e natural
barriers they ask for nothing but to be allowed to graze in security.
Let us give them this assurance and leave them free to consult their
own welfare.--As to the rest, in very small number, more or less
imaginative, energetic, and ardent, there is, outside the enclosure, an
issue expressly provided for them: the new administrative and military
professions offer an outlet to their ambition and to their vanity which,
from the start, keeps on expanding until, suddenly, the first Consul
points to an infinite perspective on the horizon.[2326] According to an
expression attributed to him, henceforth,

"the field is open to all talents,"

and hence all talents, gathered into the central current and
precipitated headlong through competition, swell with their inflow the
immensity of the public power.

This done, the principal features of modern France are traced; a tool
of a new and strange type arises, defines itself, and issues forth,
its structure determining its destiny. It consists of a social body
organized by a despot and for a despot, calculated for the use of one
man, excellent for action under the impulsion of a unique will, with a
superior intelligence, admirable so long as this intelligence remains
lucid and this will remains healthy. It is adapted to a military life
and not to civil life, and therefore badly balanced, hampered (gene) in
its development, exposed to periodical crises, condemned to precocious
debility, but viable for a long time, and, for the present robust, alone
able to bear the weight of the new reign and to furnish for fifteen
successive years the crushing labor, the conquering obedience, the
superhuman, murderous, insensate effort which its master exacts.

IV. Napoleon's barracks.

General aspect and characteristics of the new State.
--Contrast between its structure and that of other
contemporary or pre-existing States.--The plurality,
complexity, and irregularity of ancient France.--The unity,
simplicity, and regularity of modern France.--To what class
of works it belongs.--It is the modern masterpiece of the
classic spirit in the political and social order of things.

Let us take a nearer view of the master's idea and of the way in which,
at this moment, he figures to himself the society which is assuming
new shape in his hands. All the leading features of the plan are fixed
beforehand in his mind: they are already deeply graven on it th