For eighteen years Louis Napoleon Bonaparte had been Emperor of the French. In this short time the country had recovered from a state of revolutionary chaos and was now without question the leading power on the continent of Europe. Twice the Emperor had led the people into war, both times successfully. Meanwhile a legend had grown up around him. He was considered variously as a Mephistopheles, a weakling, a fool, and an iron man. Now, in 1870 the time had arrived to test the legend. Prepared "to the last gaiter button," the famous French army, victors of Sebastopol and Solforino, awaited the coming of the Prussians.

The Prussians came. They refused to be stopped. Against the rapid fire of their infantry, armed with breech-loading rifles, the terrible French bayonet charges were useless. Dashing cavalry attacks were equally futile. General von Moltke, sitting calmly at headquarters, could direct his troops by telegraph with the certainty that his orders would be completely fulfilled. All the French armies retreated steadily. Finally, when McMahon allowed himself and the Emperor to be cornered at Sedan the end of the war was inevitable.

Nevertheless, Paris remained. The futility of its resistance simply emphasizes the heroism of the defenders. For four months the city underwent a continual bombardment. Thiers and Gambetta, balloon ascensions across the Prussian lines, the relief army from the South, the National Guard, and the final triumphal entry of the besiegers, followed by the proclamation in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles of the German Empire--the whole is a fantasy worthy of the Arabian Nights, with a note of tragedy added.

12 O'Clock

"Franco-Prussian War," Professor Langer, Harvard 6.

11 O'Clock

"Sienese Painting," Professor Edgell, Fogg Museum.

10 O'Clock

"Henry IV," Professor Kittredge, Harvard 6.