not lessen the tenderness he felt for her; and although other women
inspired him with love, no other woman had his confidence and friendship
to the same extent as Madame Bonaparte. There have been a thousand and
one calumnies repeated of the harshness and brutality of the First Consul
towards women. He was not always gallant, but I have never seen him
rude; and, however singular it may seem after what I have just related,
he professed the greatest veneration for a wife of exemplary conduct,
speaking in admiring terms of happy households; and he did not admire
cynicism, either in morals or in language. When he had any liaisons he
kept them secret, and concealed them with great care.




CHAPTER VI.

The 3d Nivose, year IX. (Dec. 21, 1800),

[Under the Republican regime the years were counted from the
proclamation of the Republic, Sept. 22, 1792. The year was divided
into twelve months of thirty days each, re-named from some
peculiarity, as Brumaire (foggy); Nivose (snowy); Thermidor (hot);
Fructidor (fruit), etc.; besides five supplementary days of
festivals, called 'sans-culottides'. The months were divided into
three decades of ten days instead of weeks, the tenth day (decadi)
being in lieu of Sunday. The Republican calendar lasted till Jan.
1, 1806, as to the years and months at least, though the Concordat
had restored the weeks and Sabbaths.--TRANS.]

the Opera presented, by order, The Creation of Haydn; and the First