ith such rattles that
men are led. I would not say that to the multitude; but in a council of
statesmen one may speak the truth. I do not believe that the French
people love _liberty_ and _equality_. Their character has not been
changed in ten years: they are still what their ancestors, the Gauls,
were--vain and light. They are susceptible but of one
sentiment--_honour_. It is right to afford nourishment to this
sentiment: and to allow of distinctions. Observe how the people bow
before the decorations of foreigners. Voltaire calls the common soldiers
_Alexanders at five sous a day_. He was right: it is just so. Do you
imagine that you can make men fight by reasoning? Never. You must bribe
them with glory, distinctions, rewards. To come to the point: during ten
years there has been a talk of institutions. Where are they? All has
been overturned: our business is to build up. There is a government
with certain powers: as to all the rest of the nation what is it but
grains of sand? Before the Republic can be definitely established, we
must, as a foundation, cast some blocks of granite on the soil of
France. In fine, it is agreed that we have need of some kind of
institutions. If this Legion of Honour is not approved, let some other
be suggested. I do not pretend that it alone will save the state; but it
will do its part." Such were the words of Napoleon when the scheme was
in preparation. Many years afterwards, in his exile at St. Helena, he
thus spoke of his Order. "It was the reversion of every one who was an
honour to his country, stood at the head of his profession, and
contributed to the national prosperity and glory. Some were dissatisfied
because the decoration was alike for officers and soldiers; others
because it was given to civil and military merit indiscriminately. But
if ever it cease to be the recompense of the brave private, or be
confined to soldiers alone, it will cease to be the Legion of Honour."

On the 15th of May, 1802, the Legion of Honour was formally instituted;
large national domains were set apart for its maintenance; and crosses
(each of which entitled the bearer to certain precedence and a pension)
widely distributed among the soldiery, and among citizens of almost all
professions.

The personal authority of the future emperor, meantime, was daily
widening and strengthening. After the Consulate was established in
France, some corresponding change in the government of the Cisalpine
Republic was