286 THE SUPREMACY OF PUBLIC OPINION. 



two countries, and could not fail, at an early period, to exert the 

 most important influence. 



In France, the Bourbons were extremely unpopular, from old as- 

 sociations, and especially from the mortifying circumstances which 

 had attended their second restoration. Louis XVIII. however, was 

 a prudent and cautious monarch ; taught, by past experience, the 

 danger of disregarding public opinion, and naturally inclined to 

 adopt a course of policy opposed both to extreme royalism and ex- 

 treme liberalism, and calculated to meet the wishes of the majority 

 of his subjects. But, whatever were his own intentions or wishes, 

 Louis was too often prevailed upon by the counsels of his brother 

 and the old courtiers, to sanction measures which were adverse to his 

 own principles, and which endangered the security of his throne, and 

 the tranquillity of the country. The death of Louis, however, when 

 taken in connection with the character of his successor, might be re- 

 garded as a misfortune to France ; and the conduct of the new mo- 

 narch, although for some time after his accession he affected popu- 

 larity, realized the worst anticipations which had been entertained 

 regarding it. Charles, who, in his youth, had been the most zealous 

 and active opponent of the popular cause, had, in spite of all his mis- 

 fortunes, retained his old principles ; and, blinded by his prejudices, 

 resolved to act upon them, at a moment when, to do so, could only 

 be attended with his own ruin. The nation, justly suspecting his 

 intentions, regarded the appointment of Prince Polignac to the office 

 of prime minister, as the commencement of the counter-revolution. 

 Never did public opinion express itself in a manner more firm, de- 

 cided, and unequivocal; and Charles had now an opportunity 

 of retracing his steps ; but he was determined to brave every 

 danger, rather than relinquish his insane projects. The Chambers 

 confirmed the decision of the people; and now finding it impossible 

 to mature his plans in secrecy, Charles openly commenced them ; 

 and by so doing, provoked a popular insurrection, which terminated 

 in the exile of himself and his family ; and in the exaltation of the 

 Duke of Orleans to the French throne. The proceedings at Paris 

 were confirmed by all France public opinion for a time reigned 

 triumphant in that country and it appeared scarcely possible, that 

 a government which owed to it its existence and continuance, would 

 on any account venture to provoke its hostility. It is, however, an 

 undoubted fact, that Louis Philippe has become unpopular with a 

 considerable part of his subjects ; and it seems impossible to deny, 

 that his conduct, after the late insurrection at Paris, was beyond 

 measure imprudent, and proved him incapable of taking advantage 

 of a position the most favourable in which such a government as his 

 could have been placed. Our limits do not permit us to offer any 

 observations upon the existing state of France ; as, in order to un- 

 derstand its present political condition, and the future prospects of 

 Louis Philippe and his government, it would be necessary to enter 

 at considerable length upon the history of that period which has 

 elapsed since the Revolution of 1830. 



The progress of public opinion has not been less decided nor at- 

 tended with less important consequences in England than in France, 



