he evicted owner, if he desires to dine
regularly, will wisely seek a small remunerative position and serve
as clerk, book-keeper or accountant. M. des Echerolles, formerly a
brigadier-general, keeps the office of the new line of diligences at
Lyons, and earns 1200 francs a year. M. de Puymaigre, who, in 1789, was
worth two millions, becomes a controleur des droits reunis at Briey with
a salary of 2400 francs.--In every branch of the new administration
a royalist is welcome to apply for a post;[3135] however slightly
recommended, he obtains the place. Sometimes he even receives one
without having asked for it; M. de Vitrolles[3136] thus becomes, in
spite of himself, inspector of the imperial sheepfolds; this fixes his
position and makes it appear as if he had given in his adhesion to the
government.--Naturally, the great political recruiter singles out the
tallest and most imposing subjects, that is to say, belonging to the
first families of the ancient monarchy, and, like one who knows his
business, he brings to bear every means, constraint and seduction,
threats and cajoleries, supplies in ready money, promises of promotion
with the influence of a uniform and gold-lace embroidery.[3137] It
matters little whether the enlistment is voluntary or extorted; the
moment a man becomes a functionary and is enrolled in the hierarchy, he
loses the best portion of his independence; once a dignitary and placed
at the top of the hierarchy, he gives his entire individuality up, for
henceforth he lives under the eye of the master, feels the daily and
direct pressure of the terrible hand which grasps him, and he forcibly
becomes a mere tool.[3138] These historic names, moreover, contribute to
the embellishment of the reign. Napoleon hauls in a good many of them,
and the most illustrious among the old noblesse, of the court of the
robe and of the sword. He can enumerate among his magistrates, M.
Pasquier, M. Seguier, M. Mole; among his prelates, M. de Boisgelin,
M. du Barral, M. du Belley, M. de Roquelaure, M. de Broglie; among his
military officers, M. de Fezensac, M. de Segur, M. de Mortemart, M.
de Narbonne;[3139] among the dignitaries of his palace, chaplains,
chamberlains and ladies of honor--the Rohan, Croy, Chevreuse,
Montmorency, Chabot, Montesquiou, Noailles, Brancas, Gontaut, Grammont,
Beauvau, Saint-Aignan, Montalembert, Haussonville, Choiseul-Praslin,
Mercy d'Argenteau, Aubusson de la Feuillade, and many others, recorded
in