1-150-604 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'Paris, 1870'. France, armed and in full armour, mans her country's defences. At France's feet can be seen a number of contemporary newspapers, and a fool's cap. This relates to the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. The French had suffered a number of heavy defeats at the hands of the Prussians. However, French newspapers had carried a number of stories applauding French victories and so the news of the Prussian advances was cause for much excitement and concern. From Punch, or the London Charivari, September 3, 1870.F