the rest, he
came _not_ in uniform, nor on horseback. Being introduced into
Napoleon's private chamber, he was informed, with little preface, that a
change in the government was necessary, and about to be effected that
very day. Bernadette had already been tampered with by Sieyes and Ducos,
and he rejected Napoleon's flatteries as he had theirs. It was well
known to Buonaparte that, had this great officer's advice been taken, he
would, immediately on his arrival from Egypt, have been arrested as a
deserter of his post: he in vain endeavoured now to procure his
co-operation; and at last suffered him to depart, having with difficulty
extorted a promise, that he would not, at least, do anything against him
_as a citizen_. It will soon be seen that he could have little reason to
apprehend Bernadotte' s interference in his military capacity.

In effect the Council of the Ancients assembled the same morning, in the
Tuileries, at the early hour of seven; one of the conspirators forthwith
declared that the salvation of the state demanded vigorous measures,
and proposed two decrees for their acceptance; one by which the meetings
of the legislative bodies should be instantly transferred to the Chateau
of St. Cloud, some miles from Paris: and another investing Napoleon with
the supreme command of all the troops in and about the capital,
including the National Guard. These motions were instantly carried; and,
in the course of a few minutes, Buonaparte received, in the midst of his
martial company, the announcement of his new authority. He instantly
mounted and rode to the Tuileries, where, being introduced into the
council, together with all his staff, he pronounced those memorable
words--"You are the wisdom of the nation: I come, surrounded by the
generals of the Republic, to promise you their support. Let us not lose
time in looking for precedents. Nothing in history resembled the close
of the eighteenth century--nothing in the eighteenth century resembled
this moment. Your wisdom has devised the necessary measure; our arms
shall put it in execution." Care had been taken to send no summons to
the members of the council whom the conspirators considered as decidedly
hostile to their schemes; yet several began to murmur loudly at this
tone. "I come," resumed Napoleon, sternly, "I come accompanied by the
God of War and the God of Fortune." His friends were alarmed lest this
violence should produce some violent re-action in the assemb