of the Interior. 1

CHAPTER II.

THE RESTORATION.

1814-1815.

Sentiments with which I commenced Public Life.--True Cause and
Character of the Restoration.--Capital Error of the Imperial
Senate.--The Charter suffers from it.--Various Objections to the
the Charter.--Why they were Futile.--Cabinet of King
Louis XVIII.--Unfitness of the Principal Ministers for
Constitutional Government.--M. de Talleyrand.--The
Abbe de Montesquieu.--M. de Blacas.--Louis XVIII.--Principal Affairs
in which I was concerned at that Epoch.--Account of the State of the
Kingdom laid before the Chambers.--Bill respecting the Press.--Decree
for the Reform of Public Instruction.--State of the Government
and the Country.--Their Common Inexperience.--Effects of the Liberal
System.--Estimate of Public Discontent and Conspiracies.--Saying of
Napoleon on the Facility of his Return. 27

CHAPTER III.

THE HUNDRED DAYS.

1815.

I immediately leave the Ministry of the Interior, to resume my
Lectures.--Unsettled Feeling of the Middle Classes on the Return
of Napoleon.--Its Real Causes.--Sentiments of Foreign Nations
and Governments towards Napoleon.--Apparent Reconciliation,
but Real Struggle, between Napoleon and the Liberals.--The
Federates.--Carnot and Fouche.--Demonstration of Liberty
during the Hundred Days, even in the Imperial Palace.--Louis XVIII.
and his Council at Ghent.--The Congress and M. de Talleyrand
at Vienna.--I go to Ghent on the part of the Constitutional
Royalist Committee at Paris.--My Notions and Opinions during this
Journey.--State of Parties at Ghent.--My Conversation with
Louis XVIII.--M. de Blacas.--M. de Chateaubriand.--M. de Talleyrand
returns from Vienna.--Louis XVIII. re-enters France.--Intrigue
planned at Mons and defeated at Cambray.--Blindness and Imbecility of
the Chamber of Representatives.--My Opinion respecting the Admission
of Fouche into the King's Cabinet. 58

CHAPTER IV.

THE CHAMBER OF 1815.

1815-1816.

Fall of M. de Talleyrand and Fouche.--Formation of the
Duke de Richelieu's Cabinet.--My Connection as Secretary-General of
the Administration of Justice with M. de Marbois, Keeper
of the Great Seal.--Meeting and Aspect of the Chamber of
Deputies.--Intentions and At