New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-22
NEW BOOKS At PARIS.


PARIS, July 6, 1857.
IT. as has been maintained, history is teacher Of
practical politics, and the study of it be tho way to
learn the Lesson, the French ought soon to be the
best governed people in the world The writing
and reading in that department takes no end. The
last few weeks, though not belonging to the active
publishing season. have given US two new works in
this kind: one History of the Reign of Louis
Philippe which pass for the present and the other
History of the Fauef Louis Philippe, cfthe Republic
of 1e4e, and Of the Reestatishment Of the Empire.
The two volumes that bear this long title from the
pen of Graner de Cassagnac, and have excited much
attention as well on account Of the author as of their
contents. Modesty on his part would have led him
to eptite the book A Plea in Glorifcation Of
Louis Napoleon rather than History, but mod
esty is not the specially of NJ. Granier He is
a newspaper writer. For the last eighteen years
he has been a somewhat noted journalist. He has
especially distinguished himself since 1850 in the
columns of the Constitutional as defender Of the
policy and personality Of Louis Napoleon, and conse-
quent enemy of the Republic and Parliamentariaus,
and of liberal ideas generally There have been ard
are fewer ADLER partisanS of the Prince and the En-
perer in the Partisan Press. lie is man OF courage,
ard certain sincerity of conviction; not coDsclen-
tious however nor courteous. His pen is his sword
when be writes he fights, boldly, vigorously, unscru-
pulously. Articles Of his that Government was glad
to have published Government found it well to dlsa-
VOW in the Msnteur, after they bad produced their
effect.
NJ. Granier's History is written as his newspaper
articles are written. 1t is political pamphlet.
As piece OF political pamPhleteering it has its mer-
its-amOng others, that OF presenting fne specl.
men, in itself historically valuable though in sense
different from what the author intended, Of one
phase of the spirit and prejudices Of contemporary
politics Some Of its statements OF facts also Can
be relied on. They such as the writer has no
motive to falsify; and some OF them are curious and
new For NJ. Granlcr, though he makes no boast
of it, has evidently had unusual opportunity OF
knowing the secret history Of the coup ttat:
Readers Of the French journals of the time will
perhaps It'll remember that he informed the pubic,
through the columns Of the Constitutional, about
the goth of November that the coup ddat WAS fully
prepared on the Eth of that month, on occasion OF
the famous proposition Of the question" which
came before the Assembly for final vote that day.
Had the vote gone against the Prince President, us
was expected, lie would have mounted his horse,
that stood ready saddled III the court Of the Esee,
and, seconded by Gen. Magnan, ST. Arnaud, De
Morny and Maupas, Who were ready to act on the
that, on declaration Of the vote being favorable was
deferred till the I'd December.
On the whole, the second of the two volumes is
we'll worth reading. The first, containing N.
GraDiers notions Of the Of the fall Of Louis
Philippe and of the philosophy of history aud of
sound principles of government, may be passed over
without grave loss.
H. Granier let's it appear, with little attempt at
disguise, that Louis Napoleon from the moment of
LII
Empire; but in this direction too, be says. were
turned the eyes Of oil France, minus few ambi
tious politicians and criminal socialists.
A few extracts from the book, necessarily very
brief nav be interesting. On the evening of the
day of Napoleon's Inauguration as President, some
of the ex members Of the Provisional Government
were speaking lightly OF the influence he could
exert ''Do not laugh, gentlemen" said Msrrsst,
have had an hours talk with him to-day. We
arc done for He knows all the power Of his
4" name. He knows wha, be can do; and all that
=. he can do, he will" General Changarnier, though
ostensiby his supporter in the month of May follow
ing. entertained quite dih0ept opinion. At that
time there was fear Of popular insurrection.
Cabinet council Wac held TO arrange plan Of des
fepse. at which the General, as commander Of the
forces Of Paris, Was present. A chartoi the city
was wanted BY which 10 study the plan. The Prince
stepped 10 another room to bring one; no sooner
had he closed the door than General Changariller
folding bis arms and lookpc al the members OF the
council, ssd: Now, then, if there is an insurrec-
ton trust We rhall not conlbat it in the interest
" Of that Thomas Diaiorus ~ And here, If 10 not
out Of place Ia bear in mind, what was well known
before this boob repeated the information that not
only Chapgarner but nearly all the leaders Of all
sections OF the old conservative parties in France
the majority Of the Legislative Assembly, and, 1t
must be admitted, many Of the Republicans, were,
long before December, 1851, willing and desroas
80 tie BoBspartists " violate the Constitution, and