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

##