during his own Reign. 
called io the constituent assembly by 
ihe elcetors of the third-estate, at Paris, 
after having been repulsed: by, the as- 
sembly of ithe clergy at Chartres... He 
was the author of the pamphlet intituled 
“ Whatiis' the “Third Estate?” whieh 
made so ‘much noise.. He was. but a 
man’ of business: knowing but) little of 
men, he knew not how. they might be 
made'to act. All his studies haying 
heen directed to metaphysics, he had the 
fault of metaphysicians; of too often de- 
spising positive notions: but. he was ca- 
pable of giving useful and luminous ad- 
vice on matters of importance, or at any 
momentous crisis. To him France is 
indebted for the division into depart- 
ments, which destroyed all provincial 
prejudices: and, though he was never 
distinguished as an orator, be greatly 
contributed to the success of the revolu- 
tion by his advice in the committees. 
He was nominated as director, wher 
the Directory was first established; but 
he refused the distinction at that time, 
and Lareveillere was appointed instead 
of him. He was afterwards sent ambas- 
sador t0 Berlin, and imbibed a great 
mistrust of the politics of Prussia in the 
course of his mission. He had taken 
a seat in the Directory not long befure 
this time. 
At the period of the 13th of Vinde- 
Mmiaire, ibe following occurrence had 
enabled Napoleon to form a correct 
judgment of him. At the mest critical 
moment of that day, when the committee 
of the Forty seemed quite distracted. 
Sieyes came to Napoleon, and took him 
into the recéss of a window, while the 
commitiee was deliberating upen the 
answers to be given to the summons of 
ihe sections. ‘ You lear them, Gene- 
yal,” said he; “they talk while they 
should be acting.” 
Napoleon accepted an invitation to 
dine with each of the directors, on con- 
dition that it should be merely a family 
dinner, and that no stranger should be 
present. A grand entertainment was 
given to him by the Direetory. The 
legislative body wished to follow the ex- 
ample. ‘The festival took place in the 
vehurch of Saint Sulpice; covers were 
laid for seven hundred. Napoleon re- 
mained at table but a sbort time;—he 
‘appeared to be uneasy, and much pre- 
occupied, Livery one of the ministers 
wished to give him an contertainment ; 
but he only accepted a dinner with the 
- Minister of dustice, for whom he had a 
gieut ustecn. 
611 
Constant, to his system, he entered 
but little, into, these .public entertain- 
ments, and,,pursued the. same. jine of 
conduct that he had, followed on his first 
return into aly... Always dressed ,as a 
member, of the Institute, he ,shewed 
himself-in public only with that society : 
he received at his house none but men 
of scienee, the gencrals of his suite, and 
a few friends;—such as Regnanll-de- 
Saint-Jean-d’Angely, whom he had em- 
ployed in Maly in 1797, and subsequently 
placed at Malta; Volney, the author of 
excellent. Travels in Egypt; Roederer, 
whom he respected for bis probity, and 
noble, sentiments; Lucien Bonaparte, 
one of the most powerful orators ef the 
Couneil of Five Hundred, who had, pro- 
tected the Republic from the revolution- 
ary regime, by opposing the declaration 
that the, country was in danger; aud 
Joseph Bonaparte, who lived in splen- 
duur and was higbly respeeted. 
He went frequently to the Institute ; 
but mever to the theatres, except, at 
times when he was not expected; and 
then always into the private boxes. 
Talleyrand was fearful of being: il- 
reecived by Napoleon. Napoleon did 
not repulse him; Talleyrand, moreover, 
availed himself of all the resources of a 
supple and insinuating address, ix erder 
to conciliate a person whose suflrage, it 
was important to him to secure. 
Touché had been for several months 
minister of police; he had, after the 
13th of Vindemiaire, some transactions 
with Napoleon, who was aware of, his 
immoraland versatile disposition, Sieyes 
had closed the Manége without, his par- 
ticipation. Napolcon effected the 18th 
of Bramaire without admitting Mouché 
into the secret. 
Réal, commissioner of the Direetory 
in the department of Paris, gained more 
of Napoleon’s confidence. Zealous for 
the revolution, be had been substitute 
for the attorney of the..commune of 
Paris, at a time of storms, and troubles. 
His disposition was ardent, but he was 
full of noble and gencroas sentiments. 
AM glasses of , citizens, all. the .pro- 
vinces of L'rance, were jimpatient, to, sec 
what Napoleon would do, From all 
sides came offers of support, and of 
entire submission to, his will. 
Napoleon employed himself in listening 
to the proposals which were submitted 
to him; in observing all parties; and, 
in short, in making ‘himself thoroughly 
master of the truc state of affairs. All 
parties desived a change, and all de- 
sired 
