Page:Coubertin - France since 1814, 1900.djvu/77

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A RETROSPECT OF EIGHT YEARS
61

for the revolted Greeks, the recognition of those Spanish colonies which were already constituted separate States, together with their commercial liberty. At least these benefits were secured by our initiative (Feb. 1824). Unfortunately the success won by the Army in Spain, and the tremendous impression it caused in the country and abroad, had the effect of exciting the ultras to the extent that they believed they could do anything. Villèle had not the qualities capable of resisting them. He took it into his head to dissolve the Chamber, hoping thus to get rid both of the opposition of the Left and the still more passionate antagonism of the Right. Without the least shame he brought a very dubious pressure to bear on the electors. As it happened, his calculations were upset. The success of the Royalists was overwhelming, but many of them were of the number of those very lunatics whose leader he was, whom, in spite of that fact, he desired to throw out, so much he feared their extravagance. It is said that a hundred and twenty new deputies were members of the Congrégation. The act known as the Law of Septennalité was passed by the new Chamber and by the Peers. Up till then