One hundred years ago
The French Senate has not rejected the Proscription Bill, but has accepted a substitute making it a Bill for the regular trial of Pretenders. The Judges on Fri- day, week declared that there was no legal case against Prince Napoleon, and ordered his release; and on Saturday, therefore, N. Deves eagerly urged the Bill, on the ground that without it the Government was 'disarmed'. He was, however, willing to accept a scheme pro- posed by M. Barbey, under which the Government could expel any Prince who, as Pretender, performed any act hostile to the Republic. The Moderates, however, led by MM. Waddington and Leon Say, proposed that such a Pretender should be made liable to banishment, after a trial before the Senate or before a Court of Assize. This proposal, which, of course, is perfectly regular, and only makes the Princes liable to banishment for treason, was carried, by 172 votes to 89, and the Bill was sent back to the Chamber.
Spectator, 17 February 1883
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