with lofty views of ambition than a sincere desire for the benefit of the human race; for, at a later period, he adopted this phrase:  “I should like to be the head of the most ancient of the dynasties cf Europe.”  What a difference between Bonaparte, the author of the ‘Souper de Beaucaire’, the subduer of royalism at Toulon; the author of the remonstrance to Albitte and Salicetti, the fortunate conqueror of the 13th Vendemiaire, the instigator and supporter of the revolution of Fructidor, and the founder of the Republics of Italy, the fruits of his immortal victories,—­and Bonaparte, First Consul in 1800, Consul for life in 1802, and, above all, Napoleon, Emperor of the French in 1804, and King of Italy in 1805!

CHAPTER XI.

1797

Effect of the 18th Fructidor on the peace—­The standard of the army of Italy—­Honours rendered to the memory of General Hoche and of Virgil at Mantua—­Remarkable letter—­In passing through Switzerland Bonaparte visits the field of Morat—­Arrival at Rastadt—­Letter from the Directory calling Bonaparte to Paris—­Intrigues against Josephine—­Grand ceremony on the reception of Bonaparte by the Directory—­The theatres—­Modesty of Bonaparte—­An assassination—­ Bonaparte’s opinion of the Parisians—­His election to the National Institute—­Letter to Camus—­Projects—­Reflections.

The day of the 18th Fructidor had, without any doubt, mainly contributed to the conclusion of peace at Campo Formio.  On the one hand, the Directory, hitherto not very pacifically inclined, after having effected a ‘coup d’etat’, at length saw the necessity of appeasing the discontented by giving peace to France.  On the other hand, the Cabinet of Vienna, observing the complete failure of all the royalist plots in the interior, thought it high time to conclude with the French Republic a treaty which, notwithstanding all the defeats Austria had sustained, still left her a preponderating influence over Italy.

Besides, the campaign of Italy, so fertile in glorious achievements of arms, had not been productive of glory alone.  Something of greater importance followed these conquests.  Public affairs had assumed a somewhat unusual aspect, and a grand moral influence, the effect of victories and of peace, had begun to extend all over France.  Republicanism was no longer so sanguinary and fierce as it had been some years before.  Bonaparte, negotiating with princes and their ministers on a footing of equality, but still with all that superiority to which victory and his genius entitled him, gradually taught foreign courts to be familiar with Republican France, and the Republic to cease regarding all States governed by Kings as of necessity enemies.

In these circumstances the General-in-Chief’s departure and his expected visit to Paris excited general attention.  The feeble Directory was prepared to submit to the presence of the conqueror of Italy in the capital.