During the Emperor’s absence a partial change took place in the Ministry.  M. de Champagny succeeded M. Chaptal as Minister of the Interior.  At the camp of Boulogne the pacific Joseph found himself, by his brother’s wish, transformed into a warrior, and placed in command of a regiment of dragoons, which was a subject of laughter with a great number of generals.  I recollect that one day Lannes, speaking to me of the circumstance in his usual downright and energetic way, said, “He had better not place him under my orders, for upon the first fault I will put the scamp under arrest.”

CHAPTER XXIX.

1804.

England deceived by Napoleon—­Admirals Missiessy and Villeneuve—­ Command given to Lauriston—­Napoleon’s opinion of Madame de Stael—­ Her letters to Napoleon—­Her enthusiasm converted into hatred—­ Bonaparte’s opinion of the power of the Church—­The Pope’s arrival at Fontainebleau—­Napoleon’s first interview with Pius vii.—­ The Pope and the Emperor on a footing of equality—­Honours rendered to the Pope—­His apartments at the Tuileries—­His visit to the Imperial printing office—­Paternal rebuke—­Effect produced in England by the Pope’s presence in Paris—­Preparations for Napoleon’s coronation—­Votes in favour of hereditary succession—­Convocation of the Legislative Body—­The presidents of cantons—­Anecdote related by Michot the actor—­Comparisons—­Influence of the Coronation on the trade of Paris—­The insignia of Napoleon and the insignia of Charlemagne—­The Pope’s mule—­Anecdote of the notary Raguideau—­ Distribution of eagles in the Champ de Mars—­Remarkable coincidence.

England was never so much deceived by Bonaparte as during the period of the encampment at Boulogne.  The English really believed that an invasion was intended, and the Government exhausted itself in efforts for raising men and money to guard against the danger of being taken by surprise.  Such, indeed, is the advantage always possessed by the assailant.  He can choose the point on which he thinks it most convenient to act, while the party which stands on the defence, and is afraid of being attacked, is compelled to be prepared in every point.  However, Napoleon, who was then in the full vigour of his genius and activity, had always his eyes fixed on objects remote from those which surrounded him, and which seemed to absorb his whole attention.  Thus, during the journey of which I have spoken, the ostensible object of which was the organisation of the departments on the Rhine, he despatched two squadrons from Rochefort and Boulogne, one commanded by Missiessy, the other by Villeneuve—­I shall not enter into any details about those squadrons; I shall merely mention with respect to them that, while the Emperor was still in Belgium, Lauriston paid me a sudden and unexpected visit.  He was on his way to Toulon to take command of the troops which were to be embarked on Villeneuve’s squadron, and he was not much pleased with the service to which he had been appointed.