France also had her troubles in 1888, for this was the year of Boulanger, the _brav' Général_, who captivated the mob for a while, seemed at one moment to be within an ace of overthrowing the Republic and establishing a stratocracy, but collapsed ignobly in the testing hour. _Punch_ recognized the danger in his cartoon of France ruefully balancing the Cap of Liberty on her finger. But even in _L'Audace_, where Boulanger is shown climbing up a steep cliff, with "Deputy" at the bottom, "President" and "Dictator" at the top, and the Imperial Eagle peering over the summit--we are made to feel that the climber is not equal to the task. The conditions are exactly reproduced in the companion picture, "Many a Slip," only that Boulanger is shown rolling down the precipice. New South Wales celebrated her Centenary on January 26, 1888, and _Punch_ added his tribute in a happily-worded greeting under the familiar heading, "Advance, Australia!":-- A hundred years! At Time's old pace The merest day's march, little changing; But now the measure's new, the race Fares even faster, forward ranging. What cycle of Cathay e'er saw Your Century's wondrous transformation? From wandering waifs to wards of Law! From nomads to a mighty nation! Belated dreamers moan and wail; What scenes for croakers of that kidney, Since first the _Sirius_ furled her sail Where now is Sydney! A hundred years! Let Fancy fly-- She has a flight that nothing hinders, Not e'en reaction's raven cry-- Back to the days of Matthew Flinders, Stout slip of Anglo-Saxon stock Who gave the new-found land its nomen. Faith, memory-fired, may proudly mock At dismal doubt, at owlish omen. Five sister-colonies spread now Where then the wandering black-fellow Alone enjoyed day's golden glow, Night's moonlight mellow. "The Island-Continent! Hooray!" Punch drinks your health in honest liquor On this your great Centennial day, Whose advent makes his blood flow quicker. We know what you can do, dear boys In City-founding--and in Cricket. A fig for flattery!--it cloys; Frank truth, true friendship--that's the ticket! Land of rare climate, stalwart men, And pretty girls, and queer mammalia, All England cries, through _Punch's_ pen, "Advance, Australia!"