nd the same feelings which made him offer his own
sword in December, 1813, urged him now to oppose any measure which must
deprive his country of the military talents of Napoleon. The Emperor
heard all in silence--and broke up the meeting without having come to
any decision.

Early next morning the Chambers again met, and the necessity of the
Emperor's abdication was on the point of being put to the vote--when
Fouche appeared, and saved them that trouble by producing the following
proclamation. "To the French people ":

_Frenchmen! In commencing war for the maintenance of the national
independence, I relied on the union of all efforts, all wills, and
all authorities. I had reason to hope for success, and I braved all
the declarations of the powers against me. Circumstances appear to
be changed. I offer myself as a sacrifice to the hatred of the
enemies of France. May they prove sincere in their declarations,
and to have aimed only at me! My political life is ended; and I
proclaim my son, Napoleon II., Emperor of the French. Unite for the
public safety, if you would remain an independent nation.--Done at
the palace Elysee, June the 22nd,1815.--_

NAPOLEON.

The debate which followed the production of this act in either house,
but especially in that of the Peers, was violent. In the latter, Carnot,
having received some grossly exaggerated accounts of the force and
success of Grouchy, endeavoured to persuade the assembly, that that
marshal must have ere then added 60,000 men at Laon to Soult and the
relics of Waterloo, and so formed an army capable, under fit guidance,
of even yet effectually retrieving the affairs of France. But Ney had
arrived in Paris the same morning, and this speech called up the man
who, if any single energies could have done so, would have saved the day
at Waterloo. "Grouchy," said he, "cannot have more than 20--at most
25,000--men; and as to Soult--I myself commanded the guard in the last
assault--I did not leave the field until they were exterminated. Be
assured there is but one course--negotiate, and recall the Bourbons. In
their return I see nothing but the certainty of being shot as a
deserter. I shall seek all I have henceforth to hope for in America.
Take you the only course that remains for France."

Napoleon, in his bulletins, did not scruple to throw the blame of his
discomfiture on the misconduct of his chief officers--particularl