The New International Encyclopædia/Aide-toi et le ciel t'aidera
AIDE-TOI ET LE CIEL T'AIDERA. ad'twa' a syal ta d’-ra' (Fr. "help thyself. Heaven will help thee"). The cry of certain French political writers to the middle classes about the year 1824. It became the watch-word and title of a society, having for its object to agitate the electoral body in opposition to the government. This, however, was to be done by means strictly legitimate, chiefly by correspondence and political publications. Most of its founders and active members belonged to the party of Doctrinaires (q.v.), as Guizot, who was president for some time, Duchâtel, Duvergier de Hauranne, Dubois, Remusat, Thiers, Cavaignac, etc. Le Globe was the organ of the association, and afterward Le National. The society had a great .share in bringing about the revolution of July, 1830. and was at first countenanced by the new government; but after a short time it was dissolved (1832).