are all instruments in the hand of Providence for the teaching of modern nations.
The Exchequer of France? The three Republics and the two Empires have cost France fifty-five thousand millions up to 1871 only! Under Napoleon III. alone loans were allowed to the Government: March, 1854, to the extent of 250 millions (850 millions 'had been tendered to them); in July, 1855, of 750 millions (3,652 millions were tendered); in 1859, of 500 millions (2,500 millions having been tendered); in 1864, of 300 millions (over 2,000 millions were tendered), etc.; and who now will doubt that Prince Bismack had become by 1867 infernally covetous of the French gold for his poor people? At present the fact that half the kingdom stands mortgaged confronts any man who may care to undertake the burden of the French administration.
The frontiers? All have vanished. Trafalgar and Aboukir, Leipzig and Waterloo, Queretaro and Sedan; the Capitulation of Paris, the disasters of Mans and Pontarlier: these form the schedule of their achievements. Yet, in 1870, when Napoleon III. was again bending under the weight of popular disaffection, the sum of 373 millions was voted for the Army estimates for that year, besides 3 millions for extraordinary expenditure; and without the calls made upon the exchequer of Algeria, 163 millions were voted for the navy estimates, besides over 10 millions for extraordinary expenditure. 26,229,516 francs only were the Educational vote! Can one be surprised at the just anger and maddening despair that decreed the last fall of the accursed star of the Bonapartes? Sit tibi terra levis![1]
- ↑ The Prince Consort was writing to the King of Belgium from Windsor Castle (18th January, 1859): "… The French nation is by no means anxious for war. … The Bourse is an eloquent preacher for peace. … I have just been reading in the Economist a very remarkable compilation in reference to the French State Debts, which I extract, as it cannot fail to interest you. It was in—
1814 50,600,000. 1830 177,000,000. 1851 213,800,000. 1858 336,880,000. This speaks volumes!"
