41 
Memoirs of Napoleon . 
1S2L] 
at Campo Formic. Having concluded 
his labours in Italy, he returned to 
Paris, and was received with the utmost 
rejoicings and respect by the constitut¬ 
ed authorities and the people. 
The directory now nominated him 
general-in-chief of the expedition which 
they had meditated to land on the 
shores of England. He set out to the 
coast, and issued a variety of procla¬ 
mations against 4 the tyrants of the sea,* 
but the impossibility of carrying the 
resolve of the directory into effect, 
induced him to return to the capital. 
His views had, indeed, long been di¬ 
rected to another quarter. The taking 
possession of Egypt, it is roundly as¬ 
serted., was planned by himself; and 
the directory, who had already experi¬ 
enced the value of his military skill, 
prepared an expedition. On the 19fh 
of May, 179S? Bonaparte sailed from 
Toulon, with a fleet of thirteen ships 
of the line, nearly as many frigates and 
corvettes, arid an immense number of 
transports, with 40,000 men, being the 
flower of the French army, and the most 
precious part of the French marine. 
Malta was taken by the advanced guard 
of this expedition, and the ancient go¬ 
vernment was superseded by a revolu¬ 
tionary one. The expedition then pro¬ 
ceeded for Egypt, where they landed 
on the 2d of July, after having narrowly 
escaped the British squadron, Bona¬ 
parte had established himself nearly a 
month at Cairo, when he was apprised 
of the destruction of his fleet. Admiral 
Brueys, who had represented to him 
the danger of remaining on the coast, 
had received positive orders to re¬ 
move, but the fatal result of his neglect 
shewed that the General was right. 
After this disaster, Bonaparte found 
himself separated from France, and for 
the moment, the army lost all hope of 
returning. He, nevertheless, occupied 
himself in organizing the republican 
system of government. He created 
municipalities, national divans, and 
introduced to their notice the doctrines 
of the rights of man. But the mussnl- 
inans were not ripe for these doctrines, 
and his labours were lost on them. While 
he was preparing for fresh encounters, 
he received information of the disasters 
which were sustained by the republican 
armies in Italy and Germany. Being au¬ 
thorised, by his instructions, to return 
; o France, he, without much prepara¬ 
tion, took measures for embarking se¬ 
cretly, and in the night of the 23d of 
Monthly Mag. No, 3 57. 
August, 1799, set sail homeward, with 
a few officers who were devoted to him. 
On the 9tliof October, 1799, belaud¬ 
ed at Frejus, and hastened to Paris, 
where his presence, so unexpected, pro¬ 
duced on the one hand much satisfac¬ 
tion, and on the other some disquietude. 
He addressed a letter to the directory, 
justifying the measures which he had. 
pursued, and explaining those parts of 
his conduct which were the objects of 
censure by the party who did not ap¬ 
prove of the war in Egypt. This period 
was the commencement of the most re¬ 
markable era of his life. All parties 
equally sought General Bonaparte. He 
was well aware of the firm hold which 
lie had on the public opinion, and 011 
which lie had already grounded his 
hopes of support, and of obtaining the 
ascendancy. The directory, indeed, 
recognised his consequence, for in con¬ 
junction with the two councils, they 
gave a fete in honour of him, in the 
Temple of Victory. Sieves and Barras 
were at that time the leading men in 
the government; the latter of whom 
had, for two years, conceived the pro¬ 
ject of restoring monarchy, not doubt¬ 
ing that Bonaparte would coincide with 
him. The plan was confided to Bona¬ 
parte, but the latter had other objects 
in view. 
After many conferences with Sieyes, 
and many of the leading members of 
the legislative bodies, he, by private 
letters, convoked a meeting of the then 
members of the council of ancients, on 
whom he could rely, in which was dis¬ 
closed the project in view. The conse¬ 
quence was, that the sittings of the le¬ 
gislature were transferred to St. Cloud, 
and General Bonaparte was charged to 
take all the necessary measures for the 
safety of the national representation: 
the troops of the line, and the national 
guards, were placed under his orders. 
Called to the bar of the assembly to 
hear the decree, lie made a speech to the 
following effect:— 44 The national re¬ 
presentation was perishing,” said he, 
44 you knew it, and you are resolved to 
save it. It shall not perish. Lefebvre, 
Berthier, and the rest of my brave 
comrades, are devoted to maintain and 
defend the republic. In such circum¬ 
stances all its friends rally together; 
they swear, as I do, fidelity and devo- 
tedness to the republic : its tranquillity 
will be the result of our oath.” 
On the 19th of November, the direc¬ 
tory, generals, and an immense crowd, 
F repaired 
