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ders me sad, cast down, and leaves me not even the courage of fury and despair. Formerly I used often to say to myself, men could not hurt him who could die without regret; but, now, to die without being loved by thee, to die without that certainty, is the torment of hell; it is the lively and striking image of absolute annihilation-I feel as if I were stifled. My incomparable companion, thou whom fate has destined to make along with me the painful journey of life, the day on which I shall cease to possess thy heart will be the day on which parched nature will be to me without warmth or vegetation.

I stop, my sweet love, my soul is sad-my body is fatigued-my head is giddy-men disgust me-I ought to hate them-they separate me from my beloved.

I am at Port Maurice, near Oneille; to-morrow I shall be at Albenga; the two armies are in motion-We are endeavoring to deceive each other-Victory to the most skilful! I am pretty well satisfied with Beaulieu-If he alarms me much he is a better man than his predecessor. I shall beat him I hope in good style. Do not be uneasy-love me as your eyes-but that is not enough-as yourself, more than yourself, than your thought, your mind, your sight, your all. Sweet love, forgive me,-I am sinking. Nature is weak for him who feels strongly, for him whom you love."

CHAPTER V.

Napoleon's services were too important to allow him long to remain inactive, in the enjoyment of domestic happiness. By order of the ambitious republic, he was appointed to take the command of the army sent to conquer Egypt. Here we cannot trace him through his brilliant career, an account of which would swell to volumes. Suffice it to say, that he was successful. The news, however, he heard of the state of affairs in France, determined him to leave the command of the army of Egypt to others, and return to watch the tide of events, and take advantage of the current which was now setting strongly in his favor.

About this time, the Directory had become very unpopular, as well as other branches of the government. The feeling of general discontent was at its height when he arrived, and he was received with general rejoicing. No one thought of inquiring by whose authority he left the charge of the army, and returned suddenly among the people. "He was received like a victorious monarch entering his dominions at his own will and pleasure." The hall of the Council of Five Hundred echoed with the cries of victory, when the main and almost only cause for gratulation was the return of Napoleon. In the shout by which he was hailed "Long live the Republic!" he saw a spirit of devotion to himself which, he felt assured would deny him nothing. The members of the government, well knowing their own unpopularity, felt justly alarmed at these excessive demonstrations of public feeling. He kept himself retired while this new convulsion of the State was preparing. The con

sequence of which was, that all parties courted him as the arbiter of their fate. To the military, his conduct to all but the initiated, seemed equally reserved, for he held no levees and attended no reviews. In all this there was deep policy, and profound judgment. The majority of the Council of Five Hundred proffered to place him at their head: and he was solicited at the same time, to become one of the Directory, with the understanding, that every thing should be done under his advice, and that he should wield the whole of their power. Talleyrand foreseeing the course of events attached himself to Napoleon, and brought his great talents to his aid.

Bonaparte, and the principal officers of the army who shared his confience, had determined to destroy the present form of government, and a sufficient military force, all of whom favored his pretensions, was provided for the purpose. According to previous concert, the 8th of November was fixed upon for the grand attempt. Early on the morning of that day, there assembled at Bonaparte's a numerous and brilliant levee. The house could not contain the half of them, and he was compelled to receive them in the open air. The Council of Ancients had, in some way, been made acquainted with the intended assembly, and hastily met at the same hour, agitated with fear and anxiety for their personal safety. They spoke of danger, of being overawed in their deliberations; of the fall of liberty, and of the approaching destruction of the republic, which they had no power to prevent. The legislative bodies removed their sessions to St. Cloud, to be beyond the military influence of the capitol.

"Some preparations were necessary to put the palace of St. Cloud in order, to receive the two councils; the Orangerie being assigned to the Council of Five Hundred; the gallery of Mars to that of the Ancients.

In the Council of Ancients, the Moderes, having the majority, were prepared to carry forward and complete their measures for a change of government and constitution. But the minority, having rallied after the surprise of the preceding day, were neither silent nor passive. The Commission of Inspectors, whose duty it was to convene the council, were inculpated severely for having omitted to give information to several leading members of the minority, of the extraordinary convocation which took place at such an unwonted hour on the morning preceding. The propriety, nay the legality, of the transference of the legislative bodies to St. Cloud, was also challenged. A sharp debate took place, which was terminated by the appearance of Napoleon, who entered the hall, and harangued the members by permission of the president. "Citizens,' said he, you are placed upon a volcano. Let me tell you the truth with the frankness of a soldier. Citizens, I was remaining tranquil with my family, when the commands of the Council of Ancients called me to arms. I collected my brave military companions, and brought forward the arms of the country in obedience

to you who are the head. We are rewarded with calumny-they compare me to Cromwell-to Cæsar. Had I desired to usurp the supreme authority, I have had opportunities to do so before now. But I swear to you the country has not a more disinterested patriot. We are surrounded by dangers and by civil war. Let us not hazard the loss of those advantages for which we have made such sacrifices-Liberty and equality.'

'And the Constitution!' exclaimed Linglet, a democratic member, interrupting a speech which seemed to be designedly vague and inexplicit.

The Constitution!' answered Bonaparte, giving way to a more natural expression of his feelings, and avowing his object more clearly than he had yet dared to do-'It was violated on the 18th Fructidor-violated on the 22d Floreal-violated on the 30th Prairial. All parties have invoked it-all have disregarded it in turn. It can be no longer a means of safety to any one, since it obtains the respect of no one. Since we cannot preserve the Constitution; let us at least save Liberty and Equality, the foundations on which it is erected.' He went on in the same strain to assure them, that for the safety of the Republic, he relied only on the wisdom and power of the Council of Ancients, since in the Council of Five Hundred were found those men who desired to bring back the Conven. tion, with its revolutionary committees, its scaffolds, its popular insurrections. But I,' he said, 'will save you from such horrors—I and my brave comrades at arms, whose swords and caps I see at the door of the hall; and if any hired orator shall talk of outlawry, I will appeal to the valor of my comrades, with whom I have fought and conquered for liberty.'

The assembly invited the general to detail the particulars of the conspiracy to which he had alluded, but he confined himself to a reference to the testimony of Sieyes and Ducos; and again reiterated that the Constitution could not save the country, and inviting the Council of Ancients to adopt some course which might enable them to do so, he left them, amid cries of "Vive Bonaparte!" loudly echoed by the military in the court-yard, to try the effect of his eloquence on the more unmanageable Council of Five Hundred.

court.

The deputies of the younger Council having found the place designed for their meeting filled with workmen, were for some time in a situation which seemed to resemble the predicament of the National Assembly at Verseilles, when they took refuge in a tennisThe recollection was of such a nature as inflamed and animated their resolution, and they entered the Orangerie, when at length admitted, in no good humor with the Council of Ancients, or with Bonaparte. Proposals of accommodation had been circulated among them ineffectually. They would have admitted Bonaparte into the Directory, but refused to consent to any radical change in the Constitution of the year Three.

The debate of the day, remarkable as the last in which the Republican party enjoyed the full freedom of speech in France, was

opened on 19th Brumaire, at two o'clock, Lucien Bonaparte being president. Gaudin, a member of the moderate party, began by moving, that a committee of seven members should be formed, to report upon the state of the Republic; and that measures should be taken for opening a correspondence with the Council of Ancients. He was interrupted by exclamations and clamor on the part of the majority,

"The Constitution! The Constitution or Death!' was echoed and re-echoed on every side. 'Bayonets frighten us not,' said Delbrel; 'we are freemen.'

'Down with Dictatorship-no Dictators!' cried other members. Lucien in vain endeavored to restore order. Gaudin was dragged from the tribune; the voice of other Moderates was overpow ered by clamor-never had the party of democracy shown itself fiercer or more tenacious than when about to receive the deathblow.

'Let us swear to preserve the Constitution of the year Three!' exclaimed Delbrel; and the applause which followed the proposition was so general, that it silenced all resistance. Even the members of the moderate party-nay, even Lucien Bonaparte himself, were compelled to take the oath of fidelity to the constitution, which he and they were leagued to destroy.

"The oath you have just taken,' said Bigonnet, 'will occupy a place in the annals of history, beside the celebrated vow taken in the tennis-court. The one was the foundation of liberty, the other shall consolidate the structure.' In the midst of this fermentation, the letter containing the resignation of Barras was read, and received with marks of contempt, as the act of a soldier deserting his post in the time of danger. The moderate party seemed silenced, overpowered, and on the point of coalescing with the great majority of the council, when the clash of arms was heard at the entrance of the apartment. All eyes were turned to that quarter. Bayonets, drawn sabres, the plumed hats of general officers and aids-de-camp, and the caps of grenadiers, were visible without, while Napoleon entered the Orangerie, attended by four grenadiers belonging to the constitutional guard of the councils. The soldiers remained at the bottom of the hall, while he advanced, with a measured step and uncovered, about one-third up the room.

He was received with loud murmurs. What! drawn weapons, armed men, soldiers in the sanctuary of the laws!' exclaimed the members, whose courage seemed to rise against the display of force with which they were menaced. All the deputies arose, some rushed on Bonaparte, and seized him by the collar; others called out-Outlawry-outlawry-let him be proclaimed a traitor!' It is said that Arena, a native of Corsica like himself, aimed a dagger at his breast, which was only averted by the interposition of one of the grenadiers. The fact seems extremely doubtful, though it is certain that Bonaparte was seized by two or three members, while others exclaimed, 'Was it for this you gained so

many victories?' and loaded him with reproaches. At this crisis a party of grenadiers rushed into the hall with drawn swords, and extricating Bonaparte from the deputies, bore him off in their arms breathless with the scuffle.

The Council remained in the highest state of commotion, the general voice accusing Bonaparte of having usurped the supreme authority, calling for a sentence of outlawry, or demanding that he should be brought to the bar. Can you ask me to put the outlawry of my own brother to the vote?' said Lucien. But this appeal to his personal situation and feelings made no impression upon the Assembly, who continued clamorously to demand the question. At length Lucien flung on the desk his hat, scarf, and other parts of official dress. 'Let me be rather heard,' he said, 'as the advocate of him whom you falsely and rashly accuse.' But his request only added to the tumult. At this moment a small body of grenadiers, sent by Napoleon to his brother's assistance, marched into the hall. They were at first received with applause; for the Council, accustomed to see the triumph of democratic opinions among the military, did not doubt that they were deserting their general to range themselves on the side of the deputies. Their appearance was but momentary-they instantly left the hall, carrying Lucien in the centre of the detachment.

Matters were now come to extremity on either side. The Council, thrown into the greatest disorder by these repeated military incursions, remained in violent agitation, furious against Bonaparte, but without the calmness necessary to adopt decisive measures.

Meantime the sight of Napoleon, almost breathless, and bearing marks of personal violence, excited to the highest the indignation of the military. In broken words he told them, that when he wished to show them the road to lead the country to victory and fame, 'they had answered him with daggers.'

Cries of resentment arose from the soldiery, augmented when the party sent to extricate the President brought him to the ranks as to a sanctuary. Lucien, who seconded his brother admirably, or rather who led the way in this perilous adventure, mounted on horseback instantly, and called out, in a voice naturally deep and sonorous, 'General, and you, soldiers! The President of the Council of Five Hundred proclaims to you, that factious men, with drawn daggers, have interrupted the deliberations of the Assembly-He authorizes you to employ force against these disturbers-The Assembly of Five Hundred is dissolved!'

Murat, deputed by Bonaparte to execute the commands of Lucien, entered the Orangerie with drums beating, at the head of a detachment with fixed bayonets. He summoned the deputies to disperse on their peril, while an officer of the constitutional guard called out, he could be no longer answerable for their safety. Crics of fear became now mingled with vociferations of rage, execrations of abhorrence, and shouts of Vive la Republique. An officer

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