ate prevailed in that department was extreme. The government did not
even know the existence of regiments raised in the provinces: arms,
clothing, discipline in every article, had been neglected. The
organisation of the army was very speedily mended.

The insurgent Chouans next claimed attention: and here the personal
character of Napoleon gave him advantages of the first importance. The
leaders of those brave bands were disposed to consider such a soldier as
a very different sort of ruler from the Pentarchy of the Luxembourg; and
their admiration for his person prepared them to listen to his terms.
The first measures of the new government were obviously calculated to
soothe their prejudices, and the general display of vigour in every
branch of the administration to overawe them. Chatillon, D'Antichamp,
Suzannet, and other royalist chiefs, submitted in form. Bernier, a
leading clergyman in La Vendee, followed the same course, and was an
acquisition of even more value. Others held out; but were soon routed in
detail, tried and executed. The appearances of returning tranquillity
were general and most welcome.

Some of the party vanquished on the 18th Brumaire, however, still
lingered in Paris, and were busy in plotting new convulsions. It was
therefore the advice of all the ministers to condemn them to exile; and
lists of proscription were drawn up and published. But Buonaparte only
meant to overawe these persons: no one was apprehended: they kept quiet
for a season; and the edict of exile sank by degrees into oblivion.

Meanwhile it was necessary that the government itself should assume some
permanent form, ere the time arrived for the re-assembly of the
legislative bodies. Their two committees met in one chamber with the
consuls, and the outline of a new constitution was laid before them by
Sieyes; who enjoyed the reputation of being the greatest of scientific
politicians. The Abbe, however, had soon perceived that Napoleon was to
be the real creator of whatever should be adopted; and, in the progress
of the ensuing consultations, submitted, step by step, to the laconic
Dictator, who accepted or discarded propositions, exactly as they
happened to coincide, or be at variance with, his own notions of his own
personal interest. He cared little in what manner the structure of the
future representative assemblies might be arranged; but there must be no
weakening of the executive power, which he was determined to vest
virtu