f the Republic just proclaimed. Without
other ambition than that of being useful to my country, I announce my
arrival to the members of the Provisional Government, and assure them of my
devotion to the cause which they represent." He was, however, courteously
requested to withdraw from France, since the law banishing the Napoleon
family had not yet been repealed, a circumstance which enabled him to
return to England in time to enrol himself in the cause of law and order as
a special constable at the Chartist meeting.

LONDON, _February_ 26, 1848

We and everybody much taken up with the startling and in some
respects terrible events in France. The regency of the Duchess of
Orleans rejected by the Chambers, or rather by the Cote Gauche, and
a republic proclaimed. Sad loss of life in Paris--the King and
Queen fled to Eu--Guizot, it is said, to Brussels. We dined at the
Palace, and found the Queen and Prince, the Duchess of Kent, Duke
and Duchess of Saxe Coburg, thinking of course of little else--and
almost equally _of course_, full of nothing but indignation
against the French nation and Guizot, nothing but pity for the King
and Queen and royal family, and nothing but fears for the rest of
Europe from the infection of such an example. I sat next the Duke
of Coburg, who more particularly took this _class_ view with
very little reasoning and a great deal of declamation. Said he
should not care if Guizot lost his head, and much in the same
spirit. The Queen spoke with much good sense and good feeling, if
not with perfect impartiality.

_Lady John Russell to Lady Mary Abercromby_

LONDON, _March_ 3, 1848

How anxious you must be as to the effect which the extraordinary
events in France will have upon Italy. They have been so rapid and
unexpected that all power of reasoning upon them has been lost in
wonder. Some pity must inevitably be felt for any man "fallen from
his high estate"; but if, as I trust, the report of Louis
Philippe's safety and arrival in England is true, his share of it
will be as small as ever fell to the lot of a King in misfortune;
for the opinion that he has deserved it is general. It is seldom
that history gives so distinct a lesson of retribution. You know
what London is in a ferment of exciting events, and can therefore
pretty well imagine the constant succession of reports, tru