how much good order, long tranquillity, ‘_beata pleno copia cornu_’ and other many ‘little comforts’ to the civilised world that very ‘strong’ proceeding, whether in ethics justifiable or not, certainly was in fact the beginning and foundation. The fate of the African generals is much to be regretted, and the Government will incur much odium if the exile of General Changarnier is prolonged any length of time. He is doubtless ‘dangerous’ for the moment, for his popularity with the army is considerable, and he divides the party of order; he is also a practical man and an unpleasant enemy, but he is much respected and little likely (I fancy) to attempt anything against any settled Government. As for M. Thiers and M. Emile de Girardin—the ablest of the exiles—I have heard no one pity them; they have played a selfish game—they have encountered a better player—they have been beaten—and this is the whole matter. You will remember that it was the adhesion of these two men that procured for M. Bonaparte a large part of his _first_ six millions. M. de Girardin, whom General Cavaignac had discreetly imprisoned and indiscreetly set free, wrote up the ‘opposition candidate’ daily, in the _Presse_ (he has since often and often tried to write him down,) and M. Thiers was his Privy Councillor. ‘_Mon cher Prince_,’ they say, said the latter, ‘your address to the people won’t do at all. I’ll get one of the _rédacteurs of the Constitutionnel_ to draw you up something tolerable.’ You remember the easy patronage with which Cicero speaks in his letter of the ‘boy’ that was outwitting him all the while. But, however, observe I do not at all, notwithstanding my Latin, insinuate or assert that Louis Napoleon, though a considerable man, is exactly equal to keep the footsteps of Augustus. A feeble parody may suffice for an inferior stage and not too gigantic generation. Now I really _have_ done. LETTER III. _ON THE NEW CONSTITUTION OF FRANCE, AND THE APTITUDE OF THE FRENCH CHARACTER FOR NATIONAL FREEDOM._ Paris: January 20, 1852. SIR,—We have now got our Constitution. The Napoleonic era has commenced; the term of the dictatorship is fixed and the consolidation of France is begun. You will perhaps anticipate from the conclusion of the last letter, that _à propos_ of this great event, I should gratify you with bright anticipations of an Augustan age, and a quick revival of Catonic virtue, with an assurance that the night is surely passed and the day altogether come, with a solemn invocation to the rising luminary, and an original panegyric on the ‘golden throned morning.’ I must always regret to disappoint any one; but I feel obliged to entertain you instead with torpid philosophy, constitutional details, and a dull disquisition on national character.