Our shout must be "Neutrality!"
To England peace is sweet;
But, friends, that she may neutral be,
Let's man our Forts and Fleet.
THE FRENCH PORCUPINE
"L'empire c'est la paix"
He may be an inoffensive animal, but he don't look like it.
Napoleon III and Cavour
After Magenta the share in the fighting between Italy and France is symbolized in the fable of the Giant and the Dwarf: Victor Emmanuel was to do all the fighting while France, forsooth, claimed half the honours of war. No opportunity was lost of putting the worst construction on Louis Napoleon's patronage of Savoy. His pacific statements are constantly contrasted with his policy of aggrandisement. In the autumn Punch quoted the New York Herald's tribute: "We are seriously of opinion that if Louis Napoleon were not Emperor of the French, he would have made a first-rate newspaper editor. His style is like that of the American papers." The report that Cavour had retired in disgust inspired a bitter attack on the two Emperors in July:—