Ourapprehensionswerenotwithoutfoundation.IntheCounciloftheFiveHundredagitationwasatitsheight.Themostseriousalarmmarkeditsdeliberations.IthadbeendeterminedtoannouncetotheDirectorytheinstallationoftheCouncils，andtoinquireoftheCounciloftheAncientstheirreasonsforresolvinguponanextraordinaryconvocation.
　　ButtheDirectorynolongerexisted.SieyesandRogerDucoshadjoinedBonaparte’sparty.GohierandMoulinswereprisonersintheLuxembourg，andinthecustodyofGeneralMoreau;andattheverymomentwhentheCounciloftheFiveHundredhaddrawnupamessagetotheDirectory，theCounciloftheAncientstransmittedtothemthefollowingletter，receivedfromBarras.Thisletter;whichwasaddressedtotheCounciloftheAncients，wasimmediatelyreadbyLucienBonaparte，whowasPresidentoftheCounciloftheFiveHundred.
　　CITIZENPRESIDENT——Havingenteredintopublicaffairssolelyfrommyloveofliberty，IconsentedtosharethefirstmagistracyoftheStateonlythatImightbeabletodefenditindanger;toprotectagainsttheirenemiesthepatriotscompromisedinitscause;andtoensuretothedefendersof，theircountrythatattentiontotheirinterestswhichnoonewasmorecalculatedtofeelthanacitizen，longthewitnessoftheirheroicvirtues，andalwayssensibletotheirwants.
　　TheglorywhichaccompaniesthereturnoftheillustriouswarriortowhomIhadthehonourofopeningthepathofglory，thestrikingmarksofconfidencegivenhimbythelegislativebody，andthedecreeoftheNationalConvention，convincemethat，towhateverposthemayhenceforthbecalled，thedangerstolibertywillbeaverted，andtheinterestsofthearmyensured.
　　Icheerfullyreturntotherankofaprivatecitizen：happy，aftersomanystorms，toresign，unimpaired，andevenmoregloriousthanever，thedestinyoftheRepublic，whichhasbeen，inpart，committedtomycare.
　　（Signed）BARRAS.
　　ThisletteroccasionedagreatsensationintheCounciloftheFiveHundred.Asecondreadingwascalledfar，andaquestionwasstarted，whethertheretirementwaslegal，orwastheresultofcollusion，andoftheinfluenceofBonaparte’sagents;whethertobelieveBarras，whodeclaredthedangersoflibertyaverted，orthedecreefortheremovalofthelegislativecorps，whichwaspassedandexecutedunderthepretextoftheexistenceofimminentperil？AtthatmomentBonaparteappeared，followedbyapartyofgrenadiers，whoremainedattheentranceofthehall.
　　IdidnotaccompanyhimtotheCounciloftheFiveHundred.HehaddirectedmetosendoffanexpresstoeasetheapprehensionsofJosephine，andtoassureherthateverythingwouldgowell.ItwassometimebeforeIjoinedhimagain.
　　However，withoutspeakingaspositivelyasifIhadmyselfbeenaneye—
　　witnessofthescene，Idonothesitatetodeclarethatallthathasbeensaidaboutassaultsandponiardsispureinvention.Irelyonwhatwastoldme，ontheverynight，bypersonswellworthyofcredit，andwhowerewitnessessofallthatpassed.
　　Astowhatpassedatthesitting，theaccounts，givenbothatthetimeandsince，havevariedaccordingtoopinions.Somehaveallegedthatunanimouscriesofindignationwereexcitedbytheappearanceofthemilitary.Fromallpartsofthehallresounded，"Thesanctuaryofthelawsisviolated.Downwiththetyrant！——downwithCromwell！——downwiththeDictator！"Bonapartestammeredoutafewwords，ashehaddonebeforetheCounciloftheAncients，buthisvoicewasimmediatelydrownedbycriesof"VivelaRepublique！""VivelaConstitution！""OutlawtheDictator！"Thegrenadiersarethensaidtohaverushedforward，exclaiming，"LetussaveourGeneral！"atwhichindignationreacheditsheight，andcries，evenmoreviolentthanever，wereraised;thatBonaparte，fallinginsensibleintothearmsofthegrenadiers，said，"Theymeantoassassinateme！"AllthatregardstheexclamationsandthreatsIbelievetobecorrect;butIrankwiththestoryoftheponiardstheassertionofthemembersoftheFiveHundredbeingprovidedwithfirearms，andthegrenadiersrushingintothehall;becauseBonapartenevermentionedawordofanythingofthesorttome，eitheronthewayhome，orwhenIwaswithhiminhischamber.Neitherdidhesayanythingonthesubjecttohiswife，whohadbeenextremelyagitatedbythedifferentreportswhichreachedher.
　　AfterBonapartelefttheCounciloftheFiveHundredthedeliberationswerecontinuedwithgreatviolence.TheexcitementcausedbytheappearanceofBonapartewasnothinglikesubsidedwhenpropositionsofthemostfuriousnatureweremade.ThePresident，Lucien，didallinhispowertorestoretranquillity.Assoonashecouldmakehimselfheardhesaid，"ThescenewhichhasjusttakenplaceintheCouncilproveswhatarethesentimentsofall;sentimentswhichIdeclarearealsomine.Itwas，however，naturaltobelievethattheGeneralhadnootherobjectthantorenderanaccountofthesituationofaffairs，andofsomethinginterestingtothepublic.ButIthinknoneofyoucansupposehimcapableofprojectshostiletoliberty."
　　EachsentenceofLucien’saddresswasinterruptedbycriesof"Bonapartehastarnishedhisglory！HeisadisgracetotheRepublic！"
　　Lucien——[ThenextyoungerbrotherofNapoleon，PresidentoftheCounciloftheFiveHundredin1799;MinisteroftheInterior，1stDecember1799to1841;AmbassadorinSpain，1801toDecember1801;leftFranceindisgracein1804;retiredtoPapalStates;PrisonerinMaltaandEngland，1810to1814;createdbyPopein1814PrincedeCaninoandDucdeMusignano;marriedfirstly，1794，ChristineBoyer，whodied1800;marriedsecondly，1802or118，aMadameJonberthon.
　　Ofhispartinthe18thBrumaireNapoleonsaidtohimin1807，"Iwellknowthatyouwereusefultomeenthe18thBrumaire，butitisnotsocleattomethatyousavedmethen"（Iung’sLucien，tomeiii.p.89）.]——
　　madefresheffortstobeheard，andwishedtobeallowedtoaddresstheassemblyasamemberoftheCouncil，andforthatpurposeresignedthePresidentshiptoChasal.HebeggedthattheGeneralmightbeintroducedagainandheardwithcalmness.Butthisprepositionwasfuriouslyopposed.Exclamationsof"OutlawBonaparte！outlawhim！"rangthroughtheassembly，andweretheonlyreplygiventothePresident.Lucien，whohadreassumedthePresident’schair，leftitasecondtime，thathemightnotbeconstrainedtoputthequestionofoutlawrydemandedagainsthisbrother.Bravingthedispleasureoftheassembly，hemountedthetribune，resignedthePresidentship，renouncedhisseatasadeputy，andthrewasidehisrobes.
　　JustasLucienlefttheCouncilIentered.Bonaparte，whowaswellinformedofallthatwaspassing，——[Luciendistinctlystatesthathehimself，actingwithinhisrightasPresident，haddemandedanescortofthegrenadiersoftheCouncilsassoonashesawhiswithdrawalmightbeopposed.
　　ThenthefirstentryofthesoldierswithNapoleonwouldbeillegal.
　　Thesecond，towithdrawLucien，wasnominallylegal（seeIung’sLucien，tomei，pp，318—322）]——
　　hadsentinsoldierstotheassistanceofhisbrother;theycarriedhimofffromthemidstoftheCouncil，andBonapartethoughtitamatterofnolittleimportancetohavewithhimthePresidentofanassemblywhichhetreatedasrebellious.Lucienwasreinstalledinoffice;buthewasnowtodischargehisduties，notinthePresident’schair，butonhorseback，andattheheadofapartyoftroopsreadytoundertakeanything.Rousedbythedangertowhichbothhisbrotherandhimselfwereexposedhedeliveredonhorsebackthefollowingwords，whichcanneverbetoooftenremembered，asshowingwhatamanthendaredtosay，whoneverwasanythingexceptfromthereflectionofhisbrother’sglory：——
　　CITIZENS！SOLDIERS！——ThePresidentoftheCounciloftheFiveHundreddeclarestoyouthatthemajorityofthatCouncilisatthismomentheldinterrorbyafewrepresentativesofthepeople，whoarearmedwithstilettoes，andwhosurroundthetribune，threateningtheircolleagueswithdeath，andmaintainingmostatrociousdiscussions.
　　Ideclaretoyouthatthesebrigands，whoaredoubtlessinthepayofEngland，haveriseninrebellionagainsttheCounciloftheAncients，andhavedaredtotalkofoutlawingtheGeneral，whoischargedwiththeexecutionofitsdecree，asiftheword"outlaw"
　　wasstilltoberegardedasthedeath—warrantofpersonsmostbelovedbytheircountry.
　　IdeclaretoyouthatthesemadmenhaveoutlawedthemselvesbytheirattemptsuponthelibertyoftheCouncil.Inthenameofthatpeople，whichforsomanyyearshavebeenthesportofterrorism，Iconsigntoyouthechargeofrescuingthemajorityoftheirrepresentatives;sothat，deliveredfromstilettoesbybayonets，theymaydeliberateonthefateoftheRepublic.
　　General，andyou，soldiers，andyou，citizens，youwillnotacknowledge，aslegislatorsofFrance，anybutthosewhorallyroundme.Asforthosewhoremainintheorangery，letforceexpelthem.Theyarenottherepresentativesofthepeople，buttherepresentativesoftheponiard.Letthatbetheirtitle，andletitfollowthemeverywhere;andwhenevertheydareshowthemselvestothepeople，leteveryfingerpointatthem，andeverytonguedesignatethembythewell—meritedtitleofrepresentativesoftheponiard！
　　VivelaRepublique！
　　Notwithstandingthecriesof"ViveBonaparte！"whichfollowedthisharangue，thetroopsstillhesitated.Itwasevidentthattheywerenotfullypreparedtoturntheirswordsagainstthenationalrepresentatives.
　　Lucienthendrewhissword，exclaiming，"IswearthatIwillstabmyownbrothertotheheartifheeverattemptanythingagainstthelibertyofFrenchmen."Thisdramaticactionwasperfectlysuccessful;hesitationvanished;andatasignalgivenbyBonaparte，Murat，attheheadofhisgrenadiers，rushedintothehall，anddroveouttherepresentatives.
　　Everyoneyieldedtothereasoningofbayonets，andthusterminatedtheemploymentofthearmedforceonthatmemorableday.
　　Atteno’clockatnightthepalaceofSt.Cloud，wheresomanytumultuoussceneshadoccurred，wasperfectlytranquil.Allthedeputieswerestillthere，pacingthehall，thecorridors，andthecourts.Mostofthemhadanairofconsternation;othersaffectedtohaveforeseentheevent，andtoappearsatisfiedwithit;butallwishedtoreturntoParis，whichtheycouldnotdountilaneworderrevokedtheorderfortheremovaloftheCouncilstoSt.Cloud.
　　Ateleveno’clockBonaparte，whohadeatennothingallday，butwhowasalmostinsensibletophysicalwantsinmomentsofgreatagitation，saidtome，"Wemustgoandwrite，Bourrienne;IintendthisverynighttoaddressaproclamationtotheinhabitantsofParis.To—morrowmorningI
　　shallbealltheconversationofthecapital."Hethendictatedtomethefollowingproclamation，whichproves，nolessthansomeofhisreportsfromEgypt，howmuchBonaparteexcelledintheartoftwistingthetruthtoownadvantage：
　　TOTHEPEOPLE.
　　19thBrumaire，11o’clock，p.m.
　　Frenchmen！——OnmyreturntoFranceIfounddivisionreigningamongstalltheauthorities.Theyagreedonlyonthissinglepoint，thattheConstitutionwashalfdestroyed，andwasunabletoprotectliberty！
　　Eachpartyinturncametome，confidedtometheirdesigns，impartedtheirsecrets，andrequestedmysupport.Irefusedtobethemanofaparty.
　　TheCounciloftheAncientsappealedtome.Iansweredtheirappeal.Aplanofgeneralrestorationhadbeenconcertedbymenwhomthenationhasbeenaccustomedtoregardasthedefendersof，liberty，equality，andproperty.Thisplanrequiredcalmandfreedeliberation，exemptfromallinfluenceandallfear.TheAncients，therefore，resolvedupontheremovalofthelegislativebodiestoSt.Cloud.Theyplacedatmydisposaltheforcenecessarytosecuretheirindependence.Iwasbound，indutytomyfellow—citizens，tothesoldiersperishinginourarmies，andtothenationalglory，acquiredatthecostofsomuchblood，toacceptthecommand.
　　TheCouncilsassembledatSt.Cloud.Republicantroopsguaranteedtheirsafetyfromwithout，butassassinscreatedterrorwithin.
　　ManymembersoftheCounciloftheFiveHundred，armedwithstilettoesandpistols，spreadmenacesofdeatharoundthem.
　　Theplanswhichoughttohavebeendevelopedwerewithheld.ThemajorityoftheCouncilwasrenderedinefficient;theboldestoratorsweredisconcerted，andtheinutilityofsubmittinganysalutarypropositionwasquiteevident.
　　Iproceeded，filledwithindignationandgrief，totheCounciloftheAncients.Ibesoughtthemtocarrytheirnobledesignsintoexecution.Idirectedtheirattentiontotheevilsofthenation，whichweretheirmotivesforconceivingthosedesigns.Theyconcurredingivingmenewproofsoftheiruniformgoodwill，I
　　presentedmyselfbeforetheCounciloftheFiveHundred，alone，unarmed，myheaduncovered，justastheAncientshadreceivedandapplaudedme.Myobjectwastorestoretothemajoritytheexpressionofitswill，andtosecuretoititspower.
　　Thestilettoeswhichhadmenacedthedeputieswereinstantlyraisedagainsttheirdeliverer.Twentyassassinsrusheduponmeandaimedatmybreast.Thegrenadiersofthelegislativebody，whomIhadleftatthedoorofthehall，ranforward，andplacedthemselvesbetweenmeandtheassassins.Oneofthesebravegrenadiers（Thome）
　　hadhisclothespiercedbyastiletto.Theyboremeoff.
　　——[Thomemerelyhadasmallpartofhiscoattornbyadeputy，whotookhimbythecollar.Thisconstitutedthewholeoftheattemptedassassinationsofthe19thBrumaire.——Bourrienne]——
　　Atthesamemomentcriesof"Outlawhim！"wereraisedagainstthedefenderofthelaw.Itwasthehorridcryofassassinsagainstthepowerdestinedtorepressthem.
　　TheycrowdedroundthePresident，utteringthreats.Witharmsintheirhandstheycommandedhimtodeclare"theoutlawry."Iwasinformedofthis.Iorderedhimtoberescuedfromtheirfury，andsixgrenadiersofthelegislativebodybroughthimout.Immediatelyafterwardssomegrenadiersofthelegislativebodychargedintothehallandclearedit.
　　Thefactions，intimidated，dispersedandfled.Themajority，freedfromtheirassaults，returnedfreelyandpeaceablyintothehall;
　　listenedtothepropositionsmadeforthepublicsafety，deliberated，anddrewupthesalutaryresolutionwhichwillbecomethenewandprovisionallawoftheRepublic.
　　Frenchmen，youdoubtlessrecogniseinthisconductthezealofasoldierofliberty，ofacitizendevotedtotheRepublic.
　　Conservative，tutelary，andliberalideasresumedtheirauthorityuponthedispersionofthefactions，whodomineeredintheCouncils，andwho，inrenderingthemselvesthemostodiousofmen，didnotceasetobethemostcontemptible.
　　（Signed）BONAPARTE，General，etc.
　　ThedayhadbeenpassedindestroyingaGovernment;itwasnecessarytodevotethenighttoframinganewone.Talleyrand，Raederer，andSieyeswereatSt.Cloud.TheCounciloftheAncientsassembled，andLuciensethimselfaboutfindingsomemembersoftheFiveHundredonwhomhecouldreckon.Hesucceededingettingtogetheronlythirty;who，withtheirPresident，representedthenumerousassemblyofwhichtheyformedpart.
　　Thisghostofrepresentationwasessential，forBonaparte，notwithstandinghisviolationofalllawontheprecedingday，wishedtomakeitappearthathewasactinglegally.TheCounciloftheAncientshad，however，alreadydecidedthataprovisionalexecutivecommissionshouldbeappointed，composedofthreemembers，andwasabouttonamethemembersofthecommission——ameasurewhichshouldhaveoriginatedwiththeFiveHundred——whenLuciencametoacquaintBonapartethathischamber’introuvable’wasassembled.
　　Thischamber，whichcalleditselftheCounciloftheFiveHundred，thoughthatCouncilwasnownothingbutaCouncilofThirty，hastilypassedadecree，thefirstarticleofwhichwasasfollows：
　　TheDirectoryexistsnolonger;andtheindividualshereafternamedarenolongermembersofthenationalrepresentation，onaccountoftheexcessesandillegalactswhichtheyhaveconstantlycommitted，andmoreparticularlythegreatestpartofthem，inthesittingofthismorning.
　　Thenfollowthenamesofsixty—onemembersexpelled.
　　ByotherarticlesofthesamedecreetheCouncilinstitutedaprovisionalcommission，similartothatwhichtheAncientshadproposedtoappoint，resolvedthatthesaidcommissionshouldconsistofthreemembers，whoshouldassumethetitleofConsuls;andnominatedasConsulsSieyes，RogerDucos，andBonaparte.TheotherprovisionsofthenocturnaldecreeofSt.Cloudhadfortheirobjectmerelythecarryingintoeffectthosealreadydescribed.Thisnocturnalsittingwasverycalm，andindeeditwouldhavebeenstrangehaditbeenotherwise，fornooppositioncouldbefearedfromthemembersoftheFiveHundred，whowerepreparedtoconcurwithLucien.Allknewbeforehandwhattheywouldhavetodo.Everythingwasconcludedbythreeo’clockinthemorning;andthepalaceofSt.
　　Cloud，whichhadbeensoagitatedsincethepreviousevening，resumedinthemorningitswontedstillness，andpresentedtheappearanceofavastsolitude.
　　Allthehurryingabout，thebriefnoteswhichIhadtowritetomanyfriends，andtheconversationsinwhichIwascompelledtotakepart，preventedmefromdiningbeforeoneo’clockinthemorning.ItwasnottillthenthatBonaparte，havinggonetotaketheoathasConsulbeforetheFiveHundred，affordedmeanopportunityoftakingsomerefreshmentwithAdmiresBruixandsomeotherofficers.
　　Atthreeo’clockinthemorningIaccompaniedBonaparte，inhiscarriagetoParis.Hewasextremelyfatiguedaftersomanytrialsandfatigues.
　　Anewfuturewasopenedbeforehim.Hewascompletelyabsorbedinthought，anddidnotutterasinglewordduringthejourney.ButwhenhearrivedathishouseintheRuedelaVictoire，hehadnosoonerenteredhischamberandwishedgoodmorningtoJosephine，whowasinbed，andinastateofthegreatestanxietyonaccountofhisabsence，thanhesaidbeforeher，"Bourrienne，Isaidmanyridiculousthings？"——"Notsoverybad，General"——"Ilikebettertospeaktosoldiersthantolawyers.
　　Thosefellowsdisconcertedme.Ihavenotbeenusedtopublicassemblies;butthatwillcomeintime."
　　Wethenbegan，allthree，toconverse.MadameBonapartebecamecalm，andBonaparteresumedhiswontedconfidence.Theeventsofthedaynaturallyformedthesubjectofourconversation.Josephine，whowasmuchattachedtotheGohierfamily，mentionedthenameofthatDirectorinatoneofkindness."Whatwouldyouhave，mydear？"saidBonapartetoher."Itisnotmyfault.Heisarespectableman，butasimpleton.Hedoesnotunderstandme！——Iought，perhaps，tohavehimtransported.HewroteagainstmetotheCounciloftheAncients;butIhavehisletter，andtheyknownothingaboutit.Poorman！heexpectedmetodinneryesterday.Andthismanthinkshimselfastatesman！——Speaknomoreofhim."
　　DuringourdiscoursethenameofBernadottewasalsomentioned."Haveyouseenhim，Bourrienne？"saidBonapartetome.——"No，General"——
　　"NeitherhaveI.Ihavenotheardhimspokenof.Wouldyouimagineit？
　　Ihadintelligenceto—dayofmanyintriguesinwhichheisconcerned.
　　Wouldyoubelieveit？hewishednothinglessthantobeappointedmycolleagueinauthority.Hetalkedofmountinghishorseandmarchingwiththetroopsthatmightbeplacedunderhiscommand.Hewished，hesaid，tomaintaintheConstitution：nay，more;Iamassuredthathehadtheaudacitytoaddthat，ifitwerenecessarytooutlawme，theGovernmentmightcometohimandhewouldfindsoldierscapableofcarryingthedecreeintoexecution."——"Allthis，General，shouldgiveyouanideahowinflexiblehisprinciplesare."——"Yes，Iamwellawareofit;
　　thereissomethinginthat：heishonest.Butforhisobstinacy，mybrotherswouldhavebroughthimover.Theyarerelatedtohim.Hiswife，whoisJoseph’ssister—in—law，hasascendencyoverhim.Asforme，haveInot，Iaskyou，madesufficientadvancestohim？Youhavewitnessedthem.Moreau，whohasahighermilitaryreputationthanhe，cameovertomeatonce.However，IrepentofhavingcajoledBernadotte.
　　Iamthinkingofseparatinghimfromallhiscoterieswithoutanyonebeingabletofindfaultwiththeproceeding.Icannotrevengemyselfinanyothermanner.Josephlikeshim.Ishouldhaveeverybodyagainstme.
　　Thesefamilyconsiderationsarefollies！Goodnight，Bourrienne.——Bytheway，wewillsleepintheLuxembourgto—morrow.
　　IthenlefttheGeneral，whom，henceforth，IwillcalltheFirstConsul，afterhavingremainedwithhimconstantlyduringnearlytwenty—fourhours，withtheexceptionofthetimewhenhewasattheCounciloftheFiveHundred.Iretiredtomylodging，intheRueMartel，atfiveo’clockinthemorning.
　　ItiscertainthatifGohierhadcometobreakfastonthemorningofthe18thBrumaire，accordingtoMadameBonaparte’sinvitation，hewouldhavebeenoneofthemembersoftheGovernment.ButGohieractedthepartofthesternrepublican.Heplacedhimself，accordingtothecommonphraseofthetime，astrideoftheConstitutionoftheyearIII.;andashissteedmadeasadstumble，hefellwithit.
　　ItwasasingularcircumstancewhichpreventedthetwoDirectorsGohierandMoulinsfromdefendingtheirbelovedConstitution.ItwasfromtheirrespectfortheConstitutionthattheyallowedittoperish，becausetheywouldhavebeenobligedtoviolatethearticlewhichdidnotallowlessthanthreeDirectorstodeliberatetogether.ThusakingofCastilewasburnedtodeath，becausetheredidnothappentobeinhisapartmentmenofsuchrankasetiquettewouldpermittotouchthepersonofthemonarch.
　　CHAPTERXXVI.
　　1799.
　　Generalapprobationofthe18thBrumaire——Distressofthetreasury——
　　M.Collot’sgenerosity——Bonaparte’singratitude——GohiersetatLiberty——ConstitutionoftheyearVIII.——TheSenate，Tribunate，andCouncilofState——Notesrequiredonthecharacterofcandidates——
　　Bonaparte’sloveofintegrityandtalent——Influenceofhabitoverhim——HishatredoftheTribunate——Provisionalconcessions——ThefirstConsularMinistry——MediocrityofLaPlace——Proscriptionlists——
　　Cambaceresreport——M.MoreaudeWorms——CharacterofSieyes——
　　BonaparteattheLuxembourg——Distributionofthedayandvisits——
　　Lebrun’sopposition——Bonaparte’ssinging——Hisboyishtricks——
　　Assumptionofthetitles"Madame"and"Monseigneur"——ThemenoftheRevolutionandthepartisansoftheBourbons——Bonaparte’sfears——
　　Confidentialnotesoncandidatesforofficeandtheassemblies.
　　ItcannotbedeniedthatFrancehailed，almostwithunanimousvoice，Bonaparte’saccessiontotheConsulshipasablessingofProvidence.
　　Idonotspeaknowoftheulteriorconsequencesofthatevent;Ispeakonlyofthefactitself，anditsfirstresults，suchastherepealofthelawofhostages，andthecompulsoryloanofahundredmillions.
　　Doubtlessthelegalityoftheactsofthe18thBrumairemaybedisputed;
　　butwhowillventuretosaythattheimmediateresultofthatdayoughtnottoberegardedasagreatblessingtoFrance？Whoeverdeniesthiscanhavenoideaofthewretchedstateofeverybranchoftheadministrationatthatdeplorableepoch.Afewpersonsblamedthe18thBrumaire;butnooneregrettedtheDirectory，withtheexception，perhaps，ofthefiveDirectorsthemselves.ButwewillsaynomoreoftheDirectorialGovernment.Whatanadministration！InwhatastatewerethefinancesofFrance！Woulditbebelieved？ontheseconddayoftheConsulate，whenBonapartewishedtosendacouriertoGeneralChampionet，commander—in—chiefofthearmyofItaly，thetreasuryhadnot1200francsdisposabletogivetothecourier！
　　ItmaybesupposedthatinthefirstmomentsofanewGovernmentmoneywouldbewanted.M.Collot，whohadservedunderBonaparteinItaly，andwhoseconductandadministrationdeservednothingbutpraise，wasoneofthefirstwhocametotheConsul’sassistance.InthisinstanceM.Collotwasaszealousasdisinterested.HegavetheConsul500，000
　　francsingold，forwhichservice0—hewasbadlyrewarded.BonaparteafterwardsbehavedtoM.Collotasthoughhewasanxioustopunishhimforbeingrich.Thissum，whichatthetimemadesofineanappearanceintheConsulartreasury，wasnotrepaidforalongtimeafter，andthenwithoutinterest.Thiswasnot，indeed，theonlyinstanceinwhichM.CollothadcausetocomplainofBonaparte，whowasneverinclinedtoacknowledgehisimportantservices，noreventorenderjusticetohisconduct.
　　Onthemorningofthe20thBrumaireBonapartesenthisbrotherLouistoinformtheDirectorGohierthathewasfree.ThishasteinrelievingGohierwasnotwithoutareason，forBonapartewasanxioustoinstallhimselfintheLuxembourg，andwewenttherethatsameevening.
　　Everythingwastobecreated.Bonapartehadwithhimalmostthewholeofthearmy，andonthesoldiershecouldrely.Butthemilitaryforcewasnolongersufficientforhim.Wishingtopossessagreatcivilpowerestablishedbylegalforms，heimmediatelysetaboutthecompositionofaSenateandTribunate;aCouncilofStateandanewlegislativebody，and，finally，anewConstitution.
　　——[TheConstitutionoftheyearVIII.waspresentedanthe18thofDecember1799（22dFrimaire，yearVIII.），andacceptedbythepeopleonthe7thofFebruary1800（18thPluviose，yearVIII.）.ItestablishedaConsularGovernment，composedofBonaparte，FirstConsul，appointedfortenyears;Cambaceres，SecondConsol，alsofortenYears;andLebrun，ThirdConsulappointedforfiveyears.ItestablishedaconservativeSenate，alegislativebodyof800
　　members，andaTribunatecomposedof100members.TheestablishmentoftheCouncilofStatetookplaceonthe29thofDecember1799.
　　TheinstallationofthenewlegislativebodyandtheTribunatewasfixedforthe1stofJanuary1800.——Bourrienne.Lanfrey（tomei.
　　p.329）seesthisConstitutionforeshadowedinthatproposedbyNapoleonin1797fortheCisalpineRepublic.]——
　　AsBonapartehadnottimetomakehimselfacquaintedwiththepersonsbywhomhewasabouttobesurrounded;herequestedfromthemostdistinguishedmenoftheperiod，wellacquaintedwithFranceandtheRevolution，notesrespectingtheindividualsworthyandcapableofenteringtheSenate，theTribunate，andtheCouncilofState.FromthemannerinwhichallthesenotesweredrawnupitwasevidentthatthewritersofthemstudiedtomaketheirrecommendationcorrespondwithwhattheyconceivedtobeBonaparte’sviews，andthattheyimaginedheparticipatedintheopinionswhichwereatthattimepopular.
　　Accordinglytheystated，asgroundsforpreferringparticularcandidates，theirpatriotism，theirrepublicanism，andtheirhavinghadseatsinprecedingassemblies.
　　Ofallqualities，thatwhichmostinfluencedthechoiceoftheFirstConsulwasinflexibleintegrity;anditisbutjusttosaythatinthisparticularhewasrarelydeceived.Hesoughtearnestlyfortalent;andalthoughhedidnotlikethemenoftheRevolution，hewasconvincedthathecouldnotdowithoutthem.Hehadconceivedanextremeaversionformediocrity，andgenerallyrejectedamanofthatcharacterwhenrecommendedtohim;butifhehadknownsuchamanlong，heyieldedtotheinfluenceofhabit，dreadingnothingsomuchaschange，or，ashewasaccustomedtosayhimself，newfaces.’
　　——[Napoleonlovedonlymenwithstrongpassionsandgreatweakness";
　　hejudgedthemostoppositequalitiesinmenbythesedefects（Metternich，tomeiii.p.589）]——
　　BonapartethenproceededtoorganiseacomplaisantSenate，amutelegislativebody，andaTribunalswhichwastohavethesemblanceofbeingindependent，bytheaidofsomefinespeechesandhigh—soundingphrases.HeeasilyappointedtheSenators，butitwasdifferentwiththeTribunats.Hehesitatedlongbeforehefixeduponthecandidatesforthatbody，whichinspiredhimwithananticipatoryfear.However，onarrivingatpowerhedarednotopposehimselftotheexigenciesofthemoment，andheconsentedforatimetodeludetheambitiousdupeswhokeptupabuzzoffinesentimentsoflibertyaroundhim.HesawthatcircumstanceswerenotyetfavourableforrefusingashareintheConstitutiontothisthirdportionofpower，destinedapparentlytoadvocatetheinterestsofthepeoplebeforethelegislativebody.Butinyieldingtonecessity，themereideaoftheTribunatefilledhimwiththeutmostuneasiness;and，inaword，Bonapartecouldnotendurethepublicdiscussionsonhisprojects.’
　　——[TheTribunateunderthisConstitutionoftheyearVIII.wastheonlybodyallowedtodebateinpubliconproposedlaws，thelegislativebodysimplyhearinginsilencetheoratorssentbytheCouncilofStateandbytheTribunalstostatereasonsfororagainstpropositions，andthenvotinginsilence.ItsoratorswereconstantlygivingumbragetoNapoleon.ItwasatfirstPurified，earlyin1802，bytheSenatenamingthememberstogooutinrotationthenreducedtofrom100to50memberslaterin1802，andsuppressedin1807;itsdisappearancebeingregardedbyNapoleonashislastbreakwiththeRevolution.]——
　　BonapartecomposedthefirstConsularMinistryasfollows：BerthierwasMinisterofWar;Gaudin，formerlyemployedintheadministrationofthePostOffice，wasappointedMinisterofFinance;CambaceresremainedMinisterofJustice;ForfaitwasMinisterofMarine;LaPlaceoftheInterior;FoucheofPolice;andReinhardofForeignAffairs.
　　ReinhardandLaPlaceweresoonreplaced，theformerbytheableM.
　　Talleyrand，thelatterbyLucienBonaparte.
　　——[WhenIquittedtheserviceoftheFirstConsulTalleyrandwasstillattheheadoftheForeignDepartment.Ihavefrequentlybeenpresentatthisgreatstatesman’sconferenceswithNapoleon，andI
　　candeclarethatIneversawhimflatterhisdreamsofambition;
　　but，onthecontrary，healwaysendeavouredtomakehimsensibleofhistrueinterests.——Bourrienne.]——
　　ItmaybesaidthatLucienmerelypassedthroughtheMinistryonhiswaytoalucrativeembassyinSpain.AstoLaPlace，Bonapartealwaysentertainedahighopinionofhistalents.HisappointmenttotheMinistryoftheInteriorwasacomplimentpaidtoscience;butitwasnotlongbeforetheFirstConsulrepentedofhischoice.LaPlace，sohappilycalculatedforscience，displayedthemostinconceivablemediocrityinadministration.Hewasincompetenttothemosttriflingmatters;asifhismind，formedtoembracethesystemoftheworld，andtointerpretthelawsofNewtonandKepler，couldnotdescendtothelevelofsubjectsofdetail，orapplyitselftothedutiesofthedepartmentwithwhichhewasentrustedforashort，butyet，withregardtohim，toolongatime.
　　Onthe26thBrumaire（17thNovember1799）theConsulsissuedadecree，inwhichtheystatedthat，conformablywithArticleIII.ofthelawofthe19thofthesamemonth，whichespeciallychargedthemwiththereestablishmentofpublictranquillity，theydecreedthatthirty—eightindividuals，whowerenamed，shouldquitthecontinentalterritoryoftheRepublic，andforthatpurposeshouldproceedtoRochefort，tobeafterwardsconductedto，anddetainedin，thedepartmentofFrenchGuiana.Theylikewisedecreedthattwenty—threeotherindividuals，whowerenamed，shouldproceedtothecommuneofRochelle，inthedepartmentofthelowerCharente，inordertobeafterwardsfiledanddetainedinsuchpartofthatdepartmentasshouldbepointedoutbytheMinisterofGeneralPolice.IwasfortunateenoughtokeepmyfriendM.MoreaudeWorms，deputyfromtheYoune，outofthefiatofexiles.Thisproducedamischievouseffect.ItboreacharacterofwantonseverityquiteinconsistentwiththeassurancesofmildnessandmoderationgivenatSt.
　　Cloudonthe19thBrumaire.Cambaceresafterwardsmadeareport，inwhichherepresentedthatitwasunnecessaryforthemaintenanceoftranquillitytosubjecttheproscribedtobanishment，consideringitsufficienttoplacethemunderthesupervisionofthesuperiorpolice.
　　UponreceivingthereporttheConsulsissuedadecree，inwhichtheydirectedalltheindividualsincludedintheproscriptiontoretirerespectivelyintothedifferentcommuneswhichshouldbefixeduponbytheMinisterofJustice，andtoremainthereuntilfurtherorders.
　　AttheperiodoftheissuingofthesedecreesSieyeswasstilloneoftheConsuls;conjointlywithBonaparteandRogerDucos;andalthoughBonapartehad，fromthefirstmoment，possessedthewholepowerofthegovernment，asortofapparentequalitywas，nevertheless，observedamongstthem.Itwasnotuntilthe25thofDecemberthatBonaparteassumedthetitleofFirstConsul，CambaceresandLebrunbeingthenjoinedintheofficewithhim.Hehadfixedhiseyesonthempreviouslytothe18thBrumaire，andhehadnocausetoreproachthemwithgivinghimmuchembarrassmentinhisrapidprogresstowardstheimperialthrone.
　　IhavestatedthatIwassofortunateastorescueM.MoreaudeWormsfromthelistofproscription.SomedaysafterSieyesenteredBonaparte’scabinetandsaidtohim，"Well，thisM.MoreaudeWorms，whomM.Bourrienneinducedyoutosavefrombanishment，isactingveryfinely！
　　Itoldyouhowitwouldbe！IhavereceivedfromSens，hisnativeplace，aletterwhichinformsmethatMoreauisinthattown，wherehehasassembledthepeopleinthemarket—place，andindulgedinthemostviolentdeclamationsagainstthe18thBrumaire，"——"Canyou，relyuponyouragent"askedBonaparte.——"Perfectly.Icananswerforthetruthofhiscommunication."BonaparteshowedmethebulletinofSieyes’agent，andreproachedmebitterly."Whatwouldyousay，General，"Iobserved，"ifIshouldpresentthissameM.MoreaudeWorms，whoisdeclaimingatSensagainstthe18thBrumaire，toyouwithinanhour？"——"Idefyyoutodoit."——"Ihavemademyselfresponsibleforhim，andIknowwhatIamabout.Heisviolentinhispolitics;butheisamanofhonour，incapableoffailinginhisword."——"Well，weshallsee.Goandfindhim."IwasverysureofdoingwhatIhadpromised，forwithinanhourbeforeIhadseenM.MoreaudeWorms.Hehadbeenconcealedsincethe13thBrumaire，andhadnotquittedParis.Nothingwaseasierthantofindhim，andinthree—quartersofanhourhewasattheLuxembourg.I
　　presentedhimtoBonaparte，whoconversedwithhimalongtimeconcerningthe18thBrumaire.WhenM.MoreaudepartedBonapartesaidtome，"Youareright.ThatfoolSieyesisasinventiveasaCassandra.Thisprovesthatoneshouldnotbetooreadytobelievethereportsofthewretcheswhomweareobligedtoemployinthepolice."Afterwardsheadded，"Bourrienne，Moreauisanicefellow：Iamsatisfiedwithhim;Iwilldosomethingforhim."ItwasnotlongbeforeM.MoreauexperiencedtheeffectoftheConsul’sgoodopinion.Somedaysafter，whilstframingthecouncilofprizes，he，atmymeresuggestion，appointedM.Moreauoneofthemembers，withasalaryof10，000francs.Onwhatextraordinarycircumstancesthefortunesofmenfrequentlydepend！AstoSieyes，intheintercourse，notveryfrequentcertainly，whichIhadwithhim，heappearedtobefarbeneaththereputationwhichhethen——enjoyed.’
　　——[M.deTalleyrand，whoissocapableofestimatingmen，andwhoseadmirablesayingswelldeservetooccupyaplaceinhistory，hadlongentertainedasimilaropinionofSieyes.Oneday，whenhewasconversingwiththeSecondConsulconcerningSieyes，Cambaceressaidtohim."Sieyes，however，isaveryprofoundman."——"Profound？"
　　saidTalleyrand."Yes，heis，acavity，aperfectcavity，asyouwouldsay.——Bourrienne.]——
　　Hereposedablindconfidenceinamultitudeofagents，whomhesentintoallpartsofFrance.Whenithappened，onotheroccasions，thatIprovedtohim，byevidenceassufficientasthatinthecaseofM.Moreau，thefalsenessofthereportshehadreceived，hereplied，withaconfidencetrulyridiculous，"Icanrelyonmymen."Sieyeshadwritteninhiscountenance，"Givememoney！"IrecollectthatIonedayalludedtothisexpressionintheanxiousfaceofSieyestotheFirstConsul."Youareright，"observedhetome，smiling;"whenmoneyisinquestion，Sieyesisquiteamatter—of—factman.Hesendshisideologytotherightaboutandthusbecomeseasilymanageable.Hereadilyabandonshisconstitutionaldreamsforagoodroundsum，andthatisveryconvenient."
　　——[Everybodyknows，infact，thatSieyesrefusedtoresignhisconsulardignitiesunlesshereceivedinexchangeabeautifulfarmsituatedintheparkofVersailles，andworthabout15，000livresayear.ThegoodabbeconsoledhimselffornolongerformingathirdoftherepublicansovereigntybymakinghimselfathomeintheancientdomainofthekingsofFrance.——Bourrienne.]——
　　Bonaparteoccupied，attheLittleLuxembourg，theapartmentsonthegroundfloorwhichlietotherightonenteringfromtheRuedeVaugirard.Hiscabinetwasclosetoaprivatestaircase，whichconductedmetothefirstfloor，whereJosephinedwelt.Myapartmentwasabove.
　　Afterbreakfast，whichwasservedatteno’clock，Bonapartewouldconverseforafewmomentswithhisusualguests，thatistosay，his’aidesdecamp’，thepersonsheinvited，andmyself，whoneverlefthim.
　　HewasalsovisitedveryoftenbyDeferment，Regnault（ofthetownofSt.
　　Jeand’Angely），Boulay（delaMeurthe），Monge，andBerber，whowere，withhisbrothers，JosephandLucien，thosewhomhemostdelightedtosee;heconversedfamiliarlywiththem.Cambaceresgenerallycameatmid—day，andstayedsometimewithhim，oftenawholehour.Lebrunvisitedbutseldom.Notwithstandinghiselevation，hischaracterremainedunaltered;
　　andBonaparteconsideredhimtoomoderate，becausehealwaysopposedhisambitiousviewsandhisplanstousurppower.WhenBonaparteleftthebreakfast—tableitwasseldomthathedidnotadd，afterbiddingJosephineandherdaughterHortensegood—day，"Come，Bourrienne，come，letustowork."
　　AfterthemorningaudiencesIstayedwithBonapartealltheday，eitherreadingtohim，orwritingtohisdictation.ThreeorfourtimesintheweekhewouldgototheCouncil.OnhiswaytothehallofdeliberationhewasobligedtocrossthecourtyardoftheLittleLuxembourgandascendthegrandstaircase.Thisalwaysvexedhim，andthemoresoastheweatherwasverybadatthetime.Thisannoyancecontinueduntilthe25thofDecember，anditwaswithmuchsatisfactionthathesawhimselfquitofit.AfterleavingtheCouncilheusedtoenterhiscabinetsinging，andGodknowshowwretchedlyhesung！Heexaminedwhateverworkhehadorderedtobedone，signeddocuments，stretchedhimselfinhisarm—chair，andreadthelettersoftheprecedingdayandthepublicationsofthemorning.WhentherewasnoCouncilheremainedinhiscabinet，conversedwithme，alwayssang，andcut，accordingtocustom，thearmofhischair，givinghimselfsometimesquitetheairofagreatboy.Then，allatoncestartingup，hewoulddescribeaplanfortheerectionofamonument，ordictatesomeofthoseextraordinaryproductionswhichastonishedanddismayedtheworld.Heoftenbecameagainthesameman，who，underthewallsofSt.Jeand’Acre，haddreamedofanempireworthyhisambition.
　　Atfiveo’clockdinnerwasservedup.WhenthatwasovertheFirstConsulwentupstairstoJosephine’sapartments，wherehecommonlyreceivedthevisitsoftheMinisters.HewasalwayspleasedtoseeamongthenumbertheMinisterofForeignAffairs，especiallysincetheportfolioofthatdepartmenthadbeenentrustedtothehandsofM.deTalleyrand.Atmidnight，andoftensooner，hegavethesignalforretiringbysayinginahastymanner，"Allonsnouscoucher."
　　ItwasattheLuxembourg，inthesalonsofwhichtheadorableJosephinesowellperformedthehonours，thattheword’Madame’cameagainintouse.ThisfirstreturntowardstheoldFrenchpolitenesswasstartlingtosomesusceptibleRepublicans;butthingsweresooncarriedfartherattheTuileriesbytheintroductionof’VotreAltesse’onoccasionsofstateceremony，andMonseigneurinthefamilycircle.
　　If，ontheonehand，BonapartedidnotlikethemenoftheRevolution，ontheotherhedreadedstillmorethepartisansoftheBourbons.Onthemerementionofthenameofthoseprincesheexperiencedakindofinwardalarm;andheoftenspokeofthenecessityofraisingawallofbrassbetweenFranceandthem.Tothisfeeling，nodoubt，mustbeattributedcertainnominations，andthespiritofsomerecommendationscontainedinthenoteswithwhichhewassuppliedonthecharactersofcandidates，andwhichforreadyreferencewerearrangedalphabetically.SomeofthenotesjustmentionedwereinthehandwritingofRegnaultdeSt.Jeand’Angely，andsomeinLucienBonaparte’s.
　　——[Amongthemwasthefollowing，underthetitleof"GeneralObservations"："InchoosingamongthemenwhoweremembersoftheConstituentAssemblyitisnecessarytobeonguardagainsttheOrleans’party，whichisnotaltogetherachimera，andmayonedayorotherprovedangerous.
　　"Thereisnodoubtthatthepartisansofthatfamilyareintriguingsecretly;andamongmanyotherproofsofthisfactthefollowingisastrikingone：thejournalcalledthe’Aristargue’，whichundisguisedlysupportsroyalism，isconductedbyamanofthenameofVoidel，oneofthehottestpatriotsoftheRevolution.HewasforseveralmonthspresidentofthecommitteeofinquirywhichcausedtheMarquisdeFavrastobearrestedandhanged，andgavesomuchuneasinesstotheCourt.TherewasnooneintheConstituentAssemblymorehatefultotheCourtthanVoidel，somuchonaccountofhisviolenceasforhisconnectionwiththeDukeofOrleans，whoseadvocateandcounselhewas.WhentheDukeofOrleanswasarrested，Voidel，bravingthefuryoftherevolutionarytribunals，hadthecouragetodefendhim，andplacardedallthewallsofPariswithanapologyfortheDukeandhistwosons.Thisman，writingnowinfavourofroyalism，canhavenootherobjectthantoadvanceamemberoftheOrleansfamilytothethrone."——Bourrienne.]——
　　AtthecommencementoftheFirstConsul’sadministration，thoughhealwaysconsultedthenoteshehadcollected，heyetreceivedwithattentiontherecommendationsofpersonswithwhomhewaswellacquainted;butitwasnotsafeforthemtorecommendarogueorafool.
　　Themenwhomhemostdislikedwerethosewhomhecalledbabblers，whoarecontinuallypratingofeverythingandoneverything.Heoftensaid，——I
　　wantmoreheadandlesstongue."Whathethoughtoftheregicideswillbeseenfartheron，butatfirstthemoreamanhadgivenagagetotheRevolution，themoreheconsideredhimasofferingaguaranteeagainstthereturnoftheformerorderofthings.Besides，Bonapartewasnotthemantoattendtoanyconsiderationwhenoncehispolicywasconcerned.
　　AsIhavesaidafewpagesback，ontakingthegovernmentintohisownhandsBonaparteknewsolittleoftheRevolutionandofthemenengagedincivilemploymentsthatitwasindispensablynecessaryforhimtocollectinformationfromeveryquarterrespectingmenandthings.Butwhentheconflictingpassionsofthemomentbecamemorecalmandthespiritofpartymoreprudent，andwhenorderhadbeen，byhissevereinvestigations，introducedwherehithertounbridledconfusionhadreigned，hebecamegraduallymorescrupulousingrantingplaces，whetherarisingfromnewly—createdoffices，orfromthosechangeswhichthedifferentdepartmentsoftenexperienced.Hethensaidtome，"Bourrienne，Igiveupyourdepartmenttoyou.Namewhomyoupleasefortheappointments;butrememberyoumustberesponsibletome."
　　Whatalistwouldhavebeenwhichshouldcontainthenamesofalltheprefects，sub—prefects，receivers—general，andothercivilofficerstowhomIgaveplaces！Ihavekeptnomemorandaoftheirnames;andindeed，whatadvantagewouldtherehavebeenindoingso？Itwasimpossibleformetohaveapersonalknowledgeofallthefortunatecandidates;butI
　　reliedonrecommendationsinwhichIhadconfidence.
　　IhavelittletocomplainofinthoseIobliged;thoughitistruethat，sincemyseparationfromBonaparte，IhaveseenmanyofthemtaketheoppositesideofthestreetinwhichIwaswalking，andbythatdelicateattentionsavemethetroubleofraisingmyhat.
　　EndofTheMemoirsofNapoleon，V3，1799
　　byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneMemoirsofNapoleonBonaparte，V4
　　byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneHisPrivateSecretaryEditedbyR.W.PhippsColonel，LateRoyalArtillery1891
　　CONTENTS：
　　ChapterXXVII.toChapterXXXV.
　　CHAPTERXXVII.
　　1799—1800.
　　DifficultiesofanewGovernment——StateofEurope——Bonaparte’swishforpeace——M.deTalleyrandMinisterforForeignAffairs——
　　NegotiationswithEnglandandAustria——Theirfailure——Bonaparte’sviewsontheEast——Hissacrificestopolicy——GeneralBonapartedenouncedtotheFirstConsul——Kleber’slettertotheDirectory——
　　AccountsoftheEgyptianexpeditionpublishedintheMoniteur——
　　ProclamationtothearmyoftheEast——Favouranddisgraceofcertainindividualsaccountedfor.
　　WhenanewGovernmentrisesontheruinsofonethathasbeenoverthrown，itsbestchanceofconciliatingthefavourofthenation，ifthatnationbeatwar，istoholdouttheprospectofpeace;forpeaceisalwaysdeartoapeople.Bonapartewaswellawareofthis;andifinhishearthewishedotherwise，heknewhowimportantitwastoseemtodesirepeace.
　　Accordingly，immediatelyafterhisinstallationattheLuxembourghenotifiedtoalltheforeignpowershisaccessiontotheConsulate，and，forthesamepurpose，addressedletterstoallthediplomaticagentsoftheFrenchGovernmentabroad.
　　Thedayafterhegotridofhisfirsttwocolleagues，SieyesandRogerDucos，hepreparedtoopennegotiationswiththeCabinetofLondon.AtthattimewewereatwarwithalmostthewholeofEurope.WehadalsolostItaly.TheEmperorofGermanywasruledbyhisMinisters，whointheirturnweregovernedbyEngland.ItwasnoeasymattertomanageequallytheorganizationoftheConsularGovernmentandthenolessimportantaffairsabroad;anditwasveryimportanttotheinterestsoftheFirstConsultointimatetoforeignpowers，whileatthesametimeheassuredhimselfagainstthereturnoftheBourbons，thatthesystemwhichheproposedtoadoptwasasystemoforderandregeneration，unlikeeitherthedemagogicviolenceoftheConventionortheimbecileartificeoftheDirectory.InfulfilmentofthisobjectBonapartedirectedM.deTalleyrand，thenewMinisterforForeignAffairs，tomakethefirstfriendlyoverturestotheEnglishCabinet：Acorrespondenceensued，whichwaspublishedatthetime，andwhichshowedatoncetheconciliatorypolicyofBonaparteandthearrogantpolicyofEngland.
　　Theexchangeofnoteswhichtookplacewasattendedbynoimmediateresult.However，theFirstConsulhadpartlyattainedhisobject：iftheBritishGovernmentwouldnotenterintonegotiationsforpeace，therewasatleastreasontopresumethatsubsequentoverturesoftheConsularGovernmentmightbelistenedto.ThecorrespondencehadatalleventsaffordedBonapartetheopportunityofdeclaringhisprinciples，andaboveall，ithadenabledhimtoascertainthatthereturnoftheBourbonstoFrance（mentionedintheofficialreplyofLordGrenville）wouldnotbeasinequanonconditionfortherestorationofpeacebetweenthetwopowers.
　　SinceM.deTalleyrandhadbeenMinisterforForeignAffairsthebusinessofthatdepartmenthadproceededwithgreatactivity.ItwasanimportantadvantagetoBonapartetofindanoblemanoftheoldregimeamongtherepublicans.ThechoiceofM.deTalleyrandwasinsomesortanactofcourtesytotheforeignCourts.ItwasadelicateattentiontothediplomacyofEuropetointroducetoitsmembers，forthepurposeoftreatingwiththem，amanwhoserankwasatleastequaltotheirown，andwhowasuniversallydistinguishedforapolishedeleganceofmannercombinedwithsolidgoodqualitiesandrealtalents.
　　ItwasnotonlywithEnglandthatBonaparteandhisMinisterendeavouredtoopennegotiations;theConsularCabinetalsoofferedpeacetotheHouseofAustria;butnotatthesametime.Theobjectofthisofferwastosowdiscordbetweenthetwopowers.SpeakingtomeonedayofhisearnestwishtoobtainpeaceBonapartesaid，"Yousee，Bourrienne，Ihavetwogreatenemiestocopewith.IwillconcludepeacewiththeoneI
　　findmosteasytodealwith.Thatwillenablemeimmediatelytoassailtheother.IfranklyconfessthatIshouldlikebesttobeatpeacewithEngland.NothingwouldthenbemoreeasythantocrushAustria.ShehasnomoneyexceptwhatshegetsthroughEngland."
　　Foralongtimeallnegotiationsprovedabortive.NoneoftheEuropeanpowerswouldacknowledgethenewGovernment，ofwhichBonapartewasthehead;andthebattleofMarengowasrequiredbeforethepeaceofAmienscouldbeobtained.
　　ThoughtheaffairsofthenewGovernmentaffordedabundantoccupationtoBonaparte，heyetfoundleisuretodirectattentiontotheEast——tothatlandofdespotismwhence，judgingfromhissubsequentconduct，itmightbepresumedhederivedhisfirstprinciplesofgovernment.OnbecomingtheheadoftheStatehewishedtoturnEgypt，whichhehadconqueredasageneral，totheadvantageofhispolicyasConsul.IfBonapartetriumphedoverafeelingofdislikeinconsigningthecommandofthearmytoKleber，itwasbecauseheknewKlebertobemorecapablethananyotherofexecutingtheplanshehadformed;andBonapartewasnotthemantosacrificetheinterestsofpolicytopersonalresentment.ItiscertainlytruethathethenputintopracticethatcharmingphraseofMoliere’s——"Ipardonyou，butyoushallpaymeforthis！"
　　WithrespecttoallwhomhehadleftinEgyptBonapartestoodinaverysingularsituation.OnbecomingChiefoftheGovernmenthewasnotonlythedepositaryofallcommunicationsmadetotheDirectory;butletterssenttooneaddressweredeliveredtoanother，andtheFirstConsulreceivedthecomplaintsmadeagainsttheGeneralwhohadsoabruptlyquittedEgypt.Inalmostallthelettersthatweredeliveredtoushewastheobjectofseriousaccusation.Accordingtosomehehadnotavowedhisdepartureuntiltheverydayofhisembarkation;andhehaddeceivedeverybodybymeansoffalseanddissemblingproclamations.
　　OtherscanvassedhisconductwhileinEgypt：thearmywhichhadtriumphedunderhiscommandhehadabandonedwhenreducedtotwo—thirdsofitsoriginalforceandapreytoallthehorrorsofsicknessandwant：Itmustbeconfessedthatthesecomplaintsandaccusationswerebuttoowellfounded，andonecanneverceasewonderingatthechainoffortunatecircumstanceswhichsorapidlyraisedBonapartetotheConsularseat.
　　Inthenaturalorderofthings，andinfulfilmentofthedesignwhichhehimselfhadformed，heshouldhavedisembarkedatToulon，wherethequarantinelawswouldnodoubthavebeenobserved;insteadofwhich，thefearoftheEnglishandtheuncertaintyofthepilotscausedhimtogotoFrejus，wherethequarantinelawswereviolatedbytheverypersonsmostinterestedinrespectingthem.LetussupposethatBonapartehadbeenforcedtoperformquarantineatToulon.Whatwouldhaveensued？ThechargesagainsthimwouldhavefallenintothehandsoftheDirectory，andhewouldprobablyhavebeensuspended，andputuponhistrial.
　　AmongtheletterswhichfellintoBonaparte’shands，byreasonoftheabruptchangeofgovernment，wasanofficialdespatch（ofthe4thVendemiaire，yearVIII.）fromGeneralKleberatCairototheExecutiveDirectory，inwhichthatgeneralspokeinverystringenttermsofthesuddendepartureofBonaparteandofthestateinwhichthearmyinEgypthadbeenleft.GeneralKleberfurtheraccusedhimofhavingevaded，byhisflight，thedifficultieswhichhethustransferredtohissuccessor’sshoulders，andalsoofleavingthearmy"withoutasouinthechest，"
　　withpayinarrear，andverylittlesupplyofmunitionsorclothing.
　　TheotherlettersfromEgyptwerenotlessaccusatorythanKleber’s;anditcannotbedoubtedthatchargesofsopreciseanature，broughtbythegeneralwhohadnowbecomecommander—in—chiefagainsthispredecessor，wouldhavehadgreatweight，especiallybackedastheywerebysimilarcomplaintsfromotherquarters.Atrialwouldhavebeeninevitable;andthen，no18thBrumaire，noConsulate，noEmpire，noconquestofEurope—
　　butalso，itmaybeadded，noSt.Helena.Noneofthese，eventswouldhaveensuedhadnottheEnglishsquadron，whenitappearedoffCorsica，obligedtheHuirontoscudaboutathazard，andtotouchatthefirstlandshecouldreach.
　　TheEgyptianexpeditionfilledtooimportantaplaceinthelifeofBonaparteforhimtoneglectfrequentlyrevivinginthepublicmindtherecollectionofhisconquestsintheEast.ItwasnottobeforgottenthattheheadoftheRepublicwasthefirstofhergenerals.WhileMoreaureceivedthecommandofthearmiesoftheRhine，whileMassena，asarewardforthevictoryofZurich，wasmadeCommander—in—ChiefinItaly，andwhileBrunewasattheheadofthearmyofBatavia，Bonaparte，whosesoulwasinthecamps，consoledhimselfforhistemporaryinactivitybyaretrospectiveglanceonhispasttriumphs.HewasunwillingthatFameshouldforamomentceasetoblazonhisname.Accordingly，assoonashewasestablishedattheheadoftheGovernment，hecausedaccountsofhisEgyptianexpeditiontobefromtimetotimepublishedintheMoniteur.
　　Hefrequentlyexpressedhissatisfactionthattheaccusatorycorrespondence，and，aboveall，Kleber’sletter，hadfallenintohisownhands.’SuchwasBonaparte’sperfectself—commandthatimmediatelyafterperusingthatletterhedictatedtomethefollowingproclamation，addressedtothearmyoftheEast：
　　SOLDIERS！——TheConsulsoftheFrenchRepublicfrequentlydirecttheirattentiontothearmyoftheEast.
　　Franceacknowledgesalltheinfluenceofyourconquestsontherestorationofhertradeandthecivilisationoftheworld.
　　TheeyesofallEuropeareuponyou，andinthoughtIamoftenwithyou.
　　Inwhateversituationthechancesofwarmayplaceyou，proveyourselvesstillthesoldiersofRivoliandAboukir——youwillbeinvincible.
　　PlaceinKlebertheboundlessconfidencewhichyoureposedinme.
　　Hedeservesit.
　　Soldiers，thinkofthedaywhenyouwillreturnvictorioustothesacredterritoryofFrance.Thatwillbeagloriousdayforthewholenation.
　　NothingcanmoreforciblyshowthecharacterofBonapartethantheaboveallusiontoKleber，afterhehadseenthewayinwhichKleberspokeofhimtotheDirectory.Coulditeverhavebeenimaginedthatthecorrespondenceofthearmy，towhomheaddressedthisproclamation，teemedwithaccusationsagainsthim？Thoughthemajorityoftheseaccusationswerestrictlyjust，yetitisbutfairtostatethatthelettersfromEgyptcontainedsomecalumnies.Inanswertothewell—
　　foundedportionofthechargesBonapartesaidlittle;butheseemedtofeeldeeplythefalsehoodsthatwerestatedagainsthim，oneofwhichwas，thathehadcarriedawaymillionsfromEgypt.Icannotconceivewhatcouldhavegivenrisetothisfalseandimpudentassertion.Sofarfromhavingtouchedthearmychest，Bonapartehadnotevenreceivedallhisownpay.BeforeheconstitutedhimselftheGovernmenttheGovernmentwashisdebtor.
　　ThoughheknewwellallthatwastobeexpectedfromtheEgyptianexpedition，yetthosewholaudedthataffairwereregardedwithafavourableeyebyBonaparte.Thecorrespondencewhichhadfallenintohishandswastohimofthehighestimportanceinenablinghimtoascertaintheopinionswhichparticularindividualsentertainedofhim.
　　Itwasthesourceoffavoursanddisgraceswhichthosewhowerenotinthesecretcouldnotaccountfor.Itservestoexplainwhymanymenofmediocritywereelevatedtothehighestdignitiesandhonours，whileothermenofrealmeritfellintodisgraceorwereutterlyneglected.
　　CHAPTERXXVIII.
　　1800.
　　Greatandcommonmen——PortraitofBonaparte——Thevariedexpressionofhiscountenance——Hisconvulsiveshrug——Presentimentofhiscorpulency——Partialityforbathing——Histemperance——Hisallegedcapabilityofdispensingwithsleep——Goodandbadnews——Shaving，andreadingthejournals——Morning，business——Breakfast——Coffeeandsnuff——Bonaparte’sideaofhisownsituation—Hisillopinionofmankind——Hisdislikeofa’tete—a—tete’——HishatredoftheRevolutionists——Ladiesinwhite——Anecdotes——Bonaparte’stokensofkindness，andhisdrollcompliments——Hisfitsofillhumour——Soundofbells——
　　GardensofMalmaison——Hisopinionofmedicine——Hismemory——
　　Hispoeticinsensibility——Hiswantofgallantry——Cardsandconversation——Thedress—coatandblackcravat——Bonaparte’spayments——Hisreligiousideas——Hisobstinacy.
　　Inperusingthehistoryofthedistinguishedcharactersofpastages，howoftendoweregretthatthehistorianshouldhaveportrayedtheheroratherthantheman！Wewishtoknoweventhemosttrivialhabitsofthosewhomgreat，talentsandvastreputationhaveelevatedabovetheirfellow—creatures.Isthistheeffectofmerecuriosity，orratherisitnotaninvoluntaryfeelingofvanitywhichpromptsustoconsoleourselvesforthesuperiorityofgreatmenbyreflectingontheirfaults，theirweaknesses，theirabsurdities;inshort，allthepointsofresemblancebetweenthemandcommonmen？Forthesatisfactionofthosewhoarecuriousindetailsofthissort，IwillhereendeavourtopaintBonaparte，asIsawhim，inpersonandinmind，todescribewhatwerehistastesandhabits，andevenhiswhimsandcaprices.
　　Bonapartewasnowintheprimeoflife，andaboutthirty.ThepersonofBonapartehasservedasamodelforthemostskilfulpaintersandsculptors;manyableFrenchartistshavesuccessfullydelineatedhisfeatures，andyetitmaybesaidthatnoperfectlyfaithfulportraitofhimexists.Hisfinely—shapedhead，hissuperbforehead，hispalecountenance，andhisusualmeditativelook，havebeentransferredtothecanvas;buttheversatilityofhisexpressionwasbeyondthereachofimitation：Allthevariousworkingsofhismindwereinstantaneouslydepictedinhiscountenance;andhisglancechangedfrommildtosevere，andfromangrytogood—humoured，almostwiththerapidityoflightning.
　　Itmaytrulybesaidthathehadaparticularlookforeverythoughtthataroseinhismind.
　　Bonapartehadbeautifulhands，andhewasveryproudofthem;whileconversinghewouldoftenlookatthemwithanairofself—complacency.
　　Healsofanciedhehadfineteeth，buthispretensiontothatadvantagewasnotsowellfoundedashisvanityonthescoreofhishands.
　　Whenwalking，eitheraloneorincompanywithanyone，inhisapartmentsorinhisgardens，hehadthehabitofstoopingalittle，andcrossinghishandsbehindhisback.Hefrequentlygaveaninvoluntaryshrugofhisrightshoulder，whichwasaccompaniedbyamovementofhismouthfromlefttoright.Thishabitwasalwaysmostremarkablewhenhismindwasabsorbedintheconsiderationofanyprofoundsubject.Itwasoftenwhilewalkingthathedictatedtomehismostimportantnotes.Hecouldenduregreatfatigue，notonlyonhorsebackbutonfoot;hewouldsometimeswalkforfiveorsixhoursinsuccessionwithoutbeingawareofit.
　　Whenwalkingwithanypersonwhomhetreatedwithfamiliarityhewouldlinkhisarmintothatofhiscompanion，andleanonit.
　　Heusedoftentosaytome，"Yousee，Bourrienne，howtemperate，andhowthinIam;but，inspiteofthat，IcannothelpthinkingthatatfortyI
　　shallbecomeagreateater，andgetveryfat.Iforeseethatmyconstitutionwillundergoachange.Itakeagreatdealofexercise;butyetIfeelassuredthatmypresentimentwillbefulfilled."Thisideagavehimgreatuneasiness，andasIobservednothingwhichseemedtowarranthisapprehensions，Iomittednoopportunityofassuringhimthattheyweregroundless.Buthewouldnotlistentome，andallthetimeI
　　wasabouthim，hewashauntedbythispresentiment，which，intheend，wasbuttoowellverified.
　　Hispartialityforthebathhemistookforanecessity.Hewouldusuallyremaininthebathtwohours，duringwhichtimeIusedtoreadtohimextractsfromthejournalsandpamphletsoftheday，forhewasanxioustohearandknowallthatwasgoingon.Whileinthebathhewascontinuallyturningonthewarmwatertoraisethetemperature，sothatI
　　wassometimesenvelopedinsuchadensevapourthatIcouldnotseetoread，andwasobligedtoopenthedoor.
　　Bonapartewasexceedinglytemperate，andaversetoallexcess.Heknewtheabsurdstoriesthatwerecirculatedabouthim，andhewassometimesvexedatthemeIthasbeenrepeated，overandoveragain，thathewassubjecttoattacksofepilepsy;butduringtheelevenyearsthatIwasalmostconstantlywithhimIneverobservedanysymptomwhichintheleastdegreedenotedthatmalady.Hishealthwasgoodandhisconstitutionsound.Ifhisenemies，bywayofreproach，haveattributedtohimaseriousperiodicaldisease，hisflatterers，probablyundertheideathatsleepisincompatiblewithgreatness，haveevincedanequaldisregardoftruthinspeakingofhisnight—watching.Bonapartemadeotherswatch，buthehimselfslept，andsleptwell.HisorderswerethatIshouldcallhimeverymorningatseven.Iwasthereforethefirsttoenterhischamber;butveryfrequentlywhenIawokehimhewouldturnhimself，andsay，"Ah，Bourrienne！letmeliealittlelonger."WhentherewasnoverypressingbusinessIdidnotdisturbhimagaintilleighto’clock.Heingeneralsleptsevenhoursoutofthetwenty—four，besidestakingashortnapintheafternoon.
　　AmongtheprivateinstructionswhichBonapartegaveme，onewasverycurious."Duringthenight，"saidhe，"entermychamberasseldomaspossible.Donotawakemewhenyouhaveanygoodnewstocommunicate：
　　withthatthereisnohurry.Butwhenyoubringbadnews，rousemeinstantly;forthenthereisnotamomenttobelost."
　　Thiswasawiseregulation，andBonapartefoundhisadvantageinit.
　　Assoonasherosehis’valetdechambre’shavedhimanddressedhishair.WhilehewasbeingshavedIreadtohimthenewspapers，beginningalwayswiththe’Moniteur.’HepaidlittleattentiontoanybuttheGermanandEnglishpapers."Passoverallthat，"hewouldsay，whileI
　　wasperusingtheFrenchpapers;"Iknowitalready.Theysayonlywhattheythinkwillpleaseme."IwasoftensurprisedthathisvaletdidnotcuthimwhileIwasreading;forwheneverhaheardanythinginterestingheturnedquicklyroundtowardsme.
　　WhenBonapartehadfinished：histoilet，whichhedidwithgreatattention，forhewasscrupulouslyneatinhisperson，wewentdowntohiscabinet.Therehesignedtheordersonimportantpetitionswhichhadbeenanalysedbymeontheprecedingevening.Onreceptionandparadedayshewasparticularlyexactinsigningtheseorders，becauseIusedtoremindhimthathewouldbe，likelytoseemostofthepetitioners，andthattheywouldaskhimforanswers.TosparehimthisannoyanceIusedoftentoacquaintthembeforehandofwhathadbeengrantedorrefused，andwhathadbeenthedecisionoftheFirstConsul.HenextperusedtheletterswhichIhadopenedandlaidonhistable，rangingthemaccordingtotheirimportance.Hedirectedmetoanswertheminhisname;heoccasionallywrotetheanswershimself，butnotoften.