Page:A Scene from Contemporary History.djvu/17

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SCENES FROM CONTEMPORARY HISTORY

to the Present than to the Past We purpose, therefore, in future, not indeed to neglect the Past and the Permanent, but, in addition, to court, more than before, the Present

We purpose to improve the Magazine in another direction Hitherto we have been somewhat careless in reviewing Bengali books, but in future we intend to notice every Bengali book that is sent to us We hope and trust that by making these improvements we shall render the Bengal Magazine more popular than it has hitherto been


SCENES FROM CONTEMPORARY HISTORY

No 2

Time, 15th July, 1870

PLACE, THE FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

M Thiers on the tribune—If there ever has been a day, an hour, in which one could say, without exaggeration, that history looks at us, it is this hour and this day, and it appears to me that e cry body should think thereupon seriously

When war shall be declared, there will be no person more zealous, more eager than myself to give to the Government the means of which it shall have need to make the war victorious (Very good! Very good! From the left)

It is not then a tournament of patriotism that we hold here

I maintain that my patriotism is, not superior, but equal to that of all those who are in this place (Approbation from the left)

What is the matter in discussion? To give or to refuse to, the Government the means that it demands? No, I protest against such a thought

What is the matter in discussion? The matter in discussion is a declaration of war made at this tribune by the ministry, and I express myself constitutionally, as you will admit Well! Is it