That was the scheme of one man, an imitator without genius or merit.

He had succeeded in stealing the government of his country, and made a change in its form against the wishes and instincts of his people.

He tried to play the part of the first Napoleon, without the ability to sustain that role.

He sought by new conquests to add to his empire and his glory; but the signal failure of his scheme of conquest was the precursor of his own overthrow.
Like our own war between the States, the Franco-Prussian war was an expensive one; but it was worth to France all it cost her people.

It was the completion of the downfall of Napoleon III.