Introductory Note

In 1911 Miss Grace Arents, of Richmond, presented to the Virginia State Library a collection of the New York Herald, 1860-1885, Le charivari, 1847-52, Le corsaire, 1849-52, Le moniteur universel, 1789-1864, and a collection of miscellaneous French newspapers of the years 1848-1850. All of the French papers had been collected by Mr. William Wilberforce Mann, an attorney of New York City, who had lived in Paris in the years 1848-1855. The following is the account of this collection of the Moniteur, written by Mr. Mann in 1872: "Complete from its first number, 5 May, 1789, to 1 January, 1865. This collection, bound in 164 vols., comprises the 150 vols. Text, 1 vol. Historical Introduction, 4 vols. Analysis, 1 vol. Moniteur de Gand (Monitor of Ghent, published officially in 1815 by Louis XVIII., in the City of Ghent, during "The Hundred Days"), and 5 vols. of Inder Tables-in all, 161 volumes. Its historical value as the official organ of the French Government, under all règimes, since May, 1789, as the authentic, recognized register of all its acts of interior or of international import-which it has pleased that government to make public-as the sole continuous daily record that exists of current, contemporaneous events, political and diplomatic, social, religious and commercial, scientific, literary and artistic, not of France only, but of the entire world, during the last eighty years, can hardly be over-estimated. Its full Tables of Contents, and its Index, an Alphabetical and Chronological Directory to all documents and events, and to the names of all persons and places mentioned in the text, form of themselves an invaluable encyclopedia, or book of reference, for the statesman, historian and student. It was held, upon competent French authority, thirty years ago, that there were only about two hundred complete collections of the Moniteur in existence. These were scattered over Europe, in public and private libraries. The Historical Introduction, by Thuau Grandville (Paris, 1795-6), narrates the leading events for a few years previous, which had precipitated the Revolution, and gives succinct accounts of the Old States-General, and of the Assemblies of Notables. Notwithstanding a limited second edition, it has become so rare that the Administration of the Moniteur, twenty years ago, was offering, for a copy to prefix to a collection in one of the Imperial Libraries, 300 francs, the original cost having been only 25 francs. This extreme rarity has caused many collections to accept, in place of the "Historical Introduction," the Avant-Moniteur, which is but a reprint, with a change of name, of a work published by Bailly in 1804. It is a substitute, but not an equivalent. The Moniteur of Ghent, having had but a limited circulation, is very rare, as are also complete files of the Moniteur itself for the years of the Republic, VII. and VIII. (1798-1800). A word now touching this particular collection. It has been declared-by one who had better means of knowing than any man living-to be the only complete copy of the Moniteur Universel on this side of the Atlantic. It is believed that not a page is wanting. Important

political periods are marked by the different styles of binding. The first section, the Republic proper (1789-1800), belonged originally to a nobleman of the ancien règime, who indignantly ceased his subscription upon the estab lishment of Bonaparte in power. The second section, covering the Consulate and the Empire (1800-1814), formed part of one of the private libraries of Louis Philippe, sold after his flight from France in 1830. The Restoration (1815-1830) forms a third section. It is bound uniform with the first, and belonged to the same nobleman, who resumed his subscription to the Moniteur upon the expulsion of Bonaparte and the return of the Bourbons. The fourth section, comprising the reign of Louis Philippe (1830-1848), came from the library of an Orleanist ex-peer of France. When very old and blind, he sold his library, and died soon after. A fifth section, covering the Second Republic (1848-1852), belonged to an extreme radical montagnard member of the Constituent and Legislative Assemblies of 1848-1851. After the coup d'etat of December, 1851, he was banished from France, but reappeared upon the fall of the Empire, and bore his part in the events that subsequently transpired. The volumes from January, 1853, are from the subscription of the present owner." ·

Of the collection of journals and placards of the years 1848-1850, which are presented with full titles in this Bulletin, Mr. Mann wrote also in 1872: "This collection, of original pieces, was made in Paris, by the present owner, during the eight years 1848-1855."

The State Library publishes this Bulletin in appreciation of the gracious gift of Miss Arents. At the same time it furnishes to those who may be especially interested in a very important period of French history record of a collection of source material believed to be almost unique in America. For the use of books, in the preparation of this bulletin, acknowledgment is made to the Library of Congress, Library of Yale University, and Library of Cornell University. I am under obligation also to my associate, Mr. Francis H. Moore, for faithful assistance. EARL G. SWEM.

Historical Note

The continuation, with no sign of change, of the conservative and reactionary measures of Louis Philippe, and of Guizot, his minister of foreign affairs, provoked the people of France to the revolution of February 24, 1848. The demands for electoral reform, for greater freedom of speech and of the press, for a more liberal recognition of the rights of workingmen, all were unheeded. The minds of the king and his minister were pervaded with the belief that social conditions had not changed in France, and that they were not likely to change much in the future. They ignored the consequences upon society of the revolution in industry which had been brought about by the many improved applications of steam power and the new methods of rapid transportation. An almost entirely new web of social relations had been woven, and yet the king and his minister were not aware of it. It was evident that their political theories could not be changed through the ordinary means of protest from an opposition party. The revolution came as a consequence, the king was forced to abdicate, and a provisional government was organized with Lamartine, the poet and historian, at the head. One of the early decrees of this government was the repeal of all laws restraining the freedom of the press. Immediately there appeared a swarm of new journals, some advocating the opinions of a moderate republicanism, and others, the new and startling views of socialism. From the 24th of February, 1848, to the end of the year about 500 new journals appeared. A few of these papers lived for several months. but by far the greater number died after the publication of three or four numbers. Indeed, there were many of which only one number was issued. The sudden political change having seriously affected the industrial life of Paris, many literary men were thrown out of work. Some of these had recourse to the newspaper press, establishing new journals. This explains, in part only, the unusual productivity of the press. There were many others who had been wishing for years to express their radical opinions in print, and who, when once the shackles were removed from the press, eagerly availed themselves of the opportunity.

"Et vraiment il ne fallait pas avoir 50 fr. dans sa poche pour se refuser la satisfaction de s'elever à soi-même un petit monument en faisant imprimer un carré de papier, qu'on remplissait de choses quelconques, sous un titre quelconque, et qu'on signait magistralement: le rédactuer en chef, moi."*

When General Cavaignac was placed in full power, in order to quell the Paris insurrection of June, one of his first acts was directed against the press. On the 25th, eleven journals were suppressed by his order. It became evident that if a stable government was to be organized, some

*Hatin, Histoire du journal de France, p. 212. 2ème éd.

1853.

step must be taken to curtail the expression of the ultra radical opinions. Accordingly, on August 9, it was decreed that the system of surety (cautionnement) should be reëstablished, with the change that the amount should be lessened from 100,000 francs to 24,000. This had the effect of killing many of the recently established journals. From the time that Louis Napoléon Bonaparte took the oath of office as president on Dec. 20, 1848, there was a well defined effort to tighten the bonds that restrained the press. On June 13, 1849, a decree of the president suspended 6 papers. On July 16, 1850, the "Loi Tinguy," so named from the deputy who proposed it. was passed, one of its provisions requiring that the author of any newspaper article on a political, religious or philosophical subject must attach his name to it, under penalty of a fine for each omission. The law of Feb. 17-23, 1852, brought together the different press laws under the title "Décret organique sur la presse." Considerable bibliographical study has been made of the journals of 1848 and of the years immediately suc ceeding, and much has been written about their influence. A severely critical tone is manifest in all the earlier writers, when referring to those journals that advocated anything but a moderate republicanism. A calmer and a juster view is prevailing now, many of the radical ideas of 1848 having been generally accepted.

A List of Some Bibliographies Relating to the

French Newspapers of 1848-52

Le croque-mort de la presse. Nécrologie politique, littéraire, typographique et bibliographique de tous les journaux, pamphlets, revues, nouvelles à la main, satires, chansonniers, almanachs et canards périodiques

depuis le

22 février jusqu'à l'installation du président de la république, catalogue curieux et complet Paris, Impr. Lacrampe et comp.

42x31 cm.

Le croque mort was issued in six numbers. It is the most nearly complete work, in bibliographical detail, on the press of 1848 which has been published. For a complete title of Le croque mort see in this list no. 147.

[Delmas, Gaetan]

Les journaux rouges. Histoire critique de tous les journaux ultra-républicains publiés à Paris depuis le 24 février jusqu'au 1er octobre 1848, avec des extraits-spécimens et une préface par un Girondin Paris, Giraud et cie., 1848.

2 p... 158 p. 161⁄2 cm.

Sixty journaux rouges are described in detail. Extracts are quoted from each journal, showing its political character, and the care with which it was edited. Forty-two additional titles are mentioned, but with little comment. Hatin, [Louis] Eugéne.

Bibliographie historique et critique de la presse périodique française; ou, Catalogue systématique et raisonné de tous les écrits périodiques de quelque valeur publiés ou ayant circulé en France depuis l'origine du journal jusqu'à nos jours, avec extraits, notes historiques, critiques et morales, indication des prix que les principaux journaux ont atteints dans les ventes publiques, etc. Précédé d'un essai historique et statistique sur la naissance et les progrés de la presse périodique dans les deux mondes. Par Eugéne Hatin. Paris, Firmin Didot fréres, fils et cie, 1866.

2 p. 1., cxvii p., 1 1., 660 p. front. 24 cm.

See page 436 to 522 for titles, bibliographical notes and critical estimates of the journals of 1848-1850. The author is somewhat biased against those of radical tendency.

Hatin, [Louis) Eugéne.

Histoire du journal en France, 1631-1853. Par Eugéne Hatin. 2e édition, entièrement refondue et augmentée de plus du double. Paris, P. Jannet, éditeur 1853.

Histoire politique et littéraire de la presse en France, avec une introduction historique sur les origines du journal et la bibliographie générale des journaux depuis leur origine. Par Eugéne Hatin .. Paris, Poulet-Malassis et de Broise, 1861.

8 v. 211⁄2 cm.

See volume 8 for a brief discussion of the press after 1848.

Izambard, Henri.

La presse parisienne. 1848. 1re série. Henri Izambard. [Paris] Imprimerie Bonaventure et Ducessois.

[4] p. 45x33 cm.

This is an early edition of the following title.