The political atmosphere was not conducive to the calm discussion of international peace. _Punch's_ espousal of the cause of Dreyfus became increasingly vehement and provocative. In May, under the heading "_A bas la Vérité_," Truth is shown saying "I must get out" (of her well), while the French generals reply: "Not if we know it." A month later, in "At Last," Tenniel depicts indignant Justice triumphing with the Sword of Revision, and trampling Lies and Forgery under foot. The universal preoccupation with the topic is illustrated in Phil May's picture of the little street boy crying because his father "has got Drifus fever." In September, Napoleon's shade is shown scornfully surveying a group of degenerate generals eagerly discussing a "secret dossier", and saying, "_Vive l'armée!_ Yes! But it was not with generals like you that I won my campaigns!" In the face of death _Punch_ has always shown restraint, and, whether from ignorance or of set purpose, wrote of President Faure:-- He sought to serve his country's needs And dying died with harness on. [Sidenote: _The Verdict of Rennes_] But the address to France "in memory of the verdict of Rennes" amounts to an indictment of the whole nation:-- Who speaks of pardon? Nay, for France there's none, Nor can be never till the damnèd blot Be wiped away and expiation done. Then, not till then, May be renewed the bonds that once have been, Since we, whatever else, are honest men. Meanwhile, we know you not! Go, hide your face until your heart is clean. _Punch_, it is true, spoke with a different voice on the same page, but it is doubtful whether his levity was calculated to heal the effect of his self-righteous indignation:-- SOME FURTHER SELF-DENYING ORDINANCES To be observed by those who wish to testify their righteous indignation at the Rennes verdict by boycotting next year's Paris Exposition, and in the most material and convincing manner to bring about the complete rehabilitation of the unfortunate prisoner. It is proposed-- That no more French leave shall be taken by individuals desirous of absenting themselves from their duties or annexing other persons' property. Undergraduates will faithfully attend every lecture, city clerks will bury no more aunts, cooks will cease to entertain policemen, and there will be a close time for burglary, kleptomania and kissing under the mistletoe. That the use of French chalk shall be abandoned in ballrooms, and dancing given up altogether, except on village greens. That "Frenchmen," alias red-legged partridges, shall be shot on sight, and given to the retriever to eat. That elbow-grease shall be substituted for French polish. That French beans shall be cut and given the cold shoulder at table.