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INTRODUCTION.
dred thousand of my comrades whom I left covered with laurels? What is be- come of them? They are dead !”—
This affecting picture of the state of France was universally felt; Buonaparte was entreated to exert his powers to retrieve the nation from impending ruin. He did so, and having convinced them of the horrors and dangers of a popular government, with one accord he was chosen consul; but, to avoid the appearance of sovereignty, which would have been too quick a transition[1] from avowed republicanism, he had two coadjutors chosen with him, who possessed the shadow of power, which was principally vested in him. It was thus by gentle and almost imperceptible degrees that he arrived at sovereign power,
- ↑ —These reforms are never brought about without danger, because the multitude will never agree to the establishment of a new law, tending to change the constitution of the state, without being forcibly struck with the necessity of this change. Now this necessity cannot be felt without being accompanied by danger.—Reflections on Livy, lib. 1. ch. 2.
