nitive and others in the way of becoming so, and hence a full and
complete conception of things, vast enough and clear enough, in spite of
what it lacks, to take in at once nature and humanity. It, too, gathers
its faithful in a great church, believers and semi believers, who,
consequently or inconsequently, accept its authority in whole or in
part, listen to its preachers, revere its doctors, and deferentially
await the decisions of its councils. Wide-spread, still uncertain and
lax under a wavering hierarchy, the new Church, for a hundred years
past, is steadily in the way of consolidation, of progressive ascendancy
and of indefinite extension. Its conquests are constantly increasing;
sooner or later, it will be the first of social powers. Even for the
chief of an army, even for the head of a State, even to Napoleon, it is
well to become one of its great dignitaries; the second title, in modern
society, adds a prestige to the first one: "Salary of His Majesty the
Emperor and King as member of the Institute, 1500 francs;" thus begins
his civil list, in the enumeration of receipts. Already in Egypt,
intentionally and for effect, he heads his proclamations with
"Bonaparte, commander-in chief, member of the Institute." "I am sure,"
he says, "that the lowest drummer will comprehend it!"

Such a body, enjoying such credit, cannot remain independent. Napoleon
is not content to be one of its members. He wants to hold it in his
grasp, have it at his own disposition, and use it the same as a member
or, at least, contrive to get effective control of it. He has reserved
to himself an equally powerful one in the old Catholic Church; he has
reserved to himself like equivalents in the young lay Church; and, in
both cases, he limits them, and subjects them to all the restrictions
which a living body can support. In relation to science and religion he
might repeat word for word his utterances in relation to religion and to
faith. "Napoleon has no desire to change the belief of his populations;
he respects spiritual matters; he wishes simply to dominate them without
touching them, without meddling with them; all he desires is to make
them square with his views, with his policy, but through the
influence of temporalities." To this end, he negotiated with the Pope,
reconstructed, as he wanted it, the Church of France, appointed bishops,
restrained and directed the canonical authorities. To this end, he
settles matters with the literary an