Alley may be paved, or unpaved, and a blind alley is a cul-de-sac. Modern urban developments may also provide a service road to allow for waste collection, or rear access for fire engines and parking. Because of geography, steps (stairs) are the predominant form of alley in hilly cities and towns. This includes Quebec City in Canada and in the United States Pittsburgh (see Steps of Pittsburgh), Cincinnati (see Steps of Cincinnati), Minneapolis, Seattle, and San Francisco as well as Hong Kong, Genoa and Rome. Some alleys are roofed because they are within buildings, such as the traboules of Lyon, or
The dogs of war (phrase) releasing. Thus, the "dogs of war" are the political and societal restraints against war that operate during times of peace. Victor Hugo used "dogs of war" as a metaphor for cannon fire in chapter XIV of "Les Misérables:" In modern English usage "dogs of war" is used to describe mercenaries. The phrase has entered so far into general usage – in books, music, film and television – that it is now regarded as a cliché. One notable example of the use of this phrase was by Christopher Plummer's character General Chang in the film '', in a scene which featured