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FRENCH POLICE.

GRAND NATIONAL LIBRARY.

night ball room. Nothing could exceed the sprightly carelessness, and gay indifference which reigned throughout. The music in this place, as in every other of a similar description, was excellent.

The french police, notwithstanding the invidious rumours which have been circulated to its prejudice, is the constant subject of admiration with every candid foreigner, who is enabled under the shelter of its protection, to perambulate in safety every part of Paris, and its suburbs, although badly lighted, at that hour of the night, which in England, seldom fails to expose the unwary wanderer to the pistol of the prowling ruffian. An enlightened friend of mine, very shrewdly observed, that the english police seems to direct its powers, and consideration more to the apprehension of the robber, than to the prevention of the robbery. In no country is the art of thief catching carried higher, than in England. In France, the police is in the highest state of respectability, and unites force to vigilance. The depredator who is fortunate enough to escape the former, is seldom able to elude the latter.

The grand National Library of Paris, is highly deserving of a visit, and is considered to be the first of its kind in Europe. In one of the rooms is a museum of antiques. The whole is about to be removed to the old palace. In one of the wings of this noble collection, are the two celebrated great globes, which rest upon the ground, and rise through the flooring of the first story, where there is a rail

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BONAPARTE'S REVIEW.

CHAP. ing round them. These globes I should suppose to be about

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From the Grand National Library, I went with a party to the military review of all the regiments in Paris, and its suburbs by the first consul, in the Place de Carousel, within the gates, and railing which he has raised for this purpose. We were introduced into the apartments of general Duroc, the governor of the palace, which were upon the ground floor of the Thuilleries, and which afforded us an uninterrupted view of the whole of this superb military spectacle. A little before twelve o'clock, all the regiments of horse and foot, amounting to about 7000 men, had formed the line, when the consular regiment entered, preceded by their fine band, and the tambour major, who was dressed in great magnificence. This man is remarked in Paris for his symmetry and manly beauty. The creamcoloured charger of Bonaparte, upon which,

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destiny, he has often made dreadful way in the field of battle,” next passed us, led by grooms in splendid liveries of green and gold, to the grand entrance. As the clock struck twelve, the first consul, surrounded by a chosen body of the consular guard, appeared and mounted. He immediately rode off in full speed, to the gate nearest to the gallery of the Louvre, followed by his favourite generals, superbly attired, mounted upon chargers very richly caparisoned. My eye, aided by a good opera-glass, was fixed upon the first consul. I beheld before me a man whose renown is sounded through the remotest regions of the earth, and whose exploits have been united by the worshippers of favoured heroism to the conqueror of

Darius.

BONAPARTE'S REVIEW.

Darius. His features are small and meagre. His countenance is melancholy, cold and desperate. His nose is aquiline. His eyes are dark, fiery, and full of genius. His hair, which he wears cropped and without powder, is black. His figure is small, but very muscular. He wore a blue coat, with broad white facings and golden epaulets (the uniform of his regiment) a small cocked hat, in which was a little national cockade. In his hand he carried a small riding whip. His boots were made in the fashion of english riding boots, which I have before condemned on account of their being destitute of military appearance. The reason why they are preferred by the french officers is on account of the top leather not soiling the knees of the pantaloons when in the act of putting one leg over the other. Bonaparte rode through the lines. His beautiful charger seemed conscious of the glory of his rider, and bore him through the ranks with a commanding and majestic pace. The colours of one of the regiments was stationed close under the window, where I had the good fortune of being placed. Here the hero stopped, and saluted them. At this time I was close to him, and had the pleasure of completely gratifying that curiosity of beholding the persons of distinguished men, which is so natural to all of us.

A few minutes after Bonaparte had passed, I saw a procession, the history of which I did not understand at the time, but which fully explained its general purport. About two years since, one of the regiments of artillery revolted in battle. Bonaparte in anger deprived them of their colours, and suspended them, covered with crape, amongst the captive banners of the

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RESTORATION OF ARTILLERY COLOURS.

enemy, in the Hall of Victory. The regiment, affected by the
disgrace, were determined to recover the lost esteem of their
general and their country, or perish to the last man. When
any desperate enterprise was to be performed, they volunteered
their services, and by this magnanimous compunction covered
their shame with laurels, and became the boast and pride of
the republican legions. This day was fixed upon for the
restoration of their ensigns. They were marched up under a
guard of honour, and presented to the first consul, who took
the black drapery from their staves, tore it in pieces, threw it
on the ground, and drove his charger indignantly over it. The
regenerated banners were then restored to the regiment, with
a short and suitable address. I faintly heard this laconic speech,
but not distinctly enough to offer any criticism upon the
eloquence of the speaker. This exhibition had its intended
effect, and displayed the genius of this extraordinary man, who,
with unerring acuteness, knows so well to give to every
public occurrence that dramatic hue and interest which are
so gratifying to the minds of the people over whom he presides.
After this ceremony, the several regiments, preceded by their
bands of music, marched before him in open order, and dropped.
their colours as they passed. The flying artillery and cavalry
left the parade in full gallop, and made a terrific noise upon
the pavement. Each field-piece was drawn by six horses,
upon a carriage with large wheels. Here the review closed.

Farewell, the neighing steed, and the shrill trump,
"The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,
"The royal banner, and all quality,

"Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war."

MADAME BONAPARTE.

Bonaparte returned to the palace, where he held a splendid levee, at which the new turkish embassy was introduced.

In the evening I saw Bonaparte and his lady at the opera, where he was received with respect, but without any clamorous acclamation.

Madame Bonaparte appears to be older than the first consul. She is an elegant woman, and is said to conduct herself in her high station with becoming dignity and prudence.

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