AN ELECTION SESSION.
Reading edition
February 11, 1847.
Thirty-one Academicians present. Sixteen votes are necessary.
First ballot. Emile Deschamps 2 votes. Victor Leclerc 14 ” Empis 15 ”
Lamartine and M. Ballanche arrive at the end of the first ballot. M. Thiers arrives at the commencement of the second; which makes 34.
The director asks M. Thiers whether he has promised his vote. He laughingly replies: “No,” and adds: “I have offered it.” (Laughter.)
M. Cousin, to M. Lebrun, director: “You did not employ the sacramental expression. One does not ask an Academician whether he has *promised* his vote, but whether he has *pledged* it.”
Second ballot. Emile Deschamps 2 votes. Empis 18 ” Victor Leclerc 14 ”
M. Empis is elected. The election was decided by Lamartine and M. Ballanche.
On my way out I meet Leon Gozlan, who says to me: “Well?”
I reply: “There has been an election. It is Empis.”
“How do you look at it?” he asks.
“In both ways.”
“Empis?—-”
“And tant pis!”