of a person, the more
he gave him, and the harder he struck.]

That night and the following morning the Emperor was busied in the
choice and nomination of his ministers.

At their head Prince Cambaceres found himself placed. The system of
defamation directed against him had not altered the high
consideration, which he had acquired by his great wisdom, and constant
moderation. The Emperor offered him the port-folio of the minister of
justice, and was obliged to command him to accept it. His sagacity and
foresight, no doubt, presaged the fatal issue of the new reign of
Napoleon.

The Prince of Eckmuhl was named minister of war. By the harshness of
his manners, by acts of severity almost barbarous, he had formerly
drawn upon himself universal animadversions; his fidelity to the
Emperor, and his defence of Hamburgh, had subsequently conciliated
public opinion. The feebleness and versatility of his character indeed
excited some apprehensions; but it was hoped, that the Emperor would
know how to master him, and that the army would derive happy
advantages from his indefatigable zeal, and his strict probity.

The Duke of Vicenza[71] was placed at the helm of foreign affairs.
The rectitude of his principles, the firmness, nobleness, and
independence of his character, had justly acquired him the esteem of
France and of Europe; and his appointment was considered as a pledge
of the loyal and pacific intentions of Napoleon.

[Footnote 71: The Duke of Vicenza, convinced of the
inutility of the efforts Napoleon might make, to
establish any diplomatic connexion with foreign
powers, refused to accept the post. The Emperor
offered it to M. Mole. M. Mole objected, that he
was an entire stranger to diplomacy, and requested
Napoleon, to make another choice. Napoleon and his
other ministers were then so pressing with the Duke
of Vicenza, that he considered it his duty to
yield. He would have preferred the Emperor's giving
him a command in the army, where he would at least
have found an opportunity of usefully serving his
country and the Emperor.

The ministry of the interior, intended at first for
M. Costaz, was also offered to M. Mole