The three votes given against it were said to have been Gregoire, the former constitutional Bishop of Blois, Carat, who as Minister of Justice had read to Louis XVI. the sentence of death, and Lanjuinais, one of the very few survivors of the Girondists, Thiers says there was only one dissentient voice.  For the fury of the brothers of Napoleon, who saw the destruction of all their ambitions hopes in any measure for the descent of the crown except in the family, see Miot, tome ii. p.. 172, where Joseph is described as cursing the ambition of his brother, and desiring his death as a benefit for France and his family.]—­

Bonaparte’s first act as Emperor, on the very day of his elevation to the Imperial throne, was the nomination of Joseph to the dignity of Grand Elector, with the title of Imperial Highness.  Louis was raised to the dignity of Constable, with the same title, and Cambaceres and Lebrun were created Arch-Chancellor and Arch-Treasurer of the Empire.  On the same day Bonaparte wrote the following letter to Cambaceres, the first which he signed as Emperor, and merely with the name of Napoleon:—­

Citizen consul Cambaceres—­Your title has changed; but your functions and my confidence remain the same.  In the high dignity with which you are now invested you will continue to manifest, as you have hitherto done in that of Consul, that wisdom and that distinguished talent which entitle you to so important a share in all the good which I may have effected.  I have, therefore, only to desire the continuance of the sentiments you cherish towards the State and me.

Given at the Palace of St. Cloud, 28th Floreal, an XII.
(18th May 1804). 
(Signed) Napoleon.

By the Emperor. 
H. B. Maret.

I have quoted this first letter of the Emperor because it is characteristic of Bonaparte’s art in managing transitions.  It was to the Citizen Consul that the Emperor addressed himself, and it was dated according to the Republican calendar.  That calendar, together with the delusive inscription on the coin, were all that now remained of the Republic.  Next day the Emperor came to Paris to hold a grand levee at the Tuileries, for he was not the man to postpone the gratification that vanity derived from his new dignity and title.  The assembly was more numerous and brilliant than on any former occasion.  Bessieres having addressed the Emperor on the part of the Guards, the Emperor replied in the following terms:  “I know the sentiments the Guards cherish towards me.  I repose perfect confidence in their courage and fidelity.  I constantly see, with renewed pleasure, companions in arms who have escaped so many dangers, and are covered with so many honourable wounds.  I experience a sentiment of satisfaction when I look at the Guards, and think that there has not, for the last fifteen years, in any of the four quarters of the world, been a battle in which some of them have not taken part.”