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devoted than it has been since as the Imperial Guard。 At the first rumor
of the great risk which the First Consul had run； all the soldiers of
that faithful band had gathered spontaneously in the court of the
Tuileries。
After this melancholy catastrophe； which carried distress into all
France； and mourning into so many families； the entire police were
actively engaged in searching for the authors of the plot。 The dwelling
of the First Consul was first put under surveillance； and we were
incessantly watched by spies； without suspecting it。 All our walks； all
our visits； all our goings and comings； were known； and attention was
especially directed to our friends； and even our liaisons。 But such was
the devotion of each and all to the person of the First Consul； such was
the affection that he so well knew how to inspire in those around him；
that not one of the persons attached to his service was for an instant
suspected of having a hand in this infamous attempt。 Neither at this
time； nor in any other affair of this kind； were the members of his
household ever compromised； and never was the name of the lowest of his
servants ever found mixed up in criminal plots against a life so valued
and so glorious。
The minister of police suspected the Royalists of this attempt； but the
First Consul attributed it to the Jacobins； because they were already
guilty； he said； of crimes as odious。 One hundred and thirty of the most
noted men of this party were transported on pure suspicion； and without
any form of trial。 It is now known that the discovery； trial； and
execution of Saint Regent and Carbon； the true criminals； proved that the
conjectures of the minister were more correct than those of the chief of
state。
The 4th Nivose； at noon； the First Consul held a grand review in the
Place Carrousel； where an innumerable crowd of citizens were collected to
behold； and also to testify their affection for his person； and their
indignation against the enemies who dared attack him only by
assassination。 Hardly had he turned his horse towards the first line of
grenadiers of the Consular Guard； when their innumerable acclamations
rose on all sides。 He rode along the ranks； at a walk； very slowly；
showing his appreciation； and replying by a few simple and affectionate
words to this effusion of popular joy； and cries of 〃Vive Bonaparte！
Vive the First Consul！〃 did not cease till after he had re…entered his
apartments。
The conspirators who obstinately persisted； with so much animosity； in
attacking the life of the First Consul； could not have chosen a period in
which circumstances would have been more adverse to their plans than in
1800 and 1801； for then the Consul was beloved not only for his military
deeds； but still more for the hope of peace that he gave to France； which
hope was soon realized。 As soon as the first rumor spread abroad that
peace had been concluded with Austria； the greater part of the
inhabitants of Paris gathered under the windows of the Pavilion of Flora。
Blessings and cries of gratitude and joy were heard on all sides； then
musicians assembled to give a serenade to the chief of state； and
proceeded to form themselves into orchestras； and there was dancing the
whole night through。 I have never seen a sight more striking or more
joyous than the bird's…eye view of this improvised jubilee。
When in the month of October； the； peace of Amiens having been concluded
with England； France found herself delivered from all the wars that she
had maintained through so many years； and at the cost of so many
sacrifices； it would be impossible to form an idea of the joy which burst
forth on all sides。 The decrees which ordered either the disarmament of
vessels of war； or the placing of the forts on a peace footing； were
welcomed as pledges of happiness and security。 The day of the reception
of Lord Cornwallis； Ambassador of England； the First Consul ordered that
the greatest magnificence should be displayed。 〃It is necessary；〃 he had
said the evening before； 〃to show these proud Britons that we are not
reduced to beggary。〃 The fact is； the English； before setting foot on
the French continent； had expected to find only ruins； penury； and
misery。 The whole of France had been described to them as being in the
most distressing condition； and they thought themselves on the point of
landing in a barbarous country。 Their surprise was great when they saw
how many evils the First Consul had already repaired in so short a time；
and all the improvements that he still intended to carry out； and they
spread through their own country the report of what they themselves
called the prodigies of the First Consul； by which thousands of their
compatriots were influenced to come and judge with their own eyes。 At
the moment that Lord Cornwallis entered the great hall of the Ambassadors
with his suite； the eyes of all the English must have been dazzled by the
sight of the First Consul； surrounded by his two colleagues； with all the
diplomatic corps； and with an already brilliant military court。
In the midst of all these rich uniforms； his was remarkable for its
simplicity； but the diamond called the Regent； which had been put in pawn
under the Directory； and redeemed a few days since by the First Consul；
sparkled on the hilt of his sword。
End