1-150-625 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'The Boeuf Gras for Paris', 1871. Peace, dressed in deepest mourning, leads a prime specimen of cattle to France. The leash is made of olive leaves, a symbol of the new peace following France's war against Prussia in which France had suffered much loss. Prussian troops had besieged Paris and, after more than 130 days and under continual bombardment, Paris had surrendered at the end of January 1871. During the course of the war, French citizens had suffered from famine, and from the beginning of February 1871, provision trains to relieve the suffering had been sent to Paris. The British were in the vanguard of the efforts to supply aid to France. From Punch, or the London Charivari, March 4, 1871.