in the higher offices of the Empire.  A committee of the senate having conferred on the Emperor the right to appoint, of his own choice, the president of the Corps Legislatif, his Majesty bestowed this presidency on the Duke of Massa, who was replaced in his former position as grand judge by Count Mole, the youngest of the Emperor’s ministers.  The Duke of Bassano became the secretary of state, and the Duke of Vicenza received the portfolio of foreign relations.

As I have said, during the autumn of 1813 his Majesty frequently visited the public works.  He usually went almost unattended, and on foot, to visit those of the Tuileries and the Louvre, and afterwards mounted his horse, accompanied by one or two officers at most, and M. Fontaine, and went to examine those which were more distant.  One day,—­it was about the end of November, having seized the opportunity of his Majesty’s absence to take a walk through the Faubourg Saint Germain, I unexpectedly encountered his Majesty on his way to the Luxembourg, just as he arrived at the entrance of the Rue de Tournon; and it is impossible to describe the intense satisfaction with which I heard shouts of “Vive l’Empereur” break forth as he approached.  I found myself driven by the crowd very near the Emperor’s horse, and yet I did not imagine for a moment that he had recognized me.  On his return, however, I had proofs to the contrary.  His Majesty had seen me; and as I assisted him to change his clothing the Emperor gayly remarked to me, “Well, M. le Drole!  Ah! ah! what were you doing in the Faubourg Saint Germain?  I see just how it is!  A fine thing really!  You spy on me when I go out,” and many other jests of the same kind; for on that day the Emperor was in such fine spirits that I concluded he had been much pleased with his visit.

Whenever at this time the Emperor experienced any unusual anxiety, I noticed that in order to dispel it he took pleasure in exhibiting himself in public more frequently, perhaps, than during his other sojourns in Paris, but always without any ostentation.  He went frequently to the theater; and, thanks to the obliging kindness of Count de Remusat, I myself frequently attended these assemblies, which at that time always had the appearance of a fete.  Assuredly, when on the occasion of the first representation of the ballet of Nina, their Majesties entered their box, it would have been difficult to imagine that the Emperor had already enemies among his subjects.  It is true that the mothers and widows in mourning were not there; but I can affirm that I have never seen more perfect enthusiasm.  The Emperor enjoyed this from the depths of his heart, even more, perhaps, than after his victories.  The conviction that he was beloved by the French people impressed him deeply, and in the evening he condescended to speak to me of it—­shall I dare to say like a child puffed up with pride at the reward he has just received?  Then in the perfect freedom of privacy he said repeatedly,