Genre:

Dialogue, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Politics, War, Internationalism

    The article relates to the proposal of Emperor Napoleon III of France for the convocation of a European congress. Describes a conversation between Dr Punch and the emperor. The emperor reveals that he has 'invited the Sovereigns of Europe to a Congress' for settling' all our troubles and quarrels by Arbitration', a plan that Dr Punch claims that he has been urging for 'the last ten years'. The emperor quickly grows tired of Dr Punch's obsequious remarks, although the latter persists in reminding his patron that 'war, in self-defence, is a crime and a blunder' and questions his patron's war against Mexico, while boasting of the fact that he has converted 600,000 soldiers. (208) Dr Punch anticipates that half a century of struggles will result in him becoming 'Victor of the Victor of the World'.