‘Several members set out immediately for Paris, others remained at St. Cloud to observe the deliberations of the Council of Elders, and the extraordinary movement of the troops who filled the square of the palace. From time to time were heard the cries of _Vive Buonaparte!_ _Vive la République!_
‘General Buonaparte, on hearing the Council of Five Hundred had withdrawn, advanced towards the soldiers and harangued them.
‘He entreated them to remain calm, and to rest assured that the good cause should triumph. They all answered by shouts of _Vive Buonaparte!_’
The scene depicted in the accompanying illustration is somewhat dramatically told by Napoleon himself in his proclamation of 19th Brumaire: ‘I presented myself before the Council of Five Hundred, alone, unarmed, my head uncovered, just as the Ancients had received and applauded me. My object was to restore to the majority the expression of its will, and to secure to it its power.
‘The stilettos which had menaced the Deputies, were instantly raised against their deliverer. Twenty assassins rushed upon me, and aimed at my breast. The grenadiers of the legislative body, whom I had left at the door of the hall, ran forward, and placed themselves between me and the assassins. One of these brave grenadiers (Thorne[52]) had his clothes pierced by a stiletto. They bore me off.’
[Illustration: DISSOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF FIVE HUNDRED.]
Th’ appointed meeting now took place, Producing tumult and disgrace, Some of the members, when desired, Refused to take the oath required, Insisting Nap should not be spared But as an outlaw be declared. As President Nap’s brother sat, So Lucien _hemm’d_ and _haw’d_ at that. But so outrageous was the strife, He found it hard to save his life; His eloquence he now display’d, ‘Napoleon must be heard,’ he said. Then Boney came--in great dismay; Th’ Assembly ordered him away-- But such an order was mere _fudge_, The brave Napoleon scorn’d to budge; And several began to push in, To tear to pieces Nap and Lucien. Nap gave the word--his troops attended, By grenadiers he was defended; Tremendous now the hurly-burly, Each phiz appear’d confounded surly; They drew their daggers in a rage, And civil war began to wage. Amidst these violent attacks, Now some were thrown upon their backs, And others fell upon their faces, And others, on their ---- proper places; While many, uttering sad groans, Were found upon their marrow bones.