Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/520

 assassins Eudes and Mégy, who had fallen back precipitately with their men from the Palace of the Legion of Honor, and who evacuated this in turn, after having accomplished their odious task.

Unhappily, to the losses of the State were added those of many private individuals, members of the Cour des Comptes and the Conseil d'Etat, who, fearing the pillage of their private houses, had brought here many precious objects and valuable papers, thinking to secure them from all harm.

Not satisfied with the destruction of public edifices, the rage of the Communists expended itself on many private buildings. Every manifestation of riches excited their animosity, and they attempted thoroughly to carry out the programme of the International society, recognized as prime mover in this insurrection, which is:

The abolition of all religions. The abolition of all property. The abolition of all family. The abolition of inheritance. The abolition of nationality.

The Rues de Lille, Du Bac, and Royale are those which suffered perhaps the most from the terrible scourge which afflicted Paris.

Although the Communists had such an objection to capital, they showed that, once in their possession, they could spend it freely. The following is the approximative amount of what their eccentricities have cost the city of Paris:

fr. Expenses of the Commune                                   52,000,000 Roads                                                      2,500,000 Hotel de Ville and Municipalities of Arrondissements      36,000,000 Forward  90.500,000