The Duc de Magenta and the Marquise de MacMahon have kindly opened their archives to me. The Vicomte Emmanuel d'Harcourt has communicated to me documents of the most interesting nature, and, thanks to him, I have been able to settle definitely a fact of the highest interest for the biography of Marshal MacMahon, and the history of the war of 1870. From this point of view I also owe much to General de Vaulgrenant.

Respecting Gambetta and the party guided by him, I have obtained or collected confidential or traditional information. I have perhaps been the first to attempt an exposition of his theory and system. As the rôles of Gambetta and M. Jules Ferry become predominant, the documents at my disposal will, I hope, enable me to clear up many questions.

General Cuny has helped me with his great ability and friendly assistance in the accounts of military matters.

M. Adrien Léon, junior, whose father was the confidential assistant of the Comte de Paris in the management of their party in the Gironde, M. Charles Callet, the son of M. Auguste Callet, and M. Toutain have freely entrusted to me the manuscripts in their possession. I here express my sincere gratitude to all.

The Duc de Broglie, M and Mme. PsichariRenan, have kindly authorised me to reproduce the portraits which appear in this volume; I beg them to accept my best thanks.

G. H.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

THE 24TH OF MAY

I.-Impression produced by the fall of M. Thiers and the

election of Marshal MacMahon-The new President of the

Republic: his military career in Algeria, in the Crimea, in

Italy-Marshal MacMahon at Sedan. Suppression of the

Commune-Marshal MacMahon and politics: his character.

II. The Cabinet of the 25th of May: its policy-Message of

the Marshal-President: circular of the Vice-President of the

Council to the diplomatic agents-Divine Right and the

Sovereignty of the People-The Constitutional question—

The three Monarchical parties .

I

22

III.—The Duc de Broglie; his politics; his character—The

Conservative party-Democratic ideals

IV.-Léon Gambetta; his origin, and intellectual development

-Gambetta under the Empire, and during the war-He

is returned to the National Assembly-Gambetta as an

orator

35

52

CHAPTER II

"MORAL ORDER "

I. The session of the National Assembly resumed-Incident

raised by Bismarck-The Paschal circular-First acts of

the cabinet-Moral Order

II. The Le Royer interpellation-The religious question-Pil-

grimages-The cult of the Sacred Heart-The votive

Church of Montmartre

67

75

III.-The Shah of Persia in Paris-Celebrations in his honour-

Opening of the monarchical Campaign-Adjournment of the

Examination of the Constitutional Laws

IV. Measures taken against Republican Propaganda-Special

Powers given to the Permanent Committee-Gambetta at

Grenoble-The Left Centre declares for Dissolution

88

95

V. Reorganisation Laws passed during the Summer Session-

General Law of Army Reorganisation, July 24th, 1873-

The Assembly adjourned from July 29th to November 5th

-Message of Marshal MacMahon and Manifesto of the

Groups of the Left

VI.-Liberation of the Territory-Last Incidents of the German

Occupation-Payment of the Balance of the War Indem-

nity-The Evacuation completed on the 16th of September 108

CHAPTER III

THE MONARCHICAL CAMPAIGN

I.-Hopes of the Monarchists after May 24th-The Comte de

Paris at Frohsdorf-Reconciliation of the two branches

of the House of Bourbon-Differences between Orleanists

and Legitimists

99

.. 115

II. The Country and the Monarchical Campaign—Meeting of the

Permanent Committee, August 25th-Question from the

Duc d'Audiffret-Pasquier on the Possibility of the Restor-

ation-Mission of Merveilleux du Vignaux and de Sugny to

Frohsdorf-Note from the Comte de Chambord to M.

Ernoul and letter from the same to M. de Rodez-Bénavent

-Meeting of the Permanent Committee, September 25th-

A Meeting of the Executive of the Four Groups of the Right

is fixed for October 4th-Combier Mission to Frohsdorf

CHAPTER IV

THE SALZBURG INTERVIEW

I-The Meeting of October 4th-Constitution of the Committee

of Nine-The Quai d'Orsay Dinner-First Meeting of the

Committee of Nine-The Army and the Tricolor-M. Ches-

nelong deputed by the Committee to visit the Comte de

Chambord

144

. 164

II. The Parties and the Restoration-The Elections of October

12th-The Left organises Opposition

180

III.-M. Chesnelong at Salzburg-His Interviews with the

Comte de Chambord-The Salzburg Declarations .

. 185

CHAPTER V

THE LETTER OF OCTOBER 27TH

I.-Meetings of the Committee of Nine, and of the Executives

of the Group-M. Chesnelong reports on his Mission—It is

Decided to Propose the Restoration-Public Opinion

. 202

219

II. The Government and the Restoration-Preparations for

the King's Return-Incredulity of the Country-The Lefts

organise Resistance-The Army

III.-Meeting of the Groups of the Rights-Report of the Right

Centre-The Left Centre declares that the Restoration

would bring about a Fresh Revolution-Anxiety respecting

the silence of the Comte de Chambord-The Letter of

October 27th. Did the Comte de Chambord wish to reign? 229

IV.-Last Meeting of the Committee of Nine-The Monarchical

Campaign abandoned-The Council of Ministers declares

for the Extension of the Marshal's Powers-Public Opinion

and the Parties

. 263

CHAPTER VI

THE SEPTENNATE

I.-Combined Meeting of the Groups of the Right-Attitude of

the Orleans Princes-The Extreme Right-The Prolonga-

tion to be proposed by the Rights .

276

II.-Opening of the Parliamentary Session-The Duc de

Broglie proposes the Septennate-Message of the President

of the Republic-Changarnier Proposal-The Comte de

Chambord at Versailles-M. de Blacas with the Marshal-

The Marshal refuses to see the Comte de Chambord

III.-The Report of the Committee on the Changarnier Proposal

-Debate on the Prolongation-New Presidential Message

-The Septennate is Voted

284

306