Making capital out of the difficulties of France, the financial scandals brought home to President Grevy, and his own popularity with the army, the General seemed to be preparing a _coup d'etat_.

The danger increased when the Ministry had to resign office (May 1887).

A "National party" was formed, consisting of monarchists, Bonapartists, clericals, and even some crotchety socialists--in fact, of all who hoped to make capital out of the fell of the Parliamentary regime.

The malcontents called for a plebiscite as to the form of government, hoping by these means to thrust in Boulanger as dictator to pave the way for the Comte de Paris up to the throne of France.

After a prolonged crisis, the scheme ignominiously collapsed at the first show of vigour on the Republican side.