have witnessed them.  Moreau, who has a higher military reputation than he, came over to me at once.  However, I repent of having cajoled Bernadotte.  I am thinking of separating him from all his coteries without any one being able to find fault with the proceeding.  I cannot revenge myself in any other manner.  Joseph likes him.  I should have everybody against me.  These family considerations are follies!  Goodnight, Bourrienne.—­By the way, we will sleep in the Luxembourg to-morrow.”

I then left the General, whom, henceforth, I will call the First Consul, after having remained with him constantly during nearly twenty-four hours, with the exception of the time when he was at the Council of the Five Hundred.  I retired to my lodging, in the Rue Martel, at five o’clock in the morning.

It is certain that if Gohier had come to breakfast on the morning of the 18th Brumaire, according to Madame Bonaparte’s invitation, he would have been one of the members of the Government.  But Gohier acted the part of the stern republican.  He placed himself, according to the common phrase of the time, astride of the Constitution of the year iii.; and as his steed made a sad stumble, he fell with it.

It was a singular circumstance which prevented the two Directors Gohier and Moulins from defending their beloved Constitution.  It was from their respect for the Constitution that they allowed it to perish, because they would have been obliged to violate the article which did not allow less than three Directors to deliberate together.  Thus a king of Castile was burned to death, because there did not happen to be in his apartment men of such rank as etiquette would permit to touch the person of the monarch.

CHAPTER XXVI.

1799.

General approbation of the 18th Brumaire—­Distress of the treasury—­ M. Collot’s generosity—­Bonaparte’s ingratitude—­Gohier set at Liberty—­Constitution of the year VIII.—­The Senate, Tribunate, and Council of State—­Notes required on the character of candidates—­ Bonaparte’s love of integrity and talent—­Influence of habit over him—­His hatred of the Tribunate—­Provisional concessions—­The first Consular Ministry—­Mediocrity of La Place—­Proscription lists—­ Cambaceres report—­M.  Moreau de Worms—­Character of Sieyes—­ Bonaparte at the Luxembourg—­Distribution of the day and visits—­ Lebrun’s opposition—­Bonaparte’s singing—­His boyish tricks—­ Assumption of the titles “Madame” and “Monseigneur”—­The men of the Revolution and the partisans of the Bourbons—­Bonaparte’s fears—­ Confidential notes on candidates for office and the assemblies.

It cannot be denied that France hailed, almost with unanimous voice, Bonaparte’s accession to the Consulship as a blessing of Providence.  I do not speak now of the ulterior consequences of that event; I speak only of the fact itself, and its first results, such as the repeal of the law of hostages,