By political moves as adroit and unexpected as his tactics on the field, the Directorate was swept out of existence, and Napoleon was first consul of France.
It was a long step backward.

The pendulum was returning once more toward a strong executive, and to centralization.

From this moment, until he was a prisoner in the hands of the English, Napoleon Bonaparte was sole master of France.
The early simplicity of the republic was disappearing.

The receptions of the first consul at the Tuileries began to recall the days at Versailles.

Josephine, fascinating, and perfect in the art of dress, knew well how to maintain the splendor of her new court; as also did Bonaparte's sisters, with their beauty and their brilliant talents.
But outside of France, and across the channel, the consul was only a usurper, and Louis XVIII.