Madame Campan dined at the Tuileries in company with the Pope’s nuncio, at the period when the Concordat was in agitation.  During dinner the First Consul astonished her by the able manner in which he conversed on the subject under discussion.  She said he argued so logically that his talent quite amazed her.  During the consulate Napoleon one day said to her, “If ever I establish a republic of women, I shall make you First Consul.”

Napoleon’s views as to “woman’s mission” are now well known.  Madame Campan said that she heard from him that when he founded the convent of the Sisters of la Charite he was urgently solicited to permit perpetual vows.  He, however, refused to do so, on the ground that tastes may change, and that he did not see the necessity of excluding from the world women who might some time or other return to it, and become useful members of society.  “Nunneries,” he added, “assail the very roots of population.  It is impossible to calculate the loss which a nation sustains in having ten thousand women shut up in cloisters.  War does but little mischief; for the number of males is at least one-twenty-fifth greater than that of females.  Women may, if they please, be allowed to make perpetual vows at fifty years of age; for then their task is fulfilled.”

Napoleon once said to Madame Campan, “The old systems of education were good for nothing; what do young women stand in need of, to be well brought up in France?”—­“Of mothers,” answered Madame Campan.  “It is well said,” replied Napoleon.  “Well, madame, let the French be indebted to you for bringing up mothers for their children.”—­“Napoleon one day interrupted Madame de Stael in the midst of a profound political argument to ask her whether she had nursed her children.”

Never had the establishment at St. Germain been in a more flourishing condition than in 1802-3.  What more could Madame Campan wish?  For ten years absolute in her own house, she seemed also safe from the caprice of power.  But the man who then disposed of the fate of France and Europe was soon to determine otherwise.

After the battle of Austerlitz the State undertook to bring up, at the public expense, the sisters, daughters, or nieces of those who were decorated with the Cross of Honour.  The children of the warriors killed or wounded in glorious battle were to find paternal care in the ancient abodes of the Montmorencys and the Condes.  Accustomed to concentrate around him all superior talents, fearless himself of superiority, Napoleon sought for a person qualified by experience and abilities to conduct the institution of Ecouen; he selected Madame Campan.

Comte de Lacepede, the pupil, friend, and rival of Buffon, then Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour, assisted her with his enlightened advice.  Napoleon, who could descend with ease from the highest political subjects to the examination of the most minute details; who was as much at home in inspecting a boarding-school for young ladies as in reviewing the grenadiers of his guard; whom it was impossible to deceive, and who was not unwilling to find fault when he visited the establishment at Ecouen,—­was forced to say, “It is all right.”