610 
crowds to the shote, edger for news from 
the army. “Tt was soon understood that 
Napoleoti was On boards arid’ such was 
the enthiisiasm among the people, that 
even the wounded soldiers got out of 
the hospitals, in spite of the guards, and 
went to the shore. The spectators wept 
with joy. In a moment the sea was 
covered with boats. ‘Phe officers belong- 
ing to the fortifications and the customs, 
the crews of the ships that were anchored 
in the road, in'short every body, throng- 
ed ‘about’ the frigates. General Pérey- 
mont, who commanded on the coast, was 
the first to go on board. Thus they were 
enabled to enter, without waiting for the 
officers of quarantine ; for the communi- 
cation with the shore had been general. 
Italy had just been lost; war was 
about to be recommenced on the War, 
and Ttejtis dréaded an invasion as soon 
as hostilities should begiu. “The neces- 
sity of having a leader at the head of at- 
fairs was 100 imperious; every one was 
too much agifated by the sudden ap- 
pearance of Napoleon at this juncture, 
for ordinary considerations to have any 
weight. : 
At six o’clock that evening, Napoleon, 
accompanied by Berthicr, set off ina 
coach for Paris. 
The fatigue of his passage, and the 
effect of the transition from a dry climate 
to a moist one, determined Napoleon to 
stop six hours at Aix. he inhabitants 
of the city, and of the neighbouring vil- 
lages, came in crowds to testify their 
happiness at seeing him again. The joy 
was universal. Those who lived too far 
in the country to present themselves on 
the road in time, rang the bells, and 
hoisted flags upon tle steeples, which at 
night blazed with illuminations., 
It was not like the return of a citizen 
to his country, or a general at the head 
of a vietorious army, but like the triumph 
of a sovereign restored to his people. 
The enthusiasm of Avignon, Monteli- 
mart, Valence, and Vienne, was only 
surpassed by the rapture of Lyons. That 
city, in which Napoleon rested for twelve 
hours, Was iv an universal delirium. 
In the mean time the news of Napo- 
leon’s retarn had reached Paris. It was 
announced atthe theatres, and caused 
an universal sensation—a general deli- 
rium, of which the members of the Di- 
rectory partook. 
Baudin; the deputy from Ardennes, 
who was really a worthy man, and sin- 
cerely ‘grieved at the unfortunate turn 
that the affairs of the Republic had 
Napoleon's History of France, 
taken) died of jdy when he heaid).of 
Napoleon’s return. motaaky gil 
Napoleon had already quitted. Lyons, 
when his landing» was «announced, in 
Paris. With a precaution which was 
very advisable ‘in his situation, he vex- 
pressed to his courtiers an intention of 
taking a different road from that, which 
he actually took; so that his wife, his 
family, and particalar friends, went/ina 
wrong direction to mect him, and by that 
means some days passed before he was 
able to see them. Having ‘thus arrived 
in Paris quite unexpectedly, he was in 
his own house, ini the rue Chantereine, 
before any one knew of his being in the 
capital. © Two hours afterwards be pre- 
sented himself to the Directory, and, 
being recognised). by the soldiers on 
guard, was announced by shouts of glad- 
ness. All the members of the, Directory 
appeared to share in the public joy ; he 
had every reason to congratulate him- 
self on the reception he experienced on 
all sides. The nature of past events suf- 
ficiently instructed him as to the situa- 
tion of France; and the ‘informatio he 
had procured on his journey, had made 
him acquainted with all that. was, going 
on. ' His resolution was taken, . What 
he had been unwilling to attempt on his 
retarn from Italy, he was now determin- 
ed to do immediately. He held the go- 
vernment of the Directory and the Jea- 
ders of the councils in supreme con- 
tempt. Resolved to possess himself of 
authority, and to restore Franee to her 
former glory, by giving a powerful im- 
pulse to public affairs, he had left Egypt 
to execute this project; and ail that he 
had jnst seen in the interior of France, 
had confirmed: his sentiments», and 
strengthened his resolution. 
Of the oid Directory only Barras re- 
mained. The other members were Ro- 
ger Ducos, Moulins, Gohier, and Sieyes. 
Ducos was aman of narrow mind and 
easy disposition. 
Moulins, a general of division, had 
never served in war; he was originally 
in the French guards, and had been ad- 
vanced in the army, of the Interior, He 
was a worthy man, anda warm and up- 
right patriot. j tigi ; 
Gohier was an advocate of consider- 
able reputation, and exalted patriotism ; 
an eminent Jawyer, and a’‘man’ of great 
integrity and candour. 
Sieyes had Jong been known! to Na- 
poleon. He was born at) Prejus, in 
Provence, His reputation commenced 
with the Revolution. He, bad, been 
called 
