Chapter VI: The Second Empire

1867-1869

Arrival at Paris--The Empress on the Roman Question--The Emperor's
desire for a Conference--Mr. Odo Russell on erroneous French impressions
with regard to the Papacy--Prince Napoleon on the probability of war
with Germany--Credulity of the Emperor of Russia--Visit of Prince
Napoleon to Germany: his impressions--Difficulties of Napoleon
III.--General uneasiness in France and depression of Emperor--Suggested
offer of throne of Spain to Duke of Edinburgh--Lord Clarendon's
conversations with the King of Prussia and Moltke--Lord Clarendon and
Napoleon III.--Lord Clarendon at the Foreign Office--Views of the Crown
Prince of Prussia--Emperor's love of Conferences--The Luxemburg Railway
affair--Apprehensions in England and Belgium of French designs--Views
of Queen Victoria and Gladstone--Confidential instructions to Lord
Lyons--Desire of Empress to visit India--Lord Lyons requested to vote
on party question in House of Lords--Formation of Constitutional
Administration under Emile Ollivier--Distrust of the Emperor 177

CHAPTER VII

SECRET PROPOSALS FOR DISARMAMENT

1870

Attempt by Lord Clarendon, at request of Count Daru, to induce
the Prussian Government to partially disarm--Emile Ollivier
on disarmament--Memorandum by Lord Clarendon communicated
to Bismarck--Objections raised by Bismarck--Count
Daru on Bismarck's arguments--Intended reduction of the
French army--Second attempt by Lord Clarendon--Bismarck's
final answer 246

CHAPTER VIII

THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR

1870

Internal situation in France--Further military reduction sanctioned--The
Plébiscite: general uneasiness--Official satisfaction at result
of Plébiscite--Sycophantic diplomatists--Gramont appointed
Foreign Minister--Official views respecting the value of British
colonies--Accurate prophecy by Lord Clarendon--Death of Lord
Clarendon: Lord Granville Foreign Secretary--The Hohenzollern
Candidature--Explosion of Chauvinism--Lord Lyons's explanation
of the manner in which the war was forced upon the Emperor
Napoleon--Conduct of the Empress during the early stages of the
war--Fall of the Empire: Thiers and Jules Favre--Thiers's
mission--Malet's mission to Bismarck--Consent of Bismarck to receive
a representation of the Provisional Government 280