478 Readings in European History Bonaparte's policy on his return from Egypt. realities of life and I returned to Paris — to Paris, where the gravest interests of the country are discussed during the entr'acte of the opera. The Directory trembled at my return. -I was very cau- tious ; that is one of the epochs of my life in which I have acted with the soundest judgment. I saw Abbe Sieyes, and promised him that his verbose constitution should be put into effect; I received the chiefs of the Jacobins and the agents of the Bourbons ; I listened to advice from every- body, but gave it only in the interest of my own plans. I hid myself from the people, because I knew that when the time came curiosity to see me would make them run after me. Every one was taken in my toils ; and, when I became head of the state, there was not a party in France which did not build some special hope upon my success. 426. Bona- parte's own account of General Bonaparte thus described for the benefit of the public his coup d'e'tat : To the People : x 9th Brumaire > « : °' clock RM - Frenchmen, on my return to France I found division his coup d'etat reigning among all the authorities. They agreed only on ofBrumaire. ^jg s i n gle point, that the constitution was half destroyed and was unable to protect liberty. Each party in turn came to me, confided to me their designs, imparted their secrets, and requested my support. But I refused to be the man of a party. The Council of Elders appealed to me. I answered their appeal. A plan of general restoration had been concerted by men whom the nation has been accustomed to regard as the defenders of liberty, equality, and property. This plan required calm deliberation, free from all influence and all fear. The Elders therefore resolved upon the removal of the legislative bodies to St. Cloud. They placed at my dis- posal the force necessary to secure their independence. I was bound, in duty to my fellow-citizens, to the soldiers per- ishing in our armies, and to the national glory acquired at the cost of so much blood, to accept the command.
