NTRE.

1816-1821.

COMPOSITION OF THE NEW CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES.--THE CABINET IN A
MAJORITY.--ELEMENTS OF THAT MAJORITY, THE CENTRE PROPERLY SO
CALLED, AND THE DOCTRINARIANS.--TRUE CHARACTER OF THE CENTRE.--TRUE
CHARACTER OF THE DOCTRINARIANS, AND REAL CAUSE OF THEIR
INFLUENCE.--M. DE LA BOURDONNAYE AND M. ROYER-COLLARD AT THE
OPENING OF THE SESSION.--ATTITUDE OF THE DOCTRINARIANS IN THE
DEBATE ON THE EXCEPTIONAL LAWS.--ELECTORAL LAW OF FEBRUARY 5TH,
1817.--THE PART I TOOK ON THAT OCCASION.--OF THE ACTUAL AND
POLITICAL POSITION OF THE MIDDLE CLASSES.--MARSHAL GOUVION ST. CYR,
AND HIS BILL FOR RECRUITING THE ARMY, OF THE 10TH OF MARCH,
1818.--BILL RESPECTING THE PRESS, OF 1819, AND M. DE
SERRE.--PREPARATORY DISCUSSION OF THESE BILLS IN THE STATE
COUNCIL.--GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE COUNTRY.--MODIFICATION OF
THE CABINET FROM 1816 TO 1820.--IMPERFECTIONS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL
SYSTEM.--ERRORS OF INDIVIDUALS.--DISSENSIONS BETWEEN THE CABINET
AND THE DOCTRINARIANS.--THE DUKE DE RICHELIEU NEGOCIATES, AT
AIX-LA-CHAPELLE, THE ENTIRE RETREAT OF FOREIGN TROOPS FROM
FRANCE.--HIS SITUATION AND CHARACTER.--HE ATTACKS THE BILL ON
ELECTIONS.--HIS FALL.--CABINET OF M. DECAZES.--HIS POLITICAL
WEAKNESS, NOTWITHSTANDING HIS PARLIAMENTARY SUCCESS.--ELECTIONS OF
1819.--ELECTION AND NON-ADMISSION OF M. GREGOIRE.--ASSASSINATION OF
THE DUKE DE BERRY.--FALL OF M. DECAZES.--THE DUKE DE RICHELIEU
RESUMES OFFICE.--HIS ALLIANCE WITH THE RIGHT-HAND PARTY.--CHANGE IN
THE LAW OF ELECTIONS.--DISORGANIZATION OF THE CENTRE, AND PROGRESS
OF THE RIGHT-HAND PARTY.--SECOND FALL OF THE DUKE
DE RICHELIEU.--M. DE VILLELE AND THE RIGHT-HAND PARTY OBTAIN POWER.

A violent outcry was raised, as there ever has been and always will be,
against ministerial interference at the elections. This is the sour
consolation of the beaten, who feel the necessity of accounting for
their defeat. Elections, taken comprehensively, are almost always more
genuine than interested and narrow-minded suspicion is disposed to
allow. The desires and ability of the powers in office, exercise over
them only a secondary authority. The true essence of elections lies in
the way in which the wind blows, and in the impulse of passing events.
The decree of the 5th of September, 1816, had given confidence to the
moderate party, and a degree of hope to the persecute