M.de Puymaigre, who, in 1789, was worth two millions, becomes a controleur des droits reunis at Briey with a salary of 2400 francs .-- In every branch of the new administration a royalist is welcome to apply for a post;[3135] however slightly recommended, he obtains the place.

Sometimes he even receives one without having asked for it; M.de Vitrolles[3136] thus becomes, in spite of himself, inspector of the imperial sheepfolds; this fixes his position and makes it appear as if he had given in his adhesion to the government .-- Naturally, the great political recruiter singles out the tallest and most imposing subjects, that is to say, belonging to the first families of the ancient monarchy, and, like one who knows his business, he brings to bear every means, constraint and seduction, threats and cajoleries, supplies in ready money, promises of promotion with the influence of a uniform and gold-lace embroidery.[3137] It matters little whether the enlistment is voluntary or extorted; the moment a man becomes a functionary and is enrolled in the hierarchy, he loses the best portion of his independence; once a dignitary and placed at the top of the hierarchy, he gives his entire individuality up, for henceforth he lives under the eye of the master, feels the daily and direct pressure of the terrible hand which grasps him, and he forcibly becomes a mere tool.[3138] These historic names, moreover, contribute to the embellishment of the reign.

Napoleon hauls in a good many of them, and the most illustrious among the old noblesse, of the court of the robe and of the sword.

He can enumerate among his magistrates, M.
Pasquier, M.Seguier, M.Mole; among his prelates, M.de Boisgelin, M.du Barral, M.du Belley, M.de Roquelaure, M.de Broglie; among his military officers, M.de Fezensac, M.de Segur, M.de Mortemart, M.
de Narbonne;[3139] among the dignitaries of his palace, chaplains, chamberlains and ladies of honor--the Rohan, Croy, Chevreuse, Montmorency, Chabot, Montesquiou, Noailles, Brancas, Gontaut, Grammont, Beauvau, Saint-Aignan, Montalembert, Haussonville, Choiseul-Praslin, Mercy d'Argenteau, Aubusson de la Feuillade, and many others, recorded in the imperial almanac as formerly in the royal almanac.
But they are only with him nominally and in the almanac.

Except certain individuals, M.de las Cases and M.Philippe de Segur, who gave themselves up body and soul, even to following him to Saint Helena, to glorifying, admiring and loving him beyond the grave, the others are submissive conscripts and who remain more or less refractory spirits.