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to Thursday, the 10th day of October next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday, the 10th day of October next." Thus ended a session signalized by useful if not brilliant results, in the addition to the statute book of several important measures, conceived in that safe and judicious spirit of reform which the circumstances of the country and the temper of the age demanded, and which greatly contributed to strengthen the confidence of all classes in the statesman to whom the interests of the country were confided. In the department of finance, especially, the skill and judgment which Sir Robert Peel displayed, and of which the present session afforded more than one signal example, added in no small degree to the credit and stability of his administration. The revenue of the country had prospered beyond all expectation under his management, and the burthens which he had found it necessary to impose for the purpose of

relieving the finances from the embarrassed state in which his predecessors had left them, were less sensibly felt, as that period of distress and stagnation which had so severely visited the nation began to give place to unequivocal symptoms of returning vigour and prosperity. The political horizon was not indeed perfectly free from clouds, nor the course of Government unchequered by those difficulties which, amid the vast and complicated interests of an immense empire, are continually springing up to perplex the counsels or to exercise the sagacity of statesmen; but with such exceptions, to say the least, not more numerous or formidable in the present than at former periods, it may be truly said, that at the close of the session of 1844, peace, contentment, and confidence, generally prevailed, and the destinies of the country wore a more hopeful and promising appearance than they had exhibited for several preceding years.

CHAPTER IX.

FRANCE.-General Reflections on the tone and temper of France towards England during the year-Congratulatory Addresses to Louis Philippe on New Year's Day-Election of a President and Secretaries in the Chamber of Deputies-Remarkable Speech of M. Lafitte-Visit of the Duc de Bourdeaux to England-Its effect in France-Discussion on the Address in the Chamber of Peers— Explanation by the Duc de Richelieu-Speech of M. Guizot-The Address in answer to the Royal Speech in the Chamber of Deputies— Allusion to the Duc de Bourdeaux-Debate on the Address-Speeches of M. Berryer, M. Guizot, M. Dupin, Duc de Valmy, M. de Larez, M. Hebert, Attorney-General, Marquis de la Rochejacquelin-Prosecution and Conviction of two Parisian Journals for advocating the claims of the Duc de Bourdeaux-Attack by M. Thiers on the Ministry-Reply of M. Duchatel-Discussion in the Chamber of Deputies on the separate paragraphs of the Address-Speeches of M. Ducos and the Minister of Commerce-Foreign Policy of the Government-Speech of M. Billault-The Election of M. Charles Lafitte is annulled-Reply of M. Guizot to M. Billault-Speeches of M. Thiers and M. Guizot-Paragraph relating to Right of SearchAmendment by M. Billault-Speeches of M. Gasparin, Baron Mackau, and M. Dupin-Paragraph relating to the Duc de Bourdeaux-Explanations of M. Berryer and the Marquis de la RochejacquelinRemarks of M. Guizot on the subject—Amendment by MM. Cordier and De Courtais-Speeches of M. Ledru Rollin, M. de Lamartine, and others-The Address is carried.

Tcised by France on European HE important influence exer cised by France on European politics, and the power which she possesses of disturbing the peace of the world by yielding to the clamours of the war-party that infests her population, render the temper and attitude of the French nation a subject of deep interest to ourselves. And as unfortunately Great Britain has, for some years past, been the real or affected

object of suspicion and jealousy on the part of France, it is the duty of the annalist accurately to consider and detail, not only the external relations, but the tone and feelings which have subsisted between the two countries during the year which has now closed.

Happily no change has taken place in the pacific views of the two Governments, and the peace which has continued for nearly

thirty years remains still unbroken. But we wish that we could record proofs of a less jealous and hostile spirit towards England on the part of our Gallic neighbours. It is in vain that we disclaim feelings of enmity or designs of encroachment, and in vain that we treat with apathetic indifference the charges that are hurled by the incendiary press of Paris against "perfidious Albion;" the acts and intentions of England are wilfully misrepresented, and every attempt is made to arouse old antipathies, and excite the most impetuous population in the world to a contest which would involve all Europe in a general war.

We do not accuse the French Government of this odious policy. The Soult-Guizot Ministry has nobly vindicated its peaceful mission; and without truckling to foreign interests,or compromising the honour of France, has maintained unbroken amity with the British Crown. And this achievement has been no less difficult than praiseworthy. In this country we have but a faint idea of the position of a Government which has to control and check a population clamorous for

war.

of prejudice and enmity, and ceases to invent motives which do not exist, and suspect deep-laid conspiracies against herself, of which England is both innocent and ignorant.

On New Year's day the usual congratulatory addresses were presented to the King by the Corps Diplomatique, the Clergy, the two Chambers, and other public bodies. They did not contain any political allusions; but were filled with panegyrics on the monarch for the tranquillity of France and the prosperous state of her commerce and manufactures.

In our last volume we noticed the commencement of a new session of the French Chambers on the 27th December, 1843, and gave the Royal Speech with which it was opened. The next day M. Sauzet was again elected President of the Chamber of Deputies, receiving 170 votes out of 307. The other candidates for the important post were M. Dupin, M. Odillon Barrot, M. Dupont de l'Eure, M. Dufaure, M. Garneron, and M. Lafitte; of these M. Dupin received 91 votes, and M. Odillon Barrot 46. Immediately afterwards the four Secretaries were elected, and sisted of the following members:Messrs. De Lespee, Lascases, Lacrosse, and Boissy D'Anglas.

con

The slightest advance made by the French Ministry in the path of friendship with England has been beset by indignant outcries, both in the Chambers and the public press; and the finger After the close of the poll, M. of scorn has been pointed against Lafitte, the Provisional President, the Government as regardless of rose and addressed the Chamber as national honour, because it re- follows:-"Gentlemen,-Called fused to lend itself to the bad for the second time to the honour passions of a disappointed faction, of presiding over you, I will not and plunge into a war on account abuse the privilege of my age and of some obscure squabbles in a my functions. The sorrowful redistant island of the Pacific. It miniscences which I feel in this will be a happy day for France place would perhaps lead me to when she learns to look at the speak to you of my apprehensions actions of this country with less for the future, whilst I would

only wish at this moment to express to you my thanks for the kindness of which you have given me a fresh proof; but in the presence of a situation which does not appear without danger, my conscience obliges me to tell you what France expects of you. In the course of your session, besides the official programme of your labours, opportunities will offer themselves for examining if our late illusions and our fortune will be engulfed in the abyss which opens at our very doors (interruption)-whether the struggle entered on in various localities (Oh, oh!) between the Government and the elective powers does not contain within itself the seeds of a struggle, still more grave, be tween the two principles which for fourteen years we have laboured to conciliate (loud exclamations from the centre)-if the artificial calm created on the surface of the country be sufficient for our dignity (Oh, oh!)-whether disorder and anarchy are not at the foundation of our situation (murmurs from different parts of the Chamber)-and whether good faith and rectitude in the administration of public affairs are not preferable to the resources of venality-to a traffic in corruption. (Loud interruption from the centre.)

M. Lafitte.-I consider that my age, my character, and my position, give me a right to speak the truth when I consider it useful. (Marks of assent from the gauche.) I will not carry my investigations any further; but bear in mind, that factions die away, Ministries are changed, systems become exhausted, and we, gentlemen-we remain responsible for the obstacles which the country meets with in the develope

ment of those resources of power and of prosperity which it ought to expect from the revolution of July.

M. Lafitte then said, "I now invite the President and the Definitive Secretaries to take their places;" and returned to his usual seat in the Chamber.

M. Sauzet, the President, then addressed the Chamber, amidst the most profound silence; and after thanking the Chamber for the honour they had done him in electing him again to fill the honourable office of President of the Chamber, he concluded thus:"The first session has fulfilled its work-let the second do the same; let the Chamber concur in it with the Bureaux by the good order of its deliberations, the prompt and wise distribution of its labours, that no salutary idea may be lost sight of, that no one moment be lost; lét us know how to show what may be expected from an intelligent and powerful nation, and thus merit the gratitude of the country." The President then declared the Chamber to be constituted.

In order to understand some of the speeches which were delivered during the debate on the Address, we must briefly allude to an event which happened during the autumn of last year. This was the visit of the young Duc de Bourdeaux to the shores of this country, where he spent some weeks chiefly in visiting the seats of the principal nobility. This Prince, the only son of the Duc de Berri, had, by the death of Charles X. and the renunciation of all claims to the throne on the part of the Duc d'Angoulême, become the representative of the elder branch of the Bourbon fa

mily, and as such, in the eyes of the Legitimist party in France, entitled to the French Crown. He came, however, to England simply as a private gentleman, and did not appear at Court; nor were his pretensions in the slightest degree recognised or favoured by the British Government. For some time the visit of this young Prince seemed to be, and we believe really was, unconnected with any political object; and he was hospitably entertained at Alnwick Castle and Alton Towers, the seats of the Duke of Northumberland and the Earl of Shrewsbury, without attracting any marked notice or observation on the part of the French Government. The indiscretion, however, of some of his friends in France changed this state of things. The Duc de Bourdeaux took a mansion in Belgrave-square, and held levees, which were attended by many of the Carlist Peers of France, as well as by some of the members of the Chamber of Deputies, amongst whom the most conspicuous was M. Berryer. A deputation also from Bretagne, consisting of peasants or mechanics, came over to pay the tribute of their homage or sympathy to him whom his partizans regarded as Henri V. The scandal of these circumstances gave umbrage to the French Government, and they communicated on the subject with the Ministers of Queen Victoria, upon which an intimation was conveyed to the Duc de Bourdeaux that such proceedings could not be permitted, and that his presence was offensive in a country whose hospitality he had forfeited by making it the arena of schemes directed against a dynasty with which it was in friendly alliance.

This had the desired effect, and the Duc de Bourdeaux and his mimic Court disappeared from England. We now turn to the discussion in the French Chambers.

On the 8th of January, in the Chamber of Peers, the Duc de Broglie read the draft of an address in answer to the King's speech; of which it was an echo. It contained a remote allusion to the Duc de Bourdeaux and the schemes of his adherents

"God has blessed you, Sire, by giving to you children worthy of their father and of the nation of which they are the noblest supporters. Thus dynasties are consolidated, and bonds of affection are formed between royal races and nations. Pledged faith and a mutual attachment render the tie indissoluble. The King, on ascending the throne, promised to devote to us his entire existence, to do every thing to promote the glory and welfare of France; France promised to be faithful to him. The King has observed his oath: where is the Frenchman who could forget or betray his allegiance ?"

The Duc de Richelieu entered into some explanation of his late visit to the Duc de Bourdeaux. He was, he said, a Peer in 1830; he took the oath at that time to the new Government, and had never violated it. If he had gone to London to pay his respects to an unfortunate prince, he merely considered that he was accomplishing a duty of honour, and rejected with indignation all idea of having been influenced by any criminal intention.

M. de Boissy, condemning the domestic and foreign policy of Ministers, asked for explanations

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