CHAP. Passy, of Finance. Of the whole former Cabinet, M. XXXIII. Persi, the Minister of Justice, alone retained his port

1834.

6.

folio.

As the new Cabinet was almost destitute of talent, Fall of the and nearly all the intellectual strength would, it was try, and re- foreseen, be ranged on the side of Opposition, Governthe old one. ment was very desirous to obtain for itself the support of a

new Minis

storation of

majority of the Chamber. It was accordingly convoked for the 1st December, instead of the 29th, to which it stood adjourned. Before that time arrived, however, the fate of the new Ministry was sealed. They were unable to withstand the storm of ridicule with which they were assailed; they did not enjoy the confidence of the King; and being conscious of their own incapacity for the conduct of affairs, they voluntarily resigned, after holding office only eight days, and the former Ministry was restored, and officially announced in the Moniteur of the 19th. The only new Ministers were, Marshal Mortier, who succeeded Gérard as Prime Minister and Minister at War, and Admiral Duperré, who became Minister of Marine. Thus terminated this long ministerial crisis; 1 Moniteur, but the minds of men were not made up on the stability 1834; Ann. of the new Government, and great anxiety was felt in all 292, 294. quarters for the vote of the Chamber which might decide its fate.1

Nov. 19.

Nov. 19,

Hist. xvii.

7.

state of Al

The prospects of the new Ministry were considerably Flourishing improved by the favourable accounts which were received giers. in the latter part of this year from the colony of Algiers. The crisis in that important settlement seemed to be passed, and every successive post brought more favourable accounts of its rapid progress in population, resources, and industry. In the town of Algiers itself, the streets were widened, cleaned, and adorned with buildings in the European style, whose handsome fronts bespoke the increasing opulence of their inhabitants, as well as the active spirit and enlarged resources of the Government. Industry and commerce were rapidly

XXXIII.

1834.

augmenting, and the roads made by the soldiers into CHAP. the interior did as much in opening a vent for the produce of the country, as it added to the security of the industry which produced it, by the facility they afforded of military transit. Extensive districts were drained and brought under the plough which from time immemorial had been pestilential marshes; the whole agricultural productions of Europe, and especially wheat, flourished in abundance; and in addition to that, the productions of the tropics, sugar, cotton, indigo, and cochineal, were successfully introduced. When it was known in Algeria that it had been determined by Government at home to retain the colony, universal satisfaction was diffused; the works, both public and private, were prosecuted with redoubled activity, and the province promised again to become like what it had so long been in ancient times, the granary of the Roman Empire. Hostilities in the province of Bona still continued on the frontier with the Bey of Constantina, a powerful chief in the interior; but although success was in some degree varied, it on the whole inclined to the side of the French; and at length Oct. 10. the Bedouins, 6000 strong, were defeated in a decisive 1 Ann. Hist. encounter, which for a time suspended their predatory 296. incursions.1

xvii. 294,

8.

on the Ad

dress.

Dec. 9.

Great was the anxiety felt on all sides for the first trial of strength between the parties; for the division First debate on the choice of the President on this occasion had afforded no real test of their relative proportions, as M. Dupin had been elected by a combination of the Ministerial and Centre parties,-not by the former taken singly. It was on an amendment proposed to the Address that the trial took place, and it gave rise to the most acrimonious discussion. The great point maintained by the Opposition was, the necessity of supporting the Chamber in its independent functions, independent of the influence or intrigues of the Court. "Gentlemen," said they, "when everything reels around us, amidst

VOL. V.

20

1834.

CHAP. these sudden and unforeseen changes of power, when XXXIII. everything totters to the ground, shaken by intrigue and ambition, it is for you to strengthen yourselves on the solid ground of principle and national dignity: be faithful to yourselves and to your noble independence, and you have nothing to fear. Heretofore you have denounced as a serious danger the perpetual instability of men and of measures, an instability which has gone far to lessen the consideration of political power. Let this be a warning to you to preserve your own: never was it more necessary to the country, to the royalty which you have sworn to defend, and to which we will always form a rampart, and as a barrier against the malevolent passions which attack, and the recklessness which compromises it." 1

1 Cap. viii. 74, 75; Mo

niteur, Dec. 6, 1834.

9.

M. Guizot.

Veiled under vague generalities, these and similar Answer of words were a sufficient indication of the intentions of the Opposition to rear up the Chamber into a counterpoise to the Crown, and to force upon the latter a policy, especially in regard to the amnesty which so violently agitated the public mind, at variance with the settled determination of the Cabinet. M. Guizot accordingly endeavoured to drive them into some more tangible and distinct charges against the Government. "I will not," said he in reply, "discuss the terms of the Address: I do not understand that its principles are seriously contested. I will not provoke a debate upon nothing; but I assert it as an incontestible fact, that it was this very uncertainty, now so much complained of, which, by enervating power, imposed upon us the necessity of retiring. We should have failed in all our duties towards the country and the Chamber if we had consented to bear any longer a responsibility when liberty of action was taken away. Our principles are still the same. From the moment when it shall be decided that the Chamber has no longer confidence in our administration, we shall resign other men will succeed us. If they succeed, so

XXXIII.

1834.

much the better; the experiment will be complete; it CHAP. will be known what is the intention of the Chamber. If it finds itself deceived, it will acknowledge its error by restoring power to those whom it has dispossessed. We bring no accusation against the Chamber, as has been Moniteur, erroneously pretended; we address ourselves to it frankly Dec. 8, and seriously; we only ask, 'Do you, or do you not, viii. 75, 76. give your support to the Administration?"" 1

1834; Cap.

Ministers in

ber.

It was sufficiently plain, from these words, that the 10. resignation of the former Ministry had been owing to a Majority for deeper cause than appeared upon the surface, and that it the Chamwas more than either the question of the amnesty or an economical reduction of the army which was really at issue. The King and the Chamber had come to be at variance upon a vital point of policy, and it was as yet undecided which was to obtain the mastery. M. Lauzet openly announced this, and hinted not obscurely to the alarming consequences which might follow a vote substantially one of want of confidence in the Ministry. "Doubtless," said he, "the Chamber is entitled to refuse its support to the Ministry; doubtless it may even prefer an accusation against them, if it finds in the past conduct of the members serious grounds for suspecting them for the future. This, however, is one of those desperate remedies which is reserved for situations where no other extrication of affairs is possible. When the signal of this is once given, it is as much as to say the royal prerogative has been pushed to the wall, and already the thunder of revolution is heard in the distance." The decision of the Chamber, however, adjourned the danger, Moniteur, and terminated for the time the ministerial crisis; the Nov. 7, 1834; Cap. Address was supported by a majority of 77, the numbers viii. 77, 78. being 184 to 107.2

But although the new Ministry had got a decided majority in the Chamber, they soon experienced an insuperable difficulty in their Prime Minister. Marshal Mortier, a frank and loyal soldier, of high honour and

XXXIII.

1835.

11.

Marshal

Mortier is succeeded

de Broglie

as Prime Minister. Feb. 22,

CHAP. unimpeachable character, was better qualified for the contests of the field than the forum. His lofty stature, commanding air, and military frankness, which would have commanded such respect in the field of battle or in a champ clos, were of no avail in the Chamber of Peers, by the Duke where a thorough knowledge of parties, ready elocution, and acquaintance with every subject which came on for discussion, were the only qualities which were of any importance. Of these he was entirely destitute; indeed, he had so little the command of language that when called on to speak he could scarcely articulate a few words. He had accepted the onerous charge of Prime Minister on the express condition that he was to be permitted to resign when he desired it; and in the end of February, finding himself no longer equal to the task, and perceiving a divergence of opinion arising between M. Thiers and M. Guizot, the great supports of the Cabinet, he tendered his resignation, which was accepted. The King immediately sent for Marshal Soult, and pressed him to resume his place as Prime Minister; but to this the Marshal had insuperable objections, unless under a pledge that the military establishment of the country should not be reduced, a condition to which it was well known the Chamber would not accede. Fatigued with the military and political labours of a long life, he sighed for repose, and had no inclination to exchange the peace and tranquillity of his beautiful country retreat for the storms and contests of the capital. He resisted all the instances of the King, therefore, and declined the appointment; and by his advice it was conferred on the DUKE DE Broglie, who, as one of themselves, was acceptable to the DocMarch 12. trinaires, and whose eloquence and abilities pointed him Moniteur, out as well qualified for the commanding situation.1 He 1835; Cap. was appointed President of the Council and Minister for

March 12,

viii. 133, 136; L. Blanc, iv. 569.

Foreign Affairs; the Count de Rigny, who formerly held the latter situation, was appointed ad interim Minister at War, with a permanent seat in the Cabinet;