This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. ...of the preparatory meeting, as it is called, where preliminary votes are given, where the candidates can judge of their chances, and wise heads foresee either failure or success. It is a scene like the English " hustings," and, except that it is decent and without the mob, as terrible. The emotions felt have no physical expression, as in England, but they are none the less intense. The English manage the matter with fists, the French with phrases. Our neighbors fight a battle; we play our game with cool manoeuvres calmly elaborated. This political act is performed by each of the two nations in a manner the exact reverse of their two natures. The radical candidate appeared; Monsieur de Chavoncourt presented himself; then Albert, who was at once accused by the radicals and the Chavoncourt committee of being a legitimist unreconciled,—another Berryer. The administration also had its candidate. Thus divided, the votes of course gave no result. The republican candidate had twenty, the ministry fifty, Albert seventy, and Monsieur de Chavoncourt sixtyeight. But for this preliminary count the treacherous Prefecture had thrown some thirty of its votes for Albert for the purpose of misleading its adversaries; its real force was over eighty votes, and if those cast for Monsieur de Chavoncourt, together with those of a few radicals, could be diverted it was master of the situation. One hundred and forty votes were still to be heard from,—those of Monsieur de Grancey and the legitimists. A preparatory meeting is to the real election what a rehearsal is to a play,—the most misleading thing in the world. Albert Savarus returned home, holding his head high, but dying at heart. Two men who were devoted to him but who were voting in the...
