Page:Coubertin - France since 1814, 1900.djvu/98

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82
FRANCE SINCE 1814

Thus it was at the Court and in the neighbourhood of the Palace that anxiety was most intense. The frequenters of the Tuileries felt a lively alarm ; so did the Ministers, strangely enough. The majority of them had no illusions on the subject, and several remained at their posts as a point of honour. But there were many deputies and officials, especially in the provinces, who by no means shared these apprehensions. Fear grew fainter as it reached the lower ranks of society, the great body of the people remaining cool and tranquil.

The watchword of the Liberals was re-election of the 221 deputies who had voted for the Address. The elections took place on the 23rd of June and the 4th and 5th of July, and their result was decisive : 270 of the Opposition to 145 Ministerials. In many towns the results hostile to the Cabinet were proclaimed amid cries of " Vive le Roi ! " and even M. Guizot wrote that in that Chamber of 415 members there were not 50 who desired a change of dynasty.

It was certainly not for want of hearing about the English Revolution of 1688. Writers of the Opposition had been harping