HISTORY OF EUROPE. 



[5 



quickly foUovveil. Without this 

 enthusiasm the revolution of 1799 

 would not probably have been con- 

 ceived, and certainly could not 

 have been executed. Human na- 

 ture is prone to cast ofF all melan- 

 choly reflections, and anticipations, 

 and to grasp at some object of hope, 

 if possible. This disposition is par- 

 ticularly remarkable in the French 

 nation. They are also distinguish- 

 ed by another propensity, indulged 

 to excess: a devoted attachment 

 to some object of fond admiration. 

 Their whole attention, their pride, 

 and their hopes were, at this time, 

 lixed as on a centre, on Buona- 

 parte. Of him alone they thought, 

 spoke, and dreamed. From him, 

 some great though unknown good 

 was to arise to France, and every 

 class of men in the republic. Six 

 months had not elapsed since a 

 majority, in the nation and the le- 

 gislative councils, had condemned 

 the expedition to Eg3rpt as impru- 

 dent, and the source of that re- 

 verse of fortune, which had been 

 experienced both in Italy and Ger- 

 many. This was urged, as matter 

 of accusation against the ex-direc- 

 tors Merlin, Rewbel, and laReveil- 

 lere Lepaux, who insisted that the 

 expedition to the East was project- 

 ed and insisted on, in opposition to 

 the sentiments of the executive go- 

 vernment, by Buonaparte. The 

 same position was maintained, in 

 sundry memorials by the ex-bishop 

 Talleyrand, and Charles la Croix. 

 The ascendant obtained by the 

 general over the public councils, 

 they said, had overcome all oppo- 

 sition on the part of the directory. 

 This question concerning the pro- 

 priety or impropriety, the advan- 

 tages or disadvantages of the ex- 

 pedition sgaiust Egypt, was now 



lost in an admiration and fond 

 attachment to the hero who con- 

 ducted it, returned after many 

 perils, and deeds of valour, within 

 the French territories. It was this 

 boundless attachment and conii- 

 dence, no doubt, that encouraged 

 Buonaparte to form the design of 

 subverting the present constitution 

 and government, or confirmed him 

 in that design, if already formed. 



The situation of the republic in 

 its relations, both external and in- 

 ternal, were such as fostered dis- 

 content and invited to innovation. 

 Thou2;h victorv had returned to 

 the French standards in Switzer- 

 land, the privations and sufterings 

 of the armies of both Switzerland 

 and Italy were very great, and a 

 subject of loud complaint against 

 administration. The forced loan 

 of loo millions of which only a 

 small ]5ortion was collected, had 

 shaken public credit, damped the 

 spirit of industry, and produced, 

 with many inconveniences and suf- 

 fcringS; much discontent and mur- 

 muring among the busy classes 

 of the people. But, the imbecil- 

 lity and rashness of government, 

 still farther increased the general 

 dissatisfaction, anxiety, and alarm, 

 by a law known by the name of the 

 law of Hostages. 



During the administration of the 

 late directors, various projects had 

 been formed, and presented to the 

 legislature, for the suppression of 

 disorders under the title of a law 

 for the responsibility of the ditferent 

 districts, known, by the name of 

 Communes, or Communities. These 

 projects had hitherto been deemed 

 inadequate to the purpose. In the 

 mean time, the evils, for which they 

 were intended as a remedy, grew 

 up to an alarming height, particu- 



