This unvarying attention to the affairs of the Government was manifest in all he did.  I have already mentioned the almost simultaneous suppression of the horrible commemoration of the month of January, and the permission for the revival of the opera balls.  A measure something similar to this was the authorisation of the festivals of Longchamps, which had been forgotten since the Revolution.  He at the same time gave permission for sacred music to be performed at the opera.  Thus, while in public acts he maintained the observance of the Republican calendar, he was gradually reviving the old calendar by seasons of festivity.  Shrove-Tuesday was marked by a ball, and Passion-week by promenades and concerts.

CHAPTER XXXV

1800.

   The Memorial of St. Helena—­Louis XVIII.’s first letter to Bonaparte
   —­Josephine, Hortense, and the Faubourg St. Germain—­
   Madame Bonaparte and the fortune-teller—­Louis XVIII’s second letter
   —­Bonaparte’s answer—­Conversation respecting the recall of Louis
   XVIII.—­Peace and war—­A battle fought with pins-Genoa and Melas—­
   Realisation of Bonaparte’s military plans—­Ironical letter to
   Berthier—­Departure from Paris—­Instructions to Lucien and
   Cambaceres—­Joseph Bonaparte appointed Councillor of State—­
   Travelling conversation—­Alexander and Caesar judged by Bonaparte.

It sometimes happens that an event which passes away unnoticed at the time of its occurrence acquires importance from events which subsequently ensue.  This reflection naturally occurs to my mind now that I am about to notice the correspondence which passed between Louis XVIII. and the First Consul.  This is certainly not one of the least interesting passages in the life of Bonaparte.

But I must first beg leave to make an observation on the ’Memorial of St. Helena.’  That publication relates what Bonaparte said respecting the negotiations between Louis XVIII. and himself; and I find it necessary to quote a few lines on the subject, in order to show how far the statements contained in the Memorial differ from the autograph letters in my possession.

At St. Helena Napoleon said that he never thought of the princes of the House of Bourbon.  This is true to a certain point.  He did not think of the princes of the House of Bourbon with the view of restoring them to their throne; but it has been shown, in several parts of these Memoirs, that he thought of them very often, and on more than one occasion their very names alarmed him.

—­[The Memorial states that “A letter was delivered to the First Consul by Lebrun who received it from the Abbe de Montesquieu, the secret agent of the Bourbons in Paris.”  This letter which was very cautiously written, said:—­

“You are long delaying the restoration of my throne.  It is to be feared you are suffering favourable moments to escape.  You cannot secure the happiness of France without me, and I can do nothing for France without you.  Hasten, then, to name the offices which you would choose for your friends.”

   The answer, Napoleon said, was as follows:—­