Punch (59.1870)

July 23, 1870.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. 33

How t,he exercise of that legitimate influence failed, and how the
public mind was disturbed during the week, is at present fresh in the
memories of all, but as this record will be referred to in after days, we
mention that for several days the word was Peace. It was known that
the King of Prussia had virtually conceded at least all that Prance

PUNCH'S ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

Monday, July lit A. On this day, and for some days later, good
men hoped that the most wicked war of the century (we do not

forget Schleswig-Holstein__-------—---------------had a right to ask, and that

= —~W I nil ' / purely a diplomatic question,

lN„.np and the causes have existed for

iPtSlUtl. some time. Now, both those

Private Smifaers (to himself as he 11 turned in" on Monday niqht durivq the ^'^^.'^^l\f^AZr,\\n\^^\

Storm). "Dear me! .Now this is a rare Instance of Consideration advice and prayed for the in-

and Regakd for the Comfort of the Volunteers on the Pam- of fluence of Her Majesty to be

Gov'ment, these nice roomy Watch-Pockets ! Ton m' Word, I wouldnt exercioed on their behalf. They

have bhlievbd it !!" ; have d< ue more than that,

y0> \i I r III I i l/X/ll I they have entreated tier Ma

and fiom their desire to mam
tain peace, "would use their
efforts with the other Powers
concerned in the affair. I told
him that the announcement
had taken the Prime Minister
and myself entirely by sur-
prise; that I could not admit
all the arguments he hud
used; and that I wished to
reserve my opinion on the
general question. I expressed regret that such
strong language had been made use of at the out-
set of the affair by the French Government, but I
admitted the existence of strong excitement in the
public mind with respect to the question. I said
that our friendly relations with France, and our
anxious desire to contribute to the maintenance of
European peace, would make us endeavour, with-
out any undue interference with the dignity of
other countries, to press upon them at all times
the necessity of examining this important question
in all its serious aspects. This is the principle
upon which Her Majesty's Government have since
acted. I have been in communication not only
with France, Prussia, and Spain, but with all the.
other great Powers or their representatives ; and I
have good reason to believe that those other Powers
are all anxious for peace, and also desirous of
contributing each its share to the maintenance
of it."

In the House of Commons on the same eve-
ning, the Premier, in reply to Sir William
Htjtt, said, "that Her Majesty's Government

had exercised and would exercise all the legiti- ; Private Smithers-No! We won'i

mate influence they may be supposed to possess
with due regard to the self-respect and dignity
of Poreign Powers, for the purpose of pre-
venting any event so ruinous and deplorable as
a European convulsion with its consequent
infusion and bloodshed."

OUTSIDE.

Ekpeat what he Said, the next
Morning, when he Discoveked that

what he took for a WaTCH-PoCKET

was a Ventilating Aperture-—and
his Waich Imbfddbd in the Mud at
the Bottom of his Trench !

jesty to enter into engage-
ments, and even perilous engagements, with the
view of furthering their interests, of securing the
peace of hurope, and giving them an opportunity,
ami a happy opportunity, of terminating all the
questions of dissidenee between them. In these
circumstances, I must express my opinion that
whatever may be the political competence of
France or Prussia at thi3 moment to declare and
carry on war—and no one can question that—I say
that under the circumstances which I have recalled.
to the memory of Parliament, neither France nor
Prussia has a right to enter into any war—no
moral right, at least, to enter into any war—with-
out fully and really consulting Great Britain."

He had no doubt that Government had done
its duty ably, but he thought that a public
announcement to that effect would have a
heneficial effect upon Europe. He therefore
formally asked the question whether the Gov-
ernment had reminded Prance and Prussia of
the sacrifices and exertions made for them by
England. He concluded in language which
expresses the feelings of all of us :—

" The ruler of any country who at this time
disturbs the peace of Europe incurs the gravest
political and moral responsibility— (Cheers)—-
which can fall to the lot of any man. I hear, Sir,
supeificial remarks made about military surprises,
captured capitals, and the brilliancy and celeritj

Vol. 59

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