1-150-210 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'A Losing Game', 1858. Louis Napoleon to Palmerston What about my match with Montalembert? Palmerston replies, shaking his head, Very awkward for your British backers. Napoleon leans against the wall, disconsolately holding a billiard cue whilst Palmerston perches on the edge of the billiard table. The story behind the cartoon is the trial of the Comte de Montalembert. The Comte had published a pamphlet in France in which he compared in unflattering terms French parliamentary procedures for debate with the superior ones of the British parliament. For this crime, Montalembert was found guilty, fined 3,000 francs and sentenced to six months' imprisonment. In December, he was pardoned by Napoleon, but when Montalembert appealed against his conviction, he was again found guilty. Towards the end of December, he was again pardoned by Napoleon. From Punch, or the London Charivari, December 4, 1858.