The following is the way in which the fires were prepared:In some instances a number of men, acting as avant-courriers, went first, telling the inhabitants that the Quarter was about to be delivered to the flames, and urging them to fly for their lives; in other oases, the unfortunate people were told that the whole city would be burnt, and that they might as well meet death where they were as run to seek it elsewhere.

Every day W. had an immense courrier and every second day a secretary came down from the Quai d'Orsay with despatches and papers to sign.