Our readers will have observed that through an un- fortunate
mistake in printing the extract from the Life of Mr. Grote which we gave in our last number, the evidence as to the early date of M. Thiers' conviction that a republic had become the only possible form of government for France was not given. The extract in question was cut too short. It should have con- cluded thus :—
" They plunged at once into the 'situation actuelle,' of course. You know,' said M. Thiers 'as well as every one olso, that / never was a Republican : my whole life has been passed in antagonism with Re- publican doctrines.'—' Certainly,' rejoined M. de Belveze, we know it enough.'—' Well,' replied M. Thiess, • for all that, I will frankly own to you that I have of late come to think differently. In plain terms. I am now profoundly persuaded qu'il n'y a rien de possible que la Republique.' —` Now, what say you to this confession de foi ?' said M. de Bolveze, smiling. We all held our peace. The communication seemed to take all three of us by surprise. When we were again alone, George declared himself much impressed by the fact of so acute an interpreter of the auguries as M. Thiess adopting the Republic as the safest course to follow."
This conversation occurred in September, 1869.]
Previous page
