GUIZOT, THE HISTORIAN AND STATESMAN.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 3616, 24 September 1874, Page 3

GUIZOT, THE HISTORIAN AND STATESMAN.

The European telegrams to day announce the death of one of the most remarkable Frenchmen of this century. Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot has passed away at the ripe age of eighty-seven yeais. From ,Mep_of the Time’ we learn that Gui?ot was educated at Geneva in 1805, and at the age of twelve made himself master of the learned languages, German having become to torn a second mother tongue, and English and Italian completely familiar. In 1805 he proceeded to Paris with the view of being called to the bar—an intention which he never earnestly prosecuted. About this time he met, in literary society, Mdlle. de Meulan, who was editing a magazine which enjoyed aconsiderable|repatation, and who, through gratitude for the discreet assistance she had received during a long ill. peas frem an unknown contributor—no other than Guizot—consented in 1812, in spite of the difference in their ages, to become hia wife. She was J4 years his senior, and her relations with the chiefs of the royalist party bere soon destined to open a political Career for her husband. In 1812 he obtained the class of modern history in the Sorbonne. After the fall of Rapoleon, the exalted idea pf the talents of Gyigqt which prevailed the old aristocracy of France made it rosy to obtain important posts under the twp r fold restoration of the Bourbons. He Was successively becretary-General of the Ministry of the Interior, and of that of Juatice. Ho belpngedto the Liberal sehool under the Restoration, and Iqstpower with his colIpftgnes, M-M. Dpcazes, Royer Oollard, and t]i6 assassination of tho Due de Berri in 1819 tarred the scale in favor of the counter-revolutionary party. The severe VilietiS’a. administration paM fwth tfgteots proMi in fho ol

political pamphlets from Guizot, which created a great sensation at the time, and their author was suspended in 1825 from his lectureship. In 1828 the interdict on hia lectures was removed by the Martignac Ministry, and he then delivered the series since published as a “ Coarse of Modern History,” and “ The History of Civilisation in Europe.” At the age of forty two he was elected a member of the Chamber of Deputies, and took his seat in the eventful session of 1830, on which occasion he joined in the celebrated address that provoked Charles X. to issue the famous ordonnances of July 25. Upon the accession of Louis Philippe, Guizot was named Minister of the Interior, then the most important post in the Government. The first Ministry formed by Louis Philippe lasted only three months. In the Cabinet of 1832, presided over by Marshal Soult, he was Minister of Public Instruction, and from that period, excepting when filling the London Embassy, he was a leading member' of every administration to the end of Louis Philippe’s reign. It was, however, as a member of the Ministry of October 29, 1840, that'he became best known to Englishmen. On obtaining power in 1840 his task was exceedingly difficult, England and Prance Were startled by the projects and ambitions of M. Thiers, and it was bo easy matter to calm the excited feelings of the French, and to dissipate the suspicions of the tnglish. But the device of “peace at any price” in a great degree succeeded, till the affairs of Tahiti interrupted the friendly relations of the two countries, and the vexed question of the Spanish marriages again excited considerable alarm and distrust. Guizot’s conduct in the last matter was thought by many to be discreditable to hia diplomacy. His rule came to an inglorious end in the revolution of February, 1848, after he had held the portfolio of Foreign Affairs for more than six years,.and he withdrew from political life, Whatever may be thought of Guizjot as a politician, he has earned a distinction as an author which must long secure eminence to bis name. _ Nor is he less entitled t j praise as the originator of an extensive imptovement in the literature of his country.