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VIII.

the Euxine into a Russian lake, planted the cross on the CHAP. bastions of Erivan, and opened through subdued Hungary a path to Constantinople.

1826.

151.

al appear

failings.

Nature has given him all the qualities fitted for such an elevated destiny. A lofty stature and princely air His persongive additional influence to a majestic countenance, in ance and which the prevailing character is resolution, yet not unmixed with sweetness. Like Wellington, Cæsar, and many other of the greatest men recorded in history, his expression has become more intellectual as he advanced in years, and became exercised in the duties of sovereignty, instead of the stern routine of military discipline. Exemplary in all the relations of private life, a faithful husband, an affectionate father, he has exhibited in a brilliant court, and when surrounded by every temptation which life can offer, the simplicity and affections of patriarchal life. Yet is he not a perfect character. His virtues often border upon vices. His excellencies are akin to defects. Deeply impressed with the responsibility of his situation, his firmness has sometimes become sternness, his sense of justice degenerated into severity. * He knows how to

"It is in regard to political offences of a serious dye, however, that this severity chiefly applies. In lesser matters, relating to order and discipline, he is more indulgent, and at times generous. At his coronation at Moscow, his eyes met those of General Paskewitch, who had severely upbraided him for some military error at the head of his regiment some years before. 'Do you recollect,' said he, with a stern air,' how you once treated me here? The wind has turned; take care lest I return you the like.' Two days after, he appointed him General-in-Chief."-SCHNITZLER, ii. 356.

A striking proof of the emperor's simplicity of character is recorded by the Marquis Custine, who had frequent and confidential conversations with him. Speaking of his conduct on the revolt of 26th December, he said: "J'ignorais ce que j'allais faire, j'étais inspiré.' Pour avoir de pareilles inspirations, disait le Marquis, il faut les mériter.' 'Je n'ai fait rien d'extraordinaire," répliqua l'Empereur; 'j'ai dit aux soldats, retournez à vos rangs; et au mo ment de passer le régiment en revue, j'ai crié, à genoux. Tous ont obéi. Ce qui m'a rendu fort, c'est que l'instant auparavant, j'étais résigné à la mort. Je suis reconnaissant du succès, je n'en suis pas fier; je n'y ai aucun mérite.' 'Votre majesté,' répliqua Custine, 'a été sublime dans cette occasion.' Je n'ai pas été sublime,' répondit l'empereur, ' je n'ai fait que mon métier. En pareille circonstance, nul ne peut savoir ce qu'il dira; on court au-devant du péril, sans se demander comment on s'en tirera.'"-LE MARQUIS DE CUSTINE, Russie en 1839, ii. 40, 41, 57. Lamartine has frequently said in society, in re

VIII.

1826.

CHAP. distinguish the innocent from the guilty, and has often evinced a noble and magnanimous spirit in separating the one from the other, and showing oblivion of injury, even kindness to the relatives of those who had conspired against his throne and life. But towards the guilty themselves he has not been equally compassionate. He has not always let the passions of the contest pass away with its termination. He is an Alexander the Great in resolution, but not in magnanimity. He wants the last grace in the heroic character-he does not know how to forgive.

ference to his conduct when he persuaded the people to lay aside the red flag at Paris, on the revolution of 1848, " J'étais sublime ce jour-là." Such is the difference between the simplicity of the really magnanimous and the self-love of those in whom it is deformed by overweening and discreditable vanity. I have heard this anecdote of Lamartine from two ladies of high rank, both of whom heard him use the expression on different occasions in reference to his own conduct, which was really noble and courageous on that day.

CHAPTER IX.

ROYALIST REACTION IN FRANCE.

FRANCE FROM THE COUP D'ETAT OF 5TH MARCH 1819, TO THE
ACCESSION OF THE PURELY ROYALIST MINISTRY IN DECEM-
BER 1821.

IX.

1819.

1.

of France

of 1816.

THERE is no instance in the whole records of history of CHAP. a country which so rapidly recovered from the lowest point of depression, as France did in the interval from the close of 1816 to the beginning of 1820. Every conceivable Great evils ill which could afflict a state seemed to have accumu- at the close lated around it at the commencement of that period. Its capital was taken, its government overturned, its sovereign a dethroned captive, its army defeated and disbanded, and eleven hundred thousand armed men in possession of its territory. Contributions to an enormous and unheard-of extent had been imposed upon its inhabitants; the armed multitude lived at free quarters amongst them, and were supported by exactions coming from their industry; and above sixty millions sterling of indemnities had been levied on them for the allied powers or their subjects. Such was the bequest of the Revolution to France. The inclemency of nature had united with the rigour of man to waste the devoted land. The summer and autumn of 1816 had been beyond all example cold and stormy; the harvest had proved extremely deficient, and prices risen

CHAP. in many places to a famine level.

IX.

1819.

2.

succeeded

next year.

It seemed impossible for human malignity to conceive a greater accumulation of disasters, or for human ability to devise any mode of rendering them bearable.

it

Nevertheless it proved otherwise, and the resurrection Rapid flow of France was as rapid as had been her fall into the abyss of prosperity which of misfortune. Three years only had elapsed, and all was them in the changed. Plenty had succeeded to want, confidence to distrust, prosperity to misery. The Allies had withdrawn, the territory was freed: the contributions were paid or provided for, the national faith had been preserved entire. All this had been purchased by a cession of territory so small that it was not worth speaking of. The public funds were high in comparison of what they had been ; and though the loans necessary to furnish the Government with the funds to make good its engagements had been contracted at a very high rate of interest, yet the resources of the country had enabled its rulers to pay with fidelity and exactness, and strengthened their credit with foreign states. The simple preservation of peace—a blessing so long unknown to France-had effected all these prodigies, and worked wonders in the restoration of the national industry. Agriculture, relieved from the wasting scourge of the conscription, had sensibly revived; the husbandman everywhere sowed in hope, reaped in safety; and the benignity of Providence, which awarded a favourable harvest in 1818 and 1819, filled the land with plenteousness. Great improvements had in many places been introduced into this staple branch of the national industry. The division of property, which always induces a great increase in the amount of labour applied to the cultivation, had not as yet been attended by its subsequent effect-an exhaustion of its productive powers; and the six millions of proprietors succeeded in extracting a considerable increase of subsistence from the fields. New and valuable trees had been planted in the woods; and

IX.

1819.

horticulture, to which a large part of the country near the CHAP. great towns was devoted, had made rapid strides by the introduction of the improved style of English gardening. Population had largely advanced since the peace; but no want was experienced among the inhabitants. Commerce had everywhere revived, latterly it had come to flourish to an extraordinary degree. The animation on the roads in the interior, on the canals which conveyed merchandise, 1 Lac. ii. and in the seaport towns, proved how largely the means 319, 322. of consumption had increased among the inhabitants. 1

appearance

The capital, in an especial manner, had shared in the 3. general prosperity, and gave unequivocal proof of its Brilliant reality and extent. The concourse of strangers attracted Parce by its celebrity, its monuments, its galleries, its theatres, and its other attractions, was immense; and their great expenditure consoled the Parisians for the national reverses which had paved the way for their arrival. The Russians and English, their most formidable and persevering enemies, were in an especial manner conspicuous in this lucrative immigration. Under the influence of such extraordinary stimulants, Paris exhibited an unwonted degree of affluence: the brilliant equipages and crowded streets bespoke the riches which were daily expended, while the piles of splendid edifices arising on all sides exceeded anything previously witnessed in the brightest, Personal days of its history, and added daily to the architectural observation. beauties it presented. 2

imports, and

France

Statistical facts of unquestionable correctness and convincing weight attested the reality and magnitude of this Exports, change. The exports, imports, and revenue of the coun- revenue of try had all gone on increasing, and latterly in an ac- during this celerated ratio. The imports, which in 1815 (the last period. year of Napoleon's reign) had been only 199,467,660 francs, had risen, in 1817, to 332,000,000, and in 1821 they had advanced to 355,591,877 francs. The exports also had risen considerably; they had increased from

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