Chapter 3

THE RESTORATION.

1814-1815.

Sentiments with which I commenced Public Life.--True Cause and Character of the Restoration.--Capital Error of the Imperial Senate.--The Charter suffers from it.--Various Objections to the the Charter.--Why they were Futile.--Cabinet of King Louis XVIII.--Unfitness of the Principal Ministers for Constitutional Government.--M. de Talleyrand.--The Abbe de Montesquieu.--M. de Blacas.--Louis XVIII.--Principal Affairs in which I was concerned at that Epoch.--Account of the State of the Kingdom laid before the Chambers.--Bill respecting the Press.--Decree for the Reform of Public Instruction.--State of the Government and the Country.--Their Common Inexperience.--Effects of the Liberal System.--Estimate of Public Discontent and Conspiracies.--Saying of Napoleon on the Facility of his Return. 27