Here ends the Chamber of Deputies.
A large number of the members withdrew with the President, but the opposition remained, and with them the people and the National Guards.
After the noise incident to this departure had subsided, the venerable M. Dupont de l'Eure, a gray-headed old man of eighty, was, by unanimous acclamation, placed in the President's chair. Lamartine still remained in the tribune, and repeatedly strove to make his voice heard, but in vain.
"In the name of the people, silence, and let Lamartine speak!" at length was heard in the thunder tones of Ledru Rollin, rising above all other sounds.
Silence for a moment being obtained, Lamartine exclaimed: "Citizens!--a provisional government is declared! The names of the members will now be announced by the President!"
Lamartine then descended from the tribune; applause and uproar succeeded.
"The names of the members nominated for a provisional government I will now read to you," said the aged President, rising and displaying a paper.
The following names were then read, and were repeated as they came one after the other from the speaker's mouth by the reporters in loud tones: Lamartine, Ledru Rollin, Arago, Dupont de l'Eure, Marie, Georges Lafayette; all were received with general approbation.
"The members of the Provisional Government must be conducted by the people to the Hôtel de Ville and installed!" cried a voice from the crowd.
"Let us adjourn to the Hôtel de Ville, Lamartine at the head!" said M. Bocage.
Immediately Lamartine, accompanied by a large number of citizens, withdrew. But a great multitude still remained upon the benches and in the semi-circle of the Chamber.
"Citizens!" cried Ledru Rollin, "in nominating a provisional government you perform a solemn act--an act which cannot be performed in a furious manner. Let me once more repeat to you the names you have chosen, and as they are repeated, you will say 'yes' or 'no,' precisely as they please you; I call on the reporters of the public press to note the names and the manner in which they are now received, that France may know what is here done."
The names of Dupont de l'Eure, Arago, Lamartine, Ledru Rollin, Crémieux, Garnier Pages and Marie were then read out, and all, except the last two--which were received with a few negatives--were confirmed by unanimous acclamation. The names were then engrossed in capitals on a sheet of paper and borne around the Chamber on the bayonet of a National Guard that all might read for themselves.
"I have one more word to say," cried Ledru Rollin. "The Provisional Government has immense duties to perform. We must now close this meeting, that the Government may be able to restore order--stanch the flow of blood, and secure to the people their rights."