An Election Session
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!”