himself with recommending that the execution of the design, which was good in intention, should, however, be postponed for two years.  Bonaparte appeared to listen favourably to Fouche’s recommendation, who, as avaricious for money as Bonaparte of glory, consoled himself by thinking that for these two years the administration of the gaming tables would still be for him a Pactolus flowing with gold.  For Fouche, already the possessor of an immense fortune, always dreamed of increasing it, though he himself did not know how to enjoy it.  With him the ambition of enlarging the bounds of his estate of Pont-Carre was not less felt than with the First Consul the ambition of extending the frontier of France.

Not only did the First Consul not like Fouche, but it is perfectly true that at this time the police wearied and annoyed him.  Several times he told me he looked on it as dangerous, especially for the possessor of power.  In a Government without the liberty of the press he was quite right.  The very services which the police had rendered to the First Consul were of a nature to alarm him, for whoever had conspired against the Directory in favour of the Consulate might also conspire against the Consulate in favour of any other Government.  It is needless to say that I only allude to the political police, and not to the municipal police, which is indispensable for large towns, and which has the honourable mission of watching over the health and safety of the citizens.

Fouche, as has been stated, had been Minister of Police since the 18th Brumaire.  Everybody who was acquainted with, the First Consul’s character was unable to explain the ascendency which he had suffered Fouche to acquire over him, and of which Bonaparte himself was really impatient.  He saw in Fouche a centre around which all the interests of the Revolution concentrated themselves, and at this he felt indignant; but, subject to a species of magnetism, he could not break the charm which enthralled him.  When he spoke of Fouche in his absence his language was warm, bitter, and hostile.  When Fouche was present, Bonaparte’s tone was softened, unless some public scene was to be acted like that which occurred after the attempt of the 3d Nivose.

The suppression of the Ministry of Police being determined on, Bonaparte did not choose to delay the execution of his design, as he had pretended to think necessary.  On the evening of the 12th of September we went to Mortfontaine.  We passed the next day, which was Monday, at that place, and it was there, far removed from Fouche, and urged by the combined persuasions of Joseph and Lucien, that the First Consul signed the decree of suppression.  The next morning we returned to Paris.  Fouche came to Malmaison, where we were, in the regular execution of his duties.  The First Consul transacted business with him as usual without daring to tell him of his dismissal, and afterwards sent Cambaceres to inform him of it.  After this act, respecting which he had hesitated so long, Bonaparte still endeavoured to modify his rigour.  Having appointed Fouche a Senator, he said in the letter which he wrote to the Senate to notify the appointment: