284 THE SUPREMACY OF PUBLIC OPINION. 



parte, and in favour of those measures which had for their object 

 effectually to restrain his power, and at last to compel him to abdi- 

 cate the throne. 



It is needless to observe, that the opinion of France regarding 

 Buonaparte, was very different from that of England ; although we 

 think that, latterly, the great majority of intelligent and moderate 

 men in both countries, viewed that remarkable individual in nearly 

 the same light. When Buonaparte first attracted the attention and 

 admiration of France, he appeared as the saviour of his country, and 

 the restorer of her glory; and as one who, unstained with the crimes 

 of the revolution, had repaired the errors of those who tyrannized 

 over France in the name of the republic. The attempts which he 

 made to overturn that republic, and place himself at the head of 

 affairs, excited very little disapprobation in France, where the great 

 majority appeared willing to grant a very large share of power to one 

 who had already done so much for France, and whose genius might at 

 once preserve her from external dangers, and restore to her internal 

 peace and prosperity. There were some, indeed, who for a time 

 cherished the hope that Buonaparte would act the part of a Washing- 

 ton, and save the republic, without destroying it. But those who 

 were acquainted with his character, and with the state of parties, 

 clearly foresaw that he was neither the man to exhibit such virtue, 

 nor France in a condition to reap much benefit from his exertions, 

 even had he been inclined to do so. Even those who were zealously 

 attached to liberal institutions, scarcely denied the necessity of a tem- 

 porary dictatorship ; and they were inclined to rest satisfied, if Buo- 

 naparte, without depriving himself of that extensive authority which 

 they allowed to be necessary, would ultimately secure to France 

 institutions, which might place upon a permanent foundation the 

 political rights and liberties of her citizens. 



No man was ever more deeply convinced of the necessity of con- 

 ciliating public opinion ; and, at the same time, no man was ever 

 more unalterably opposed to free institutions, than Buonaparte. He 

 would scarcely submit to treat foreign nations on terms of equality 

 and independence ; far less could he ever have endured to be the 

 sovereign of a country, where all his measures could be thwarted, 

 and his most favourite schemes blasted, by the interference of a po- 

 pular assembly, which would compel him, in the person of his minis- 

 ters to account for the minutest acts of his government. During his 

 whole reign, and especially at its first commencement, the grand 

 object of Napoleon was to gain the favour of the people, without 

 sacrificing even an iota of his despotic authority : and as no man 

 ever knew the French character better, his endeavours for a time 

 were tolerably successful. It was on this principle that he pretended 

 to regard it as absolutely necessary, constantly to engross the atten- 

 tion of his subjects with new victories and new conquests ; and al- 

 though probably, even to his own mind, he glossed over his ambition 

 with the name of policy, it cannot be denied that his splendid vic- 

 tories did fascinate the French, and in some degree reconcile them to 

 the arbitrary character of his government. Besides, his internal ad- 

 ministration was regulated upon very different principles from those 



