powerful army in the suburbs of Paris, and they refused to make any terms
with the most moderate and honorable advocates of popular rights. Though
one tyrant was overthrown; another was to be _forced_ upon them: not
precisely an usurper indeed; but who, without a constitution for his guide,
and surrounded by men of arbitrary principles might be instrumental in
their oppression and degradation. When he returned to Paris, he found the
invading armies in possession of the city. Napoleon escaped, and _nominal_
tranquility was restored to the capital of France. But it was a tranquility
produced by a military force; and not that which is the effect of a wise
and energetic government founded in the will of the people. The doors of
the assembly were closed against the representatives of the people, by the
_gens d'armes_, the agents who restored the Bourbon dynasty. Many of the
deputies then assembled at the house of Lafayette; at whose instance they
repaired to the President's to record their testimony to this forced and
unjust exclusion, and to sign the _proces verbal_.

As he alike disapproved of Louis or Napoleon assuming the power of King or
Emperor, without a bill of rights securing the privileges of the people,
and a constitution as the rule and measure of executive acts, it was no
longer in his power to render service to his country is a public station:
nor did the favorites of Louis XVIII. invite him to take part in the
administration of government, which they proposed to establish. It may
appear surprising, on the first view of the subject, that the friends of a
monarch of the reputed mild character of Louis, who must wish the greatest
happiness of his subjects, should refuse to such men as Lafayette, all
share in the government; and at the same time, take into their employment
and confidence, many of the creatures of Bonaparte, who were destitute
alike of principle and patriotism. But it is often found to be the fact,
that the sincere and honest, who will not flatter, and do not approve all
the projects of an ambitious aspirant, or an arbitrary Prince, are less