The French Revolution of 1848 - 1848 Author:George G. Foster Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: r; i AMELIA, EX-QUEEN OK THE FRENCH. Poleon, in 1814", when he proceeded to Paris. On the return of the emperor, he assumed the command of the army of t... more »he North, until March, 1815, when he resigned his command into the hands of the Duke of Treviso, and went to England. On the return of Louis, the eighteenth, the Duke returned to Paris, where he took his seat in the Chamber of Peers. His intrigues here attracted the anger of the king, who expressed it so strongly, that the intriguer concluded it best to leave the kingdom. In 1817, he returned to France; but contented himself with remaining in his palace, strengthening his connexions; courting the favor of the bourgeoisie ; quietly adding to his fortune, already immense ; and waiting for a turn of events favorable to his avarice of gold and power. Down to the year 1830, his name was little mentioned ; but at that time a cunningly devised riot at his palace, made him the theme of constant conversation. At the fete given by the Duke, to which the king and royal family were invited, and whereat over three thousand persons were assembled, a scene of terror and confusion suddenly occurred. No one knew how it had arisen; and .order was speedily restored by the presence of troops who were in the neighborhood. But amid the tumult the royal star of Louis Philippe arose. When the Bourbons fell, the Duke of Orleans, was at Neuilly, waitingthe stroke of the bourgeoisie. Lafitte, his fast friend, sent to offer him the crown. But the Duke knew the effect of seeming coyness, and declined. The bourgeoisie seeing in him, as they deemed, their fit instrument, and not knowing whether his indisposition was assumed or real, reiterated their offer. Said Lafitte to Oudart—" Yesterday, the Duke answered my notification by a simple ' Merci.' Ret...« less