Chapter XI

The Second Republic -- Lamartine's reason for proclaiming it --
Suspects Louis-Napoleon of similar motives for wishing to
overthrow it -- Tells him to go back to England -- De Persigny's
account of Louis-Napoleon's landing in France after February
24th, '48 -- Providential interference on behalf of
Louis-Napoleon -- Justification of Louis-Napoleon's belief in his
"star" -- My first meeting with him -- The origin of a celebrated
nickname -- Badinguet a creation of Gavarni -- Louis-Napoleon and
his surroundings at the Hotel du Rhin -- His appearance and dress
-- Lord Normanby's opinion of his appearance -- Louis-Napoleon's
French -- A mot of Bismarck -- Cavaignac, Thiers, and Victor
Hugo's wrong estimate of his character -- Cavaignac and his
brother Godefroi -- The difference between Thiers and General
Cavaignac -- An elector's mot -- Some of the candidates for the
presidency of the Second Republic -- Electioneering expenses --
Impecuniosity of Louis-Napoleon -- A story in connection with it
-- The woman with the wooden legs -- The salons during the Second
Republic -- The theatres and their skits on the situation -- "La
Propriete c'est le Vol" -- France governed by the _National_ -- A
curious list of ministers and officials of the Second Republic --
Armand Marrast -- His plans for reviving business -- His
receptions at the Palais-Bourbon as President of the Chamber of
Deputies -- Some of the guests -- The Corps Diplomatique -- The
new deputies, their wives and daughters 232