Guizot, little inclined to participate in the scenes of licentious pleasure, in which he found his fellow-students for the most part plunged, and setting small value on the superficial means of information offered by the Institutions to which we have just adintellectual resources, and sought, in the solitude of his chamber, in meditation, and in such works as the great repositories of learning in Paris never failed to supply in the worst times, that knowledge which, under a better system, he might have obtained with less labor, and the benefit of competition and fellowship in well organized and wisely directed schools. His first year in Paris was thus passed in solitude, amidst a busy population of half a million.

came and restored to them their natural rights of citizens, but involved them at the same time in the most bitter domestic desolation. On the 8th of April, 1794, when the present prime minister of France was in his seventh year, his father's head fell under the guillotine. Suspected of resist-verted, found himself thrown upon his own ance to the will of the terrible triumvirate, he was ruthlessly torn from his wife and two children, the eldest of whom, Francis Pierre Guillaume, is the subject of this notice. Thus, in his earliest years, M. Guizot was surrounded by misfortunes, produced by those two extremes of Government, against which he has signalized himself in later life by his struggles. The absolute regime before the revolution stripped him of his rights as a citizen, and the revolutionary regime which followed it, deprived him of his natural protector, and flung him an orphan on the world.

After the loss of her husband, Madame Guizot quitted the city, which was associated with such agonizing recollections, and retired to Geneva, where she enjoyed the consolations of her family, and obtained the means and opportunity of securing a sound education for her children. The eldest, placed at the Institution in that city, called the Gymnase, soon manifested those intellectual endowments, the subsequent development of which elevated him to the highest post in his country. Before he attained his twelfth year, he was able to read in their proper language, the works of Thucydides and Demosthenes, Tacitus and Cicero, Dante and Alfieri, Schiller and Goethe, Gibbon and Shakspeare. The last two years of his course in college were devoted to historical and philosophical studies, which, it soon appeared, possessed for him the highest attractions. The character of his mind was admirably suited to the spirit of the manners and institutions in the midst of which he was placed. His severe logic and pure morals were in harmony with the habits of the Genevese republic, and the rigid discipline of Calvin, the traces of which had never been obliterated there.

In 1805, M. Guizot having completed his academical studies, and been loaded with scholastic honors, came to Paris, to commence his professional studies for the bar. At that period, the school of law in Paris had fallen in the revolutionary changes, and the knowledge obtained by students was chiefly derived from private establishments, and in a very imperfect manner.

In the succeeding year, he was received as private tutor in the family of M. Stapfer, formerly minister for Switzerland in Paris, in whose house he was so fortunate as to meet not only a paternal reception, but the means of extending his information by social intercourse with those who were best able to direct his studies. Here he also became acquainted with M. Suard, in whose salons he met those most distinguished for their intellectual endowments and accomplishments. It was here he first saw her who was destined to exercise over his life and happiness so noble an influence.

Born of a distinguished family, which was ruined by the Revolution, Mademoiselle Pauline de Meulan had, like many others who had lost their properties in that catastrophe, resorted to these attainments which had been acquired with a view to adorn rather than support life, and this lady, to sustain her destitute family, adopted the profession of journalism. She was the editor of a paper of that day, called the Publiciste. It happened that this lady was attacked by a malady rendered more severe by the imperious necessity of continuing those labors, which were so necessary to the well-being of those to whom she was tenderly attached, when she received. one day an anonymous letter, accompanied by the manuscript of a leading article for her journal. On examination, the article proved to be of the highest literary merit, and was of course immediately accepted. The following day brought a like contribution from the same unknown hand, together with an intimation, that these literary supplies would be continued until such time as

the restoration of her health might enable his lectures conferred on that chair. her, without inconvenience, to resume her customary occupation.

It

was at this time that commenced with Royer Collard, who held the professorship of the history of philosophy, a friendship, which was continued till the death of the latter.

Deeply touched by the delicacy of this secret aid, proceeding obviously from some male friend, who with a refinement well calculated to command the admiration, and At the epoch of the political events of excite the gratitude of a mind like that of 1814, M. Guizot was at his native city of Mademoiselle de Meulan, shrank from a Nismes, whither he went to visit his mother, disclosure which might create a sense of after a long absence. On his return, he personal obligation, the lady recounted the was destined to make his debut in political circumstances again and again with the life. His friend, Royer Collard, induced liveliest emotion, in the salons of M. Suard, the Abbé Montesquion, then minister of exhausting her imagination, and taxing the the Interior, to appoint him to the office of ingenuity of her friends to discover her chief secretary of that department. In this unknown benefactor, little thinking at the position, his moderate monarchical politics, moment, that among those to whom she placed between the extremes of the ultra addressed her conjectures and her guesses, Royalist party and the Republicans, renwas her literary friend himself in the per- dered it impossible for him to secure for son of a pale, serious, and severe-looking his official conduct, the approbation of young man, with whom she was scarcely yet either. In the opinion of one party he went acquainted, and whose retiring habits, too far; in the opinion of the other, not united with his natural delicacy, rendered far enough. The law against the press, him the more unobtrusive on the attention presented to the Chamber of 1814, by the of her who so anxiously inquired after him. Abbé Montesquion, rendered both him and At length, after many unfortunate entreaties his friend, Royer Collard, unpopular with addressed in the Publiciste to the unknown the liberal party, and still more the circontributor, to disclose himself, M. Guizot cumstance of his having afterwards conpresented himself in person at the Bureau sented to accept a place in the committee of the fair editor, and accepted the so of the censorship, beside M. de Freyssiwarmly expressed thanks of her who a few nous. The Royalist party, on the other years later became Madame Guizot.

hand, were indignant at beholding one In the five years after his arrival in Paris, whom they regarded as belonging to the M. Guizot devoted himself to the composi- Bourgeoisie, a professor, and above all, a tion of several literary works, which at Protestant, yoked as a colleague, or at once laid the foundation of his reputation, least, a confidential subordinate of a court and gave him a moderate independence. abbé; talking of the equilibrium of the The first of these, which was not published constitution, the preponderance of governtill 1809, was his " Dictionary of Sy-ment, and attempting to reconcile monarnonyms;" this was followed by his "Lives chical notions with the new interests which of the French Poets," his translation of the Revolution had created. In the opinion Gibbon with historical notes, and a trans- of some he did too little-of others, too lation of a work of Refhus, entitled Spain much. He was, however, suddenly and in 1808. These several works, the merits unexpectedly drawn from this collision of of which, whatever they may have been, parties by the return of Napoleon from were eclipsed by the more important ones that followed them, were written before their author had completed his twenty-fourth year. In 1812, his talents became generally known and appreciated, and he was appointed by M. de Fontane as assistant professor of history, in the university. Soon afterwards, he was advanced to the full functions of the professorship of Modern History, and it is well known what lustre

Elba.

After the flight of Louis XVIII. and his family, M. Guizot returned to the duties of his professorship, and after the expiration of the hundred days, and the catastrophe of Waterloo, he was selected by the constitutional Royalists to go to Ghent, to urge upon Louis XVIII. the adoption of the charter, and to insist upon the necessity of removing from power M. De Blacas, who at that time was regarded as the type and It is generally understood that the mere translations were not the work of M. Guizot. They were representative of the old monarchical redone under his superintendence. The notes, how-gime. The result of his negotiations be

ever, were his own.

VOL. XI. No. I.

2

came apparent soon afterwards, for M. De

Blacas retired, and the king acknowledged his attacks in his pamphlets, by interdictthe errors of his government, in the procla- ing his course in 1825. mation of Cambrai, and added new guarantees to the charter.

In his professional chair of Modern History, in the midst of the enthusiastic plauses of those youths, many of whom were destined at a later period to aid in overthrowing the house of the elder Bourbons, M. Guizot developed the various phases of representative government in Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire. The ministry took its vengeance for

lowing day he wrote the celebrated protest of Perier. The Chamber now began to settle the deputies against the ordonnance which down into recognised sections and parties, produced the revolution; a document which under acknowledged leaders, and symboindicates a Conservative spirit, which feared, lized by known systems of policy. For the rather than desired, a revolution. Its first time since the revolution of July, a moderation found favor with few. The compact, resolute, and permanent majority government deemed it seditious,-the peo- was created. This parliamentary force, ple thought it tame. which had hitherto been confused and un

On the 29th July, the Deputies met at disciplined, consisted of three chief divithe house of M. Lafitte, where a lively sions, whose movements were directed by sense of triumph was expressed, at the the spirited president of the Council. The result of the struggle, but where, at the left wing, composed chiefly of that party, same time, the paramount necessity of regu- which formed the liberal opposition during larizing the revolution was acknowledged. the Restoration, and which now rallied M. Guizot was the first to rise and impress round the Constitutional Throne of the on his colleagues the urgency of the ap- Barricades, was led by M. Thiers. The pointment of a municipal commission, to right wing, composed of the party which, be specially devoted to the re-establishment under the Restoration, were known as the and maintenance of order. The next day Constitutional Monarchists, were headed this committee appointed him provisional by M. Guizot. The centre body, comminister of Public Instruction. On the posed of those whose opinions wavered, 31st he read to the chambers the draft of a and whose conduct had been undecided, proclamation nominating the Duke of Or- were under the leadership of M. Dupin the leans Lieutenant-General of the kingdom. elder. In the interval between this and the 9th Supported by this triple phalanx, the August, the day on which Louis Philippe ministry of Casimir Perier prevailed equally accepted the crown tendered to him by the against the opposition in the chamber, and chambers, M. Guizot filled temporarily the the emeutes in the streets. It effected the office of Minister of the Interior, and dis-occupation of Ancona, and consolidated played extraordinary administrative powers the system which sprang out of the three on that difficult emergency. A complete days of July. After the death of Casimir recomposition of the internal administra- Perier, which took place during the prevation of the country was effected, and the lence of the cholera in 1832, these elements charter was revived and amended. Seventy-of parliamentary and governmental power six prefects, one hundred and seventy-six were dissolved, and the several leaders, sub-prefects, and thirty-eight chief secre- with pretensions nearly equal, disputed the taries were appointed. In the revision of command. The usual consequences of even the chamber he endeavored to fix the age of qualification for a deputy at twenty-five. In this, however, he was outvoted.

competition, combined with little difference of political principle, ensued. A coalition was effected. The centre left combined with the centre right. M. Guizot extended the hand of fellowship to M. Thiers, and the ministry known as the Cabinet of the 11th October, 1832, was formed.

The cabinet which was formed out of the fermenting elements of the revolution, was, as might be expected, ephemeral. The personal differences which had been lost in the magnitude and importance of the pub- M. Guizot now filled the office of Minislic interests staked in the measures which ter of Public Instruction, for the duties of accompanied the revolution, reappeared as which his peculiar talents and attainments soon as tranquillity was restored. The spirit so eminently fitted him. In recurring to of the epoch, and the state of exaltation of the records of this period, and reviewing all minds, demanded more of vigor in the sentiments of parties, it is gratifying to political action, and required less of the observe, that among the numerous meaphilosophical spirit of organization than sures adopted during his ministry, there is was consistent with the public character of one, respecting which among men of every M. Guizot, and he retired. The cabinet party, even those most opposed to M. of M. Lafitte succeeded, and when the pub- Guizot, as a statesman, there is but one lic became more tranquillized, and desired unanimous feeling of approbation. The to see the Institutions consolidated, it gave law of the 28th June, 1833, upon Primary place again to a more conservative adminis- Instruction, is a monument to the genius tration, under the presidency of Casimir and benevolence of M. Guizot, which will

The public

surround his memory with honor and gra- precincts of your school! titude in all succeeding ages. This mea- teacher, must rise above the transitory sure, in all its completeness, was conceived, quarrels which agitate society. The senperfected, promoted, and carried into prac- timents he must inculcate are, trust in Protical operation by M. Guizot alone. Un-vidence, the holiness of duty, submission to der him, and at his hands, the principle of parental authority, respect for the laws, for popular education, adopted and proclaimed the sovereign, and for the rights of all." If by the great revolution of 1789, but sus- religious principles and duties are not enpended in its progress by the social convul- forced, it is not because M. Guizot is not sions of the last half century, has been sincerely impressed with their high importrealized. Eleven thousand communes, con- ance, but because the inculcation of these stituting about half the territory of France, falls within another department of the hitherto deprived of the benefit of that edu- state. It must be remembered that there cation which produces the honest man and is in France a ministry of Public Worship, the good citizen, have seen the school- distinct from the ministry of Public Inhouse raised beside the village church, struction, and that as all forms of Chriswhere the children of the poor can obtain tian faith are equal in the eye of the state, that enlightenment which, combined with pastors of each persuasion are properly paid the consolations of religion, will enable them and supported by the state, according to to struggle with the rude trials of this life, the clerical duties they have to discharge. and prepare for the rewards of that which is to follow.

The following picture of the painful duties of the schoolmaster, and the sources to which he is sent for consolation, will be read with lively interest:

"There is neither fortune nor fame to be ac

learn to regard the austere pleasure of having served mankind, and secretly contributed to the public weal, as a price worthy of his exertions, which his conscience pays him. It is his glory to aspire to nothing above his obscure and laborious condition, to make unnumbered sacrifices for those who profit by him, to labor, in a word, for man, and wait for his reward from God."

On the occasion of the promulgation and the execution of this law, the zeal and activity of M. Guizot were incessant. It was a labor of love. Numberless were the quired in fulfilling the laborious task of the village addresses and instructions sent by him to schoolmaster. Doomed to a life of monotonous the prefects and subprefects of depart- labor, sometimes requited with ingratitude and ments, to the mayors and other municipal injustice, by ignorance, he will often be oppressed authorities in the provinces, and to the with melancholy, and perhaps sink under the committees of inquiry. All these docu-weight of his thankless toil, if he does not seek ments are models of clearness and preci- of immediate and personal interest. He must be strength and courage elsewhere, than in the views sion; but one among them-his circular to sustained and animated by a profound sense of the parish schoolmasters-is pre-eminently the moral importance of his labors. He must conspicuous, and is probably the finest specimen of this kind of composition extant. No work of these times is marked by more genuine eloquence, or more true poetry of style and of sentiment. How noble is the spectacle of the minister of State of a great country, assuming the tone, and expressing the feeling of fellowship, with the humble village teacher; lifting him as it The cabinet of the 11th October, in were to his own level, teaching him the which M. Guizot held the ministry of Pubtrue loftiness of his functions, raising him lie Instruction, continued to administer the in his own eyes, and those of his fellow- affairs of the country for four years. M. citizens; discoursing to him as a friend, a Guizot is essentially a Conservative in policolleague, and an equal; making him feel tics. He is a constitutional monarchist. that he, too, in his sphere, is a minister of If power tends towards absolutism, he will public instruction, as necessary to the at- oppose power; but if, in opposing it, he tainment of the beneficent purposes of the hazards revolution, popular emeutes, or a legislature, as he who addresses him! And relaxation of order, he will, perhaps, of the with what lively solicitude does not the two evils prefer the chances of absolutism minister anticipate the difficulties, and ex- to the horrors of anarchy. This spirit has hort to the zealous discharge of the duties always given a repressive character to his which must arise in the relations between policy. When the administration of which the practical teacher and the children, the he formed a part came into office, public parents, the mayor, and the curate. "Let order was menaced, and therefore a Conno spirit of sect or party enter the sacred servative and reactionary policy command