September.
masse' of the population.
7. Foundering of the iron-clad turret-ship 'Captain,' of the British navy, in a gale, off Cape Finisterre, Bay of Biscay.
8. Decree of the Provisional Government of France convoking the electoral colleges for the 16th October, to elect a National and Constituent Assembly of 750 members.
9. Surrender of the town and citadel of Laon, fire being set to the powder magazine after the entry of the German troops.
10. Bombardment of Metz commenced by the investing army.
12. Entry of the King of Prussia into Chàteau-Thierry.
13. Occupation of Meaux, near Paris, by German cavalry.
15. Opening of the Lower House of the Austrian Reichsrath by the Emperor.
17. Invasion of the Papal states by an Italian army under General Cadorna.
18. Occupation of Versailles by German troops.
19. Defeat of General Vinoy, commanding an army of 25,000 French Mobile Guards, at Villejuif, near Paris.
19. Opening of the States-General of the Netherlands by the King.
20. Complete investment of Paris by the German armies under the King of Prussia.
20. Occupation of Rome by Italian troops, after a capitulation stipulating that there shall remain under the sovereignty of the Pontiff 'that portion of Rome which is bounded on the southern part by the walls of Santo Spirito, and comprehends Mount Vatican and the Castel Saint Angelo, forming the so-called Leonine city.'
22. Negotiation for an armistice between Count von Bismarck-Schönhausen and M. Jules Favre, Vice-President of the French Provisional Government, at Ferrières, near Paris.
23. Departure of the fleet of war of France from the Baltic.
24. Surrender of the fortress of Toul after a bombardment of six hours, and capture of 80 pieces of cannon and 2,500 French troops.
24. Proclamation of the Provisional Government in Paris stating that France cannot accept the terms of an armistice and peace proposed by the Chancellor of the North German Confederation, and will prefer 'war to the last extremity.'
26. Defeat of French troops of the Garde Mobile at Melun.
27. Occupation of the city of Orleans by German cavalry.
28. Capitulation of Strasburg, under which 451 officers and 17,000 non-commissioned officers and rank and file lay down their arms.
30. Entry of the German besieging force, under General Von Werder, into Strasburg, it being stated that 'King Louis the Fourteenth of France entered the city on the same day, 189 years before, having captured
it by surprise, in a time of general peace.'