so perseveringly evoked was a factor in the Revolution of 1830. The belief was natural, events turning out as they did But a deeper study of the national psychology at that time does away with this idea. The date 1688 meant nothing to the people ; they knew nothing about English history ; they only understood one thing : that there was to be a new revolution, in which they were not in the least interested. As for the bourgeoisie, no encouragement could have induced it to attempt a 1688 on its own account ; therefore the tendency was, amongst the advocates of a French 1688, to represent such an eventuality as ominous, and to express a pious hope that the Royal policy would not make it necessary ; with the result that a French 1688 became a more terrifying thing than its advocates meant it to be. One thing is certain : under the Martignac Ministry, and in the face of the unmistakable proofs of the nation's growing loyalism, Thiers at last lost heart. Disgusted with an insignificant part in a hopeless struggle, he had asked and obtained leave to accompany an officer bound for the tour of the world on scientific service. He was on the point of starting when the
