3-039-031 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Politicians discussing affairs on the Boulevard Montmartre, Paris, 1871. Franco-Prussian War: '...the habitual assemblage of numbers of street politicians, in the first days of the armistice, on the Boulevard Montmartre, opposite the Passage des Panoramas, where they were accustomed to talk over the position of affairs. To the left hand, is seen the Theatre des Variétés; to the right, in the background, is the entrance of the Rue Vivienne; in the foreground...are two convalescent wounded soldiers; one has his arm in a sling, the other leans painfully on a stick; behind are two National Guards, one cloaked and booted, carrying his chassepot at his back. A young Mobile declaims furiously against the foe; but his rage is checked by the young woman at his side. In the middle of the road is a Breton Mobile, with a sheepskin over his shoulders; a lady and gentleman, crossing the street, are beset with boys and girls, offering newspapers for sale...the whole roadway is filled with people, haranguing, conversing, gesticulating, sometimes brawling and jostling, all intent upon expressing their patriotic sentiments, or ventilating their military and political ideas. The omnibuses are obliged to go by another road'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.