by two members of the Commune. This precaution was not to be useless. A few days afterwards, going to see the fort of Vanves, strongly menaced, I was arrested and taken before the commander of the Fort. This officer examined my pass; and, hesitating without doubt as to my identity, he put several questions to me in English. My answers certainly satisfied him, for he took me by the hand and said to me in a tone not without emotion: "Go, Sir, I will give you some one to accompany you; I like the English; I have seen them under fire; I was at Inkermann." The next day, having advanced too near Courbevoie, I was arrested by a patrol, and taken before a Commander of the army of Versailles. There I exhibited a letter from the ambassador's. "Ah!" said the Commander, "I knew in the Crimea two brave officers of your name." "John and Lewis--Captains--they were cousins of mine." "That is it exactly--what has become of them?" "Lewis is in the Indies--John is dead." "He is very happy", said the commander sorrowfully, in bowing to me." I went back, not without thinking of those two men--of those two brothers-in-arms, who perhaps were going to fire upon each other, after having mingled their blood before the enemy for the defence of their country. Alas! I was destined to see greater crimes. Certain, henceforth, of being able to get safely out of all scrapes, thanks to my pass of the commune and my papers from the ambassador's, I persevered in following step by step the events I am about to relate. Not having the pretention to write the history of the French revolution, with an appreciation of its consequences, as was done by our illustrious compatriot Carlisle for the revolution of 93, I will content myself with a simple and daily account of what I have seen and heard, and nothing more. The events offer of themselves sufficient interest and need not be augmented.