Atteno’clockthe’maitred’hotel’entered，andannouncedbreakfast，saying，’TheGeneralisserved.\"Wewenttobreakfast，andtherepastwasexceedinglysimple.Heatealmosteverymorningsomechicken，dressedwithoilandonions.Thisdishwasthen，Ibelieve，called’pouletalaProvencale’;butourrestaurateurshavesinceconferreduponitthemoreambitiousnameof’pouletalaMarengo.’
Bonapartedranklittlewine，alwayseitherclaretorBurgundy，andthelatterbypreference.Afterbreakfast，aswellasafterdinner，hetookacupofstrongcoffee.
——[M.BrillatdeSavarin，whosememoryisdeartoallgourmands，hadestablished，asagastronomicprinciple，that\"hewhodoesnottakecoffeeaftereachmealisassuredlynotamenoftaste.\"——
Bourrienne.]——
Ineversawhimtakeanybetweenhismeals，andIcannotimaginewhatcouldhavegivenrisetotheassertionofhisbeingparticularlyfondofcoffee.Whenheworkedlateatnightheneverorderedcoffee，butchocolate，ofwhichhemademetakeacupwithhim.Butthisonlyhappenedwhenourbusinesswasprolongedtilltwoorthreeinthemorning.
AllthathasbeensaidaboutBonaparte’simmoderateuseofsnuffhasnomorefoundationintruththanhispretendedpartialityforcoffee.Itistruethatatanearlyperiodofhislifehebegantotakesnuff，butitwasverysparingly，andalwaysoutofabox;andifheboreanyresemblancetoFredericktheGreat，itwasnotbyfillinghiswaistcoat—
pocketswithsnuff，forImustagainobservehecarriedhisnotionsofpersonalneatnesstoafastidiousdegree.
Bonapartehadtworulingpassions，gloryandwar.Hewasnevermoregaythaninthecamp，andnevermoremorosethanintheinactivityofpeace.
Plansfortheconstructionofpublicmonumentsalsopleasedhisimagination，andfilledupthevoidcausedbythewantofactiveoccupation.Hewasawarethatmonumentsformpartofthehistoryofnations，ofwhosecivilisationtheybearevidenceforagesafterthosewhocreatedthemhavedisappearedfromtheearth，andthattheylikewiseoftenbearfalse—witnesstoremoteposterityoftherealityofmerelyfabulousconquests.Bonapartewas，however，mistakenastothemodeofaccomplishingtheobjecthehadinview.Hisciphers，histrophies，andsubsequentlyhiseagles，splendidlyadornedthemonumentsofhisreign.
Butwhydidhewishtostampfalseinitialsonthingswithwhichneitherhenorhisreignhadanyconnection;as，forexampletheoldLouvre？Didheimaginethattheletter，\"N\"whicheverywhereobtrudeditselfontheeye，hadinitacharmtocontroverttherecordsofhistory，oralterthecourseoftime？
——[WhenLouisXVIII.returnedtotheTuileriesin1814hefoundthatBonapartehadbeenanexcellenttenant，andthathehadlefteverythinginverygoodcondition.]——
Bethisasitmay，Bonapartewellknewthatthefineartsentaillastinggloryongreatactions，andconsecratethememoryofprinceswhoprotectandencouragethem.Heoftenerthanoncesaidtome，\"Agreatreputationisagreatpoise;themorethereismade，thefartheroffitisheard.
Laws，institutions，monuments，nations，allfall;butthenoisecontinuesandresoundsinafterages.\"Thiswasoneofhisfavouriteideas.\"Mypower，\"hewouldsayatothertimes，\"dependsonmyglory，andmygloryonmyvictories.MypowerwouldfallwereInottosupportitbynewgloryandnewvictories.ConquesthasmademewhatIam，andconquestalonecanmaintainme.\"Thiswasthen，andprobablyalwayscontinuedtobe，hispredominantidea，andthatwhichpromptedhimcontinuallytoscattertheseedsofwarthroughEurope.Hethoughtthatifheremainedstationaryhawouldfall，andhewastormentedwiththedesireofcontinuallyadvancing.Nottodosomethinggreatanddecidedwas，inhisopinion，todonothing.\"Anewly—bornGovernment，\"saidhetome，\"mustdazzleandastonish.Whenitceasestodothatitfalls.\"Itwasvaintolookforrestfromamanwhowasrestlessnessitself.
HissentimentstowardsFrancenowdifferedwidelyfromwhatIhadknownthemtobeinhisyouth.HelongindignantlycherishedtherecollectionoftheconquestofCorsica，whichhewasoncecontenttoregardashiscountry.Butthatrecollectionwaseffaced，anditmightbesaidthathenowardentlylovedFrance.Hisimaginationwasfiredbytheverythoughtofseeinghergreat，happy，andpowerful，and，asthefirstnationintheworld，dictatinglawstotherest.HefanciedhisnameinseparablyconnectedwithFrance，andresoundingin，theearsofposterity.Inallhisactionshelostsightofthepresentmoment，andthoughtonlyoffuturity;so，inallplaceswhereheledthewaytoglory，theopinionofFrancewaseverpresentinhisthoughts.AsAlexanderatArbelapleasedhimselflessinhavingconqueredDariusthaninhavinggainedthesuffrageoftheAthenians，soBonaparteatMarengowashauntedbytheideaofwhatwouldbesaidinFrance.BeforehefoughtabattleBonapartethoughtlittleaboutwhatheshoulddoincaseofsuccess，butagreatdealaboutwhatheshoulddoincaseofareverseoffortune.
ImentionthisasafactofwhichIhaveoftenbeenawitness，andleavetohisbrothersinarmstodecidewhetherhiscalculationswerealwayscorrect.Hehaditinhispowertodomuch，forheriskedeverythingandsparednothing.Hisinordinateambitiongoadedhimontotheattainmentofpower;andpowerwhenpossessedservedonlytoaugmenthisambition.
Bonapartewasthoroughlyconvincedofthetruththattriflesoftendecidethegreatestevents;thereforehewatchedratherthanprovokedopportunity，andwhentherightmomentapproached，hesuddenlytookadvantageofit.Itiscuriousthat，amidstalltheanxietiesofwarandgovernment，thefearoftheBourbonsincessantlypursuedhim，andtheFaubourgSt.Germainwastohimalwaysathreateningphantom.
Hedidnotesteemmankind，whom，indeed，hedespisedmoreandmoreinproportionashebecameacquaintedwiththem.Inhimthisunfavourableopinionofhumannaturewasjustifiedbymanyglaringexamplesofbaseness，andheusedfrequentlytorepeat，\"Therearetwoleversformovingmen，——interestandfear.\"Whatrespect，indeed，couldBonaparteentertainfortheapplicantstothetreasuryoftheopera？Intothistreasurythegaming—housespaidaconsiderablesum，partofwhichwenttocovertheexpensesofthatmagnificenttheatre.Therestwasdistributedinsecretgratuities，whichwerepaidonorderssignedbyDuroc.
IndividualsofverydifferentcharacterswereoftenseencatchingthelittledoorintheRueRameau.TheladywhowasforawhilethefavouriteoftheGeneral—in—ChiefinEgypt，andwhosehusbandwasmaliciouslysentback—bytheEnglish，wasafrequentvisitortothetreasury.Onanoccasionwouldbeseenassembledthereadistinguishedscholarandanactor，acelebratedoratorandamusician;onanother，thetreasurerwouldhavepaymentstomaketoapriest，acourtesan，andacardinal.
OneofBonaparte’sgreatestmisfortuneswas，thatheneitherbelievedinfriendshipnotfeltthenecessityofloving.HowoftenhaveIheardhimsay，\"Friendshipisbutaname;Ilovenobody.Idonotevenlovemybrothers.PerhapsJoseph，alittle，fromhabitandbecauseheismyelder;andDuroc，Ilovehimtoo.Butwhy？Becausehischaracterpleasesme.Heissternandresolute;andIreallybelievethefellownevershedatear.Formypart，IknowverywellthatIhavenotruefriends.AslongasIcontinuewhatIam，ImayhaveasmanypretendedfriendsasIplease.Leavesensibilitytowomen;itistheirbusiness.
Butmenshouldbefirminheartandinpurpose，ortheyshouldhavenothingtodowithwarorgovernment.\"
InhissocialrelationsBonaparte’stemperwasbad;buthisfitsofill—
humourpassedawaylikeacloud，andspentthemselvesinwords.Hisviolentlanguageandbitterimprecationswerefrequentlypremeditated.
Whenhewasgoingtoreprimandanyonehelikedtohaveawitnesspresent.Hewouldthensaytheharshestthings，andlevelblowsagainstwhichfewcouldbearup.Buthenevergavewaytothoseviolentebullitionsofrageuntilbeacquiredundoubtedproofsofthemisconductofthoseagainstwhomtheyweredirected.InscenesofthissortIhavefrequentlyobservedthatthepresenceofathirdpersonseemedtogivehimconfidence.Consequently，ina’tete—a—tete’interview，anyonewhoknewhischaracter，andwhocouldmaintainsufficientcoolnessandfirmness，wassuretogetthebetterofhim.HetoldhisfriendsatSt.
Helenathatheadmittedathirdpersononsuchoccasionsonlythattheblowmightresoundthefarther.Thatwasnothisrealmotive，orthebetterwaywouldhavebeentoperformthesceneinpublic.Hehadotherreasons.Iobservedthathedidnotlikea’tete—a—tete’;andwhenheexpectedanyone，hewouldsaytomebeforehand，\"Bourrienne，youmayremain;\"andwhenanyonewasannouncedwhomhedidnotexpect，asaministerorageneral;ifIrosetoretirehewouldsayinahalf—
whisper，\"Staywhereyouare.\"Certainlythiswasnotdonewiththedesignofgettingwhathesaidreportedabroad;foritbelongedneithertomycharacternormydutytogossipaboutwhatIhadheard.Besides，itmaybepresumed，thatthefewwhowereadmittedaswitnessestotheconferencesofNapoleonwereawareoftheconsequencesattendingindiscreetdisclosuresunderaGovernmentwhichwasmadeacquaintedwithallthatwassaidanddone.
BonaparteentertainedaprofounddislikeofthesanguinarymenoftheRevolution，andespeciallyoftheregicides.Hefelt，asapainfulburden，theobligationofdissemblingtowardsthem.HespoketomeintermsofhorrorofthosewholehecelledtheassassinsofLouisXVI，andhewasannoyedatthenecessityofemployingthemandtreatingthemwithapparentrespect.HowmanytimeshashenotsaidtoCambaceres，pinchinghimbytheear，tosoften，bythathabitualfamiliarity，thebitternessoftheremark，\"Mydearfellow，yourcaseisclear;ifevertheBourbonscomebackyouwillbehanged！\"AforcedsmilewouldthenrelaxthelividcountenanceofCambaceres，andwasusuallytheonlyreplyoftheSecondConsul，who，however，ononeoccasionsaidinmyhearing，\"Come，come，havedonewiththisjoking.\"
OnethingwhichgaveBonapartegreatpleasurewheninthecountrywastoseeatall，slenderwoman，dressedinwhite，walkingbeneathanalleyofshadedtrees.Hedetestedcoloureddresses，andespeciallydarkones.
Tofatwomenhehadaninvincibleantipathy，andhecouldnotendurethesightofapregnantwoman;itthereforerarelyhappenedthatafemaleinthatsituationwasinvitedtohisparties.Hepossessedeveryrequisiteforbeingwhatiscalledinsocietyanagreeableman，exceptthewilltobeso.Hismannerwasimposingratherthanpleasing，andthosewhodidnotknowhimwellexperiencedinhispresenceaninvoluntaryfeelingofawe.Inthedrawing—room，whereJosephinedidthehonourswithsomuchgraceandaffability，allwasgaietyandease，andnoonefeltthepresenceofasuperior;butonBonaparte’sentranceallwaschanged，andeveryeyewasdirectedtowardshim，toreadhishumourinhiscountenance，whetherheintendedtobesilentortalkative，dullorcheerful.
Heoftentalkedagreatdeal，andsometimesalittletoomuch;butnoonecouldtellastoryinamoreagreeableandinterestingway.Hisconversationrarelyturnedongayorhumoroussubjects，andneverontrivialmatters.Hewassofondofargumentthatinthewarmthofdiscussionitwaseasytodrawfromhimsecretswhichhewasmostanxioustoconceal.Sometimes，inasmallcircle，hewouldamusehimselfbyrelatingstoriesofpresentimentsandapparitions.Forthishealwayschosethetwilightofevening，andhewouldpreparehishearersforwhatwascomingbysomesolemnremark.Ononeoccasionofthiskindhesaid，inaverygravetoneofvoice，\"Whendeathstrikesapersonwhomwelove，andwhoisdistantfromus，aforebodingalmostalwaysdenotestheevent，andthedyingpersonappearstousatthemomentofhisdissolution.\"
Hethenimmediatelyrelatedthefollowinganecdote：\"AgentlemanoftheCourtofLouisXIV.wasinthegalleryofVersaillesatthetimethattheKingwasreadingtohiscourtiersthebulletinofthebattleofFriedlingengainedbyVillars.Suddenlythegentlemansaw，atthefartherendofthegallery，theghostofhisson，whoservedunderVillars.Heexclaimed，’Mysonisnomore！’andnextmomenttheKingnamedhimamongthedead.\"
WhentravellingBonapartewasparticularlytalkative.Inthewarmthofhisconversation，whichwasalwayscharacterisedbyoriginalandinterestingidea，hesometimesdroppedhintsofhisfutureviews，or，atleast，hesaidthingswhichwerecalculatedtodisclosewhathewishedtoconceal.Itookthelibertyofmentioningtohimthisindiscretion，andfarfrombeingoffended，heacknowledgedhismistake，addingthathewasnotawarehehadgonesofar.HefranklyavowedthiswantofcautionwhenatSt.Helena.
Wheningoodhumourhisusualtokensofkindnessconsistedinalittlerapontheheadoraslightpinchoftheear.Inhismostfriendlyconversationswiththosewhomheadmittedintohisintimacyhewouldsay，\"Youareafool\"——\"asimpleton\"——\"aninny\"——\"ablockhead.\"These，andafewotherwordsoflikeimport，enabledhimtovaryhiscatalogueofcompliments;butheneveremployedthemangrily，andthetoneinwhichtheywereutteredsufficientlyindicatedthattheyweremeantinkindness.
Bonapartehadmanysingularhabitsandtastes.Wheneverheexperiencedanyvexation，orwhenanyunpleasantthoughtoccupiedhismind，hewouldhumsomethingwhichwasfarfromresemblingatune，forhisvoicewasveryunmusical.Hewould，atthesametime，seathimselfbeforethewriting—table，andswingbackinhischairsofarthatIhaveoftenbeenfearfulofhisfalling.
Hewouldthenventhisill—humourontherightarmofhischair，mutilatingitwithhispenknife，whichheseemedtokeepfornootherpurpose.Ialwaystookcaretokeepgoodpensreadyforhim;for，asitwasmybusinesstodecipherhiswriting，IhadastronginterestindoingwhatIcouldtomakeitlegible.
ThesoundofbellsalwaysproducedinBonapartepleasurablesensations，whichIcouldneveraccountfor.WhenwewereatMalmaison，andwalkinginthealleyleadingtotheplainofRuel，howmanytimeshasthebellofthevillagechurchinterruptedourmostseriousconversations！
Hewouldstop，lestthenoiseofourfootstepsshoulddrownanyportionofthedelightfulsound：HewasalmostangrywithmebecauseIdidnotexperiencetheimpressionshedid.Sopowerfulwastheeffectproduceduponhimbythesoundofthesebellsthathisvoicewouldfalterashesaid，\"Ah！thatremindsmeofthefirstyearsIspentatBrienne！Iwasthenhappy！\"Whenthebellsceasedhewouldresumethecourseofhisspeculations，carryhimselfintofuturity，placeacrownonhishead;anddethronekings.
Nowhere，exceptonthefieldofbattle，didIeverseeBonapartemorehappythaninthegardensofMalmaison.AtthecommencementoftheConsulateweusedtogothereeverySaturdayevening，andstaythewholeofSunday，andsometimesMonday.Bonaparteusedtospendaconsiderablepartofhistimeinwalkingandsuperintendingtheimprovementswhichhehadordered.Atfirstheusedtomakeexcursionsabouttheneighbourhood，butthereportsofthepolicedisturbedhisnaturalconfidence，andgavehimreasontofeartheattemptsofconcealedroyalistpartisans.
DuringthefirstfourorfivedaysthatBonapartespentatMalmaisonheamusedhimselfafterbreakfastwithcalculatingtherevenueofthatdomain.Accordingtohisestimatesitamountedto8000francs.\"Thatisnotbad！\"saidhe;\"buttoliveherewouldrequireauincomeof30，000
livres！\"Icouldnothelpsmilingtoseehimseriouslyengagedinsuchacalculation.
Bonapartehadnofaithinmedicine.Hespokeofitasanartentirelyconjectural，andhisopiniononthissubjectwasfiredandincontrovertible.Hisvigorousmindrejectedallbutdemonstrativeproofs.
Hehadlittlememoryforpropername，words，ordates，buthehadawonderfulrecollectionoffactsandplaces.Irecollectthat，ongoingfromParistoToulon，hepointedouttometenplacescalculatedforgreatbattles，andheneverforgotthem.Theywerememorandaofhisfirstyouthfuljourneys.
Bonapartewasinsensibletothecharmsofpoeticharmony.Hehadnotevensufficienteartofeeltherhythm，ofpoetry，andhenevercouldreciteaversewithoutviolatingthemetre;yetthegrandideasofpoetrycharmedhim.HeabsolutelyworshippedCorneille;and，oneday，afterhavingwitnessedaperformanceof’Cinna’，hesaidtome，\"IfamanlikeCorneillewerelivinginmytimeIwouldmakehimmyPrimeMinister.ItisnothispoetrythatImostadmire;itishispowerfulunderstanding，hisvastknowledgeofthehumanheart，andhisprofoundpolicy！\"AtSt.
Helenahesaidthath？wouldhavemadeCorneilleaprince;butatthetimehespoketomeofCorneillehehadnothoughtofmakingeitherprincesorkings.
GallantrytowomenwasbynomeansatraitinBonaparte’scharacter.
Heseldomsaidanythingagreeabletofemales，andhefrequentlyaddressedtothemtherudestandmostextraordinaryremarks.Toonehewouldsay，\"Heavens，howredyourelbowsare！\"Toanother，\"Whatanuglyheaddressyouhavegot！\"Atanothertimehewouldsay，\"YourdressisnoneofthecleanestDoyoueverchangeyourgown？Ihaveseenyouinthattwentytimes！\"Heshowednomercytoanywhodispleasedhimonthesepoints.HeoftengaveJosephinedirectionsabouthertoilet，andtheexquisitetasteforwhichshewasdistinguishedmighthavehelpedtomakehimfastidiousaboutthecostumeofotherladies.Atfirsthelookedtoeleganceaboveallthings：atalaterperiodheadmiredluxuryandsplendour，buthealwaysrequiredmodesty.Hefrequentlyexpressedhisdisapprovalofthelow—neckeddresseswhichweresomuchinfashionatthebeginningoftheConsulate.
Bonapartedidnotlovecards，andthiswasveryfortunateforthosewhowereinvitedtohisparties;forwhenhewasseatedatacard—table，ashesometimesthoughthimselfobligedtobe，nothingcouldexceedthedulnessofthedrawing—roomeitherattheLuxembourgortheTuileries.
When，onthecontrary，hewalkedaboutamongthecompany，allwerepleased，forheusuallyspoketoeverybody，thoughhepreferredtheconversationofmenofscience，especiallythosewhohadbeenwithhimininEgypt;asforexample，MongeandBerthollet.HealsolikedtotalkwithChaptalandLacphede，andwithLemercier，theauthorof’Agamemnon’.
Bonapartewasseentolessadvantageinadrawing—roomthanattheheadofhistroops.Hismilitaryuniformbecamehimmuchbetterthanthehandsomestdressofanyotherkind.Hisfirsttrialsofdress—coatswereunfortunate.Ihavebeeninformedthatthefirsttimeheworeonehekeptonhisblackcravat.Thisincongruitywasremarkedtohim，andhereplied，\"Somuchthebetter;itleavesmesomethingofamilitaryair，andthereisnoharminthat.\"Formyownpart，Ineithersawtheblackcravatnorheardthisreply.
TheFirstConsulpaidhisownprivatebillsverypunctually;buthewasalwaystardyinsettlingtheaccountsofthecontractorswhobargainedwithMinistersforsuppliesforthepublicservice.Heputoffthesepaymentsbyallsortsofexcusesandshufflings.Hencearoseimmensearrearsintheexpenditure，andthenecessityofappointingacommitteeofliquidation.Inhisopinionthetermscontractorandrogueweresynonymous.Allthatheavoidedpayingthemheregardedasajustrestitutiontohimself;andallthesumswhichwerestruckofffromtheiraccountsheregardedassomuchdeductedfromatheft.ThelessaMinisterpaidoutofhisbudgetthemoreBonapartewaspleasedwithhim;
andthisruinoussystemofeconomycanaloneexplainthecreditwhichDecressolongenjoyedattheexpenseoftheFrenchnavy.
OnthesubjectofreligionBonaparte’sideaswereveryvague.
\"Myreason，\"saidhe，\"makesmeincredulousrespectingmanythings;buttheimpressionsofmychildhoodandearlyyouththrowmeintouncertainty.\"Hewasveryfondoftalkingofreligion.InItaly，inEgypt，andonboardthe’Orient’andthe’Muiron’，Ihaveknownhimtotakepartinveryanimatedconversationsonthissubject.
Hereadilyyieldedupallthatwasprovedagainstreligionastheworkofmenandtime：buthewouldnothearofmaterialism.Irecollectthatonefinenight，whenhewasondeckwithsomepersonswhowerearguinginfavourofmaterialism，Bonaparteraisedhishandtoheavenand，pointingtothestars，said，\"Youmaytalkaslongasyouplease，gentlemen，butwhomadeallthat？\"Theperpetuityofanameinthememoryofmanwastohimtheimmortalityofthesoul.Hewasperfectlytoleranttowardseveryvarietyofreligiousfaith.
AmongBonaparte’ssingularhabitswasthatofseatinghimselfonanytablewhichhappenedtobeofasuitableheightforhim.Hewouldoftensitonmine，restinghisleftarmonmyrightshoulder，andswinginghisleftleg，whichdidnotreachtheground;andwhilehedictatedtomehewouldjoltthetablesothatIcouldscarcelywrite.
Bonapartehadagreatdisliketoreconsideranydecision，evenwhenitwasacknowledgedtobeunjust.Inlittleaswellasingreatthingsheevincedhisrepugnancetoretrograde.AninstanceofthisoccurredintheaffairofGeneralLatour—Foissac.TheFirstConsulfelthowmuchhehadwrongedthatgeneral;buthewishedsometimetoelapsebeforeherepairedhiserror.Hisheartandhisconductwereatvariance;buthisfeelingswereovercomebywhatheconceivedtobepoliticalnecessity.
Bonapartewasneverknowntosay，\"Ihavedonewrong：\"hisusualobservationwas，\"Ibegintothinkthereissomethingwrong.\"
Inspiteofthissortoffeeling，whichwasmoreworthyofanill—
humouredphilosopherthantheheadofagovernment，Bonapartewasneithermalignantnorvindictive.Icannotcertainlydefendhimagainstallthereproacheswhichheincurredthroughtheimperiouslawofwarandcruelnecessity;butImaysaythathehasoftenbeenunjustlyaccused.NonebutthosewhoareblindedbyfurywillcallhimaNerooraCaligula.
IthinkIhaveavowedhisfaultswithsufficientcandourtoentitlemetocreditwhenIspeakinhiscommendation;andIdeclarethat，outofthefieldofbattle，Bonapartehadakindandfeelingheart.Hewasveryfondofchildren，atraitwhichseldomdistinguishesabadman.Intherelationsofprivatelifetocallhimamiablewouldnotbeusingtoostrongaword，andhewasveryindulgenttotheweaknessofhumannature.
Thecontraryopinionistoofirmlyfixedinsomemindsformetohopetorootitout.Ishall，Ifear，havecontradictors，butIaddressmyselftothosewholookfortruth.Tojudgeimpartiallywemusttakeintoaccounttheinfluencewhichtimeandcircumstancesexerciseonmen;anddistinguishbetweenthedifferentcharactersoftheCollegian，theGeneral，theConsul，andtheEmperor.
CHAPTERXXIX.
1800.
Bonaparte’slaws——Suppressionofthefestivalofthe21stofJanuary——Officialsvisits——TheTemple——LouisXVI.andSirSidneySmith——PeculationduringtheDirectory——Loanraised——Modestbudget——TheConsulandtheMemberoftheInstitute——ThefigureoftheRepublic——Duroc’smissions——TheKingofPrussia——TheEmperorAlesander——GeneralLatour—Foisac——Arbitrarydecree——CompanyofplayersforEgypt——Singularideasrespectingliteraryproperty——
ThepreparatoryConsulate——Thejournals——Sabresandmusketsofhonour——TheFirstConsulandhisComrade——ThebustofBrutus——
StatuesinthegalleryoftheTuileries——SectionsoftheCouncilofState——Costumesofpublicfunctionaries——Masquerades——Theopera—
balls——Recalloftheexiles.
Itisnotmypurposetosaymuchaboutthelaws，decrees，and’Senatus—
Consultes’，whichtheFirstConsuleitherpassed，orcausedtobepassed，afterhisaccessiontopower，whatweretheyall，withtheexceptionoftheCivilCode？ThelegislativereveriesofthedifferentmenwhohavefromtimetotimeruledFranceformanimmenselabyrinth，inwhichchicanerybewildersreasonandcommonsense;andtheywouldlongsincehavebeenburiedinoblivionhadtheynotoccasionallyservedtoauthoriseinjustice.Icannot，however，passoverunnoticedthehappyeffectproducedinParis，andthroughoutthewholeofFrance，bysomeofthefirstdecisionsoftheConsuls.PerhapsnonebutthosewhowitnessedthestateofsocietyduringthereignofTerrorcanfullyappreciatethesatisfactionwhichthefirststepstowardstherestorationofsocialorderproducedinthebreastsofallhonestmen.TheDirectory，morebaseandnotlessperversethantheConvention，hadretainedthehorrible21stofJanuaryamongthefestivalsoftheRepublic.OneofBonaparte’sfirstideasonattainingthepossessionofpowerwastoabolishthis;butsuchwastheascendencyoftheabettorsofthefearfuleventthathecouldnotventureonastraightforwardcourse.Heandhistwocolleagues，whowereSieyesandRogerDucos，signed，onthe5thNivose，adecree，settingforththatinfuturetheonlyfestivalstobecelebratedbytheRepublicwerethe1stVendemiaireandthe14thofJuly，intendingbythismeanstoconsecrateprovisionallytherecollectionofthefoundationoftheRepublicandofliberty.
AllwascalculationwithBonaparte.Toproduceeffectwashishighestgratification.Thusheletslipnoopportunityofsayingordoingthingswhichwerecalculatedtodazzlethemultitude.WhileattheLuxembourg，hewentsometimesaccompaniedbyhis’aidesdecamp’andsometimesbyaMinister，topaycertainofficialvisits.Ididnotaccompanyhimontheseoccasions;butalmostalwayseitheronhisreturn，afterdinner，orintheevening，herelatedtomewhathehaddoneandsaid.HecongratulatedhimselfonhavingpaidavisittoDaubenton，attheJardindesPlantes，andtalkedwithgreatself—complacencyofthedistinguishedwayinwhichhehadtreatedthecontemporaryofBuffon.
Onthe24thBrumairehevisitedtheprisons.Helikedtomakethesevisitsunexpectedly，andtotakethegovernorsofthedifferentpublicestablishmentsbysurprise;sothat，havingnotimetomaketheirpreparations，hemightseethingsastheyreallywere.Iwasinhiscabinetwhenhereturned，forIhadagreatdealofbusinesstogothroughinhisabsence.Asheenteredheexclaimed，\"WhatbrutestheseDirectorsare！Towhatastatetheyhavebroughtourpublicestablishments！But，stayalittle！Iwillputallinorder.Theprisonsareinashockinglyunwholesomestate，andtheprisonersmiserablyfed.Iquestionedthem，andIquestionedthejailers，fornothingistobelearnedfromthesuperiors.They，ofcourse，alwaysspeakwelloftheirownwork！WhenIwasintheTempleIcouldnothelpthinkingoftheunfortunateLouisXVI.Hewasanexcellentman，buttooamiable，toogentleforthetimes.Heknewnothowtodealwithmankind！
AndSirSidneySmith！Imadethemshowmehisapartment.IfthefoolshadnotlethimescapeIshouldhavetakenSt.Jeand’Acre！Therearetoomanypainfulrecollectionsconnectedwiththatprison！Iwillcertainlyhaveitpulleddownsomedayorother！WhatdoyouthinkIdidattheTemple？Iorderedthejailers’bookstobebroughttome，andfindingthatsomehostageswerestillinconfinementIliberatedthem.
’Anunjustlaw，’saidI，’hasdeprivedyouofliberty;myfirstdutyistorestoreittoyou.’Wasnotthiswelldone，Bourrienne？\"AsIwas，nolessthanBonapartehimself，anenemytotherevolutionarylaws，I
congratulatedhimsincerely;andhewasverysensibletomyapprobation，forIwasnotaccustomedtogreethimwith\"Good;verygood，\"onalloccasions.Itistrue，knowinghischaracterasIdid，Iavoidedsayinganythingthatwascalculatedtooffendhim;butwhenIsaidnothing，heknewverywellhowtoconstruemysilence.HadIflatteredhimIshouldhavecontinuedlongerinfavour.
BonapartealwaysspokeangrilyoftheDirectorshehadturnedoff.Theirincapacitydisgustedandastonishedhim.\"Whatsimpletons！whatagovernment！\"hewouldfrequentlyexclaimwhenhelookedintothemeasuresoftheDirectory.\"Bourrienne，\"saidhe，\"canyouimagineanythingmorepitiablethantheirsystemoffinance？Canitforamomentbedoubtedthattheprincipalagentsofauthoritydailycommittedthemostfraudulentpeculations？Whatvenality！whatdisorder！whatwastefulness！everythingputupforsale：places，provisions，clothing，andmilitary，allweredisposedof.Havetheynotactuallyconsumed75，000，000inadvance？Andthen，thinkofallthescandalousfortunesaccumulated，allthemalversations！Butaretherenomeansofmakingthemrefund？Weshallsee.\"
Inthesefirstmomentsofpovertyitwasfoundnecessarytoraisealoan，forthefundsofM.Collotdidnotlastlong，and12，000，000wereadvancedbythedifferentbankersofParis，who，Ibelieve，werepaidbybillsofthereceivers—general，thediscountofwhichthenamountedtoabout33percent.Thesalariesofthefirstofficeswerenotveryconsiderable，anddidnotamounttoanythingliketheexorbitantstipendsoftheEmpire.
Bonaparte’ssalarywasfixedat500，000francs.Whatacontrasttothe300，000，000ingoldwhichwerereportedtohavebeenconcealedin1811inthecellarsoftheTuileries！
InmentioningBonaparte’snominationtotheInstitute，andhisaffectationinputtingattheheadofhisproclamationhistitleofmemberofthatlearnedbodybeforethatofGeneral—in—Chief，Iomittedtostatewhatvaluehereallyattachedtothattitle.Thetruthisthat;
whenyoungandambitious，hewaspleasedwiththeprofferedtitle，whichhethoughtwouldraisehiminpublicestimation.Howoftenhavewelaughedtogetherwhenheweighedthevalueofhisscientifictitles！
Bonaparte，tobesure，knewsomethingofmathematics，agooddealofhistory，and，Ineednotadd，possessedextraordinarymilitarytalent;
buthewasneverthelessauselessmemberoftheInstitute.
OnhisreturnfromEgypthebegantogrowwearyofatitlewhichgavehimsomanycolleagues.\"Doyounotthink，\"saidheonedaytome，\"thatthereissomethingmeanandhumiliatinginthewords，’Ihavethehonourtobe，mydearColleague’！Iamtiredofit！\"Generallyspeaking，allphraseswhichindicatedequalitydispleasedhim.ItwillberecollectedhowgratifiedhewasthatIdidnotaddresshiminthesecondpersonsingularonourmeetingatLeoben，andalsowhatbefellM.deComingesatBalebecausehedidnotobservethesameprecaution.
ThefigureoftheRepublicseatedandholdingaspearinherhand，whichatthecommencementoftheConsulatewasstampedonofficialletters，wasspeedilyabolished.HappywouldithavebeenifLibertyherselfhadnotsufferedthesametreatmentasheremblem！ThetitleofFirstConsulmadehimdespisethatofMemberoftheInstitute.Henolongerentertainedtheleastpredilectionforthatlearnedbody，andsubsequentlyheregardeditwithmuchsuspicion.Itwasabody，anauthorisedassembly;thesewerereasonssufficientforhimtotakeumbrageatit，andheneverconcealedhisdislikeofallbodiespossessingtheprivilegeofmeetinganddeliberating.
WhilewewereattheLuxembourgBonapartedespatchedDuroconaspecialmissiontotheKingofPrussia.Thishappened，Ithink，attheverybeginningoftheyear1800.HeselectedDurocbecausebewasamanofgoodeducationandagreeablemanners，andonewhocouldexpresshimselfwitheleganceandreserve，qualitiesnotoftenmetwithatthatperiod.
DurochadbeenwithusinItaly，inEgypt，andonboardthe’Muiron’，andtheConsuleasilyguessedthattheKingofPrussiawouldbedelightedtohearfromaneye—witnesstheeventsofBonaparte’scampaigns，especiallythesiegeofSt.Jeand’Acre，andthesceneswhichtookplaceduringthemonthsofMarchandMayatJaffa.Besides，theFirstConsulconsidereditindispensablethatsuchcircumstantialdetailsshouldbegiveninawaytoleavenodoubtoftheircorrectness.Hisintentionswerefullyrealised;forDuroctoldme，onhisreturn，thatnearlythewholeoftheconversationhehadwiththeKingturneduponSt.Jeand’AcreandJaffa.HestayednearlytwowholehourswithhisMajesty，who，thedayafter，gavehimaninvitationtodinner.WhenthisintelligencearrivedattheLuxembourgIcouldperceivethattheChiefoftheRepublicwasflatteredthatoneofhisaidesdecampshouldhavesatattablewithaKing，whosomeyearsafterwasdoomedtowaitforhiminhisantechamberatTilsit.
DurocneverspokeonpoliticstotheKingofPrussia，whichwasveryfortunate，for，consideringhisageandtheexclusivelymilitarylifehehadled，hecouldscarcelyhavebeenexpectedtoavoidblunders.Sometimelater，afterthedeathofPaulI.，hewassenttocongratulateAlexanderonhisaccessiontothethrone.Bonaparte’sdesigninthusmakingchoiceofDurocwastointroducetotheCourtsofEurope，byconfidentialmissions，ayoungmantowhomhewasmuchattached，andalsotobringhimforwardinFrance.DurocwentonhisthirdmissiontoBerlinafterthewarbrokeoutwithAustria.Heoftenwrotetome，andhislettersconvincedmehowmuchhehadimprovedhimselfwithinashorttime.
AnothercircumstancewhichhappenedatthecommencementoftheConsulateaffordsanexampleofBonaparte’sinflexibilitywhenhehadonceformedadetermination.Inthespringof1799，whenwewereinEgypt，theDirectorygavetoGeneralLatour—Foissac，ahighlydistinguishedofficer，thecommandofMantua，thetakingofwhichhadsopowerfullycontributedtothegloryoftheconquerorofItaly.ShortlyafterLatour’sappointmenttothisimportantposttheAustriansbesiegedMantua.Itwasweltknownthatthegarrisonwassuppliedwithprovisionsandammunitionforalongresistance;yet，inthemonthofJulyitsurrenderedtotheAustrians.Theactofcapitulationcontainedacuriousarticle，viz.
\"GeneralLatour—FoissacandhisstaffshallbeconductedasprisonerstoAustria;thegarrisonshallbeallowedtoreturntoFrance.\"Thisdistinctionbetweenthegeneralandthetroopsentrustedtohiscommand，andatthesametimethepromptsurrenderofMantua，werecircumstanceswhich，itmustbeconfessed，werecalculatedtoexcitesuspicionsofLatour—Foissac.Theconsequencewas，whenBernadottewasmadeWarMinisterheorderedaninquiryintothegeneral’sconductbyacourt—
martial.Latour—FoissachadnosoonerreturnedtoFrancethanhepublishedajustificatorymemorial，inwhichheshowedtheimpossibilityofhishavingmadealongerdefencewhenhewasinwantofmanyobjectsofthefirstnecessity.
SuchwasthestateoftheaffaironBonaparte’selevationtotheConsularpower.ThelossofMantua，thepossessionofwhichhadcosthimsomanysacrifices，rousedhisindignationtosohighapitchthatwheneverthesubjectwasmentionedhecouldfindnowordstoexpresshisrage.
Hestoppedtheinvestigationofthecourt—martial，andissuedaviolentdecreeagainstLatour—Foissacevenbeforehisculpabilityhadbeenproved.Thisproceedingoccasionedmuchdiscussion，andwasverydissatisfactorytomanygeneralofficers，who，bythisarbitrarydecision，foundthemselvesindangerofforfeitingtheprivilegeofbeingtriedbytheirnaturaljudgeswhenevertheyhappenedtodispleasetheFirstConsul.Formyownpart，ImustsaythatthisdecreeagainstLatour—FoissacwasonewhichIsawissuedwithconsiderableregret.Iwasalarmedfortheconsequences.AfterthelapseofafewdaysIventuredtopointouttohimtheundueseverityofthestephehadtaken;I
remindedhimofallthathadbeensaidinLatour—Foissac’sfavour，andtriedtoconvincehimhowmuchmorejustitwouldbetoallowthetrialtocometoaconclusion.\"Inacountry，\"saidI，\"likeFrance，wherethepointofhonourstandsaboveeverything，itisimpossibleFoissaccanescapecondemnationifhebeculpable.\"——\"Perhapsyouareright，Bourrienne，\"rejoinedhe;\"buttheblowisstruck;thedecreeisissued.
Ihavegiventhesameexplanationtoeveryone;butIcannotsosuddenlyretracemysteps.Toretro—gradeistobelost.Icannotacknowledgemyselfinthewrong.Byandbyweshallseewhatcanbedone.Timewillbringlenityandpardon.Atpresentitwouldbepremature.\"Such，wordforword，wasBonaparte’sreply.IfwiththisbecomparedwhathesaidonthesubjectatSt.Helenaitwillbefoundthathisideascontinuednearlyunchanged;theonlydifferenceisthat，insteadoftheimpetuosityof1800，heexpressedhimselfwiththecalmnesswhichtimeandadversitynaturallyproduce.
——[\"Itwas，\"saysthe’MemorialofSt.Helena’，\"anillegalandtyrannicalact，butstillitwasanecessaryevil.Itwasthefaultofthelaw.Hewasahundred，nay，athousandfoldguilty，andyetitwasdoubtfulwhetherhewouldbecondemned.Wethereforeassailedhimwiththeshaftsofhonourandpublicopinion.YetI
repeatitwasatyrannicalact，andoneofthoseviolentmeasureswhichareattimesnecessaryingreatnationsandinextraordinarycircumstances.\"]——
Bonaparte，asIhavebeforeobserved，lovedcontrasts;andIrememberattheverytimehewasactingsoviolentlyagainstLatour—FoissachecondescendedtobusyhimselfaboutacompanyofplayerswhichhewishedtosendtoEgypt，orratherthathepretendedtowishtosendthere，becausetheannouncementofsuchaprojectconveyedanimpressionoftheprosperousconditionofourOrientalcolony.TheConsulsgravelyappointedtheMinisteroftheInteriortoexecutethisbusiness，andtheMinisterinhisturndelegatedhispowerstoFlorence，theactor.IntheirinstructionstotheMinistertheConsulsobservedthatitwouldbeadvisabletoincludesomefemaledancersinthecompany;asuggestionwhichcorrespondswithBonaparte’snote，inwhichwerespecifiedallthatheconsiderednecessaryfortheEgyptianexpedition.
TheFirstConsulentertainedsingularnotionsrespectingliteraryproperty.Onhishearingthatapiece，entitled’MisanthropieetRepentir’，hadbeenbroughtoutattheOdeon，hesaidtome，\"Bourrienne，youhavebeenrobbed.\"——\"I，General？how？\"——\"Youhavebeenrobbed，Itellyou，andtheyarenowactingyourpiece.\"IhavealreadymentionedthatduringmystayatWarsawIamusedmyselfwithtranslatingacelebratedplayofKotzebue.WhilewewereinItalyIlentBonapartemytranslationtoread，andheexpressedhimselfmuchpleasedwithit.
Hegreatlyadmiredthepiece，andoftenwenttoseeitactedattheOdeon.Onhisreturnheinvariablygavemefreshreasonsformyclaimingwhathewaspleasedtocallmyproperty.Irepresentedtohimthatthetranslationofaforeignworkbelongedtoanyonewhochosetoexecuteit.Hewouldnot，however，giveuphispoint，andIwasobligedtoassurehimthatmyoccupationsinhisserviceleftmenotimetoengageinaliterarylawsuit.HethenexactedapromisefrommetotranslateGoethe’s’Werther’.Itoldhimitwasalreadydone，thoughindifferently，andthatIcouldnotpossiblydevotetothesubjectthetimeitmerited.IreadovertohimoneofthelettersIhadtranslatedintoFrench，andwhichheseemedtoapprove.
ThatintervaloftheConsularGovernmentduringwhichBonaparteremainedattheLuxembourgmaybecalledthepreparatoryConsulate.Thenweresowntheseedsofthegreateventswhichhemeditated，andofthoseinstitutionswithwhichhewishedtomarkhispossessionofpower.Hewasthen，ifImayusetheexpression，twoindividualsinone：theRepublicangeneral，whowasobligedtoappeartheadvocateoflibertyandtheprinciplesoftheRevolution;andthevotaryofambition，secretlyplottingthedownfallofthatlibertyandthoseprinciples.
Ioftenwonderedattheconsummateaddresswithwhichhecontrivedtodeceivethosewhowerelikelytoseethroughhisdesigns.Thishypocrisy，whichsome，perhaps，maycallprofoundpolicy，wasindispensabletotheaccomplishmentofhisprojects;andsometimes，asiftokeephimselfinpractice，hewoulddoitinmattersofsecondaryimportance.Forexample，hisopinionoftheinsatiableavariceofSieyesiswellknown;yetwhenheproposed，inhismessagetotheCouncilofAncients，togivehiscolleague，underthetitleofnationalrecompense，thepriceofhisobedientsecession，itwas，inthewordsofthemessage，arecompenseworthilybestowedonhisdisinterestedvirtues.
WhileattheLuxembourgBonaparteshowed，byaConsularact，hishatredofthelibertyofthepressaboveallliberties，forhelovednone.
Onthe27thNivosetheConsuls，orrathertheFirstConsul，publishedadecree，therealobjectofwhichwasevidentlycontrarytoitsimpliedobject.
Thisdecreestatedthat：
TheConsulsoftheRepublic，consideringthatsomeofthejournalsprintedatParisareinstrumentsinthehandsoftheenemiesoftheRepublic，overthesafetyofwhichtheGovernmentisspeciallyentrustedbythepeopleofFrancetowatch，decree——
ThattheMinisterofPoliceshall，duringthecontinuationofthewar，allowonlythefollowingjournalstobeprintedandpublished，viz.
（listof20publications）
andthosepaperswhichareexclusivelydevotedtoscience，art，literature，commerce，andadvertisements.
Surelythisdecreemaywellbeconsideredaspreparatory;andthefragmentIhavequotedmayserveasastandardformeasuringthegreaterpartofthoseactsbywhichBonapartesoughttogain，fortheconsolidationofhispower，whatheseemedtobeseekingsolelyfortheinterestofthefriendsoftheRepublic.Thelimitationtotheperiodofthecontinuanceofthewarhadalsoacertainprovisionalairwhichaffordedhopeforthefuture.Buteverythingprovisionalis，initsnature，veryelastic;andBonaparteknewhowtodrawitoutadinfinitum.
Thedecree，moreover，enactedthatifanyoftheuncondemnedjournalsshouldinsertarticlesagainstthesovereigntyofthepeopletheywouldbeimmediatelysuppressed.Intruth，greatindulgencewasshownonthispoint，evenaftertheEmperor’scoronation.
ThepresentationofswordsandmusketsofhonouralsooriginatedattheLuxembourg;andthispracticewas，withoutdoubt，apreparatorysteptothefoundationoftheLegionofHonour.
——[\"Armesd’honneur，\"decreed25thDecember1799.Musketsforinfantry，carbinesforcavalry，grenadesforartillery，swordsfortheofficers.GouvionSt.Cyrreceivedthefirstsword（Thiers，tomei.p.126）.]——
Agrenadiersergeant，namedLeonAune，whohadbeenincludedinthefirstdistribution，easilyobtainedpermissiontowritetotheFirstConsultothankhim.Bonaparte，wishingtoanswerhiminhisownname，dictatedtomethefollowingletterforAune：——
Ihavereceivedyourletter，mybravecomrade.Youneedednottohavetoldmeofyourexploits，foryouarethebravestgrenadierinthewholearmysincethedeathofBenezete.YoureceivedoneofthehundredsabresIdistributedtothearmy，andallagreedyoumostdeservedit.
Iwishverymuchagaintoseeyou.TheWarMinistersendsyouanordertocometoParis.
ThiswheedlingwonderfullyfavouredBonaparte’sdesigns.HislettertoAunecouldnotfailtobecirculatedthroughthearmy.AsergeantcalledmybravecomradebytheFirstConsul——theFirstGeneralofFrance！WhobutathoroughRepublican，thestanchfriendofequality，wouldhavedonethis？Thiswasenoughtowinduptheenthusiasmofthearmy.AtthesametimeitmustbeconfessedthatBonapartebegantofindtheLuxembourgtoolittleforhim，andpreparationsweresetonfootattheTuileries.
Stillthisgreatsteptowardsthere—establishmentofthemonarchywastobecautiouslyprepared.Itwasimportanttodoawaywiththeideathatnonebutakingcouldoccupythepalaceofourancientkings.Whatwastobedone？AveryfinebustofBrutushadbeenbroughtfromItaly.
Brutuswasthedestroyeroftyrants！Thiswastheverything;andDavidwascommissionedtoplaceitinagalleryoftheTuileries.CouldtherebeagreaterproofoftheConsul’shorroroftyranny？
TosleepattheTuileries，inthebedchamberofthekingsofFrance，wasallthatBonapartewanted;therestwouldfollowinduecourse.Hewaswillingtobesatisfiedwithestablishingaprincipletheconsequencesofwhichweretobeafterwardsdeduced.HencetheaffectationofneverinsertinginofficialactsthenameoftheTuileries，butdesignatingthatplaceasthePalaceoftheGovernment.Thefirstpreparationsweremodest，foritdidnotbecomeagoodRepublicantobefondofpomp.
AccordinglyLecomte，whowasatthattimearchitectoftheTuileries，merelyreceivedorderstocleanthePalace，anexpressionwhichmightbearmorethanonemeaning，afterthemeetingswhichhadbeenthere.Forthispurposethesumof500，000francswassufficient.Bonaparte’sdriftwastoconceal，asfaraspossible，theimportanceheattachedtothechangeofhisConsulardomicile.ButlittleexpensewasrequisiteforfittingupapartmentsfortheFirstConsul.Simpleornaments，suchasmarblesandstatues，weretodecoratethePalaceoftheGovernment.
NothingescapedBonaparte’sconsideration.ThusitwasnotmerelyathazardthatheselectedthestatuesofgreatmentoadornthegalleryoftheTuileries.AmongtheGreekshemadechoiceofDemosthenesandAlesander，thusrenderinghomageatoncetothegeniusofeloquenceandthegeniusofvictory.ThestatueofHannibalwasintendedtorecallthememoryofRome’smostformidableenemy;andRomeherselfwasrepresentedintheConsularPalacebythestatuesofScipio，Cicero，Cato，BrutusandCaesar——thevictorandtheimmolatorbeingplacedsidebyside.AmongthegreatmenofmoderntimeshegavethefirstplacetoGustavusAdolphus，andthenexttoTurenneandthegreatConde，toTurenneinhonourofhismilitarytalent，andtoCondetoprovethattherewasnothingfearfulintherecollectionofaBourbon.TheremembranceofthegloriousdaysoftheFrenchnavywasrevivedbythestatueofDuguaiTrouin.MarlboroughandPrinceEugenehadalsotheirplacesinthegallery，asiftoattestthedisasterswhichmarkedthecloseofthegreatreign;andMarshalSage，toshowthatLouisXV.’sreignwasnotwithoutitsglory.ThestatuesofFrederickandWashingtonwereemblematicoffalsephilosophyonathroneandtruewisdomfoundingafreestate.Finally，thenamesofDugommier，Dampierre，andJoubertwereintendedtobearevidenceofthehighesteemwhichBonapartecherishedforhisoldcomrades，——thoseillustriousvictimstoacausewhichhadnowceasedtobehis.
ThereaderhasalreadybeeninformedoftheattemptsmadebyBonapartetoinduceEnglandandAustriatonegotiatewiththeConsularGovernment，whichtheKingofPrussiawasthefirstofthesovereignsofEuropetorecognise.Theseattemptshavingprovedunavailing，itbecamenecessarytocarryonthewarwithrenewedvigour，andalsotoexplainwhythepeace，whichhadbeenpromisedatthebeginningoftheConsulate，wasstillnothingbutapromise.InfulfilmentofthesetwoobjectsBonaparteaddressedanenergeticproclamationtothearmies，whichwasremarkablefornotbeingfollowedbytheusualsacredwords，\"VivelaRepublique！\"
AtthesametimeBonapartecompletedtheformationoftheCouncilofState，anddivideditintofivesections：——（1）TheInterior;（2）Finance;
（3）Marine;（4）TheWarDepartment;（5）Legislation.HefixedthesalariesoftheCouncillorsoftheStateat25，000francs，andthatofthePrecedentsofSectionsat30，000.HesettledthecostumeoftheConsuls，theMinisters，andthedifferentbodiesoftheState.Thisledtothere—introductionofvelvet，whichhadbeenbanishedwiththeoldregime，andtheencouragementofthemanufacturesofLyonswasthereasonallegedforemployingthisun—republicanarticleinthedifferentdresses，eachasthoseoftheConsulsandMinisters.ItwasBonaparte’sconstant：aimtoeffacetheRepublic，evenintheutmosttrifles，andtopreparematterssowellthatthecustomsandhabitsofmonarchybeingrestored，thereshouldonlythenremainawordtobechanged.
IneverremembertohaveseenBonaparteintheConsulardress，whichhedetested，andwhichheworeonlybecausedutyrequiredhimtodosoatpublicceremonies.Theonlydresshewasfondof，andinwhichhefeltatease，wasthatinwhichhesubjugatedtheancientEridanusandtheNile，namely，theuniformoftheGuides，towhichcorpsBonapartewasalwayssincerelyattached.
ThemasqueradeofofficialdresseswasnottheonlyonewhichBonapartesummonedtotheaidofhispolicy.AtthatperiodoftheyearVIII.
whichcorrespondedwiththecarnivalof1800，masquesbegantoberesumedatParis.Disguiseswereallthefashion，andBonapartefavouredtherevivalofoldamusements;first，becausetheywereold，andnext，becausetheywere，themeansofdivertingtheattentionofthepeople：
for，ashehadestablishedtheprinciplethatonthefieldofbattleitisnecessarytodividetheenemyinordertobeathim，heconceiveditnolessadvisabletodivertthepeopleinordertoenslavethem.Bonapartedidnotsay’panemetcircenses’，forIbelievehisknowledgeofLatindidnotextendeventothatwell—knownphraseofJuvenal，butheputthemaximinpractice.Heaccordinglyauthorisedtherevivalofballsattheopera，whichtheywholivedduringthatperiodoftheConsulateknowwasanimportanteventinParis.Somegladlyvieweditasalittleconquestinfavouroftheoldregime;andothers，whoforthatveryreasondisapprovedit，weretooshallowtounderstandtheinfluenceoflittleovergreatthings.Thewomenandtheyoungmendidnotbestowathoughtonthesubject，butyieldedwillinglytotheattractionsofpleasure.
Bonaparte，whowasdelightedathavingprovidedadiversionforthegossipingoftheParisiansalons，saidtomeoneday，\"Whiletheyarechattingaboutallthis，theydonotbabbleuponpolitics，andthatiswhatIwant.LetthemdanceandamusethemselvesaslongastheydonotthrusttheirnosesintotheCouncilsoftheGovernment;besides，Bourrienne，\"addedhe，\"Ihaveotherreasonsforencouragingthis，Iseeotheradvantagesinit.Tradeislanguishing;Fouchetellsmethattherearegreatcomplaints.Thiswillsetalittlemoneyincirculation;
besides，IamonmyguardabouttheJacobins.Everythingisnotbad，becauseitisnotnew.Iprefertheopera—ballstothesaturnaliaoftheGoddessofReason.Iwasneversoenthusiasticallyapplaudedasatthelastparade.\"
AConsulardecisionofadifferentandmoreimportantnaturehad，shortlybefore，namely，atthecommencementofNivose，broughthappinesstomanyfamilies.Bonaparte，aseveryoneknows，hadpreparedtheeventsofthe18thFructidorthathemighthavesomeplausiblereasonsforoverthrowingtheDirectors.TheDirectorybeingoverthrown，hewasnowanxious，atleastinpart，toundowhathehaddoneonthe18thFructidor.HethereforeorderedareportonthepersonsexiledtobepresentedtohimbytheMinisterofPolice.InconsequenceofthisreportheauthorisedfortyofthemtoreturntoFrance，placingthemundertheobservationofthePoliceMinister，andassigningthemtheirplaceofresidence.
However，theydidnotlongremainundertheserestrictions，andmanyofthemweresooncalledtofillhighplacesintheGovernment.ItwasindeednaturalthatBonaparte，stillwishing，atleastinappearance，tofoundhisgovernmentonthoseprinciplesofmoderaterepublicanismwhichhadcausedtheirexile，shouldinvitethemtosecondhisviews.
BarrerewroteajustificatorylettertotheFirstConsul，who，however，tooknonoticeofit，forhecouldnotgetsofarastofavourBarrere.
ThusdidBonapartereceiveintotheCouncilsoftheConsulatethemenwhohadbeenexiledbytheDirectory，justasheafterwardsappointedtheemigrantsandthoseexilesoftheRevolutiontohighofficesundertheEmpire.Thetimeandthemenalonediffered;theintentioninbothcaseswasthesame.
CHAPTERXXX
1800.
BonaparteandPaulI.——LordWhitworth——BaronSprengporten’sarrivalatParis——Paul’sadmirationofBonaparte——Theircloseconnectionandcorrespondence——Theroyalchallenge——GeneralMack——TheroadtoMalmaison——Attemptsatassassination——DeathofWashington——Nationalmourning——Ambitiouscalculation——M.deFontanel，theskilfulorator——FeteattheTempleofMars——Murat’smarriagewithCarolineBonaparte——MadameBonaparte’spearls.
ThefirstcommunicationsbetweenBonaparteandPaulI.commencedashorttimeafterhisaccessiontotheConsulate.AffairsthenbegantolookalittlelessunfavourableforFrance;alreadyvaguereportsfromSwitzerlandandthebanksoftheRhineindicatedacoldnessexistingbetweentheRussiansandtheAustrians;andatthesametime，symptomsofamisunderstandingbetweentheCourtsofLondonandSt.Petersburgbegantobeperceptible.TheFirstConsul，havinginthemeantimediscoveredthechivalrousandsomewhateccentriccharacterofPaulI.，thoughtthemomentapropitiousonetoattemptbreakingthebondswhichunitedRussiaandEngland.Hewasnotthemantoallowsofineanopportunitytopass，andhetookadvantageofitwithhisusualsagacity.TheEnglishhadsometimebeforerefusedtoincludeinacartelfortheexchangeofprisoners7000RussianstakeninHolland.Bonaparteorderedthemalltobearmed，andclothedinnewuniformsappropriatetothecorpstowhichtheyhadbelonged，andsentthembacktoRussia，withoutransom，withoutexchange，oranyconditionwhatever.Thisjudiciousmunificencewasnotthrownaway.PaulI.showedhimselfdeeplysensibleofit，andcloselyalliedashehadlatelybeenwithEngland，henow，allatonce，declaredhimselfherenemy.ThistriumphofpolicydelightedtheFirstConsul.
ThenceforththeConsulandtheCzarbecamethebestfriendspossible.
Theystrovetooutdoeachotherinprofessionsoffriendship;anditmaybebelievedthatBonapartedidnotfailtoturnthiscontestofpolitenesstohisownadvantage.HesowellworkeduponthemindofPaulthathesucceededinobtainingadirectinfluenceovertheCabinetofSt.
Petersburg.
LordWhitworth，atthattimetheEnglishambassadorinRussia，wasorderedtoquitthecapitalwithoutdelay，andtoretiretoRiga，whichthenbecamethefocusoftheintriguesofthenorthwhichendedinthedeathofPaul.TheEnglishshipswereseizedinalltheports，and，atthepressinginstanceoftheCzar，aPrussianarmymenacedHanover.
Bonapartelostnotime，and，profitingbythefriendshipmanifestedtowardshimbytheinheritorofCatherine’spower，determinedtomakethatfriendshipsubservienttotheexecutionofthevastplanwhichhehadlongconceived：hemeanttoundertakeanexpeditionbylandagainsttheEnglishcoloniesintheEastIndies.
ThearrivalofBaronSprengportenatPariscausedgreatsatisfactionamongthepartisansoftheConsularGovernment，thatistosay，almosteveryoneinParis.M.SprengportenwasanativeofSwedishFinland.
HehadbeenappointedbyCatherinechamberlainandlieutenant—generalofherforces，andhewasnotlessinfavourwithPaul，whotreatedhiminthemostdistinguishedmanner.Hecameonanextraordinarymission，beingostensiblyclothedwiththetitleofplenipotentiary，andatthesametimeappointedconfidentialMinistertotheConsul.BonapartewasextremelysatisfiedwiththeambassadorwhomPaulhadselected，andwiththemannerin，whichhedescribedtheEmperor’sgratitudeforthegenerousconductoftheFirstConsul.M.SprengportendidnotconcealtheextentofPaul’sdissatisfactionwithhisallies.Thebadissue，hesaid，ofthewarwithFrancehadalreadydisposedtheCzartoconnecthimselfwiththatpower，whenthereturnofhistroopsatoncedeterminedhim.
WecouldeasilyperceivethatPaulplacedgreatconfidenceinM.
Sprengporten.Ashehadsatisfactorilydischargedthemissionwithwhichhehadbeenentrusted，Paulexpressedpleasureathisconductinseveralfriendlyandflatteringletters，whichSprengportenalwaysallowedustoread.NoonecouldbefonderofFrancethanhewas，andheardentlydesiredthathisfirstnegotiationsmightleadtoalongalliancebetweentheRussianandFrenchGovernments.TheautographandveryfrequentcorrespondencebetweenBonaparteandPaulpassedthroughhishands.I
readallPaul’sletters，whichwereremarkableforthefranknesswithwhichhisaffectionforBonapartewasexpressed.HisadmirationoftheFirstConsulwassogreatthatnocourtiercouldhavewritteninamoreflatteringmanner.
ThisadmirationwasnotfeignedonthepartoftheEmperorofRussia：itwasnolesssincerethanardent，andofthishesoongaveproofs.TheviolenthatredhehadconceivedtowardstheEnglishGovernmentinducedhimtodefytosinglecombateverymonarchwhowouldnotdeclarewaragainstEnglandandshuthisportsagainstEnglishships.HeinsertedachallengetotheKingofDenmarkintheSt.PetersburgCourtGazette;butnotchoosingtoapplyofficiallytotheSenateofHamburgtoorderitsinsertioninthe’Correspondant’，conductedbyM.Stoves，hesentthearticle，throughCountPahlen，toM.Schramm，aHamburgmerchant.TheCounttoldM.SchrammthattheEmperorwouldbemuchpleasedtoseethearticleoftheSt.PetersburgCourtGazettecopiedintotheCorrespondant;andthatifitshouldbeinserted，hewishedtohaveadozencopiesofthepaperprintedonvellum，andsenttohimbyanextraordinarycourier.ItwasPaul’sintentiontosendacopytoeverysovereigninEurope;butthispieceoffolly，afterthemannerofCharlesXII.，ledtonofurtherresults.
Bonaparteneverfeltgreatersatisfactioninthe—wholecourseofhislifethanheexperiencedfromPaul’senthusiasmforhim.Thefriendshipofasovereignseemedtohimastepbywhichhewastobecomeasovereignhimself.AtthesametimetheaffairsofLaVendeebegantoassumeabetteraspect，andhehopedsoontoeffectthatpacificationintheinteriorwhichhesoardentlydesired.
ItwasduringtheFirstConsul’sresidenceattheLuxembourgthatthefirstreportonthecivilcodewasmadetothelegislativebody.Itwasthen，also，thattheregulationsforthemanagementoftheBankofFrancewereadopted，andthatestablishmentsonecessarytoFrancewasfounded.
TherewasatthistimeinParisamanwhohasacquiredanunfortunatecelebrity，themostunluckyofmoderngenerals——inaword，GeneralMack.
IshouldnotnoticethatpersonherewereitnotforthepropheticjudgmentwhichBonapartethenpronouncedonhim.MackhadbeenobligedtosurrenderhimselfatChampionnetsometimebeforeourlandingatFrejus.Hewasreceivedasaprisonerofwar，andthetownofDijonhadbeenappointedhisplaceofresidence，andthereheremaineduntilafterthe18thBrumaire.Bonaparte，nowConsul，permittedhimtocometoParis，andtoresidethereonhisparole.HeappliedforleavetogotoVienna，pledginghimselftoreturnagainaprisonertoFranceiftheEmperorFranciswouldnotconsenttoexchangehimforGeneralsWrignonandGrouchy，thenprisonersinAustria.Hisrequestwasnotgranted，buthispropositionwasforwardedtoVienna.TheCourtofViennarefusedtoaccedetoit，notplacingperhapssomuchimportanceonthedeliveranceofMackashehadflatteredhimselfitwould.
Bonapartespeakingtomeofhimonedaysaid，\"MackisamanofthelowestmediocrityIeversawinmylife;heisfullofself—sufficiencyandconceit，andbelieveshimselfequaltoanything.Hehasnotalent.
Ishouldliketoseehimopposedsomedaytooneofourgoodgenerals;
weshouldthenseefinework.Heisaboaster，andthatisall.Heisreallyoneofthemostsillymenexisting;and，besidesallthat，heisunlucky.\"WasnotthisopinionofBonaparte，formedonthepast，fullyverifiedbythefuture？
ItwasatMalmaisonthatBonapartethusspokeofGeneralMack.Thatplacewasthenfarfromresemblingwhatitafterwardsbecame，andtheroadtoitwasneitherpleasantnorsure.Therewasnotahouseontheroad;andintheevening，duringtheseasonwhenwewerethere，itwasnotfrequentedallthewayfromSt.Germain.Thosenumerousvehicles，whichthedemandsofluxuryandanincreasingpopulationhavecreated，didnotthen，asnow，passalongtheroadsintheenvironsofParis.
Everywheretheroadwassolitaryanddangerous;andIlearnedwithcertaintythatmanyschemeswerelaidforcarryingofftheFirstConsulduringoneofhiseveningjourneys.Theywereunsuccessful，andordersweregiventoenclosethequarries，whichweretooneartotheroad.OnSaturdayeveningBonapartelefttheLuxembourg，andafterwardstheTuileries，togotoMalmaison，andIcannotbetterexpressthejoyhethenappearedtoexperiencethanbycomparingittothedelightofaschool—boyongettingaholiday.
BeforeremovingfromtheLuxembourgtotheTuileriesBonapartedeterminedtodazzletheeyesoftheParisiansbyasplendidceremony.Hehadappointedittotakeplaceonthe’decadi’，Pluviose20（9thFebruary1800），thatistosay，tendaysbeforehisfinaldeparturefromtheoldDirectorialpalace.Thesekindsoffetesdidnotresemblewhattheyafterwardsbecame;theirattractionconsistedinthesplendourofmilitarydress：andBonapartewasalwayssurethatwheneverhemountedhishorse，surroundedbyabrilliantstafffromwhichhewastobedistinguishedbythesimplicityofhiscostume，hispathwouldbecrowdedandhimselfgreetedwithacclamationsbythepeopleofParis.Theobjectofthisfetewasatfirstonlytopresenttothe’HoteldesInvalides’，theircalledtheTempleofMars，seventy—twoflagstakenfromtheTurksinthebattleofAboukirandbroughtfromEgypttoParis;butintelligenceofWashington’sdeath，whoexpiredonthe14thofDecember1799，havingreachedBonaparte;heeagerlytookadvantageofthateventtoproducemoreeffect，andmixedthemourningcypresswiththelaurelshehadcollectedinEgypt.
BonapartedidnotfeelmuchconcernedatthedeathofWashington，thatnoblefounderofrationalfreedominthenewworld;butitaffordedhimanopportunitytomaskhisambitiousprojectsundertheappearanceofaloveofliberty.InthusrenderinghonourtothememoryofWashingtoneverybodywouldsupposethatBonaparteintendedtoimitatehisexample，andthattheirtwonameswouldpassinconjunctionfrommouthtomouth.
Acleveroratormightbeemployed，who，whilepronouncingaeulogiumonthedead，wouldcontrivetobestowsomepraiseontheliving;andwhenthepeoplewereapplaudinghisloveoflibertyhewouldfindhimselfonestepnearerthethrone，onwhichhiseyeswereconstantlyfixed.Whenthepropertimearrived，hewouldnotfailtoseizethecrown;andwouldstillcry，ifnecessary，\"VivelaLiberte！\"whileplacingitonhisimperialhead.
Theskilfuloratorwasfound.M.deFontanes——[L.deFontenes（1767—1821）becamepresidentoftheCorpsLegislatif，Senator，andGrandMasteroftheUniversity.HewasthecentreoftheliterarygroupoftheEmpire，]——
wascommissionedtopronouncethefuneraleulogiumonWashington，andtheflowersofeloquencewhichhescatteredaboutdidnotallfallontheheroofAmerica.
LanneswasentrustedbyBonapartewiththepresentationoftheflags;andonthe20thPluvioseheproceeded，accompaniedbystrongdetachmentsofthecavalrytheninParis，tothecouncil—halloftheInvalides，wherehewasmetbytheMinisterofWar，whoreceivedthecolours.AlltheMinisters，thecouncillorsof，State，andgeneralsweresummonedtothepresentation.Lannespronouncedadiscourse，towhichBerthierreplied，andM.deFontanesaddedhiswell—managedeloquencetotheplainmilitaryoratoryofthetwogenerals.IntheinteriorofthismilitarytempleastatueofMarssleepinghadbeenplaced，andfromthepillarsandroofweresuspendedthetrophiesofDenain，Fontenoy，andthecampaignofItaly，whichwouldstillhavedecoratedthatedificehadnotthedemonofconquestpossessedBonaparte.TwoInvalides，eachsaidtobeahundredyearsold，stoodbesidetheMinisterofWar;andthebustoftheemancipatorofAmericawasplacedunderthetrophycomposedoftheflagsofAboukir.Inaword，recoursewashadtoeverysortofcharlatanismusualonsuchoccasions.IntheeveningtherewasanumerousassemblyattheLuxembourg，andBonapartetookmuchcredittohimselffortheeffectproducedonthisremarkableday.HehadonlytowaittendaysforhisremovaltotheTuileries，andpreciselyonthatdaythenationalmourningforWashingtonwastocease，forwhichageneralmourningforfreedommightwellhavebeensubstituted.
IhavesaidverylittleaboutMuratinthecourseoftheseMemoirsexceptmentioningthebrilliantpartheperformedinseveralbattles.HavingnowarrivedattheperiodofhismarriagewithoneofNapoleon’ssistersItaketheopportunityofreturningtotheinterestingeventswhichprecededthatalliance.
Hisfineandwell—proportionedform，hisgreatphysicalstrengthandsomewhatrefinedeleganceofmanner，——thefireofhiseye，andhisfiercecourageinbattle，gavetoMuratratherthecharacterofoneofthose’preuxchevaliers’sowelldescribedbyAriostoandTaro，that，thataRepublicansoldier.Thenoblenessofhislooksoonmadethelownessofhisbirthbeforgotten.Hewasaffable，polished，gallant;andinthefieldofbattletwentymenheadedbyMuratwereworthawholeregiment.
Onceonlyheshowedhimselfundertheinfluenceoffear，andthereadershallseeinwhatcircumstanceitwasthatheceasedtobehimself.
——[MarshalLannes，sobraveandbrilliantinwarandsowellabletoappreciatecourage，onedaysharplyrebukedacolonelforhavingpunishedayoungofficerjustarrivedfromschoolatFontainebleaubecausehegaveevidenceoffearinhisfirstengagement.\"Know，colonel，\"saidhe，\"nonebutapoltroon（thetermwasovenmorestrong）willboastthatheneverwasafraid.\"——Bourrienne.]——
WhenBonaparteinhisfirstItaliancampaignhadforcedWurmsertoretreatintoMantuawith28，000men，hedirectedMiollis，withonly4000
men，toopposeanysortiethatmightbeattemptedbytheAustriangeneral.InoneofthesesortiesMurat，whowasattheheadofaveryweakdetachment，wasorderedtochargeWurmser.Hewasafraid，neglectedtoexecutetheorder，andinamomentofconfusionsaidthathewaswounded.MuratimmediatelyfellintodisgracewiththeGeneral—in—Chief，whose’aidedecamp’hewas.
MurathadbeenpreviouslysenttoParistopresenttotheDirectorythefirstcolourstakenbytheFrencharmyofItalyintheactionsofDegoandMondovi，anditwasonthisoccasionthathegotacquaintedwithMadameTallienandthewifeofhisGeneral.ButhealreadyknewthebeautifulCarolineBonaparte，whomhehadseenatRomeintheresidenceofherbrotherJoseph，whowasthendischargingthefunctionsofambassadoroftheRepublic.ItappearsthatCarolinewasnotevenindifferenttohim，andthathewasthesuccessfulrivalofthePrincessSantaCroce’sson，whoeagerlysoughtthehonourofherhand.MadameTallienandMadameBonapartereceivedwithgreatkindnessthefirst’aidedecamp’，andastheypossessedmuchinfluencewiththeDirectory，theysolicited，andeasilyobtainedforhim，therankofbrigadier—general.