Under the Directory, the third act of the drama of revolution opened with the gallant resistance which France made to the invaders of her soil and the enemies of her liberties.  This resistance brought out the marvellous military genius of Napoleon, who intoxicated the nation by his victories, and who, in reward of his extraordinary services, was made First Consul, with dictatorial powers.  The abuse of these powers, his usurpation of imperial dignity, the wars into which he was drawn to maintain his ascendency, and his final defeat at Waterloo, constitute the most brilliant chapter in the history of modern times.  The Revolution was succeeded by military despotism.  Inexperience led to fatal mistakes, and these mistakes made the strong government of a single man a necessity.  The Revolution began in noble aspirations, but for lack of political wisdom and sound principles in religion and government, it ended in anarchy and crime, and was again followed by the tyranny of a monarch.  This is the sequence of all revolutions which defy eternal justice and human experience.  There are few evils which are absolutely unendurable, and permanent reforms are only obtained by patience and wisdom.  Violence is ever succeeded by usurpation.  The terrible wars through which France passed, to aggrandize an ambitious and selfish egotist, were attended with far greater evils than those which the nation sought to abolish when the States-General first met at Versailles.

But the experiment of liberty, though it failed, was not altogether thrown away.  Lessons of political wisdom were learned, which no nation will ever forget.  Some great rights of immense value were secured, and many grievous privileges passed away forever.  Neither Louis XVIII., nor Charles X., nor Louis Philippe, nor Louis Napoleon, ever attempted to restore feudalism, or unequal privileges, or arbitrary taxation.  The legislative power never again completely succumbed to the decrees of royal and imperial tyrants.  The sovereignty of the people was established as one of the fixed ideas of the nineteenth century, and the representatives of the people are now the supreme rulers of the land.  A man can now rise in France above the condition in which he was born, and can aspire to any office and position which are bestowed on talents and genius.  Bastilles and lettres de cachet have become an impossibility.  Religious toleration is as free there as in England or the United States.  Education is open to the poor, and is encouraged by the Government.  Constitutional government seems to be established, under whatever name the executive may be called.  France is again one of the most prosperous and contented countries of Europe; and the only great drawback to her national prosperity is that which also prevents other Continental powers from developing their resources,—­the large standing army which she feels it imperative to sustain.