He conjures out of the 2nd of December I know not what bird of night, and perches it on the standard of France, and exclaims: "Soldiers, behold the eagle." He borrows the hat from Napoleon, and the plume from Murat.

He has his imperial etiquette, his chamberlains, his aides-de-camp, his courtiers.

Under the Emperor, they were kings, under him they are lackeys.

He has his own policy, his own 13th Vendemiaire, his own 18th Brumaire.

Yes, he risks comparison! At the Elysee, Napoleon the Great has disappeared: they say, "_Uncle Napoleon_." The man of destiny has outdone Geronte.