Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/501

 Any proprietor disobeying this order, or any person found in his establishment after that hour, was to be immediately arrested.

At the same time the theatres were obliged to be furnished with a special authorization from the military authorities before continuing their representations, and the same was required from all newspapers—even from those which had already reappeared.

The following notice was later placarded, and was read with general approbation.

", June 2d, 1871.

"Until further order, all commerce in petroleum is formally forbidden.

"Exceptions can only be made for pharmaceutical preparations. In such cases, the request must be addressed to the military authorities, who will grant it only after having received all the necessary guarantees."

Meanwhile, what aspect did Paris present, while the Government and the army took the dispositions necessary to restore its calm, to obtain the pacification of the public mind, and to bring back order and security to its streets?

The central quarters were gradually regaining their customary appearance. The shops were opening, but as yet very slowly. The suffering had been so great during the last two months—the nightmare of the last eight days had been so frightful—that the inhabitants could with difficulty rouse themselves from the succeeding torpor, and return seriously to their work. The barricades were everywhere being destroyed.

Often, at certain points, the passers-by were required to take down a stone—perhaps the very same which they had been forced to raise during the time of the Commune.

From nearly all the houses, although still closed, floated