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not conceal his abhorrence of them； and； be it said to his honour； he had
as little to do with them as possible。
When Napoleon； departed for the summer campaign he took care beforehand
to leave large sums of money for the 'federes'； in the hands of the
devoted Real； under whose management the mob was placed。 These sums were
to be distributed at appropriate seasons； to make the people cry in the
streets of Paris； 〃Napoleon or death。〃 He also left in the hands of
Davoust a written authority for the publication of his bulletins； many
clauses of which were written long before the battles were fought that
they were to describe。 He gave to the same Marshal a plan of his
campaign； which he had arranged for the defensive。 This was not confided
to him without an injunction of the strictest secrecy； but it is said
that Davoust communicated the plan to Fouche。 Considering Davoust's
character this is very unlikely； but if so； it is far from improbable
that Fouche communicated the plan to the Allies with whom； and more
particularly with Prince Metternich； he is well known to have been
corresponding at the time。
Shortly after the Emperor's arrival in Paris Benjamin Constant； a
moderate and candid man； was deputed by the constitutional party to
ascertain Napoleon's sentiments and intentions。 Constant was a lover of
constitutional liberty； and an old opponent of Napoleon； whose headlong
career of despotism； cut out by the sword； he had vainly endeavoured to
check by the eloquence of his pen。
The interview took place at the Tuileries。 The Emperor； as was his wont；
began the conversation； and kept it nearly all to himself during the rest
of the audience。 He did not affect to disguise either his past actions
or present dispositions。
〃The nation；〃 he said； 〃has had a respite of twelve years from every kind
of political agitation； and for one year has enjoyed a respite from war。
This double repose has created a craving after activity。 It requires； or
fancies it requires； a Tribune and popular assemblies。 It did not always
require them。 The people threw themselves at my feet when I took the
reins of government You ought to recollect this； who made a trial of
opposition。 Where was your supportyour strength？ Nowhere。 I assumed
less authority than I was invited to assume。 Now all is changed。 A
feeble government； opposed to the national interests； has given to these
interests the habit of standing on the defensive and evading authority。
The taste for constitutions； for debates； for harangues； appears to have
revived。 Nevertheless it is but the minority that wishes all this； be
assured。 The people； or if you like the phrase better； the multitude；
wish only for me。 You would say so if you had only seen this multitude
pressing eagerly on my steps； rushing down from the tops of the
mountains； calling on me； seeking me out； saluting me。 On my way from
Cannes hither I have not conqueredI have administered。 I am not only
（as has been pretended） the Emperor of the soldiers； I am that of the
peasants of the plebeians of France。 Accordingly； in spite of all that
has happened； you see the people come back to me。 There is sympathy
between us。 It is not as with the privileged classes。 The noblesse have
been in my service； they thronged in crowds into my antechambers。 There
is no place that they have not accepted or solicited。 I have had the
Montmorencys； the Noailles； the Rohans； the Beauveaus； the Montemarts；
in my train。 But there never was any cordiality between us。 The steed
made his curvetshe was well broken in； but I felt him quiver under me。
With the people it is another thing。 The popular fibre responds to mine。
I have risen from the ranks of the people： my voice seta mechanically
upon them。 Look at those conscripts； the sons of peasants： I never
flattered them； I treated them roughly。 They did not crowd round me the
less； they did not on that account cease to cry； ‘Vive l'Empereur！'
It is that between them and me there is one and the same nature。 They
look to me as their support； their safeguard against the nobles。 I have
but to make a sign； or even to look another way； and the nobles would be
massacred in every province。 So well have they managed matters in the
last ten months！ but I do not desire to be the King of a mob。 If there
are the means to govern by a constitution well and good。 I wished for
the empire of the world； and to ensure it complete liberty of action was
necessary to me。 To govern France merely it is possible that a
constitution may be better。 I wished for the empire of the world； as who
would not have done in my place？ The world invited me to rule over it。
Sovereigns and subjects alike emulously bowed the neck under my sceptre。
I have seldom met with opposition in France； but still I have encountered
more of it from some obscure and unarmed Frenchmen than from all these
Kings so resolute； just now； no longer to have a man of the people for
their equal！ See then what appears to you possible； let me know your
ideas。 Public discussion； free elections； responsible ministers； the
liberty of the press； I have no objection to all that； the liberty of the
press especially； to stifle it is absurd。 I am convinced on this point。
I am the man of the people： if the people really wish for liberty let
them have it。 I have acknowledged their sovereignty。 It is just that I
should lend an ear to their will； nay； even to their caprices I have
never been disposed to oppress them for my pleasure。 I conceived great
designs； but fate 'has been against me； I am no longer a conqueror； nor
can I be one。 I know what is possible and what is not。 I have no
further object than to raise up France and bestow on her a government
suitable to her。 I have no hatred to liberty； I have set it aside when
it obstructed my path； but I understand what it means； I was brought up
in its school： besides； the work of fifteen years is overturned； and it
is not possible to recommence it。 It would take twenty years； and the
lives of 2；000；000 of men to be sacrificed to it。 As for the rest； I
desire peace； but I can only obtain it by means of victory。 I would not
inspire you with false expectations。 I permit it to be said that
negotiations are going on； there are none。 I foresee a hard struggle；
a long war。 To support it I must be seconded by the nation； but in
return I believe they will expect liberty。 They shall have it： the
circumstances are new。 All I desire is to be informed of the truth。
I am getting old。 A man is no longer at forty…five what he was at
thirty。 The repose enjoyed by a constitutional king may suit me： it will
still more certainly be the best thing； for my son。〃
From this remarkable address。 Benjamin Constant concluded that no change
had taken place in Bonaparte's views or feelings in matters of
government； but； being convinced that circumstances had changed； he had
made up his mind to conform to them。 He says； and we cannot doubt it；
that he listened to Napoleon with the deepest interest； that there was a
breadth and grandeur of manner as be spoke； and a calm serenity seated on
a brow covered with i