I saw Bonaparte put in motion all his concealed springs; and I could not help admiring his wonderful address.

But what most astonished me was the control he possessed over himself, in repressing any premature manifestation of his intentions which might prejudice his projects.  Thus, for instance, he never spoke of the Tuileries but under the name of “the Palace of the Government,” and he determined not to inhabit, at first, the ancient palace of the kings of France alone.  He contented himself with selecting the royal apartments, and proposed that the Third Consul should also reside in the Tuileries, and in consequence he occupied the Pavilion of Flora.  This skilful arrangement was perfectly in accordance with the designation of “Palace of the Government” given to the Tuileries, and was calculated to deceive, for a time; the most clear-sighted.

The moment for leaving the Luxembourg having arrived, Bonaparte still used many deceptive precautions.  The day filed for the translation of the seat of government was the 30th Pluviose, the previous day having been selected for publishing the account of the votes taken for the acceptance of the new Constitution.  He had, besides, caused the insertion in the ‘Moniteur’ of the eulogy on Washington, pronounced, by M. de Fontanes, the decadi preceding, to be delayed for ten days.  He thought that the day when he was about to take so large a step towards monarchy would be well chosen for entertaining the people of Paris with grand ideas of liberty, and for coupling his own name with that of the founder of the free government of the United States.

At seven o’clock on the morning of the 30th Pluviuse I entered, as usual, the chamber of the First Consul.  He was in a profound sleep, and this was one of the days on which I had been desired to allow him to sleep a little longer than usual.  I have often observed that General Bonaparte appeared much less moved when on the point of executing any great design—­than during the time of projecting it, so accustomed was he to think that what he had resolved on in his mind, was already done.

When I returned to Bonaparte he said to me, with a marked air of satisfaction, “Well, Bourrienne, to-night, at last, we shall sleep in the Tuileries.  You are better off than I:  you are not obliged to make a spectacle of yourself, but may go your own road there.  I must, however, go in procession:  that disgusts me; but it is necessary to speak to the eyes.  That has a good effect on the people.  The Directory was too simple, and therefore never enjoyed any consideration.  In the army simplicity is in its proper place; but in a great city, in a palace, the Chief of the Government must attract attention in every possible way, yet still with prudence.  Josephine is going to look out from Lebrun’s apartments; go with her, if you like; but go to the cabinet as soon as you see me alight from my-horse.”

I did not go to the review, but proceeded to the Tuileries, to arrange in our new cabinet the papers which it was my duty to take care of, and to prepare everything for the First Consul’s arrival.  It was not until the evening that I learned, from the conversation in the salon, where there was a numerous party, what had taken piece in the course of the day.