We have said enough of M. Gambetta's character elsewhere, and
have here only to consider the effect of his disappearance. In France, this has not as yet been so great as was expected, though the Government has ordered a State funeral, and though addresses are pouring in from all the provinces ; but it will be considerable. M. Gambetta, as leader of the Opportunists, controlled 180 votes in the Chamber, and could, therefore, up- set any Government; while his vague but immense ascendancy with the peasantry made it difficult to carry out any policy to 'which he did not assent. His death, therefore, will tend to make the first substantial Ministry which obtains power more stable, and less disposed to avoid all serious measures, Moreover, M. Gambetta was the main resisting force against the "policy of the fireside," which M. Gravy and the peasantry approve, and which will, therefore, for a time be steadily carried out. The death, too, will increase the fears of the Moderates, as M. Gambetta was considered a bulwark against anarchists, and will induce them to adhere more closely to any Republican Government which maintains strict order. On the other hand, it will to some extent decrease Republican influence in the Army, and thus render a coup d'etat a shade, though, we believe, oury a shade, more probable.
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