Not much in the north-east, where
there is little religion; and in the towns, where there is generally no
religion, their patronage of a candidate would ruin him. I believe that
nothing has so much contributed to Louis Napoleon's popularity with the
_ouvriers_ as his quarrel with the Pope. You may infer the feelings of
the lower classes in Paris from his cousin's conduct.'
'I study Prince Napoleon,' said Ampere, 'with interest, for I believe
that he will be the successor.'
'If Louis Napoleon,' I said, 'were to be shot tomorrow, would not the
little prince be proclaimed?'
'Probably,' said Ampere, 'but with Jerome for regent, and I doubt whether
the regency would end by the little Napoleon IV. assuming the sceptre.
'Louis Napoleon himself does not expect it. He often says that, in
France, it is more than two hundred years since a sovereign has been
succeeded by his son.
'On the whole,' continued Ampere, 'I had rather have Jerome than Louis
Napoleon. He has more talent and less prudence. He would bring on the
crisis sooner.
'On the 31st of October, 1849,' said Madame de Tocqueville, 'I was in
Louis Napoleon's company, and he mentioned some matter on which he wished
to know my husband's opinion.
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