The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-07-19

Tho Grand Military Drama in Europc-The
Possibilities Of the Future.
The cession Of venetia to France by Austria
and the reported conditional assent by Italy and
Prussia to the armistice' proposed by Napoleon
present an entirely new phase Of European
affairs. The whole campaign Of diplomacy and
war resembles q great military drama, with
Napoleon as manager and the Powers and states
men Of Europe a. actors. The first act opened
with quiet conversational scene between Ma
poleon and Bismarck At Biarritx, during which
al the preliminaries were arranged. Then
came the dispute between Austria and Prussia
for the possession Of the Duchies; Napoleon's
pathetic appeal for peace congress; the dig
nifed refusal Of Austria, and the great melo-
sia declared the Germanic confederacy dis
solved. The act closed with the rapid move
ments Of troops, the flashing Of swords, the
beating Of drums and q stirring martial finale.
The curtain rose upon the second act amid
the hushed anxiety Of the vast audience. Ma
poleon was discovered with his arms crossed
behind him, in the style Of his immortal uncle.
He smoked q cigar, assumed the air of the
sphinx and stalked of the stage. Then Vic
tor Emanuel, one Of the most popular heroes,
appeared and dashed his army against the
Quadrifateral. Having been defeated and
applsudcd, he withdrew to give place to the
Prussian and Austrian leaders. There
forces upon both sides; several minor and
amusing episodes, In which the lesser German
princes figured as low comedians, and finally
the stage was cleared for the sensation scene
OF the battle of Sadowa, which was presented
with hosts OF auxiliarcs, real cannon, plenty
Of red fire, and every device that the resources
of the management could supply. The effect
was thrilling; but nobody could yet tell how
long the play was to last or what was to be the
issue Of its plot.
In all properly arranged spectacular dramas
a sensation scene is always followed by one OF
domestic interest, so as to heighten the senss-
ton by the contrast. So it is in the military
meodrama now performing in Europe. When
the curtain rose for the third act we were
shown the council chamber at the Tuileries.
Napoleon was presiding over a meeting OF his
ministers and discussing the internal affairs Of
France, no allusion being made to the great
war; Suddenly messenger entered, with dra-
matte abruptness, and handed Napoleon tsls-
gram from Vienna. The Emperor smiled,
answered the telegram, liz q cigar, and dis
solved the council without having intimated
to his ministers the important intelligence he
had just received. The scene again changed
to another apartment In the same palace
the Emperor's private cabinet Napoleon
was conversing with Eug6nic, who had
recently returned from Amiens. To
them entered Prince Metternich, the Aus
trian Ambassador, and announced that he
came authorized to cede venetia to France.
Drouyn de Lhuys next appeared upon the
scene and took part in the dialogue. PROPOSE
tons for an armistlcc were Immediately sent to
Italy and Prussia. AT last Napoleon aroused
from his usual apathy, rushed 10 the footlights,
in true melodramatic style; gave orders that
the French flag should be hoisted in Venice;
advised Victor Emanuel TO cease hostilties,
and, amid the cheering Of the populace oat-
side, and the glare caused by the Nominations
over liberated veneta, brought down the cur
| tain with those historical words Eugene.