He instantly mounted and rode to the Tuileries, where, being introduced into the council, together with all his staff, he pronounced those memorable words--"You are the wisdom of the nation: I come, surrounded by the generals of the Republic, to promise you their support.

Let us not lose time in looking for precedents.

Nothing in history resembled the close of the eighteenth century--nothing in the eighteenth century resembled this moment.

Your wisdom has devised the necessary measure; our arms shall put it in execution." Care had been taken to send no summons to the members of the council whom the conspirators considered as decidedly hostile to their schemes; yet several began to murmur loudly at this tone.

"I come," resumed Napoleon, sternly, "I come accompanied by the God of War and the God of Fortune." His friends were alarmed lest this violence should produce some violent re-action in the assembly, and prevailed on him to withdraw.