CHARLES X., king of France (1824-30), third son of the dauphin Louis, and grand son of Louis XV., was b. at Versailles, 9th Oct., 1757. He received the title of count d'Artois, and in 1773 married Maria Theresa of Savoy. After the events of 14th July, 1789, he and the prince of Conde took the lead of the emigration. In 1796, he sailed from England with a squadron under commodore Warren, on an expedition to the western coasts of France, whereupon twenty departments rose in insurrection; but he had not courage to land and place himself at the head of the insurgents, whom he basely left to the vengeance of the republicans. Detested now by the royalists of France, and despised by the British, he lived in obscurity until the allies entered Paris iu 1814, when he appeared in France as lieutenant-general of the kingdom, and issued a proclamation announcing the end of despotism, of conscriptions, and of oppressive taxes. After the second restoration, he took little open part in politics, but lived surrounded with priests, Jesuits. and nobles of the old school; and in this circle originated the tyrannical and unconstitutional measures to which even Louis XVIII. made considerable opposition, but which at this time disgraced the government of France. The death of Louis, on 16th Sept., 1824, brought C. to the throne. He took the oath of adherence to the char ter, but soon displayed his intention of restoring as much as possible the absolutism of the old French monarchy. Popular discontent rapidly increased. A royal speech,
of a threatening character, on 2d Mar., 1830, was followed by an address of remonstrance, signed by 221 deputies, upon which the king dissolved the chambers. The deputies who signed the address were all re-elected, but the court taking fresh courage from the success of the expedition to Algiers, the celebrated ordinances of 25th July were signed by the king, putting an end to the freedom of the press, already largely curtailed, appointing a new mode of election, and dissolving the recently elected chamber. The capital took up arms, the guards refused to act, and the king soon found himself com pelled.to flee. As a last resource, he abdicated the throne, on 2d Aug., 1830, in favor of his grandson. Henry, duke of Bordeaux, the dauphin also consenting to this act. But it was too late; the revolution was accomplished, and Louis Philippe, duke of Orleans, was chosen king of the French. C. made his escape to England, resided for some time at Holyrood, and afterwards at Prague. He took no part in the political intrigues and attempts of the duchess de Berri. He died of cholera at Gorz, on 6th Nov., 1836. His' only surviving descendant, in the male line, is his grandson, the count of Chambord (q.v.).