196 
some more practised politicians of the 
right side. It is certain that they fre- 
quently vote and act in support of 
those who are known, by their situa- 
tion, to be dependent on ministers. In 
their phalanx, three or four orators 
discuss what is to come on next day ; 
and ministers submit, with a good 
grace, to the impulse they have given 
underhand. From the character they 
have acquired, we may form an opi- 
nion that ministers will be sorely 
galled, should any accident urge them 
to break a spear with the Reunion 
Piet. 
There is another division on’ the 
right side, not so numerous as the pre- 
ceding, but far superior in the power- 
ful talents they have always dis- 
played. They form a contrast to the 
‘Reunion Piet,’ wherein the questions 
discussed are not of general interest or 
of European politics, but of parties, 
places, and persons. Here the com- 
plicated interests of millions are can- 
vassed ; and, though personal interests 
are properly attended. to, principles 
are established which none can con- 
demn. Here we find the names of La 
Bourdonnaye, Vaublanc, Bouville, 
Delalot, who are their usual orators; 
Kergorlay, Chatelet, Loisson, &c. are 
next in publicity of character. 
A third division of the right side in- 
cludes a small number of deputies, less 
animated by the dangerous projects of 
ambition, but narrow and intolerant in 
their principles of policy. In point of 
character, they are faithful in their at- 
tachments ; and, in point of conscience, 
inexorable. The king has granted a 
charter, and their great and glorious 
duty is to resign themselves to it just 
as they would ‘to a bed of justice. 
Should an emigrant present a petition 
for a restitution of his property, while 
the right side, in a mass, rise up for the 
order of the day, eight or ten Catos, 
not to compromise with principles, 
abstain from voting at all. They sup- 
port ministers, but insinuate, and, 
when called upon, state what grounds 
they have for thinking they might act 
better. 
Advancing towards the middle of 
the Chamber, without quitting the ma- 
jority, we arrive at a section called 
the right centre: this contains two 
parts. One consists of men of unble- 
mished honour and integrity ; mode- 
rate, loyal, professing and practising 
independent principles, notwithstand- 
ing charges against them, which neyer 
State of Parties and Opinions in France. 
[Oct. , 
have been provyéd. They were pae 
triots in 1789, proscribed in 1793, muni- 
cipal officers under the Directory, and 
prefects under the Empire; they accept 
from the revolution whatever it con- 
tributes to civil liberty, to the safety 
and prosperity of the country, and re- 
ject principles and conduct not above 
reproach and suspicion. They made 
part of the minority in 1815, and of 
the majority Sept. 5; but certain pub- 
lic events have thrown them into the 
shade,—the crime of Louvel, the re- 
volution in Spain, &e. They are dis- 
tinguished by a love of order and 
tranquillity, and an aversion to anar- 
chy. At their head appears M. Lainé, 
considered by the wise and good, as 
the model of eloquence and virtue. 
Among his friends are Messrs. De 
Biran, De Cordouc, Bretizel, Ribard, 
Belloy, Fabry, &e. 
The second part of the right centre 
consists of an odd assemblage of hete- 
rogeneous elements. They are equally 
averse to both the right and left side, 
but vote with the right or with govern- 
ment, as they voted with the left, in 
1819, for the same reason. They are 
dissatisfied with the revolution, and 
treat it with contempt, as friendly to 
liberty ; but mention the empire with 
respect. This is the seat of the pre- 
fects, state counsellors, directors, and 
attornies general, that, after voting 
against the address of 1821, have con- 
trived to gain the good-will of the mi- 
nisters, produced by that address. 
Among them are some friends of M. 
de Serres, who had completely im- 
bibed the notion, that his services 
were indispensable to the Chamber 
and to France: no one believes this 
now. Here also, on different benches, 
sit Wendel, Boulaye, Langlade, Las- 
cours, &c.; they keep up .a sort of 
independance, and do not seem to be 
very well relished by the right. ‘At 
the.end of their five years, at new elec- 
tions, the official seal of Presidency is 
refused to them, and'so they are gently 
thrust out of the Chamber. Thus have 
disappeared, ‘rejected by all parties, 
Messrs. de Serre, Bailleul, ‘Riviére, 
‘Bayet, &c. 1 OWI 
The above contains a summary of 
the members that compose the right 
side; from the line of conduct they 
have marked out for themselves, they 
are deemed more or less ministerial. 
Before we advert to the opposition, 
certain worthy public functionaries 
claim attention on the summit of the 
left 
