It belongs in part to the domain of psychology, when that science shall undertake the study, not merely of man as a unit, but of the aspirations, moods, and whims of communities and nations.

Meanwhile it will be our far humbler task to strive to point out the relation of Buonaparte to the Revolution, and to show how the mighty force of his will dragged it to earth.
The first questions that confront us are obviously these.

Were the lofty aims and aspirations of the Revolution attainable?
And, if so, did the men of 1789 follow them by practical methods?
To the former of these questions the present chapter will, in part at least, serve as an answer.

On the latter part of the problem the events described in later chapters will throw some light: in them we shall see that the great popular upheaval let loose mighty forces that bore Buonaparte on to fortune.
Here we may notice that the Revolution was not a simple and therefore solid movement.

It was complex and contained the seeds of discord which lurk in many-sided and militant creeds.