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.  ‘Permit me to observe,’ said I, ’that your shawl is not thrown on with your usual elegance.’  She good-humouredly begged that I would fold it after the fashion of the Egyptian ladies.  While I was engaged in this operation we heard Napoleon depart.  ‘Come sister,’ said Madame Murat, who was impatient to get to the theatre:  ‘Bonaparte is going:’  We stopped into the carriage:  the First Consul’s equipage had already reached the middle of the Place du Carrousel.  We drove after it, but we had scarcely entered the place when the machine exploded.  Napoleon escaped by a singular chance, St. Regent,