Fustel de Coulanges, "Histoire des institutions politiques et privees de l'ancienne France," vol.I., book II., ch.

I, p.66 and following pages.] [Footnote 2336: Read the "Notitia dignitatum tam civilium quam militarium in partibus orientis et occidentis." It is the imperial almanac for the beginning of the fifth century.

There are eleven ministers at the centre, each with his bureaux, divisions, subdivisions and squads of superposed functionaries,] [Footnote 2337: Cf.

Piranesi's engravings.] [Footnote 2338: Cf., among other clues see Dante's: "De Monarchia".] [Footnote 2339: We can trace in Napoleon's brain and date the formation of this leading idea.

At first, it is simply a classic reminiscence, as with his contemporaries; but suddenly it takes a turn and has an environment in his mind which is lacking in theirs, and which prevents the idea from remaining a purely literary phrase.