In Italy Victor Emmanuel had been declared King by the new Parliament, but _Punch_ was not at all certain of the stability of his throne. Cavour died on June 6, but the death of the greatest of Italian statesmen is passed over with a brief though sympathetic reference. In August we find _Punch_ uttering a serious warning to Victor Emmanuel, on the ground that he had sold the cradle of his race, and expressing the fear that Sardinia would be ceded to France as well as Savoy. This was the year in which the crown of Greece was offered to Prince Alfred (the late Duke of Edinburgh). _Punch_ declined it both for him and his next brother, Prince Arthur (the Duke of Connaught). "Let the present King (Otho) mind his own business better," _Punch_ advises. The Greek Crown, it is derisively added, was not worth five bob. The offer, however, was not definitely and officially refused until the following year. The _Trent_ affair was settled, but throughout 1862 _Punch_ exchanged his impartial unfriendliness to both antagonists for a distinct bias against the North and Lincoln. For the moment his distrust of Louis Napoleon was merged in disapproval of the Empress Eugénie for her alleged interference in politics and support of the Papal pretensions. The visit of the Japanese ambassadors in the summer inspired imaginary dispatches, in which allusion is made to their interest in English arsenals and factories. _Punch_, by this time, had at any rate learned not to depict them as negroes, as he had done only a few years earlier. The police-ridden condition of Poland excites his indignation; but he is careful to disclaim sympathy with sentimental "National" movements, maintaining much the same view as that expressed in his lines on "The Nonsense of the Nationalities" three years before:-- No more talk of national races, Panslavic, Hellenic, all stuff! Of rant, gestures wild, and grimaces On that point, we've had quite enough. John Bull you will vainly appeal to, That in his own person contains Both Saxon and Norman; a deal, too, Of Danish blood runs in his veins. [Illustration: "UP A TREE" (Colonel Bull and the Yankee 'Coon) 'COON: "Air you in arnest, Colonel?" COLONEL BULL: "I am." 'COON: "Don't fire--I'll come down."]