THIRD PERIOD. &I 



whose courage remained unabated amidst the 

 disasters that overwhelmed them. The state of 

 exhaustion was equally evident at home and 

 abroad ; when the events of November 1799, by 

 displacing and concentrating power, established 

 a new order of things, whose chief by degrees 

 rendered himself absolute, and by his astonishing 

 achievements cast a dazzling lustre on the nation, 

 and suddenly created great resources. 



Embarassment was still felt during the first 

 months of 1800, and so small were the pecuniary 

 supplies of the establishment, that it was neces- 

 sary to authorise M. Delaunay, superintendant of 

 the menagerie, to kill the least valuable animals, 

 to provide food for the remainder. The face of 

 things however speedily changed. 



The extraordinary man who was placed at the 

 head of affairs, felt that his power could not be 

 secured by victory alone ; and that having made 

 himself formidable abroad, it was necessary to 

 gain admiration at home, by favouring the pro- 

 gress of knowledge, by encouraging the arts and 

 sciences, and by erecting monuments which 

 should contribute to the glory and prosperity of 

 the nation. 



Among other objects he turned his attention 

 to the Museum, to which he furnished funds for 

 continuing the works that were begun, acquiring 



6 



