vait meme parvenir a rendre la nation grave
s'il l'avait entrepris."

Next in rank, though, from their numbers and influence, perhaps, after
the army, the most powerful body in the community, the situation of the
peasants must be considered. They had either seized upon, or purchased,
at a low rate, the lands of the emigrants, and the national domains;
these they had brought into the best state of cultivation; without the
interference of any one, they directly drew the profits. The oppression
in agriculture, which existed before the revolution, whether from the
authority of the Seigneurs, from the corvees, from tythes, game laws,
&c. all are done away--become rich and flourishing, they are able to pay
the taxes, which, under Napoleon, were not so severe as is generally
supposed.--But they had every thing to fear from the return of the
noblesse, and from the re-establishment of the ranks and order which
must exist under the new constitution of France. Can it then be
considered that the peasantry should see their own interest in
maintaining the revolutionary order of things? The more unjust their
tenure, the more cause have they to fear; and unenlightened as many of
them are, their fears once raised, will not easily be controlled.
Napoleon had most politically excited alarm among them, and they are
favourably inclined towards him. This powerful body have no leaders to
direct them: The respectable and wealthy farmer, possessing great landed
property; the yeoman, the country gentleman,--all these ranks are
abolished. Where the views of the Sovereign are inimical to the
peasantry, as was imagined under Louis XVIII. that body will powerfully
resist him; where they were in concert, as under Napoleon, that body
became his chief support next to his military force.

It is not enough that Louis XVIII. had never invaded their property--it
is not enough that in different shapes he issued proclamations, and
assurances, that he had no such intentions,--the peasantry felt
insecure; and they dreaded the influence of his counsellors, and of the
noblesse. The low rabble of France, at all times restless, and desirous
of change, were favourable to Napoleon;--they wished for a continuance
of that thoughtless dissipation, and dreadful immorality, which he
encouraged; they wished for employment in his public works,--they looked
for situations in his army.

It may then be said, that among all ranks Napoleon had friends. Who then
were against