s famous though his exploits, and not theories of government,
phrases and speeches by ideologists, which Frenchmen do not
comprehend.... As to your country, Monsieur de Melzi, it has still
fewer elements of republicanism than France, and much less ceremony is
essential with it than with any other... In other respects, I have
no idea of coming to terms so promptly with Austria. It is not for my
interest to make peace. You see what I am, what I can do in Italy. If
peace is brought about, if I am no longer at the head of this army which
has become attached to me, I must give up this power, this high position
I have reached, and go and pay court to lawyers in the Luxembourg. I
should not like to quit Italy for France except to play a part there
similar to that which I play here, and the time for that has not yet
come--the pear is not ripe."

To wait until the pear is ripe, but not to allow anybody else to gather
it, is the true motive of his political fealty and of his Jacobin
proclamations: "A party in favor of the Bourbons is raising its head;
I have no desire to help it along. One of these days I shall weaken the
republican party, but I shall do it for my own advantage and not for
that of the old dynasty. Meanwhile, it is necessary to march with the
Republicans," along with the worst, and' the scoundrels about to purge
the Five Hundred, the Ancients, and the Directory itself, and then
re-establish in France the Reign of Terror.--In effect, he contributes
to the 18th of Fructidor, and, the blow struck, he explains very clearly
why he took part in it:

"Do not believe[1237] I did it in conformity with the ideas entertained
by those with whom I acted. I did--not want a return of the Bourbons,
and especially if brought back by Moreau's army and by Pichegru...
Finally, I will not take the part of Monk, I will not play it, and I
will not have others play it.... As for myself, my dear Miot, I declare
to you that I can no longer obey; I have tasted command and I cannot
give it up. My mind is made up. If I cannot be master I will leave
France."

There is no middle course for him between the two alter natives. On
returning to Paris he thinks of "overthrowing the Directory,[1238]
dissolving the councils and of making himself dictator"; but, having
satisfied himself that there was but little chance of succeeding, "he
postpones his design" and falls back on the second course. "This is the
only motive of his expedition into Egypt."