Charles X. believed he had returned to the pleasant time of his popularity.  He wished to confirm it by withdrawing a law as to the press, proposed in the Chambers, and vviuch, though called by the ultras a “law of love and justice,” encountered bitter opposition even in the Chamber of Peers.  The law was withdrawn April 17, the very day that the Moniteur announced the promise given the day before for the review of the 29th.  On learning of the withdrawal of the unpopular law, the liberals uttered cries of joy and triumph.  Columns of working printers traversed the streets with cries of “Long live the King!  Long live the Chamber of Peers!  Long live the liberty of the press!” In the evening Paris was illuminated.  A victory over a foreign foe would not have been celebrated with greater transports of enthusiasm.  The ministry was disquieted by these wild manifestations of delight, which, in reality, were directed against it.  It tried in vain to induce the King to countermand the review of the 29th.  M. de Chateaubriand wrote to Charles X. a long letter to beg him to change his ministry.  It contained the following passage:—­

“Sire, it is false that there is, as is said, a republican faction at present, but it is true that there are partisans of an illegitimate monarchy; now these latter are too adroit not to profit by the occasion, and mingle their voices on the 29th with that of France, to impose on the nation.  What will the King do?  Will he surrender his ministers to the popular demand?  That would be to destroy the power of the State.  Will he keep his ministers?  They will cause all the unpopularity that pursues them to fall on the head of their august master.”  Chateaubriand closed as follows:—­

“Sire, to dare to write you this letter, I must be strongly persuaded of the necessity of reaching a decision.  An imperative duty must urge me.  The ministers are my enemies.  As a Christian I forgive them, as a man I can never pardon them.  In this position I should never have addressed the King, if the safety of the monarchy were not involved.”

All this urging was futile.  Charles X. did not change his ministry, and the review took place on the Champ-de-Mars on the day appointed.

It is Sunday, April 29th, 1827.  The weather is magnificent.  The springtime sun gives to the capital a festive air.  All the people are out.  The twelve legions and the mounted guards—­more than twenty thousand men—­are under arms awaiting the King on the Champ-de-Mars.  An enormous crowd occupies the slope.  At one o’clock precisely, Charles X., mounted on a beautiful horse, which he manages like a skilled horseman, leaves the Tuileries with a numerous escort, including the Dauphin, the Duke of Orleans, the young Duke of Chartres, and a number of generals.  The princesses follow in an open caleche.  Everything appears to be going perfectly.  The National Guards have pledged themselves to satisfy the King by their conduct.  A note has been read in the ranks in these words:  “Caution to the National Guards, to be circulated to the very last file.  The rumor is spread that the National Guards intend to cry ‘Down with the ministers!  Down with the Jesuits!’ Only mischief-makers can wish to see the National Guard abandon its noble character.”