looked with a gallant face on the dark and angry masses which menaced them in all directions.

At one time there were hopes of an armistice: the Duc de Raguse entered into a parley with the citizens, advancing by the Rue de Richelieu-but at this moment, in a new and unexpected quarter, recommenced the firing. The Louvre, evacuated by mistake, had been entered by the people; the troops in the Place du Carrousel were seized with a sudden panic: the commandant had only time to throw himself on his horse, and charging at the head of his men, he cleared for a moment the court before the Tuileries. But the Tuileries themselves were soon entered by the gate of the Pont Royal. Their defenders jumped from the windows into the gardens: all discipline was gone; the terror was universal, and the utmost efforts of the Marshal could only infuse some degree of order into the retreat. A Swiss battalion in the gardens covered the rear; the force in the Place Louis XV. checked the multitudes of the Faubourg St. Honoré, and allowed the troops still on the Boulevard de la Madeleine an opportunity to retire: retire they did, by the Champs Elysées; and at the Barrière de l'Etoile, the Marshal received the letter which announced

the appointment of the Duc d'Angoulême to the office of Commander-in-chief, and ordered the royal forces to be directed to St. Cloud.

Paris was now triumphant: the contest of the three days was over. The people had fought bravely, desperately; and, doubtful as the struggle had been, they had not from the commencement wanted, among the legal and civil authorities of France, determined and courageous defenders.

REVOLUTION OF 1830.

II.

26th, Civil resistance of the Journalists-Meeting of Deputies-View taken by M. de Laborde-View by M. Périer-How far M. Périer was right-27th, Meeting of Deputies at M. Périer's-First meeting of Deputies at M. Puyraveau's-Second meeting at M. Bérard's— Proclamation agreed to, and message sent to the Duc de Raguse by the first-The names of all the liberal Deputies at Paris affixed to the proclamation by the second-29th, Meeting of Deputies; different feelings among them from those of preceding days-Fictitious Government of M. Bérard-Real Provisional Government appointed-Civil transactions at Paris in favour of the people now arrived at the same period as that to which military affairs have been conducted

- What took place at St. Cloud and the Court, and among the Ministry, during this time-27th, M. de Polignac gives the command of Paris to the Duc de Raguse-Want of preparation at Paris-The Council assembles at night and declares the city

66

en état de siége"-Charles X. in the mean time perfectly tranquil-28th, The King might have made favourable terms-Did not think himself in danger

Mass; whist; ceremonies as usual - In vain a Deputation waited on M. de Polignac - Confusion among the troops-Camps of Lunéville and St. Omer ordered to march-Ministers ignorant even on the 29th of the real state of things - The Duc de Raguse's advice to the Council; M. de Polignac's opinion-Mission of M. d'Argout and M. de Sémonville to St. Cloud - The disposition in which they found the King-The Ordonnances recalled by the advice of the MinistryNew Administration formed with General Gérard and M. de Mortemart, and M. Périer - Charles X. would not sign any order but that which named M. de Mortemart ‘Président du Conseil '-Fatal effects of delay— The fortunes of Charles X. and General Lafayette once more in opposition.

On the 26th, the Journals had agreed to the protestation I have spoken of, and many electors, assembled at the bureau of the 'National,' had determined to refuse the payment of taxes. A meeting of liberal deputies had also taken place at M. de Laborde's. At this meeting opinions were divided. Monsieur de Laborde himself, M. Villemain, M. Daunou, contended that a violation of the Charta had released the people from their obligations, that such an opinion should be loudly pronounced by the Deputies at Paris, and that the force which the crown arrayed against the nation should be met. by such force as the national representatives

VOL. II.

E

could bring against the crown! Monsieur Périer was for more moderate councils : he considered the Chamber legally dissolved; the Ordonnances themselves he looked upon as unwise and imprudent edicts, though justified by the letter of the Charta. "Even," said he, "if they be not so, the power to decide between the sovereign and the people cannot be assumed by any set of individuals."

"Let us," he continued, " as the guardians of the public peace, confine ourselves to presenting a respectful address to the monarch, requesting the repeal of measures by which that peace seems likely to be disturbed."

M. C. Périer* spoke reasonably. A resistance improvised against a government which has had the means of preparing for its defence, is in most cases a hazardous expedient. An unsuccessful recourse to arms is more fatal to the popular cause than the most passive submission; and it is only in very rare and very extreme cases that a sound policy will justify the more violent instead of the more moderate course; which, if it promise less than the former, also risks less.

Moreover, it is idle to disguise the fact. The right assumed by Charles the Tenth would, if left to the calm decision of lawyers, have

* Called in public life, M. Périer, M. C. Périer, indiscriminately.