reactionary
sentiment increased on the surface, a republican sentiment was all the
time gathering in volume and strength below.

The death of the prince imperial, in 1879, in South Africa, was a
severe blow to the imperialists, as the Bonapartists were also called,
who were now represented by Prince Victor, the son of Prince Napoleon.

Although these rival princes occupied a large place upon the stage,
other matters had the attention of the government of France, which
moved calmly on. The establishing of a formal protectorate over
Algeria belongs to this period.

Ever since the reign of Louis XIV. the hand of France had held Algeria
with more or less success. The Grand Monarch determined to rid the
Mediterranean of the "Barbary pirates," with which it was infested, and
so they were pursued and traced to their lairs in Algiers and Tunis.
From this time on attempts were made at intervals to establish a French
control over this African colony. During the reign of Louis Philippe
the French occupation became more assured, and under the Republic a
formal protectorate was declared.

In 1881 Tunis also became a dependency of France; a treaty to that
effect being signed bestowing authority upon a resident-general
throughout the so-called dominions of the bey.

The fact that in 1878 France participated in the negotiations of the
Congress at Berlin, shows how quickly national wounds heal at _the
top_! And further proof that normal conditions were restored, is given
by the Universal Exposition, to which Paris bravely invited the world
in that same year.

In 1879 M. Grevy succeeded Marshal MacMahon. It was during M. Grevy's
administration that England and France combined in a dual financial
control over Egypt, in behalf of the interests of the citizens of those
two countries who were holders of Egyptian bonds.

But the event of profoundest effect at this period was the death of
Gambetta in 1882. The removal of the only man in France whom they
feared, was the signal for renewed activity among the monarchists,
which found expression in a violent manifesto, immediately issued by
Prince Napoleon. This awoke the apparently dormant republican
sentiment. After agitated scenes in the Chamber, Prince Napoleon was
arrested; and finally, after a prolonged struggle, a decree was issued
suspending all the Orleans princes from their military functions.

Almost immediately after this crisis the Count of Chambord (Henry V.)
died