86           ANARCHY AND  TERRORISM IN PARIS.
for the guillotine (and for a good reason). It was de-
nominated " an infamous instrument of monarchical
domination," and the Commune, therefore, in order to
emphasize its hatred for it, decreed that one should be
set up and burned before the statue of Voltaire in the
nth arrondissement, and this was made the occasion of
a great ceremony. The guillotine was brought out and
surrounded with huge pieces of wood and other com-
bustible material. The order was given to burn this
guillotine "for the purification of the arrondissement
and for the preservation of the new liberty." This piece
of foolery and absurdity attracted great attention. A
vast crowd assembled to witness the spectacle, which was
honored by the presence of a battalion of the National
Guard. There was a large crowd of men, women and
children who were very brave, and shook their fists at
the instrument which inspired in them so much hatred.
At the proper time the fire was communicated and huge
flames broke forth. Soon there was nothing but a heap
of glowing ashes which the crowd looked upon with joy,
and sent up many huzzas.
On April nth Marshal MacMahon, who had been made
Commander-in-Chief of the French army, commenced to
distribute his forces and to invest, en regie, Fort Issy.
On that day I addressed a communication to Count Bis-
marck in relation to his nationaux in Paris. After giv-
ing him the number I had sent out since April ist I told
him that there were about eight hundred remaining, and
that it seemed impossible for them to get away, as all of
their effects, of whatever nature or description, were held
for their rent, or were at the pawnbrokers ; that even if
they possessed anything which they could carry away
with them, the railroad authorities of the Strasburg line
had refused to take any baggage or freight whatever.   I