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The

It is to this memorable decision, the details of which were little known at the time, that France Owes the continuance of trial by jury. Imperial Government having failed to overthrow it openly, attacked it on the flank, inflicting many wounds; but, nevertheless, it still exists, and the share taken by the Council of State in the preservation of this salutary institution should not be forgotten.

A few days after the sitting of the Council of St. Cloud, of which I have just given the particulars, I asked and obtained a three weeks' leave to visit Prince Joseph at Boulogne-sur-Mer. The wish that I felt to see him and to hear his opinion on the great events that had taken place since his departure from Paris, and my equally strong desire to witness with my own eyes the immense preparations for the expedition which was keeping all Europe in suspense, had determined me to undertake that journey: I had every reason to rejoice that I did so.

I reached Boulogne on the 1st Messidor (June 19). I found the Prince established in vast barracks on the left wing of the camp, on a height overlooking

Since the promulgation of the Senatus-Consultum of the 28th Floréal, Joseph Bonaparte had received that title. In his capacity of Grand Elector, he was, in addition, a Grand Dignitary of the Empire, and part of the Luxemburg was assigned to him as a residence.

the sea and the harbour. He was hard at work at the new duties imposed on him by the command to which he had been appointed; he frequently inspected his regiment, the Fourth Infantry of the Line, one of the finest and most distinguished corps in the army, and was beloved by all his officers, whom he treated with extreme kindness. His habits had not been altered by his recent elevation; he was as unaffected and as accessible as ever; the rank to which he had risen, and of which he refused to receive the honours and the title, was indicated only by the favours and benefits he lavishly bestowed. This amiability of character, this philosophic moderation which appeared sincere, this native goodness, never failed for a single instant during the time I stayed with him at Boulogne. I had the pleasure of seeing my friend Stanislas Girardin at the camp, attached as a Captain to the fourth of the Line, as I have already said he had resumed military service to avoid being separated from the Prince. In the intervals of their duties we walked in the neighbourhood of Boulogne, and had long talks which were both delightful and instructive to me. This confidential interchange of thought enhanced the interest of the circumstances

*He would not allow himself to be addressed by any other title than that of Colonel; even his servants spoke of him by that name only.

in which we were placed. I perceived that Prince Joseph was deeply mortified by the Article of Adoption, and that he could not forgive it. He expressed himself on that subject with extreme bitterness, and frequently in terms most insulting to the Empress. The seeds of dissension between the two brothers had not been destroyed by the admission of Joseph into the line of succession. That concession had failed to reconcile the two.

I was convinced by all that passed in our numerous interviews, that the great changes which had recently taken place in the organisation of the Government, far from having been brought about by the troops, were scarcely known to them, and that their execution had created no great sensation. Even Moreau's trial, though it had excited some interest, had not produced the profound impression I had supposed, and this confirmed me in the opinion I have already expressed, that, Moreau's dealings with English agents, and partisans of the Bourbons, had lowered him in the estimation of his former comrades in arms. Besides this, the French soldiers, well treated and kept hard at work, had little time to think about any subjects outside the camp. The officers were endowed with a greater perspicacity, but they were restrained by the habit of discipline, and by the hope of rapid promotion, and they continued to display an excellent military spirit,

although they had received with coldness, and even with a certain repugnance, innovations which were opposed to the ideas of equality they had hitherto cherished. But the name of Bonaparte was still stronger than those ideas, and exercised a powerful sway over the imagination of all. There was therefore, no doubt, that if the expedition took place, men and officers would bring to it all the zeal, devotion and courage which might be justly expected from a French army. And truly when one contemplated those brilliant troops, proud of so many victories; of that coast bristling with cannon, of those docks built as if by magic, and filled with countless vessels ready for sea; when one remembered the shortness of the passage, and the goal, which on a calm day, and beneath a serene sky, seemed so very near, the coolest heads were seduced into a belief in the possibility of the enterprise. It seemed impossible, whatever might be the naval superiority of England, that she could destroy all the vessels which would spread over the channel, and prevent the larger number, if favoured by fine weather and a well chosen opportunity from reaching the opposite coast. But I could not share the confidence inspired by the numerous fleet of gun-boats, that were to protect the transport vessels. Such frail barks, unable to brave bad weather, could not sustain an encounter with English ships, and a

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few successful engagements which I witnessed, and under favour of which the convoys that had sailed from various ports of Picardy and Flanders, effected a meeting at Boulogne, did not make me alter my opinion. In such encounters as those, our formidable coast fought for us, and decided the victory; but the disasters that befell the fleet a month later, under the very eyes of the Emperor, in spite of the courage and skill of the crews, was a sufficient proof of the inadequacy of our means. Moreover, I always felt sure that Napoleon would not make the expedition in person.

After remaining a fortnight at the Boulogne camp, I took leave of Prince Joseph, on my return to Paris, and reached that city on the 16th Messidor (July 5).

On the following Sunday, the 19th, the Emperor came to Paris to give audience to the Ambassadors who were to present their new letters of credit. The German Ambassador was however not present. Some difficulties had arisen with regard to his letters, but they related less to the recognition of the title of Emperor of the French, than to that of King of the Lombards, which Napoleon wished to add to it, and which the Court of Vienna refused to accord. These difficulties were removed shortly afterwards.

All the ancient etiquette of Versailles had been revived on the occasion of this solemn audience.