in case of victory, but much in case of defeat. He, more than
any man, was convinced that trifles often decide the greatest events; he
was therefore more concerned in foreseeing such events than in producing
them. He watched them come to birth, and ripen; then, when the right
time came, he appeared, laid his hand on them, mastered and guided them,
as an able rider roasters and guides a spirited horse.

His rapid rise in the midst of revolutions and political changes he had
brought about, or seen accomplished, the events which he had controlled,
had given him a certain contempt for men; moreover, he was not inclined
by nature to think well of them. His lips were often heard to utter the
grievous maxim--all the more grievous because he personally knew
its truth--"There are two levers by which men are moved, fear and
self-interest."

With such opinions Bonaparte did not, in fact, believe in friendship.

"How often," said Bourrienne, "has he said to me, 'Friendship is only a
word; I love no one, not even my brothers--Joseph a little possibly; but
if I love him it is only from habit, and because he is my elder. Duroc,
yes, I love him; but why? Because his character pleases me; because he
is stern, cold, resolute; besides, Duroc never sheds a tear. But why
should I love any one? Do you think I have any true friends? As long as
I am what I am, I shall have friends--apparently at least; but when my
luck ceases, you'll see! Trees don't have leaves in winter. I tell you,
Bourrienne, we must leave whimpering to the women, it's their business;
as for me, no feelings. I need a vigorous hand and a stout heart; if
not, better let war and government alone.'"

In his familiar intercourse, Bonaparte was what schoolboys call a tease;
but his teasings were never spiteful, and seldom unkind. His ill-humor,
easily aroused, disappeared like a cloud driven by the wind; it
evaporated in words, and disappeared of its own will. Sometimes,
however, when matters of public import were concerned, and his
lieutenants or ministers were to blame, he gave way to violent anger;
his outbursts were then hard and cruel, and often humiliating. He gave
blows with a club, under which, willingly or unwillingly, the recipient
had to bow his head; witness his scene with Jomini and that with the Duc
de Bellune.

Bonaparte had two sets of enemies, the Jacobins and the royalists; he
detested the first and feared the second. In speaking of the Jacobins,
he invari