The president would not be very adroit and show but little zeal did he not help them in reading it, and if he did not point out by some sign, a tone of the voice, or even a direct word, what names were agreeable to the government.

Now, this government, which has five hundred thousand bayonets at command, dislikes opposition: the electors know it, and look twice before expressing any counter opinion; it is very probable that most of the names suggested by the government are found on their ballots; were only one-half of them there, these would suffice; of the two candidates proposed for each place, if one is acceptable this one will be elected; after making him a candidate the government makes sure that he will become titular.

The first act of the electoral comedy is played, and it is not long before no trouble whatever is taken to play it.

After January, 1806, by virtue of a decree which has passed himself, Napoleon is the only one[4120] who will directly fill every vacancy in the municipal councils; from now on these councils are to owe their existence wholly to him.

The two qualities which constitute them, and which, according to Sieyes, are derived from two distinct sources, are now derived from only one source.