From the commencement of the month of Germinal the reorganisation of the army of Italy had proceeded with renewed activity.  The presence in Paris of the fine corps of the Consular Guard, added to the desire of showing themselves off in gay uniforms, had stimulated the military ardour of many respectable young men of the capital.  Taking advantage of this circumstance the First Consul created a corps of volunteers destined for the army of reserve, which was to remain at Dijon.  He saw the advantage of connecting a great number of families with his cause, and imbuing them with the spirit of the army.  This volunteer corps wore a yellow uniform which, in some of the salons of Paris where it was still the custom to ridicule everything, obtained for them the nickname of “canaries.”  Bonaparte, who did not always relish a joke, took this in very ill part, and often expressed to me his vexation at it.  However, he was gratified to observe in the composition of this corps a first specimen of privileged soldiers; an idea which he acted upon when he created the orderly gendarmes in the campaign of Jena, and when he organised the guards of honour after the disasters of Moscow.

In every action of his life Bonaparte had some particular object in view.  I recollect his saying to me one day, “Bourrienne, I cannot yet venture to do anything against the regicides; but I will let them see what I think of them.  To-morrow I shall have some business with Abrial respecting the organisation of the court of Cassation.  Target, who is the president of that court, would not defend Louis XVI.  Well, whom do you think I mean to appoint in his place? . . .  Tronchet, who did defend the king.  They may say what they please; I care not.”

   —­[On this, as on many other occasions, the cynicism of Bonaparte’s
   language does, not admit of a literal translation.]—­

Tronchet was appointed.

Nearly about the same time the First Consul, being informed of the escape of General Mack, said to me, “Mack may go where he pleases; I am not afraid of him.  But I will tell you what I have been thinking.  There are some other Austrian officers who were prisoners with Mack; among the number is a Count Dietrichstein, who belongs to a great family in Vienna.  I will liberate them all.  At the moment of opening a campaign this will have a good effect.  They will see that I fear nothing; and who knows but this may procure me some admirers in Austria.”  The order for liberating the Austrian prisoners was immediately despatched.  Thus Bonaparte’s acts of generosity, as well as his acts of severity and his choice of individuals, were all the result of deep calculation.