1-150-242 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'The First Lesson!', 1859. 'Not so Bad for a Beginner!' In this cartoon, Liberty in the role of a schoolmistress helps a childish Napoleon III to write the word 'Amnesty' on the blackboard. All around are the accoutrements of the playroom, including a toy sword and a battered and broken drum. In mid August 1859, the army that had accompanied Napoleon III to Italy made a triumphal entry into Paris. In honour of the occasion, Napoleon issued an amnesty 'to all Frenchmen imprisoned or in exile for political offences'. From Punch, or the London Charivari, September 3, 1859.