tting their return to
France.

A still more important measure was that by which the Romish religion was
finally re-established as the national faith. The sparing of the Papal
dominion after Marengo, and the re-opening of the churches in France,
were the preliminaries of the peace, which was, at length, signed on the
18th of September, 1802, between the Pope and the revolutionary
government. This famous _concordat_ was the work of Napoleon himself,
who seems to have met with more opposition, whenever he touched the
matter of religion, than the men of the Revolution, with whom he
consulted, thought fit to exhibit on any other occasions whatever. The
question was argued one evening, at great length, on the terrace of the
garden, at Buonaparte's favourite villa of Malmaison. The Chief Consul
avowed himself to be no believer in Christianity; "But religion," said
he, "is a principle which cannot be eradicated from the heart of man."
"Who made all that?" he continued, looking up to the heaven, which was
clear and starry. "But last Sunday evening I was walking here alone when
the church bells of the village of Ruel rung at sunset. I was strongly
moved, so vividly did the image of early days come back with that sound.
If it be thus with me, what must it be with others? In re-establishing
the church, I consult the wishes of the great majority of my people."

Volney, the celebrated traveller, was present. "You speak of the
majority of the people," said he: "if that is to be the rule, recall the
Bourbons to-morrow." Napoleon never conversed with this bold infidel
afterwards.

The _concordat_ gave no satisfaction to the high Catholic party, who
considered it as comprehending arrangements wholly unworthy of the
dignity of the Pope, and destructive of the authority of the church. The
great majority of the nation, however, were wise enough to be contented
with conditions which the Vatican had found it necessary to admit. The
chief articles were these: I. The Roman Catholic religion is recognised
as the national faith. II. The Pope, in concert with the French
government, shall make a new division of dioceses, requiring, if
necessary, the resignation of any existing prelate. III. Vacant sees now
and henceforth shall be filled by the Pope _on nominations by the
government_. IV. No bishops shall hold their sees unless they swear
allegiance to the government, and adopt a ritual in which prayers are
offered up for the Consuls. V. The chur