In vain he was advised to wait, to let Louis Philippe’s Government fall to the ground for want of a foundation.  He had made his decision, and was resolved to adhere to it, not fearing to make that step which lies between the sublime and the ridiculous.

The attempt had been in preparation ever since Louis Napoleon had arrived in England.  There were about forty of his adherents living in London at his expense, awaiting the moment for action.  What form that action was to take, none of them knew.[1] It was resolved to make the movement in the month of August, 1840.  The prince calculated that the remains of his great uncle, restored by England to France, being by that time probably on their way from St. Helena, public enthusiasm for the great emperor would be at its height, and that he would have the honor of receiving those revered remains when they had been brought back from exile by Louis Philippe’s son.  Besides this, the garrisons of northern France happened at that moment to contain the two regiments whose fidelity he had tampered with at Strasburg four years before.

[Footnote 1:  In this account I am largely indebted to the interesting narrative of Count Joseph Orsi, an Italian banker, Prince Louis Napoleon’s stanch personal friend.]

Of course there were French agents of police (detectives, as we call them) watching the prince in London; and this made it necessary that he should be very circumspect in making his preparations.  A steamer, the “Edinburgh Castle,” was secretly engaged.  The owners and the captain were informed that she was chartered by some young men for a pleasure-trip to Hamburg.

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1840, the “Edinburgh Castle” came up the Thames, and was moored alongside a wharf facing the custom-house.  As soon as she was at the wharf, Count Orsi, who seems to have been the most business-like man of the party, shipped nine horses, a travelling carriage, and a large van containing seventy rifles and as many uniforms.  Proclamations had been printed in advance; they were placed in a large box, together with a little store of gold, which formed the prince’s treasure.

At dawn all this was done, and the “Edinburgh Castle” started down the river.  At London Bridge she took in thirteen men, and at Greenwich three more.  At Blackwall some of the most important conspirators came on board.  The boat reached Gravesend about two o’clock, where twelve more men joined them.  Only three or four of those on board knew where they were going, or what was expected of them.  They were simply obeying orders.

At Gravesend the prince was to have joined his followers, and the “Edinburgh Castle” was at once to have put to sea, touching, however, at Ramsgate before crossing the Channel.  Those on board waited and waited, but no prince came.  Only five persons in the vessel (one of whom was Charles Thelin, the prince’s valet) knew what they were there for.