and the unfurling of the
eagle-crowned banner under any recognized representative of his
renown, would, perhaps, have called a party into being which would
instantly have overridden all others. This peril was adroitly averted
by the sagacity of M. Thiers and M. Mignet. By their powerful
persuasion they induced M. Ladvocat to desist from the attempt The
other young man, who was found inflexible in his resolve, they lured
into a room in the Hotel de Ville, where they caused him to be
arrested and imprisoned.

In the following terms Louis Blanc describes this singular event:

"While every one was seeking to realize his wishes, a few
voices only were heard uttering the name of the emperor in a
city that had so long echoed to that sound. Two men without
influence, military reputation, or celebrity of any kind, MM.
Ladvocat and Dumoulin, conceived, for a while, the idea of
proclaiming the Empire. M. Thiers easily persuaded one of
them that fortune gives herself to him who hastens to seize
her. The other appeared, dressed as an orderly-officer, in
the great hall of the Hotel de Ville. But, being politely
requested by M. Carbonel to pass into an adjoining room, he
was there locked up and kept prisoner.

"This is one of those curiosities of history the key of which
is found in the grovelling nature of most human ambition. The
son of Napoleon was far away. For those who were actuated by
vulgar hopes, to wait was to run the risk of losing those
first favors which are always easiest to obtain from a
government that has need to win forgiveness for its
accession. Nevertheless, Napoleon's memory lived in the
hearts of the people. But what was requisite to the crowning
of the immortal victim of Waterloo in the first-born of his
race?--That an old general should appear in the streets, draw
his sword, and shout, _Vive Napoleon II!_

"But no; General Gourgaud alone made some tentative efforts.
Napoleon, besides, had pigmied all minds round his own. The
imperial regime had kindled in the plebeians he had abruptly
ennobled a burning thirst for place and distinction. The
Orleanist party recruited itself among all those whose
promptitude to revive the Empire needed, perhaps, but one
flash of hardihood, a leader, and a cry. Of all the generals
whose fortunes were of imperial growth, Subervic alone gave
his voice f