himself in
the foreign legion and fought gallantly against his former comrades.
Near Figuieres the legion was compelled to surrender, and Carrel became
the prisoner of his old general, Damas. There was considerable
difficulty about the terms of capitulation, and one council of war
condemned Carrel to death. Fortunately some informality prevented the
sentence being executed, and he was soon afterwards acquitted and set at
liberty. His career as a soldier being then finally closed, Carrel
resolved to devote himself to literature. He came to Paris and began as
secretary to Augustin Thierry, the historian. His services were found to
be of great value, and he not only obtained admirable training in habits
of composition, but was led to investigate for himself some of the most
interesting portions of English history. His first work of importance
(he had already written one or two historical abstracts) was the
_History of the Counter-Revolution in England_, an exceedingly able
political study of the events which culminated in the Revolution of
1688. He gradually became known as a skilful writer in various
periodicals; but it was not till he formed his connexion with the
_National_ that he became a power in France. The _National_ was at first
conducted by Thiers, Mignet and Carrel in conjunction; but after the
revolution of July, Thiers and Mignet assumed office, and the whole
management fell into the hands of Carrel. Under his direction this
journal became the first political organ in Paris. His judgment was
unusually clear, his principles solid and well founded, his sincerity
and honesty beyond question; and to these qualities he united an
admirable style, lucid, precise and well balanced. As the defender of
democracy he had frequently to face serious dangers. He was once in Ste
Pelagie, and several times before the tribunal to answer for his
journal. Nor was he in less danger from private enmities. Before his
last fatal encounter he was twice engaged in duels with editors of rival
papers. The dispute which led to the duel with Emile de Girardin was one
of small moment, and might have been amicably arranged had it not been
for some slight obstinacy on Carrel's part. The meeting took place on
the morning of the 22nd of July 1836. De Girardin was wounded in the
thigh, Carrel in the groin. The wound was at once seen to be dangerous,
and Carrel was conveyed to the house of a friend, where he died after
two days' suffering.

H