The police knew nothing of the plot of the 3d Nivose for two reasons; first, because they were no parties to it, and secondly, because two conspirators do not betray and sell each other when they are resolute in their purpose.  In such cases the giving of information can arise only from two causes, the one excusable, the other infamous, viz. the dread of punishment, and the hope of reward.  But neither of these causes influenced the conspirators of the 3d Nivose, the inventors and constructors of that machine which has so justly been denominated infernal!

On the 3d Nivose (24th December 1800) the first performance of Haydn’s magnificent oratorio of the “Creation” took place at the opera, and the First Consul had expressed his intention of being present.  I did not dine with him that day, but as he left me he said, “Bourrienne, you know I am going to the opera to-night, and you may go too; but I cannot take you in the carriage, as Lannes, Berthier, and Lauriston are going with me.”  I was very glad of this, for I much wished to hear one of the masterpieces of the German school of composition.  I got to the opera before Bonaparte, who on his entrance seated himself, according to custom, in front of the box.  The eye’s of all present were fixed upon him, and he appeared to be perfectly calm and self-possessed.  Lauriston, as soon as he saw me, came to my box, and told me that the First Consul, on his way to the opera, had narrowly escaped being assassinated in the Rue St. Nicaise by the explosion of a barrel of gunpowder, the concussion of which had shattered the windows of his carriage.  “Within ten seconds after our escape,” added Lauriston, “the coachman having turned the corner of the Rue St Honore, stopped to take the First Consul’s orders; and he coolly said, ‘To the opera.’”

—­[The following particulars respecting the affair of the infernal machine are related by Rapp, who attended Madame Bonaparte to the opera.  He differs from Bourrienne as to the total ignorance of the police: 

“The affair of the infernal machine has never been property understood by the public.  The police had intimated to Napoleon that an attempt would be made against his life and cautioned him not to go out.  Madame Bonaparte, Mademoiselle Beauharnais, Madame Murat, Lannes, Bessieres, the aide de camp on duty, Lieutenant Lebrun, now duke of Placenza were all assembled in the salon, while the First Consul was writing in his cabinet.  Haydn’s oratorio was to be performed that evening; the ladies were anxious to hear the music, and we also expressed a wish to that effect.  The escort piquet was ordered out; and Lannes requested that Napoleon would join the party.  He consented; his carriage was ready, and he took along with him Bessieres and the aide de camp on duty.  I was directed to attend the ladies.  Josephine had received a magnificent shawl from Constantinople and she that evening wore it for the first time.