Opposite to the principal vestibule stood the altar of the country, surrounded by the statues of Liberty, Equality, and Peace.  When Bonaparte entered every head was uncovered.  The windows were full of young and beautiful females.  But notwithstanding this great preparation an icy coldness characterized the ceremony.  Every one seemed to be present only for the purpose of beholding a sight, and curiosity was the prevailing expression rather than joy or gratitude.  It is but right to say, however, that an unfortunate event contributed to the general indifference.  The right wing of the Palace was not occupied, but great preparations had been making there, and an officer had been directed to prevent anyone from ascending.  One of the clerks of the Directory, however, contrived to get upon the scaffolding, but had scarcely placed his foot on the first plank when it tilted up, and the imprudent man fell the whole height into the court.  This accident created a general stupor.  Ladies fainted, and the windows were nearly deserted.

However, the Directory displayed all the Republican splendour of which they were so prodigal on similar occasions.  Speeches were far from being scarce.  Talleyrand, who was then Minister for Foreign Affairs, on introducing Bonaparte to the Directory, made a long oration, in the course of which he hinted that the personal greatness of the General ought not to excite uneasiness, even in a rising Republic.  “Far from apprehending anything from his ambition, I believe that we shall one day be obliged to solicit him to tear himself from the pleasures of studious retirement.  All France will be free, but perhaps he never will; such is his destiny.”

Talleyrand was listened to with impatience, so anxious was every one to hear Bonaparte.  The conqueror of Italy then rose, and pronounced with a modest air, but in a firm voice, a short address of congratulation on the improved position of the nation.

Barras, at that time President of the Directory, replied to Bonaparte with so much prolixity as to weary everyone; and as soon as he had finished speaking he threw himself into the arms of the General, who was not much pleased with such affected displays, and gave him what was then called the fraternal embrace.  The other members of the Directory, following the example of the President, surrounded Bonaparte and pressed him in their arms; each acted, to the best of his ability, his part in the sentimental comedy.

Chenier composed for this occasion a hymn, which Mehul set to music.  A few days after an opera was produced, bearing the title of the ’Fall of Carthage’, which was meant as an allusion to the anticipated exploits of the conqueror of Italy, recently appointed to the command of the “Army of England.”  The poets were all employed in praising him; and Lebrun, with but little of the Pindaric fire in his soul, composed the following distich, which certainly is not worth much: 

     “Heros, cher a la paix, aux arts, a la victoire—­
     Il conquit en deux ans mille siecles de gloire.”