His early work, _The History of the French Revolution_, had endeared him to the survivors of the old Jacobin and Girondin parties, and his eager hostility to England during his term of office flattered the Chauvinist feelings that steadily grew in volume during the otherwise dull reign of Louis Philippe.

In the main, Thiers was an upholder of the Orleans dynasty, yet his devotion to constitutional principles, the ardour of his Southern temperament,--he was a Marseillais by birth,--and the vivacious egotism that never brooked contradiction, often caused sharp friction with the King and the King's friends.

He seemed born for opposition and criticism.

Thereafter, his conduct of affairs helped to undermine the fabric of the Second Republic (1848-51).

Flung into prison by the minions of Louis Napoleon at the time of the _coup d'etat_, he emerged buoyant as ever, and took up again the role that he loved so well.
Nevertheless, amidst all the seeming vagaries of Thiers' conduct there emerge two governing principles--a passionate love of France, and a sincere attachment to reasoned liberty.