ite of all the
efforts of Government to influence the elections, they produced a result
in conformity with the state of general feeling,--a majority composed of
different elements, but decidedly hostile to the Cabinet. After having
carefully examined this new ground, and after having received from
various quarters propositions of accommodation and alliance,
M. de Villele, having clearly estimated his chances of strength and
durability, retired from office, and recommended the King to return
towards the centre, and to call together a moderate Ministry, which he
assisted him to construct. Charles X. received his new councillors as he
quitted his old ones, with sadness and apprehension, not acting as he
wished, and scarcely knowing whether what he did would tend to his
advantage. More decided, not through superiority of mind, but by natural
courage, the Dauphiness said to him, when she ascertained his
resolution, "In abandoning M. de Villele, you have descended the first
step of your throne."

The political party of which M. de Villele was the head, and which had
its own peculiar destinies, with which those of royalty had never been
closely allied, might indulge in more gloomy anticipations on their own
account; they had employed and lost the only man, belonging to their own
ranks, who was capable of showing them legitimately how to acquire and
how to exercise power.

FOOTNOTE:

[Footnote 17: On the 17th October, and the 22nd of November, 1822.]

CHAPTER VII.

MY OPPOSITION.

1820-1829.

MY RETIREMENT AT THE MAISONNETTE.--I PUBLISH FOUR INCIDENTAL ESSAYS
ON POLITICAL AFFAIRS: 1. OF THE GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE SINCE THE
RESTORATION, AND OF THE MINISTRY IN OFFICE (1820); 2. OF
CONSPIRACIES AND POLITICAL JUSTICE (1821); 3. OF THE RESOURCES OF
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION IN THE ACTUAL STATE OF FRANCE
(1821); 4. OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR POLITICAL OFFENCES
(1822).--CHARACTER AND EFFECT OF THESE PUBLICATIONS.--LIMITS OF MY
OPPOSITION.--THE CARBONARI.--VISIT OF M. MANUEL.--I COMMENCE MY
COURSE OF LECTURES ON THE HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN OF REPRESENTATIVE
GOVERNMENT.--ITS DOUBLE OBJECT.--THE ABBE FRAYSSINOUS ORDERS ITS
SUSPENSION.--MY HISTORICAL LABOURS.--ON THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND; ON
THE HISTORY OF FRANCE; ON THE RELATIONS AND MUTUAL INFLUENCE OF
FRANCE AND ENGLAND; ON THE PHILOSOPHIC AND LITERARY TENDENCIES OF
THAT EPOCH.--THE FRENCH REVIEW.--T