of life, take into
calculation the most minute and trivial circumstances.

This disparity, remarkable as it was among the men, was still more so in
the ladies of the Court,--few of those newly elevated having tact enough
either to imitate successfully the polished usages of the old nobility,
or resolution sufficient to maintain their original habits without
blushing at their own want of breeding.

If I have been led somewhat from the current of my own story by this
digression, it is merely that I may passingly note down some of the
features of the period,--one of the most remarkable in the history of
Modern Europe, and one which already, to the far-seeing eye of some,
betokened the speedy return to those very institutions of Monarchy to
uproot which cost the best blood of France, and a revolution the most
terrific the world has ever witnessed.

And now, looking back on the great career of that great man, no portion
of his history can, perhaps, present anything to compare with the
splendor of the Consulate. A long succession of victories, the spoils
of half Europe, glory to very satiety, had intoxicated the nation.
A country flourishing in every element of prosperity; social order
restored; a high position amid surrounding nations; and everything that
could gratify national ambition obtained,--France stood at the very
pinnacle of her greatness. Even the splendor of those names who
represented the various states of Europe at her Court seemed to attest
her supremacy. The stately and polished Whitworth, conspicuous by
the elegance of his appearance and the perfection of his aristocratic
bearing; the Russian Ambassador, Marcoff; the Chevalier Azara, the
Minister of Spain, the courtier of Europe; Baron de Cetto, the Envoy of
Saxony, one of the most distinguished, both by manners and ability, m
the whole diplomatic circle, were among those who frequented the First
Consul's levies, which already, in the splendor of costume and the
gorgeous display of uniform, rivalled the most sumptuous days of the
Monarchy.

All the long-forgotten ceremonial of a Court was restored. Dinners, most
splendid in all the array of pomp and grandeur, were given every week;
fetes, that vied with the luxurious era of Louis the Fourteenth himself,
took place frequently; and Paris became the rendezvous for all Europe,
curious to behold the rich trophies of successful wars, and mix in the
delight of a capital where pleasure reigned triumphant.

The