The soldiers entered the chamber charging bayonets. The deputies leaped out at the windows, and dispersed, leaving their gowns, caps, &c. in one moment the chamber was empty. Those members of the Council who had shewn most pertinacity, fled with the utmost precipitation to Paris.

About one hundred deputies of the Five Hundred rallied at the office and about the inspectors of the hall. They presented themselves in a body to the Council of the Ancients. Lucien represented that the Five Hundred had been dissolved at his instance; that, in the exercise of his functions as President of the assembly, he had been surrounded by daggers; that he had sent attendants to summon the Council again; that nothing had been done contrary to form, and that the troops had but obeyed his mandate. The Council of the Ancients, which had witnessed this exercise of military power with some uneasiness, was satisfied with the explanation. At eleven at night the two Councils reassembled; they formed large majorities. Two committees were appointed to report upon the state of the Republic. On the report of Beranger, thanks to Napoleon and the troops were carried. Boulay de la Meurthe, in the Five Hundred, and Villetard in the Ancients,

described the situation of the Republic, and the measures necessary to be taken. The law of the 19th of Brumaire was passed; it adjourned the Councils to the 1st of Ventose following; it created two committees of twenty-five members each, to represent the Councils provisionally. These committees were also to prepare a civil code. A Provisional Consular Commission, consisting of Sieyes, Roger-Ducos, and Napoleon, was charged with the executive power.

This law put an end to the Constitution of the year III.

The Provisional Consuls repaired on the 20th, at two in the morning, to the chamber of the Orangery, where the two Councils were assembled. Lucien, the president, addressed them in these words:

Citizen Consuls, The greatest people on earth intrusts its fate to you. Three months. hence, your measures must pass the ordeal of public opinion. The welfare of thirty millions of men, internal quiet, the wants of the armies, peace,--such are to be the objects of your cares. Doubtless courage and devotion to your duties are requisite in taking upon you functions so important; but the confidence of our people and warriors is with you, and the Legislative Body

knows that your hearts are wholly with the country. Citizen Consuls, we have, previously to adjourning, taken the oath which you will repeat in the midst of us: the sacred oath of 'inviolable fidelity to the sovereignty of the people, to the French Republic one and indivisible, to liberty, to equality, and to the representative system.'

The assembly separated, and the Consuls. returned to Paris, to the palace of the Luxembourg.

Thus was the Revolution of the 18th of Brumaire crowned with success.

Sieyes, during the most critical moments, had remained in his carriage at the gate of Saint-Cloud, ready to follow the march of the troops. His conduct, during the danger, was becoming he evinced coolness, resolution, and intrepidity.

:

PROVISIONAL CONSULS.

State of the capital-Proclamation of Napoleon-First sitting of the Consuls; Napoleon president-Ministry: changes therein-Maret, Dubois-Crancé, Robert-Lindet, Gaudin, Reinhart, Forfait, Laplace-First acts of the ConsulsFuneral honours paid to the Pope-Shipwrecked emigrants at Calais. Nappertandy, Blackwell-Suppression of the festival of the 21st of January-Interview of two royalist agents with Napoleon-La Vendée, Chatillon, Bernier, D'Autichamp; Georges-Pacification-Discussion on the Constitution-The opinions of Sieyes and Napoleon-Daunou-The Constitution-Nomination of

the Consuls Cambacérès and Lebrun.

It would be difficult to describe the anxious suspense of the capital during the Revolution of the 18th of Brumaire; the most alarming reports were universally circulated; it was said that Napoleon was overthrown; the renewal of the Reign of Terror was expected. It was not so much the danger of the Republic that was apprehended, as that in which every private family was fearful of being involved.

About nine o'clock in the evening, the news from Saint-Cloud spread throughout Paris: the public was informed of the events which had taken place; and the liveliest joy suc

ceeded to the most agonizing fears. The following proclamation was read by torchlight: "Citizens!

"On my return to Paris I found discord pervading every department of government, and only this single truth unanimously agreed on, that the Constitution was half destroyed, and no longer capable of maintaining our liberty. Every party applied to me, confided to me its designs, disclosed its secrets, and solicited my support. I refused to become the head of any

faction.

The Council of Ancients called on me. I answered the appeal. A plan for a general reform had been devised by men in whom the nation is accustomed to behold defenders of liberty, of equality, and of property this plan demanded calm, free, and impartial examination, unfettered by influence or fear. The Council of Ancients, therefore, determined upon the removal of the Legislative Body to Saint-Cloud. It intrusted me with the disposal of the force necessary for the maintenance of its independence. I deemed it due from me to our fellow-citizens, to the soldiers who are laying down their lives in our ranks, to the glory purchased by their blood, to accept the command. The Councils met at Saint-Cloud: the troops of the Republic gua