A theory has been started to account for the obstinacy
of M. (le Chambord,—that he dislikes the idea of reigning ; but it can hardly be correct, as in that case he has nothing to do but yield, Accept his summons, and abdicate in favour of his heir. We believe, on the contrary, that Europe sees for the first time a man who rejects a throne solely because he will not surrender even the symbol of his principles. Those principles are in our sight inconsistent with modern government, and are held with an obstinacy inconsistent with much intellectual force, but still the whole affair shows that the Legitimists had a more respectable object of worship than men thought. An Eldon, who maintains his views to his own hurt, and cannot be per- suaded to lie by any bribe, is, among those born in the purple, a figure entitled to some respect. M. de Chambord, as we read the situation, will not rule France, but neither will he let his life be made one of the many comedies played for thrones. Louis XVIII. would have asked some clever writer to invent epigrams for him to utter, and made his Civil List the first of his conditions.
