will be an an additional sting to a heart already overwhelmed with misfortune. I do not know, gentlemen, whether in what I have said I have followed the dictates of prudence and moderation; I have consulted only my heart."

This speech was repeatedly interrupted by the applause of the côté droit, and the murmurs of the côté gauche.

Towards the conclusion of the discussion, General Lafayette addressed the Chamber to the following effect:

"In ascending this tribune to speak on a subject of such vast importance, I am neither yielding to the impulse of the moment, nor courting an idle popularity, which I shall never prefer to the suggestions of duty. It is well known that I have all my life professed republican principles; but they have not been such as to prevent me from supporting a constitutional throne, created by the will of the people. Under existing circumstances, whereby it is desirable to raise the Prince Lieutenant-General to a constitutional throne, I feel myself animated by the same sentiments; and I am bound to avow, that the more I become acquainted with the Duke of Orleans, the more perfectly does the choice fulfil my wishes. On the subject of an hereditary peerage, I do not share the opinion entertained by many of my fellow-citizens. I have always thought it necessary that the legislative body should be

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divided into two Chambers, differently constituted; but I have never seen the utility of creating legislators who, in some cases, become judges, invested with hereditary rights. I have always thought that aristocracy is a bad ingredient to introduce into our public institutions. It is with great satisfaction, therefore, that I find you occupied with a project which meets the sentiments I have all my life professed. My conscience now compels me to repeat them, and to declare, that I hope shortly to see the hereditary peerage suppressed. My fellow-citizens will do me the justice to acknowledge, that if I have always maintained the principles of freedom, I have supported public order with equal uniformity."

M. Mauguin proposed that the judges should cease their functions in six months, if before that time they did not receive a new investiture; and thus argued in support of the proposition :-"Do not forget, gentlemen, that you are the offspring of revolution. It is the revolution you are now met to consecrate. A fortnight ago you were under the empire of legitimacy and divine right: to-day you are under the influence of national sovereignty. Do you think, then, that bodies which have been formed under the empire of the congregation, will support you, or offer you no resistance? No, gentlemen; the reform must descend to the lowest ranks of the magistracy.

To establish it substantially, resistance must cease everywhere. The judges, you say, are appointed for life; but did not that appointment originate in the charter of Louis XVIII? And is not that charter destroyed?"

The amendment of M. Mauguin, and a subamendment proposed by M. Eusebe Salverte, that the judges appointed during the reign of Charles X. should be submitted to a new organization, were successively put and rejected.

As soon as the discussion was concluded, the ́Deputies proceeded in a body, and on foot, to the Palais Royal, to present to the Duke of Orleans the bill of rights, or declaration of principles, which had just been agreed to. The Deputies were instantly admitted to his Royal Highness's presence, and the resolutions of the Chamber having been read by M. Lafitte, the Duke of Orleans, surrounded by his family, made the following reply:

"I receive the declaration which you now present to me, with profound emotion. I regard it as the expression of the national will; and it appears to me to be in conformity with the political principles I have all my life professed.

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Impressed with recollections which have always made me desire that I might never be destined to ascend the throne; exempt from ambition, and accustomed to the peaceful life which I lead in my family, I cannot conceal the senti

ments which agitate my heart in this great conjuncture but there is one which is predominant -it is the love of my country. I feel what it prescribes to me, and I shall not fail in the performance."

In delivering his answer, the Prince was affected to tears. At its conclusion, he embraced M. Lafitte, amidst enthusiastic exclamations of "Vive le Roi! Vive la Reine! Vive la famille Royale!" which burst from all present, and were repeated by the thousands collected in the courts of the palace. In answer to the call of the people, the Prince appeared on the balcony, accompanied by General Lafayette. They were both received with acclamations, which were redoubled when the Duchess of Orleans presented her children to the people. Impressed with the unanimity of feeling which was thus manifested, Lafayette took the hand of the Duke of Orleans, and exclaimed, "We have performed a good work! Here, Gentlemen, is the Prince we need! THIS IS THE BEST OF REPUBLICS!"

CHAPTER XXV.

Small share taken by the Chamber of Peers in the affairs of the Revolution-Their deliberations as to the resolutions passed by the Deputies-Chateaubriand's splendid speech on that occasion- Assent to the declaration of the Deputies, and deputation in consequence from the Peers to the Duke of Orleans-Arrival of the Duke de Chartres in Paris Anecdote-Character of the Duke of Orleans, as described by Paul Louis Courrier.

In the last act of the drama, as at its commencement, the Chamber of Peers performed a mere secondary part. At a late hour on Saturday evening, the 7th of August, they assembled at their Palace of Luxembourg, for the professed purpose of taking into consideration the resolutions which had been passed by the Deputies; but, in effect, to register a decision which they had no power to controul. The only hesitation which they discovered in adopting the resolutions of the Representative Chamber, was expressed in a vote to the following effect.

"The Chamber of Peers declares that it can