• The Marshal's proclamation is a remarkable document, pene- trated
throughout with the Napoleonic twang. It is addressed to "Frenchmen," rind tells them that they are summoned, for the first time in five years, to take part in a general election. "To-day, you still want order and peace." It would be imprudent to revise our institutions, before they have been loyally worked, but to " work, them as the safety of France demands, the Con- servative and truly Liberal policy which I have constantly aimed at.making prevail is indispensable." "I appeal" to the men who place order above party. "I invite them all to rally round my Government." It is "necessary not only to disarm those who might disturb the security [of legitimate interests] in the present, but to discourage those who menace it in the future by anti-social doctrines and revolutionary programmes." France "knows that I neither sought nor desired the power with which I am invested, but she may rely on my exercising it without weakness ; and in order that I may fulfil to the 'end the mission which is confided to me." The Marshal concludes by "hoping that God will help him, and that the co-operation of the nation will not be lacking to him,"—but obviously, even if those aids are withdrawn, intends to go on. The clear meaning of the whole document is that if the electors will support him he will be content, and if not, he
cull resortto force, and this threat pleases M. Buffet. The Premier forgets, as Marshal MacMalton once said, that to play the role of a Bonaparte one should be a Napoleon.
