Winter Quarters: November, 1829 February, 1830

Abstract

The winter of 1829–1830 was one of the worst in the history of western Europe. Some wealthy Parisians learned the novelty of ice-skating on the Seine, but for the poor of Paris, this cruelty of nature meant a challenge to their miserable quest for survival. Private philanthropists responded with a record number of soup kitchens and the press asked for charitable contributions. For literary citizens and playgoers, the cold season was warmed by a great clash of “classics” and “romantics” — its centerpiece a play called Hernani, written by the rising dramatist, Victor Hugo. For the opposition journalists, infused with a new and aggressive spirit, winter was a time for mounting forces and digging editorial trenches. And, at the Tuileries during these months, an Ultra, but divided, Ministry found an opportunity to consolidate and plan its offensive against the Left.