CHAPTER I.
THE CAUSES OF THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR "After the fatal year 1866, the Empire was in a state of decadence."-- L.

GREGOIRE, _Histoire de France_.
The irony of history is nowhere more manifest than in the curious destiny which called a Napoleon III.

to the place once occupied by Napoleon I., and at the very time when the national movements, unwittingly called to vigorous life by the great warrior, were attaining to the full strength of manhood.

Napoleon III.

was in many ways a well-meaning dreamer, who, unluckily for himself, allowed his dreams to encroach on his waking moments.