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IX.

1820.

CHAP marshal with his own eyes had been satisfied with the reality of the birth and the sex of the infant. Several of the Guard, besides the usual attendants on the princess, were also eyewitnesses to the birth. The old king hastened to the apartment on the first alarm, and when the infant was presented to him, said, "Here is a fine Duke de Bordeaux: he is born for us all ;" and taking a few drops of the wine of Pau, which according to old tradition had anointed the lips of Henry IV. before he had received his mother's milk, did the same to his infant descendant. Then taking a glass, he filled it, 1 Cap. vii. and drank to the health of the duchess. "Sire!" she 72,73; Lam. vi. 335, 336; replied, "I wish I knew the song of Jean d'Albert, 17. that everything should be done here as at the birth of Henry IV."1

Lac. iii. 16,

84.

transports

No words can convey an idea of the transports into Universal which the Royalists were thrown over all France by this in France. auspicious event; and even those of the opposite parties. could not resist feeling the influence of the general enthusiasm. There was something in the birth of the infant -the last remnant of a long line of kings, and who had been born in so interesting and almost miraculous a manner after his father's death-which spoke to every heart. The general enthusiasm exceeded even that felt at the birth of the King of Rome, ten years before-for Napoleon might have had many other sons-but no one, save this infant, could transmit in the direct line the blood of Henry IV. and Louis XIV. to future generations. It had been announced that twelve cannon-shots should announce the birth of a daughter, twenty-four of a son. When the guns began to fire, all Paris was roused, and in speechless anxiety watched the successive discharges; but when the thirteenth report announced that an heir to the monarchy had been born, the transports were universal. The telegraph speedily conveyed it to every part of France, and the thirteenth gun in all the fortresses and harbours announced the joyful intelligence to the people. One

IX.

1820.

would have supposed, from the universal joy, that France CHAP. had but one heart, one soul-so strongly had the romantic and interesting circumstances of the birth wrought upon the public mind. Congratulatory addresses from every part of the country poured in to the king and the duchess, and the grace of her manner and felicity of her answers added to the general enchantment. A protest, in the name of the Duke of Orléans, was published in the London papers, though disavowed by that prince; but he asked the important question solemnly of the Duke of Albufera-" M. le Maréchal," said he, "you are a man of honour; you were a witness of the accouchement of the Duchess de Berri. Is she really the mother of a boy?" "As certainly as your royal highness is father of the Duke de Chartres," replied the marshal. "That is enough, M. le Maréchal," rejoined the Duke; and he immediately went with the duchess to congratulate the happy mother, and salute the infant who might one day be their king. At the same time, the Duchess de Berri gave proof that she was animated with the sublime spirit of forgiveness shown on his death-bed by her husband, by requesting and obtaining the pardon of two men, named Gravin and Bonton, sentenced to death for an attempt on her life, or that of her child, which she did in terms so touching that they deserve a place even vii. 73, 83; in general history.1* Her conduct at this period was 336, 337. so generous and noble, that the Emperor Alexander

* "Sire! comme je ne puis voir le Roi aujourd'hui, je lui écris pour lui demander la grâce de deux malheureux qui ont été condamnés à mort pour tentative contre ma personne. Je serais au désespoir qu'il pût y avoir des Français qui mourussent pour moi: l'ange que je pleure demandait en mourant la grâce de son meurtrier, il sera l'arbitre de ma vie; me permettezvous, mon oncle, de l'imiter, et de supplier votre Majesté d'accorder la grâce de la vie à ces deux infortunés? L'auguste exemple du Roi nous a habitués à la clémence; daignera-t-il permettre que les premiers instants de l'existence de mon Henri, de mon cher fils, du vôtre, du fils de la France, soient marqués par un pardon? Excusez, mon cher oncle, la liberté que j'ose prendre de vous ouvrir mon cœur; dans toutes les occasions votre indulgente bonté m'y a encouragée. Je supplie le Roi d'excuser ma hardiesse, et de croire au respect profond avec lequel je suis," &c.-Caroline Duchesse de Berri au Roi de France, 28 Sept. 1820.

VOL. II.

Y

Lac. iii.

17, 19; Cap.

Lam. vi.

CHAP. expressed his admiration of it in a touching epistle addressed with his own hand to the princess.

IX.

1820. 85.

lations

from the

European

powers, and promotions in France.

The birth of the Duke de Bordeaux, which afforded Congratu- so fair a prospect of continuing the direct line of succession, confirming the dynasty of the Bourbons, and establishing the peace of Europe, was too important an event not to awake the general sympathy and interest of the European powers. Congratulations were received from all quarters: that from the Emperor Alexander was peculiarly warm and cordial. The corps diplomatique of Paris expressed a noble sentiment on this occasion in the words, " Providence has awarded the greatest possible blessing to the paternal tenderness of your Majesty. The child of grief, of regrets, of tears, is also the child of Europe he is at once the guarantee and the pledge of the repose and peace which should follow so many agitations." This expression revealed the feeling of the European powers: it was, that the elder branch of the Bourbons was the sole pledge for the peace of Europe, and that the newborn infant was the bond which was to unite its rulers. The Emperor Alexander wrote to Louis-"The birth of the Duke of Bordeaux is an event which I consider as most fortunate for the peace of Europe, and which affords just consolation to your family. I pray your Majesty to believe that I adopt the title of the child of Europe,' which the diplomatic body has already bestowed upon him." Promotions, honours, and gratifications were bestowed in the most liberal manner in France: the crown debtors were nearly all Cap. vii. liberated from prison; most of the political offenders iii. 17, 19; pardoned; immense sums bestowed in charity; and a 337, 338. great creation of the order of the Cordon Bleu attested at once the gratitude and liberality of the sovereign.1

1

75,78; Lac.

Lan. vi.

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But though these circumstances augured favourably for the stability of the dynasty, and the consequent peace of Europe, symptoms were not awanting of a divergence of opinion, which portended divisions that might prove fatal

IX.

1820.

86.

with the

aires.

in future times. It was with the Doctrinaires that the CHAP. rupture first took place. This party, which afterwards, from the talents of some of its members, became so celebrated, had already become important, from its position Rupture between the two great parties which divided the state, Doctrinand its power, by inclining to either side, to give a preponderance to either. The conduct of the leaders of this party during the session, if not decidedly hostile to the Ministry, had been equivocal; and the increasing leaning of Government to the Royalist side, since the great reaction consequent on the death of the Duke de Berri, had rendered the position which they still held under the Administration precarious and painful. At the same time Government could not dispense with the support of the Royalists, for it was by their aid alone that the majorities, slender as they were, in the Chamber of Deputies had been obtained. The Doctrinaires had become sensible of the great error into which they had fallen in supporting the coup d'état of 5th September 1816, which changed the Electoral Law; and it was by the secession of a part of their members from the Liberal ranks that the amendment of M. Boin, which again changed it, had been carried. But on other points they were decidedly opposed to the Government as now constituted; and the divergence before the close of the session had become so evident, that neither the security of the one party, nor the character of the other, would admit of their longer remaining united. The Duke de Richelieu, accordingly, at the instigation of M. Lainé, who had been much hurt by a speech of M. Royer-Collard on the budget, took his resolution, in which he was unanimously supported by the Cabinet; and the Moniteur, in announcing, after the close of the session, the names of the Council of State, omitted those of Royer-Collard, Guizot, Barante, Camille-Jourdan, and Mirbel. Four prefects, who were known to belong to the same party, were dismissed from office.1 At the same time, the Duke de Richelieu had several conferences

1

Cap. vii.

55,58; Lam.

vi.

337, 338.

CHAP. with M. de Villèle and M. Corbière, on the conditions of a cordial union with the Royalist party.

IX.

1820.

87.

the Doc

trinaires.

Although the great abilities of the persons thus disViews of missed from the Government deprived them of very powerful support, especially in debate, yet in truth the severance was unavoidable, for there was an irreconcilable difference between them. It arose from principle, and an entirely different view of the most desirable structure of society, or of what was practicable under existing circumstances. The Doctrinaires were conservative in their views, but they were so on the principles of the Revolution. They adored the equality which was at once the object of its ambition, and the victory it had achieved. They thought it was possible, on the basis of absolute equality, to construct the fabric of constitutional monarchy and regulated freedom. They wished a hierarchy, but it was one, not of rank, or territories, or fortune, but of talent; and, being conscious of great abilities in themselves, they indulged the secret hope that under such a system they would rise to the power and eminence which they were conscious their capacity deserved. They had the natural jealousy which intellectual always feels of political power, and felt the utmost repugnance at the restoration of those distinctions in society which tended to re-establish the ancient supremacy of rank or fortune. In a word, they were the philosophers of the Revolution ; and philosophers, when they are not the sycophants, are always jealous of nobles.

The Royalists, on the other Views of the entirely different set of objects.

88.

Royalists.

hand, were set upon an They were as well aware as the Doctrinaires that the old régime could not be reestablished, that feudality was for ever abolished, and that general liberty was at once the birthright and greatest blessing of man. But they thought it could only be secured by the continuance of the monarchy, and that constitutional government was impossible without the reconstruction of a territorial nobility and ecclesiastical

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