The French Revolutionary Epoch: being a History of France from the beginning of the First French Revolution to the end of the Second Empire

Chapter I. Page

§ 1. — The Beginning op a New Dynasty. — Napoleon proclaimed Emperor — He is acknowledged by nearly all the Crowned Heads of Europe — Their Simulated Friendship — Behaviour of Spain, Prussia, Austria, Russia, and Sweden — Conduct of England — Its Attack on Spain — Declaration of War of the latter Country — Preparations of France to invade England — Grand Naval Review at Boulogne — Voyage of the Emperor and Empress through Four cf the Rhine Departments — Coronation of Napoleon by Pope Pius VII. — Its Influence on the People — Napoleon gathers around him some of the ancient Nobles and limiyres — He desires Peace — He sends a Letter to George III. — A Coalition of England, Russia, Austria, and Sweden formed against him — Alteration of the Constitution of the Batavian Republic — Napoleon crowned Ring of Italy — Eugene Beauharnais appointed Viceroy — The Ligurian Republic incorporated with France — Piombino and Lucca erected into Principalities — Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla also Incorporated — Preparations and Plan for an Invasion of England — Foresight of the English Admiralty — Villeneuve's Advance prevented by Sir Robert Calder — The French Fleet blockaded — Napoleon abandons his Attempt to Invade England — Engagements of England and Russia — Austria throws off the Mask — Treaty between France and Bavaria — The French Army marching into Germany — Defeat of the Austrians — Capitulation of Ulm — Prussia joins the Coalition — Defeat of the Russians — Battle of Diirrenstein — The French pass through Vienna — Artifice of the French to make themselves Masters of the Bridge over the Danube — The greater part of the Russian Army Escapes by means of a Pretended Armistice — The Archduke Charles leaves Italy and Crosses the Julian Alps — The Archduke John joins the Archduke Charles at Cilly — A War Contribution levied on Austria — Battle of Austerlitz — Armistice between the Austrian and Frenoh Emperors — Results of that Armistice — The King of Naples is dethroned — Napoleon's Brother, Joseph, appointed King of the Two Sicilies — Battle of Trafalgar CONTENTS.

VI PAGE

Chapter II

§ 1. — The Progress op Imperialism. — Creation of a System of Federal States — Dissatisfaction of the French People and of the Despoiled Nations — The Law of Entail — Forest Property ceded to the £migr£s — Ancient Monopolies re-established — Increase of Taxation and of Arbitrary Measures — The Abbey of St. Denis becomes the Burial-place of the Napoleonic Dynasty — The Court is governed by a Code of Etiquette — Promulgation of many Beneficial Measures — Embellishment of Paris — Formation of the Confederation of the Rhine — Formation of a New Coalition against Napoleon — Invasion of Saxony by Prussian Troops — The Army of the Allies — The French Army — Death of Prince Louis of Prussia — The Battle of Jena — The Battle of Auerstadt — Entrance of the French into Berlin — Heavy War Contribution to be paid by Prussia — Surrender of Two Prussian Army Corps — ■ Capitulation of the Fortresses on the Oder — General Blucher surrenders — Fall of Magdeburg — Publication of the Berlin Decree by Napoleon — Entrance of Russian Troops in Turkish Territory — The French enter Poland — Napoleon refuses to aid the Russian and the Gallician Poles — Conflict between the Russian and French Troops at Pultusk — The French go into Winter Quarters at Warsaw — Battle of Eylau — Surrender of several of the Fortresses in Silesia — Battle of Friedland — Interview between the Russian and French Emperors at Tilsit — Conclusion of the Treaty of Tilsit — Its Stipulations . -10

Chapter III

§ 1. — The Decay op Imperialism. — Condition of the French Empire — Changes in the Constitution — Increase of Despotism in the Creations of that Period — Bombardment of Copenhagen and Seizure of the Danish Fleet by the English — Publication of the Decree of Milan — Refusal of the Russians to evacuate Moldavia and Wallachia — Entrance of the French Troops into Rome — Annexation of the Papal Provinces to the Kingdom of Italy — Resolution of the French Emperor to annex the Spanish Provinces — Junot marches into Portugal — The Spanish King, Charles IV., and his Son Ferdinand, ask Napoleon to Interfere iu their Quarrels — French Troops sent into Spain — Abdication of Charles IV. and of his Son — Joseph Bonaparte becomes King of Spain — Revolt of the Spanish People — Defeat of the French at Baylen — Joseph Bonaparte leaves Madrid — Revolt of the Portuguese — Defeat of Junot — Signature of the Convention of Cintra — The Czar and the Emperor meet at Erfurth — The Two Emperors sign a Secret Convention — Napoleon and a large French Army enter Spain — Defeat of the Spaniards — Death of Sir John Moore at Corunna — Siege and Capitulation of Saragossa — The Austrian Coalition — Napoleon enters CONTENTS.

VII Germany — Battle of Eckmiihl — Entrance of the French into Vienna — Battles of Aspern and Essling — Death of Marshal Lannes — Annexation of the Roman States to the French Empire — Battle of Wagram — Unfortunate Ending of the English Expedition to Walcheren — Retreat of Soult — Battle of Talavera — Sir Arthur Wellesley created Viscount Wellington — Peace Negotiations concluded at Vienna — Conditions of the Treaty . 5G § 2. — The Last Tears op the Empire. — Arguments in favour of Napoleon's desire for Peace — Social Condition of France — Divorce of the French Emperor from Josephine — He marries again, Maria Louisa, a Daughter of the Emperor of Austria — Birth of the King of Rome — Attempt at Independence on the part of the Royal Creatures of Napoleon — Annexation of Holland and the bulk of the Kingdom of Westphalia to France — Refusal of Napoleon to accept Joseph's Abdication — Movements of Soult and Joseph in Andalusia — Defeat of Massena at Busaco — Wellington establishes himself in the Lines of Torres Vedras — Retreat of Massena — His Defeat at Fuentes de Onoro — Battle of Albuera — Taking of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz by Wellington — Success of Suchet in the East of Spain — Condition of England — Dissension between the Czar and the French Emperor — Allies of France and Russia — War between these two Countries — Napoleon's Reception at Dresden — The French Army crosses the Niemen — Evacuation of Wilna by the Russians — Offer of the Czar to treat for Terms — Napoleon's Advance towards Moscow — Retreat of the Russians, and Devastation of the Country — Attack and Capture of Smolensko by the French — Sanguinary Battle of Borodino — Entry of the Grand Army into Moscow — Conflagration of Moscow — Retreat of the French — Horrors of that Retreat — Arrival of the French at Smolensko — Their Further Retreat — Severe Losses of the French — Crossing of the Beresina — Resolution of Napoleon to return alone to France — Murat appointed Commander of the Forces — The Remains of the French Army march to Wilua — Opinion of Michelet on Napoleon's Conduct — Loss of nearly Half a Million of Frenchmen during the Russian Campaign — The Prussian Troops sign a Convention with Russia — Murat hands over the Command of the Army to Eugene Beauharnais — The Austrian Allies evacuate the Russian Territory — Valiant Conduct of Prince Eugene — The French Legislative Assembly grants a Forced Sale of Heritable Property — The Senate orders a Levy of Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Men — Failure of the Emperor's Attempt at Reconciliation with the Pope 76 § 3. — The Fall op the Empire. — Coalition of Russia, England, Prussia, and Sweden against France — Enthusiasm of the German People at the intended Rupture — Dresden taken by the Prussians — Hamburg surrendered to the Russians — Battle of Liitzen — Occupation of Dresden by the French — Battle of Bautzen — Armistice of Pleswitz — Wellington crosses the Douro — Battle of Vittoria — Interview between Metternich and Napoleon —

England negotiates with the Continental Powers — CONTENTS.

VIII PAGE Treaties of Reichenbach and Trachenberg — Congress at Prague — End of the Armistice — Austria openly joins the Coalition — Plan of the Campaign of the Allies and of Napoleon — Battle of Dresden — Defeat of Vandamme — Defeat of Macdonald — Defeat of Oudinot — Defeat of Ney— Battle of Leipzic — Retreat of Napoleon — Blowing up of the Bridge at Lindenau — Consequences of the Battle of Leipzic — Battle of Hanau — The French cross the Rhine — Capitulation of the Fortresses in Central Europe and the Rhenish Provinces — Holland and Denmark enter the Coalition — Napoleon's Return to Paris — Ordering of New Levies — The Representative Chamber protests against the New Levies — Dissolution of the Legislature — The Allies cross the Rhine — Blucher's Proclamation — Five Foreign Armies on the soil of France — Murat joins the Allies — Allies of the Foreign Monarchs within the Nation — Napoleon calls out the National Guard — Blucher falls back — Defeat of the Emperor at La Rothiere — Severe Defeats of the Prussians — Defence of Antwerp by Carnot — Offer of Napoleon to treat with the Allies — Blucher in a Precarious Position — Capitulation of Soissons — Heavy Losses of Napoleon at Laon — Inactivity of Augereau at Lyons — Defeat of Soult by Wellington — Proclamation of Louis XVIII. at Bordeaux — Schwartzenberg and Blucher march upon Paris — Delay of the Advance of the Allied Armies — They renew the March upon the French Capital — Battle of Fere-Champenoise — Flight of the Empress, the King of Rome, and the Ministers from Paris — Proclamation of Joseph Bonaparte — Refusal to arm the Population of Paris — The Battle around the Capital — Message of Napoleon to inform his Brothers of his intended Return to Paris — Capitulation of Paris — Entrance of the Allied Sovereigns into that town — The Senate appoints a Pro visional Government — The Senate decrees the dethroning of Napoleon — The Emperor offers to abdicate in favour of his Son — Marmont, Ney, and Berthier abandon him — Renunciation of Napoleon as Emperor — ■ vha Islam1 of Elba appointed to him as his Residence — Death of the . ex-Empress Josephine — Michelet's Description of Napoleon's Departure ~for Elba — Battle of Toulouse 106 ISoofe VI.

THE RESTORATION.

Chapter I

§ 1. — The Return op the Bourbons. — The Provisional Government decrees a Constitution, and summons the Bourbons to the Throne Behaviour of Montesquieu — Entrance of the Count d'Artois into the Capital — Reception of the Senate and Legislative Body by the Count ONTENTS.

IX PAGE d'Artois — Collection of Extrordinary Imposts — Substitution of the White Flag for the Tricolour — Signing of a Preliminary Agreement, removing the Limits of Frame — Departure of Louis XVIII. from England — His Entry into Kris — Declaration of Saint-Ouen — The King resuscitates the Titles ad Sinecures of the Ancien Regime — The First Ministry of the Restoraton — Ratification of the Treaty of Peace — The King grants a Constibtional Charter — Dissatisfaction of the Emigres — Restrictions on the Iberty of Worship, and on the Freedom of the Press — Other Causes of Discontent — Proposal of a Bill for the Restitution of Portions of Esttes confiscated under the Republic — The Congress of Vienna — Difleulties among the Plenipotentiaries — France reduced to the Limits of 1792 145 § 2. — The Return op Napoleoi — The Hundred Days. — Project of Napoleon for the Recovery of al that he had Lost — Behaviour of the Royalists — Return of the ex-inperor — Address of Louis XVIII. to the Chambers — His Journey toGhent — Reception of Napoleon by the French People — He recalls neaiy the whole of his Last Ministry — He expresses a hope for the coitinuation of Peace — Behaviour and Declaration of the Sovereigns at the Congress of Vienna. — Their Decision to form a Large A-my — Napoleon raises the Effective Strength of the Army — The Nition expresses its will that he must reign in future as a Constitutional Monarch — A Committee appointed to consider the Amended Constitution — The Emperor's Objections to an Hereditary Peerage — He insists upon retaining the Punishment of Confiscation — The Supplementary Act pubbshed on his sole Authority — The Act submitted to the Popular Vote — Celebration of the Acceptance of that Act — Discontent of the French Nation — Departure of Napoleon for the Army — Hs Plan of the Campaign — Want of Adequate Preparations of the Emperor — M.

Quinet's attempt to re-establish the Reputation of Key — Order of Wellington to concentrate his Forces — Wellington and Blucher meet and arrange then- Plans — Battle of Ligny — Marstal Blucher is nearly taken Prisoner — Severe Defeat of the Prussims — Their Retreat towards Wavre — ' Battle of Quatre-Bras — Mistake of General d'Erlon — Behaviour of the Belgians, Recording to M. Quinet — Death of the Duke of Brunswick — Retreat of the French — Irresolution of the Emperor — Grouchy receives Orders to pursue the Prussians — The Engbsh retire upon Waterloo — The Battle of Waterloo — Attack and Defence of La Haie Sainte — Arrival of the Prussians — Defeat of the French — Retreat of Napoleon — His Arrival in Paris — His Abdication — Paris in the Hands of the Allies — The French Army withdrawn behind the Loire — Return of Louis XVIII. — Napoleon goes to England on the Bellerophon — His Letter to the Prince Regent — He is sent to St. Helena 158 § 3. — The Second Restoration. — The Allies are not so careful to hurt the Susceptibilities of the French as they were in 1814 — Requisitions of the Allies in Pictures, Valuables, and Money — The Government issues a CONTENT,.

X PAGE Decree, ordering the Arrest of the Traitrs against Louis XVIII. — It banishes Forty Persons from Paris — Davo st resigns his Command of the Army — Macdonald succeeds him — Trials:>f Labedoyere, Lavalette, and Ney — Massacres in the South of France—^.'he New Chambers are elected — Resignation of Fouch6 and Talleyrand-The Duke de Richelieu forms a New Cabinet — Reactionary Measures of the Government — Quarrels between the Troops of Occupation and he Inhabitants — Treaties concluded at Paris between the Allies anc the Government — Exorbitant Demands of the Austrians and Prussins— The Duke of Wellington and Count Nesselrode oppose them— Luis XVIII.'s Address to the Czar and Wellington — Reduction of tb Boundaries of France — The Indemnity and the Period of Occupatior are fixed — Separate Treaty of the Fonr Allied Powers — The Treaty of the Holy Alliance— Excitement of the People — Introduction and Adopion by the Chambers of a Bill of Amnesty — Prosecution of many Genrals and Officials — Suppression of several Conspiracies — Death of Mura — Comparative Liberal Feelings of the King — Dissolution of the Chanbers — Increase of Members of Moderate Views in the New Chamber — Extension of Electoral Franchise — Laws passed for arresting Sispected Persons, and for the Publication of Newspapers — Reductioi of the Army of Occupation — Famine in France — Bloody Assizes a' Lyons — Accession of Liberal Members in the Chamber newly electee — Activity of the Clerical Party and the Congregationists — Reorganisation of the .Army — Withdrawal of the Allied Troops from French Territory — Dissatisfaction of the Extreme Royalists — Increase of the Lberals in the Elections of 1818 — The Duke de Richelieu promises to limit the Franchise — His Resignation — He establishes a Charitable Institution at Bordeaux with a Donation granted to him by the Chambers — The Royalist Peers press the King to restrict the Franchise — Creation of Sixty New Peers — Public Opinion protests against any Alteration in the Electoral Law — Adoption of more Stringent Laws on the Press — Election of Thirty more Liberal Deputies — The Ministry proposes to elect a Chamber for a certain period — Unpopularity of the Proposal — Assassination of the Duke de Berry — Passing of Two Exceptional Laws restricting the Liberty of the Press and of the Individual — The Minister Decazes is insulted by the Royalists — His Resignation — Open Antagonism of the King and his Ministry to the Liberals — Adoption of a New Electoral Law — Popular Outbreaks — Discovery of a Military Conspiracy and many other Plots — The New Chamber chiefly composed of Royalists — An Austrian Army enters Naples — Increase of Confidence of the Extreme Royalists — End of the Sessions — Death of Napoleon Bonaparte — Coalition in the Chamber between the Royalists and Liberals — Resignation of the Duke de Richelieu — Prosecution of the Press — A New Press Law passed by the Chambers — Plots and Conspi racies agitate the Country — Supremacy of

the Clerical Party in Education — Suppression of the Lectures of several Professors — The Allied Powers oontemplate Intervention in Spain — Speech of the CONTENTS.

XI PAGE French King at the Opening of the Sessions— Refusal of the British Government to interfere in Spain — Opposition to the War with Spain in the Chambers— The Deputy Manuel is expelled from the Chamber by Force — The Duke d'Angouleme and the French Army enter Madrid — Dissolution of the Chamber — Large Majority of Ministerial Deputies in the New Chamber — A BiD passed for a Septennial Chamber — With drawal of the Bills on Annuities and Sacrilege— Death of Louis XVIII. . 203

Chapter II

§ 1.— An Effete Monarch.— Declaration of the New King— He abolishes Strict Censorship, and grants a Partial Amnesty — Charles X. shows himself a BeUever in the Divine Rights of Kings — A New Law on Sacrilege — An Indemnity of One Thousand Million Francs granted — Great Indignation in the Country — Behaviour of the Clerical Party — Ovations of Casimir Perier, Generals Foy and Lafayette in the Provinces — Funeral of General Foy — Demonstration on the Acquittal of Two Newspapers — Death of the Emperor of Russia — Murder of Paul Louis Courier — The King replies harshly to the New Year's Congratulations of the Court of Justice — Difficulties of M. de Villele — M. de Polignac and his Ideas about the Law of Primogeniture — Discussions on the Laws for ameliorating the Position of the Clergy, and on Indemnifying the Planters of St. Domingo — Reproof of the King to the Chamber of Deputies — Sentence on the Journal du Commerce — Opposition against the Law on Primogeniture — The Law is virtually thrown out — Rejoicings of the Parisians — The Peers censure the French Officers assisting the Turks — Encroachments of the Clerical Party — Religious Processions — The King encourages the Priests — The Liberals attack the Clericals — Effects of the Fall of Missolonghi on Civilised Europe — Cessation of Diplomatic Relations between Spain and France — Remarks of Canning on the Conduct of France — Opposition against the newly-proposed Press Law — Passing of Two Bills on Jury Laws — Disoussion on the Press Law — Withdrawal of the Law — Great Joy at this Withdrawal — The Disbanding of the National Guard — The Re-establishment of the Censorship — The Three Great Powers signify to Turkey the necessity of ceasing hostilities against Greece — Death of Manuel — Journeys of the King and various Members of the Royal Family — Battle of Navarino — Election of many of the Opposition Candidates for the New Chamber — Disturbances in Paris — Resignation of the Ministry — Blockade of Algiers — The Martignac Ministry — The Opening of Letters discussed in the Chamber — A New Press Bill is passed — Agitation about the Jesuit Colleges — Expedition to the Morea — The Letter to the Duke of Orleans — Withdrawal of the Bills to change the Administration of the Departments and Communes — Rupture of the Negotiations between the Government and the Left — The Polignao Ministry appointed — Outburst of Indignation through CONTENTS.

XII PAGE France — Attacks of the Newspapers — Ovation of General Lafayette in the Provinces — Acquittal of Two Newspapers indicted by the Govern ment — Polignac attempts to introduce various Commercial Im provements — The New Year's Receptions — The Voting of the Budget discussed by the Newspapers — Programme of Polignac — The King displays his Authority in the Chambers — Their Prorogation — Reports of the Prefects — Dissolution of the Chambers — Election of a Large Majority of Opposition Deputies — Successful Termination of the Expedition to Algiers — Fresh Dissolution of the newly-elected Legis lative — The Censorship re-established — A New Electoral Law promulgated — Protest of Newspaper Editors — Doings of the Police — Delusive Security of the Authorities and the King — Beginning of the Insurrection — Conduct of the People and the Troops — Behaviour of the Deputies — The Editors of the National propose the Duke of Orleans as the Future King — The Duke of Orleans accepts the Lieutenant-Generalship — Charles X. leaves France — End of the Restoration 237 IQooi. Ell. THE REIGN OP LOUIS PHILIPPE.

CHAPTER I.

§ 1. — The Beginning of the Orleans Dynasty. — Convocation of the Chambers — Modification of the Charter — The Duke of Orleans takes the Oath to the Charter — He accepts the Title of King of the French — He appoints his First Cabinet — Lafayette becomes Commander of all the National Guards — Destitution in Paris — Arrest and Detention of Four Ministers of Charles X. — Bill for the Abobtion of Capital Punishment — Measures passed by the Chamber of Deputies — Suicide of the Duke de Bourbon — Recognition of the New French King by nearly all the European Governments — The Peaceful Disposition of the King displeases the Majority — Rise of Bellicose Feelings — Prevention of the Attempts of the Spanish Liberals — Permission to all Political Exiles to enter France, save the Bonapartes — A Public Meeting demands the Abobtion of Capital Punishment — The various Elements of the Opposition — The Revolt of Belgium against Holland — The Separation of these Two Kingdoms decided by the London Conference — Dissensions among the Ministry — Discussions on the Bill for abolishing Capital Punishment — Disturbances in Paris — Resignation of the Ministry — Death of Benjamin Constant — Trial of the Ministers of Charles X. — Their Condemnation — Excitement of Popular Feeling — Behaviour of the CONTENTS.

XIII PAGE National Guard and of the Students— The Chamber proposes to divide the Command of the National Guards — Resignation of Lafayette — General Clausel replacesMarshal de Bourmont in Algeria — Prince Leopold of Saxe- Coburg refuses the Crown of Greece — Impulse of Europe towards more Liberal Institutions — Revolution in Poland — The Duke de Nemours re fuses the Throne of Belgium — Intrigues of the Legitimist and Clerical Parties — Devastation of a Church and of the Palace of the Archbishop by the Mob — Resignation of the Ministry — Casimir Perier forms a New Ministry — His Character — Reception of the King during his Journey in the Provinces — Dissolution of the Chambers — Opening of the Session for 1831 — Invasion of Belgium by the Dutch — Prosecution of the Count de Montalembert — Abolition of the Hereditary Right of Peers — Pro scription of the Members of the Elder Bourbon Branch — Insurrection at Lyons — Appearance of the Cholera — Its Victims — Attempted Insur rection in the Vendee — Arrest of the Duchess de Berry — Funeral of General Lamarque — Disturbances at that Funeral — Death of Napo leon II. — Entrance of French Troops into Belgium — Capitulation of the Citadel of Antwerp — Discussions about the Fate of the Duchess de Berry — She is conducted to Palermo — Imprisonment of Journalists — The Law on Primary Education — Abd-el-Kader emerges from Obscurity — A new Spirit of Progress appears — Repressive Measures of the Govern ment — The Bill regarding Public Associations — Renewal of Disturb ances at Lyons — Disturbances in Paris and in the Provinces — The Peers appointed to judge the Insurgents — Death of General Lafayette — The Legitimist Candidates for the Chamber — Changes in the Cabinet — Prosecution of the National — Appointment of a Governor-General of Algeria —The Chamber condemns the Political Conduct of the King — Discussions on the Indemnity to be paid to America — The Trial of the Insurgents and of their Defenders — Attempt on the Life of the King — Mutual Accusations of the Republicans and Legitimists — Promul gation of the Laws against the Press — Trial of Fieschi, the would-be Murderer of Louis Philippe, and of his Accomplices — Opening of the Session for 1836 — Formation of a New Ministry — Another Attempt to assassinate the King — Death of Armand Carrel — The King does not hold the Annual Review of the National Guards ..... 287 § 2. — The End of the Orleans Dynasty. — Appointment of a New Ministry — Demands to expel Political Refugees from Switzerland — Liberation of the Ministers of Charles X. — Attempt of Louis Napoleon at Strasburg — He is arrested and sent to America — Proposed Laws for judging Conspirators, for Deportation, and for concealing Conspiracies — Rejection of the First Law — Formation of a Cabinet of Conciliation — Allowances voted for the Eldest Son and Daughter of the King — Promulgation of a General Amnesty — Marriage of the Duke of Orleans — Marriage of Princess Marie — Coalition against the

Ministry — The French Government insists upon the Expulsion of Louis Napoleon from Switzerland — Birth of the Count de Paris — Recall of the French Troops from Ancona — Blockade of several Ports of Mexico and of CONTENTS.

XIV §1 PAGE the Argentine Republic — Death of Princess Marie — Attempt at an Insurrection in Paris — A new Ministry formed — Breaking out of Hostilities between the Sultan of Turkey and the Pacha of Egypt — Demand for Internal Reforms — Refusal of an Allowance for the Duke de Nemours — M. Thiers appointed Chief of a New Cabinet — Marriage of the Duke de Nemours — Signature of the Treaty of London by the Four Great Powers — Another Attempt of Louis Napoleon at Boulogne — He is taken Prisoner and confined in the Castle of Ham — Louis Philippe is again shot at — A new Cabinet formed with M. Guizot as Prime Minister — France wishes to engage in a War for Egypt — Resistance of Louis Philippe and his Ministry — A Fresh Treaty signed in London — Return of the Remains of Napoleon I. — Discussions about the proposed Fortifications of Paris — Death of Garnier-Pages — Disturbances in the Provinces — Treaty for the Right of searching Ships — Dissatisfaction about some of its Clauses — Majority of the Conserva tive Party in the New Elections — Death of the Duke of Orleans — Appointment of the Duke de "Nemours as Regent — The Clericals demand Freedom for Secondary Instruction — A Vote of Censure passed on the Legitimist Deputies — Difficulties between France and England about Otaheite and Mr. Pritchard — The French attack the Emperor of Morocco — He is compelled to submit — Mr. Pritchard accepts a Pecuniary Compensation — Animadversions on the Ministry by the Peers and the Chamber of Deputies — M, Guizot tenders his Resignation, which is refused — Various other Bills passed — Interpellation of M. Thiers about the Jesuits — Alterations in the Right of Search — Disputes between Masters and Men — A Barren Session in 1846 — Escape of Louis Napoleon from Ham — Increase of the Public Demand for Electoral Reform — Failure of Two Successive Harvests — Want of Energy in the Government — Disastrous Effects of M. Guizot's Foreign Policy — The Political Banquets — The King speaks of " Blind and Hostile Passions " in his Opening Speech for 1848 — Indifference of the Majority — M. Guizot accused of Dishonesty — A Great Reform Banquet to be held — Disturbances between the People and the Crowd — Resignation of the Ministry — The Troops fire on the Crowd — M. Thiers, the New Prime Minister, issues a Proclamation — Counter Proclamation of the Insurgent Committee — Abdication of Louis Philippe in favour of the Count de Paris — The King and his Family embark for England — Appointment of a Provisional Government ...... 330 loool UHEK.

THE SECOND REPUBLIC.

CHAPTER I.

—A Fresh Attempt at a Republic. — The Capital" the Arbiter of France — Fitness of the Members of the Provisional Government for CONTENTS.

XV PAGE their Task — Proclamation of the Republic — Dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies — The Peers are prohibited to assemble — The Tricolour adopted as the National Standard — Opening of the National Work shops — The Pillage and Destruction of Noblemen's Seats and Public Establishments — Abolition of Capital Punishment for Political Offences — Many Functionaries and other Officials adhere to the Republic — Refusal of the Government to admit Louis Napoleon into France — Official Proclamation of the Republic — Assurance of the Pacific In tentions of France — Frustration of a Plot against the Government — A Republican Majority in the newly-elected National Assembly — Different Laws passed by the Provisional Government — Dissensions in the Assembly — Invasion of the Assembly on the 15th of May — Expulsion from France of the Members of the Family of Louis Philippe — Louis Napoleon is elected a Member of the Assembly — His Resignation — Decrees about the National Workshops — Insurrection of June — General Cavaignac appointed Chief of the Executive — His Character — Re election of Louis Napoleon as Deputy — Resolution of the Assembly to have a President of the Republic chosen by Universal Suffrage — Election of Louis Napoleon as President — He takes the Oath to the Republic and the Constitution — His Aim — The Assembly is dissolved — Victory of the Extreme Democrats and the Reactionary Party in the Elections — Proposed Indictment of the President and his Ministers — Paris placed in a State of Siege — The Pope brought back to Rome — A New Ministry appointed — Growing Ascendency of the Clerical Party — Commencement of a Moral Reign of Terror — Mutilation of Universal Suffrage — Journey of the President through the Provinces — Tampering with the Army — Resignation of the Ministry — A Crisis at hand — The Coup d'Etat of the 2nd of December — Terrible Massacre in Paris — The Nation votes for Louis Napoleon remaining President for Ten Years — He crushes all Opposition — The New Constitution promulgated — The Omnipotence of the President — Another Journey of the President through the Provinces — The Nation desires an Empire — A Large Majority declares for the President assuming the Imperial Dignity — The President ascends the Throne as Napoleon HI. . . 363 33ook IX.