outh, he was determined to be present. The three relatives
traveled from their home in company, Joseph enchanted by the scenery,
Napoleon studying the strategic points on the way. In order that his
presence at Orezza might not unduly affect the course of events, Paoli
had delicately chosen as his temporary home the village of Rostino,
which was on their route. Here occurred the meeting between the two
great Corsicans, the man of ideas and the man of action. No doubt
Paoli was anxious to win a family so important and a patriot so
ardent. In any case, he invited the three young men to accompany him
over the fatal battle-ground of Ponte Nuovo. If it had really been
Napoleon's ambition to become the chief of the French National Guard
for Corsica, which would now, in all probability, be fully organized,
it is very likely that he would have exerted himself to secure the
favor of the only man who could fulfil his desire. There is, however,
a tradition which tends to show quite the contrary: it is said that
after Paoli had pointed out the disposition of his troops for the
fatal conflict Napoleon dryly remarked, "The result of these
arrangements was just what it was bound to be." Among the Emperor's
reminiscences at the close of his life, he recalled this meeting,
because Paoli had on that occasion declared him to be a man of ancient
mold, like one of Plutarch's heroes.

The constituent assembly at Orezza sat for a month. Its sessions
passed almost without any incident of importance except the first
appearance of Napoleon as an orator in various public meetings held in
connection with its labors. He is said to have been bashful and
embarrassed in his beginnings, but, inspirited by each occasion, to
have become more fluent, and finally to have won the attention and
applause of his hearers. What he said is not known, but he spoke in
Italian, and succeeded in his design of being at least a personage in
the pregnant events now occurring. Both parties were represented in
the proceedings and conclusions of the convention. Corsica was to
constitute but a single department. Paoli was elected president of its
directory and commander-in-chief of its National Guard, a combination
of offices which again made him virtual dictator. He accepted them
unwillingly, but the honors of a statue and an annual grant of ten
thousand dollars, which were voted at the same time, he absolutely
declined. The Paolist party secured the election of Canon Belce