de-camp, the persons he had invited, and myself, who never quitted him. He received also several private friends, among others his brothers, Joseph and Lucien, whom he always saw with pleasure, and conversed familiarly with them. Cambaceres came about noon, and remained with him generally about an hour. Lebrun visited but seldom. Notwithstanding his elevation, his virtue remained unaltered. He appeared to Bonaparte too moderate, because he always opposed himself to his ambitious views, and to his plans for seizing on the supreme power. When he rose from breakfast, after having bid good morning to Josephine and her daughter Hortense, he generally said, Come, Bourrienne : let us go to work.'

During the day I remained with Bonaparte, sometimes reading to him, sometimes writing to his dictation. Three or four times in the week he went to the council. We dined at five. After dinner the first consul ascended to the apartments of Josephine, where he commonly received the visits of the ministers, and always with pleasure those of the minister for foreign affairs; especially after the portfolio of that department had been placed in the hands of Talleyrand. At midnight, and often sooner, he gave the signal for retiring, by saying in a hasty manner, Come, let's go to bed.'

It was at the Luxembourg, in the apartments of which the adorable Josephine presided with so much grace, that the word Madame came again into use. This first return to the ancient French politeness was startling to some zealous republicans; but things were soon carried farther at the Tuileries by the introduction of Votre Altesse, on occasions of state ceremony, and Monseigneur, in the family circle.

At the commencement of the first consul's administration, though he always consulted the notes he had collected, be yet received with attention the recommendations of persons with whom he was well acquainted; but it was not safe for them to recommend a rogue or a fool. The men whom he most disliked were those whom he called babblers, who are continually prating of every thing and on every thing. He often said, I want more head and less tongue.'

On taking the government into his own hauds, Bonaparte knew so little of the revolution and of the men

engaged in civil employments, that it was indispensably necessary for him to collect information from every quarter respecting men and things. But when the conflicting passions of the moment became more calm, and the spirit of party more prudent, and when order had been, by his severe investigations, introduced where hitherto unbridled confusion had reigned, he became gradually more scrupulous in granting places, whether arising from newly-created offices, or from those changes which the different departments often experienced. He then said to me, Bourrienne, I give up your department to you. Name whom you please for the appointments; but remember, you must be responsible to me.'

What a list would that be which should contain the names of all the prefects, sub-prefects, receivers-general, and other civil officers, to whom I gave places! I have kept no memoranda of their names: and, indeed, what advantage would there have been in doing so? It was impossible for me to have a personal knowledge of all the fortunate candidates; but I relied on recommendations in which I had confidence.

I have had little to complain of in those I obliged; though it is true that, since my separation from Bonaparte, I have seen many of them generously take the opposite side of the street in which I was walking, and, by that delicate attention, save me the trouble of raising my hat.

When a new government rises upon the ruins of one which has been overturned, the best chance it has of rendering itself a favourite with the nation, if that nation be at war, is to hold out the prospect of peace; because peace is always an object which is desired by the people. This Bonaparte knew very well; and if in his heart he wished for war, he was aware of what vast importance it was to him to appear to be desirous of peace. Thus, immediately after his installation at the Luxembourg, he hastened to notify to all the foreign powers his accession to the consulate, and likewise caused letters to be addressed to all the diplomatic agents of the French government abroad. He also hastened to open negotiations with the court of London. At this time we were at war with nearly the whole of Europe. We had lost Italy. The Emperor of Germany was governed by his ministers, who in their turn were governed by England, and France

had no army in the interior. It was of great importance to the first consul, that foreign powers should understand that it was impossible to expect the restoration of the Bourbons; that it was the object of the existing government to adopt a system of order and regeneration; and that it was capable of maintaining friendly relations with them all. To attain this end Bonaparte gave orders to Talleyrand to make the first overtures of peace to the English cabinet. A correspondence took place, which shewed the condescending policy of Bonaparte and the arrogant policy of England.

The exchange of notes which took place was attended by no immediate result. However, the first consul had partly attained his object: if the British government would not enter into negotiations for peace, there was, at least, reason to presume that subsequent overtures of the consular government might be listened to. The correspondence had, at all events, afforded Bonaparte the opportunity of declaring his principles; and, above all, it had enabled him to ascertain that the return of the Bourbons to France would not be a sine quà non condition for the restoration of peace between the two powers.

Since M. de Talleyrand had been minister for foreign affairs, the business of that department had proceeded with great activity. It was an important advantage to Bonaparte to find a nobleman of the old regime among the republicans. The choice of M. de Talleyrand was, in some sort, an act of courtesy to the foreign courts. It was a delicate attention to the diplomacy of Europe to introduce to its members, for the purpose of treating with them, a man whose rank was at least equal to their own, and who was universally distinguished for a polished elegance of manner combined with solid good qualities and real talents.

It was not with England alone that he sought to establish friendly relations; the consular government also offered peace to the house of Austria; but separately. The object of this offer was to awaken a jealousy between the two powers. Speaking to me one day of his extreme desire for peace, he said, 'You see, Bourrienne, I have two great enemies upon my hands. I will not conceal from you that I prefer peace with England. Nothing would be more easy than to destroy Austria. She has no money except what she receives through England.'

These negotiations, however, were attended with no success. None of the European powers would recognize the new government of which Bonaparte was the chief; the victory of Marengo was necessary to produce the peace of Amiens.

CHAP. X.

Portrait of Bonaparte. - his domestic Manners - his Habits his Prejudices-his Opinions-Remarks on Josephine-Murat-Murat married to Caroline Bo

naparte.

IN reading the history of the great men of antiquity, we often regret that their historians have so occupied themselves with the hero, that they have forgotten to speak of the man. Though no two beings can more closely resemble each other than an illustrious man and an individual in humble life, yet when we follow them into the details of their private life, it is not the less true that we are desirous of becoming acquainted with the most trifling habits of those whom great talents have elevated above their fellows. Is this merely an effect of curiosity, or is it not rather a movement of self-love? and do we not unconsciously seek to console ourselves for their su periority, by reflecting on their weaknesses, their faults, their absurdities,-in short, all the points of resemblance which they have with other men. In order, therefore, that persons who are anxious for such details may have an opportunity to gratify their curiosity in respect to Bonaparte, I will here endeavour to describe him as I saw him from my own observation, in his physical and moral character, his tastes, his habits, his passions, and his caprices. I ought to add, that I do not guarantee the resemblance of the portrait which I am about to trace, but from 1792 to 1804, a period during which I scarcely ever lost sight of him.

The person of Bonaparte has served as a subject for the most skilful painters and sculptors; many able artists, whose talent does honour to France, have successfully delineated his features; and yet it may be said that there exists no perfectly faithful resemblance. It is not always granted to genius to triumph over impossibilities. His finely shaped head, his superb forehead, his pale and elongated visage, and his meditative look, have been

transferred to the canvass; but the quickness of his glance and the rapidity of his expression were beyond imitation. All the various workings of his mind were instantaneously depicted in his countenance, and his glance changed from mild to severe, and from angry to goodhumoured, almost with the rapidity of lightning. It may be truly said, that he had a particular look for every thought that arose in his mind, an appropriate physiognomy for every impulse that agitated his soul.

He had finely-formed hands, and he was very proud of them, and took particular care of them; and sometimes, while conversing, he would look at them with an air of satisfaction. He also fancied that he had fine teeth, but his pretensions to that advantage did not appear to me to be so well founded.

When he walked, either alone or in company with any one, in his apartments or in the gardens, he stooped a little, and crossed his hands behind his back. He frequently gave an involuntary shrug of his right shoulder, which he elevated a little, at the same time moving his mouth from the left towards the right. If an observer had not known that these movements were merely the effect of an ill habit, he might have supposed that they were convulsive motions. They were in reality the indices of profound meditation, and of intensity of thought. Frequently, after these walks, he drew up, or dictated to me, the most important notes. He could endure great fatigue, not only on horseback and on foot when with the army, but at all times; frequently walking five or six hours at a time, without being aware of it. He had a habit, when he walked with any one with whom he was familiar, to link his arm into that of his companion, and lean on it.

Bonaparte has frequently said to me, ' Bourrienne, you see how temperate and thin I am; but nothing can prevent me from thinking that, by the time I am forty, I shall become a great eater, and get very fat. I foresee that my constitution will undergo a change. I take a deal of exercise; but what of that-it is a presentiment, and will certainly be realized.' This idea annoyed him very much, and, as I was of a different opinion, I never failed to represent those fears as groundless; but he could not be convinced, and, during the whole time that

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