3-028-817 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Review of the French Army at Longchamps [sic], Bois de Boulogne, 1871. View of '...he grand review of the French army...at the Hippodrome or Racecourse of Longchamps...The principal box in the Grand Stand, which was used formerly to be occupied by the Emperor Napoleon and his family, now contained M. Thiers and the Ministers of the Provisional Government...some wearing their badges of the Legion of Honour. On one hand of M. Thiers was a compartment filled with members of the Versailles National Assembly; on the other were the foreign ministers, and beyond these a number of ladies; the remaining spaces and seats were but scantily occupied. The Orleans Princes were among the spectators. The entire number of spectators was much less than has been usual upon these occasions, though the weather was bright and fair, and not too warm. The ladies, too, were not so gaily dressed as they are wont to be. The troops, under the command of Marshal M'Mahon, with General Ladmirault second in command, simply marched past and saluted. They had little music, as the regimental bands are mostly broken up; but a few notes of the bugle were sounded to help the soldiers to keep step. The review began at two o'clock, and ended at half-past five in the afternoon'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.