t the
French vanguard when it appeared. But immediately, as if in fear of
their own temerity, they despatched an embassy to learn the will of
the approaching general. That his dealings might be merciful, they
tried the plan of Modena, and offered him a bribe of seven million
francs; but, as in the case of Modena, he refused. Next day the Great
Council having been summoned, it was determined by a nearly unanimous
vote of the patricians--six hundred and ninety to twenty-one--that
they would remodel their institutions on democratic lines. The pale
and terrified Doge thought that in such a surrender lay the last hope
of safety.

Not for a moment did Lallemant and Villetard, the two French agents,
intermit their revolutionary agitation in the town. Disorders grew
more frequent, while uncertainty both paralyzed and disintegrated the
patrician party. A week later the government virtually abdicated. Two
utter strangers appeared in a theatrical way at its doors, and
suggested in writing to the Great Council that to appease the spirit
of the times they should plant the liberty-tree on the Place of St.
Mark, and speedily accede to all the propositions for liberalizing
Venice which the popular temper seemed to demand. Such were the terror
and disorganization of the aristocracy that instead of punishing the
intrusion of the unknown reformers by death, according to the
traditions of their merciless procedure, they took measures to carry
out the suggestions made in a way as dark and significant as any of
their own. The fleet was dismantled, and the army disbanded. By the
end of the month the revolution was virtually accomplished; a rising
of their supporters having been mistaken by the Great Council, in its
pusillanimous terror, for a rebellion of their antagonists, they
decreed the abolition of all existing institutions, and, after hastily
organizing a provisional government, disbanded. Four thousand French
soldiers occupied the town, and an ostensible treaty was made between
the new republic of Venice and that of France.

This treaty was really nothing but a pronunciamento of Bonaparte. He
decreed a general amnesty to all offenders except the commander of
Fort Luco, who had recently fired on the French vessel. He also
guaranteed the public debt, and promised to occupy the city only as
long as the public order required it. By a series of secret articles,
vaguely expressed, Venice was bound to accept the stipulations of
Leoben in r