February 16.--At the Assembly today the result of the Paris elections
was proclaimed. Louis Blanc was first with 216,000 votes; then came
myself with 214,000 votes, then Garibaldi with 200,000.
The ovation extended to me by the people yesterday is regarded by the
Majority as an insult to it. Hence a great display of troops on the
square outside (army, National Guard and cavalry). There was an incident
in this connection before my arrival. The men of the Right demanded that
the Assembly be protected. (Against whom? Against me?) The Left replied
with the shout of: “Long live the Republic!”
When I was leaving I was notified that the crowd was waiting for me in
the square. To escape the ovation I went out by a side door, but the
people caught sight of me, and I was immediately surrounded by an
immense crowd shouting: “Long live Victor Hugo!” I replied: “Long live
the Republic!” Everybody, including the National Guards and soldiers
of the line, took up the shout. I drove away in a carriage, which the
people followed.
The Assembly to-day elected its committees. Dufaure proposes Thiers as
chief of the executive power.
We dined at home for the first time. I had invited Louis Blanc,
Schoelcher, Rochefort and Lockroy. Rochefort was unable to come. After
dinner we went to Gent’s, Quay des Chartrons, to attend a meeting of the
Left. My sons accompanied me. The question of the chief executive was
discussed. I had the following added to the definition: appointed by the
Assembly and revokable by that body.
General Cremer came this morning to enlighten us concerning the
disposition of the army.
February 17.--At the Assembly Gambetta came up to me and said: “Master,
when can I see you? I have a good many things to explain to you.”
Thiers has been named chief of the executive power. He is to leave
to-night for Versailles, the headquarters of the Prussians.
February 18.--To-night there was a meeting of the Left, in the Rue
Lafaurie-Monbadon. The meeting chose me as president. The speakers were
Louis Blanc, Schoelcher, Colonel Langlois, Brisson, Lockroy, Millière,
Clémenceau, Martin Bernard, and Joigneaux. I spoke last and summed
up the debate. Weighty questions were brought up--the Bismarck-Thiers
treaty, peace, war, the intolerance of the Assembly, and the case in
which it would be advisable to resign in a body.
February 19.--The president of the National Club of Bordeaux came to
place his salons at my disposal.
My hostess, Mme. Porte, a very pretty woman, has sent me a bouquet.
Thiers has appointed his Ministers. He has assumed the equivocal
and suspicious title of “head president of the executive power.” The
Assembly is to adjourn. We are to be notified at our residences when it
is to be convened again.
February 20.--To-day the people again acclaimed me when I came out of
the Assembly. The crowd in an instant became enormous. I was compelled
to take refuge in the lodging of Martin Bernard, who lives in a street
adjacent to the Assembly.
I spoke in the Eleventh Committee. The question of the magistracy (which
has petitioned us not to act against it) came up unexpectedly. I spoke
well. I rather terrified the committee.
Little Jeanne is more than ever adorable. She does not want to leave me
at all now.
February 21.--Mme. Porte, my hostess of the Rue de la Course, sends me a
bouquet every morning by her little daughter.
I take little Georges and little Jeanne out whenever I have a minute to
spare. I might very well be dubbed: “Victor Hugo, Representative of the
People and dry nurse.”
To-night I presided at the meeting of the Radical Left.
February 25.--To-night there was a meeting of the two fractions of the
Left, the Radical Left and Political Left, in the hall of the Academy,
in the Rue Jacques Bell. The speakers were Louis Blanc, Emmanuel Arago,
Vacherot, Jean Brunet, Bethmont, Peyrat, Brisson, Gambetta, and myself.
I doubt whether my plan for fusion or even for an _entente cordiale_
will succeed. Schoelcher and Edmond Adam walked home with me.
February 26.--I am 69 years old to-day.