His vows to fortune; who, in cruel slight
Of virtuous hope, of liberty, and right,
Hath followed wheresoe'er a way was made
By the Wind goddess--ruthless, undismayed;
And so hath gained at length a prosperous height,
Round which the elements of worldly might
Beneath his haughty feet like clouds are laid.
Oh, joyless power that stands by lawless force
Curses are his dire portion, scorn, and hate,
Internal darkness and unquiet breath;
And if old judgments keep their sacred course,
Him from that height shall heaven precipitate
By violent or ignominious death."
--WORDSWORTH.

On ascending the throne of France Napoleon surrounded himself with all
the array of courts. His brothers Louis and Joseph were created
princes, and many of his officers dignified with the title of marshals.
Dignitaries of the crown were also appointed, and pages and chamberlains
swarmed in his palace. His court vied with that of the Bourbons in their
most palmy days for its magnificence. "Princes of the house," it has
been observed, "grand dignitaries without emoluments, without other
functions than the ceremonial of presentation; grand officers of the
empire, officers of the court in manifold gradation, with all the
oriental pageantry, formed a barrier between the sultan and his people."
Then, indeed, was the proud nation of France humbled. From a nation of
kings they became a nation of slaves to one man, and that one man of men
the meanest. Their one cry had been "Equality and liberty," and now they
saw themselves under the feet of one of their own order; of one who was
able to keep them in a state of utter and abject subjection.

NAVAL AFFAIRS.

During this year Napoleon made great efforts to acquire the means of
meeting the British navy on equal terms. By a convention with Genoa
he obtained the service of 6000 seamen, with the use of its harbours,
arsenals, and dock-yards; while the Ligurian republic engaged to enlarge
the basin for the reception of ten sail of the line at its own expense.
The fleet of Spain also was now at his own disposal, the Spanish
government being compelled by France to make preparations for the
resumption of hostilities. A Spanish squadron was preparing for action
in the port of Ferrol; and Captain Moore was sent with four frigates
in order to intercept such Spanish vessels of war homeward bound as
contained Dullion or treasure; it being supposed