ever, it would seem, in vain. They directed him
rightly; and when, in old age, he had gathered around him at Vallencay
all that remained of the wit, genius, and talent of French society in
its better forms, he delighted to recount the instances in which this
supernatural influence, like Socrates' daemon, had befriended him. He
believed in the reality of this power when he believed in nothing else,
and that is the puzzle.

Having once returned to France, Talleyrand never again quitted it--at
least, as an exile; but continued for the next forty years of his
eventful life to cultivate the art of advancement, and to study
carefully the means of acquiring a fortune: and he succeeded in both.
The First Consul found in his extraordinary abilities precisely what he
wanted and he in the First Consul that social support which he required,
and upon which he found he could rely. There was no mutual esteem,
however, between these remarkable men, whom interest alone bound
together; and Bonaparte has left upon record his opinion of his Minister
for Foreign Affairs, delivered at a time when he had nothing to expect
from the favors of men or the caprices of Fortune. "Talleyrand," said
Napoleon, at St. Helena, "is a corrupt man, who has betrayed all parties
and persons. Wary and circumspect, always a traitor, but always in
conspiracy with Fortune, Talleyrand treats his enemies as if they were
one day to become his friends, and his friends as if they were to become
his enemies. He is a man of unquestionable talent, but venial in every
thing. Nothing could be done with him but by means of bribery."[20] This
is not complimentary; and it would be curious to compare such a sentence
of condemnation with the judgment of Talleyrand on Napoleon which is
contained in his memoirs, for that there is one we need not doubt.

Talleyrand's department as a minister of state was that of Foreign
Affairs, and the future historian of his diplomatic career will have to
review his connection with all the great incidents which occurred in
Europe from the year 1797 to his death, in 1838. That he was supple,
unscrupulous, and able, is the conclusion of mankind at large; and, we
presume, the correct one.

Passion never disturbed him, and feeling (except for himself) seldom. A
revolutionary education superinduced upon a cold nature a distrust of
all men--ay, and of women, too; and he seems to have entertained just so
much respect for political stability of any ki