— — -- The danger of a proscription so unjust
an this was well illus- trated by the next incident in the sitting. Six Extremists, headed by M. Basly, the Socialist, while repudiating expulsion as undignified, brought in the following Bill :—" Clause 1. The estate, personal and real, of the families formerly Royal and Imperial, the Bourbons and the Bonapartes, of every branch, is placed at the disposal of the nation. Clause 2. This estate, personal and real, will form a first endowment of the national fund for the support of the aged." This Bill, will& affronts the French sentiment of property, will, of course, not pass, though it is not much more unjust than the Bill for expulsion; but it was referred to the same Committee as the other Bill. The Princes hold their French property, it should be remembered, by special title, the Assembly having voted it back to them after it bad been confiscated by Napoleon III. This restitution is now quoted against the family as a special offence, showing, say the Extremists, the willingness of Princes to plunder the nation. It is, in fact, mean, if your watch is- stolen and the police recover it, ever to wear it again. It should be given to the poor.
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