tion of authority, and the people willingly submitted to a government alike splendid and strong, which gave them security and protection. Nor can it be doubted that Napoleon already indulged the desire of obtaining a crown, for his ambition had grown with his fortune. Fully equal to any sovereign of Europe in power, he had the vanity to wish to be made equal to them in name. Nor was he the only one who desired that he should be made king or emperor, with the right of hereditary succession in his family. The people tired of the excesses and insecurity of a Republic, began to feel that he alone could "protect all the interests of the revolution, that he alone could save from sanguinary reaction the men who were compromised by their errors, could preserve to the acquirers of the national domain their property, to the military their rank, to all the members of the government their position, to France that government of equality, justice, and grandeur, which she had secured." And the nation incontestably could transmit to whom it chose, and to a sublime soldier still more than to any one else, the sceptre of Charlemagne, and of Louis XIV."

Two years had not elapsed after Napoleon was made consul for life, when an event occurred, which greatly agitating the public nind, served to carry it forward to the point toward which it was before rapidly tending. This was the discovery of a deep-laid conspiracy against his life, plotted by emigrant royalists, who regarding him as the only obstacle to their projects, hoped by a single blow to overthrow the whole government. Amid the universal agitation which followed, monarchy and hereditary succession were extolled in every quarter. It is necessary, it was said, that the new government, like the old one, not dependant upon the life of a single individual, should have the power of surviving itself, as thereby the hope of the royalists to destroy it by the thrust of a dagger, aimed at one man, would be cut off.

Napoleon needed no prompting to aspire to the throne; he only waited a favorable opportunity. Before proceeding too far, he wished first to sound the disposition of the army, and of neighboring governments, and with this view, he addressed letters to those generals in whom he had most confidence, and dispatched couriers to Berlin and Vienna. From the army the strongest assurances of support were received, and at the same time the principal cities sent in addresses in favor of the reëstablishment of monarchy. The replies of Prussia and Austria were also favorable, both declaring their willingness to acknowledge the first consul, emperor of France.

Every thing being ready, it only remained to take the necessary official steps. A motion was accordingly submitted in the tribu nate-the only body in which the right of discussion was preserved -that Napoleon Bonaparte be declared emperor, and in that capacity invested with the government of the French Republic; and that the imperial dignity be made hereditary in his family. This motion, after receiving the form of a discussion-being opposed

only by the renowned and consistent Carnot-prevailed by a large majority, and was carried to the Senate, and by that body was referred to a committee, composed of senators, ministers, and the three consuls, empowered to draft a "senatus consultum," whereby the constitution was again to be remodeled, and adapted to the proposed change in the government. The constitutional act, after receiving careful consideration-the questions suggested by the reestablishment of monarchy being one by one resolved-was reported, and without alteration, was adopted by unanimous acclamation. The establishment of the imperial hereditary succession, was to be referred to the people for their approval or rejection; but the Senate, acting within the limits of its own prerogatives, determined forthwith to proclaim Napoleon emperor.

Hardly was the ceremony of adoption completed, when the sen ators dissolving the sitting, hastened to St. Cloud, to present to the first consul their decree. "Standing in military costume, calm as he well knew how to be when men's gaze was fixed upon him," he received the Senate, with Cambacérès at its head, and listened to the speech addressed him by his colleague in the consulship. "Happy the nation," said Cambacérès, "which after so many troubles, finds in its own bosom a man capable of stilling the storms of passion, of conciliating all interests, and of winning the suffrages of all ranks.

"If it be in the principles of our constitution to submit to the sanction of the people, the part of the decree which concerns the establishment of an hereditary government, the Senate has deemed that it ought to beseech your imperial majesty to permit that the organic dispositions should forthwith be put in force, and for the glory as well as for the happiness of the Republic, at this very instant, the Senate proclaims Napoleon Emperor of the French." An announcement which was received with shouts of Vive l'Empereur, which echoing along the roofs of the palace, were caught up and extended through the court and gardens.

Thus Napoleon, favored by the circumstances which surrounded him, rose by the force of his own genius, from the lowest rank in the army, to the throne of the most powerful empire of Europe. Each successive step he made in the ascent, was with the full ap probation of the people he governed. And when the question of conferring the imperial hereditary succession upon his family was referred to them, they gave their assent with a unanimity unparal leled. Registers were opened in every commune in France, and more than three million five hundred thousand votes were given in the affirmative, while not three thousand were in the negative. "History," says another, "has recorded no example of so unanimous an approbation of the foundation of a dynasty."

The ceremony of his coronation, Napoleon determined should be attended with the utmost possible magnificence, with a blending of religious, civil, and military pomp, and every circumstance which could dazzle the eye, or attract the mind. He wished the

Pope to be present, to bestow upon him the papal benediction, and bless his crown and sceptre-an honor without precedent in all the eighteen centuries of the church, for the emperors of Germany, without exception, had gone to Rome to be crowned, and Pope Stephen was seeking aid in France against the Lombards, when he crowned Pepin, Emperor of the West. The idea was no sooner conceved, than he proceeded to put it in execution, and negotiations were accordingly opened with the Roman Court, and every influence employed to persuade the sovereign pontiff to go to Paris, and take part in the coronation.

Though Pope Pius was favorably disposed toward Napoleon, because of what had been done by him for the restoration of religion in France, and on more accounts than one, would not, if pos sible, displease him, yet when he learned the wishes of the French emperor, he was agitated and perplexed by opposing doubts and fears. He dreaded lest Europe should speak ill of his going to Paris to consecrate the newly elected sovereign, he feared lest unknown and unforseen dangers should await him in that revolutionary capital which had destroyed kings, queens, and priests, and was "infected with the spirit of the philosophers, and still swarmed with their followers." But should he not go, who could foretell the consequences-for Napoleon was all-powerful, and held Italy in his grasp. After much hesitation, and repeated consultations with his cardinals, he finally consented; though so great was his agitation, that he thought it not unlikely he should die on the journey, or if that event, so undesired, should not happen, fearing lest he should be detained in France against his will, he drew up his abdication, and placed it in the hands of his secretary, in order that the papacy might, if necessary, be declared vacant.

While these negotiations were going on at Rome, every thing was being prepared at Paris to give the greatest possible splendor to the occasion-and at length all was ready. Hundreds of workmen had been employed in fitting the Cathedral of Notre Dame, within whose venerable walls the ceremony was to take place. These preparations were completed, and the church was decorated with an unequalled magnificence. Deputations from the cities, the principal authorities of the empire, the officers of the civil tribunals, the archbishops and the bishops, with their clergy, and a crowd of foreign princes and embassadors, who had been invited, arrived. The most distinguished officers of the land and sea service, names known in history, leaving the armies and the fleets, repaired to Paris. The coming of Pope Pius, was alone waited for; who, on the second day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four, after spending a long time before the altar of St. Peter, and fervently praying that he might be brought safe out of the perils and dangers he expected to encounter, entered his carriage, and proceeded by slow journeys toward France. He was every where received with the greatest respect and veneration by the people, who bowing before him,

craved his blessing. His arrival in Paris, created an intense sensation. The same populace, who ten years before, had worshipped the Goddess of Reason, crowded beneath his windows, and hailed his presence with loud acclamations. The old man delighted with his reception, by degrees became reassured, his fears vanished, and his spirits assumed their wonted tone.

Sunday, the second day of December, was the day appointed for the coronation. It was a cold winter's day, the sun shining out bright and clear-a day not unlike that, when forty years later, the mortal remains of the great conqueror, brought back from his island-prison, were transported in triumph through his former capital. At an early hour the senators and members of the council of state and legislative body, the deputies of the cities, and dignitaries of the empire, the bishops and their clergy, the officers of the army and navy, and the foreign princes and ambassadors, assembled within the ancient basilic of St. Louis, clothed in robes of office and state, and glittering with stars, and ribbons and uniforms. At ten o'clock, the Pope, gorgeously attired, and attended by a numerous body of clergy, and escorted by detachments of the imperial guard, set out from the palace of the Tuilleries, and as he entered the Cathedral, preceded by the cross, and the ensigns of his office; "all present rose from their seats, and five hundred musicians pealed forth in solemn strain the consecrated chant, Tu es Petrus." All now waited for the emperor; who seated in a magnificent carriage, and escorted by the most distinguished officers of his army, on horseback, and by a long line of soldiers, proceeded slowly towards the church of Notre Dame. amidst an immense multitude, who lined the streets through which the cortege passed, and who greeted his presence with loud acclamations. He entered the Cathedral, wearing a golden laurel, "the crown of the Cæsars," and amid the sound of music, passing on to a chair near the altar, sat down in front of the throne, the empress being seated at his side.

The ceremony then commenced. The Pope poured the holy oil on the forehead, the arms, and the hands of the emperor "blessed the sword with which he girded him, and the sceptre which he placed in his hand, and approached to take up the crown." All eyes were now fixed on Napoleon. Should he who by the force of talent had worked his way to empire, who ruled, not by the divine right of kings, but by the divine right of the people to confer power upon him, should he suffer the crown to be placed on his head by another; or should he, the representative of the nation, place it there with his own hands. The French and Roman rituals, both directedaccording to one, the peers, according to the other, the bishops, holding the crown suspended over the head of the kneeling monarch-that the Pope laying his hands upon it, should place it upon the brow of the sovereign. But Napoleon, untramelled by precedents, determined otherwise. That eye so quick to discern every movement on the battle-field, watched the movement of his holiness;

that mind so ready to decide every question, had already determined what course to pursue. Approaching the table whereon the crown lay, and quickly taking it up, with a firm hand he slowly raised it, and then lowered it upon his own head; then taking the crown of the empress, he with perfect grace, and a "visible tenderness," placed it upon the head of Josephine, as she knelt before him, who overcome by her emotions, burst into tears. The whole movement was managed with such perfeo propriety, and was so well suited to the occasion and the actors, as to produce an indescribable effect upon those who witnessed it; and formed a scene, which one of the great painters of the day has, with admirable effect, transferred to the canvas.

The emperor and the empress then crossing over from the altar, ascended the throne, he followed by his brothers, bearing the train of his imperial robes; her's being borne by his sisters. The Pope approaching, bestowed his benediction, and raised the chant of those "words which greeted Charlemagne, when proclaimed Emperor of the West-Vivat in æternum semper Augustus." The solemn oath, to maintain the integrity of the territory of the Republic, to respect the equality of rights, political and civil liberty, and the liberty of worship, and to govern with no other views, but to the interest, the happiness, and the glory of the French Republic, being administered, the ceremony ended; and Napoleon, a plebeian by birth, consecrated with every imposing formality, ranked among the princes of the earth.

Springfield, Mass., April, 1848.

THE LAWYER'S DREAM.

"I had a dream, which was not all a dream." My dear reader, please to excuse the triteness of the quotation, for the sake of its appropriateness.

It was about the middle of one of those pleasant afternoons in the early spring, when a warm wind tempts flies and loafers out from their winter holes. The air was drugged with sleep, as my poetical friend, Thomas Moore Jones, would say; which means, if you prefer plain prose, that the man who could keep his eyes open over a law-book, for the hour next after dinner, could be no believer in Sancho Panza's blessing. The warm breath out of doors, in fact belonged to May, but it had in some way wandered into March, where it came between a cold yesterday and an expected, cold to-morrow, like a slice of ham in a sandwich, very deliciously. As it strayed in through the half-opened window, and gently disturbed some papers on the desk, and seemed to contrast itself boastingly with the heat of the stove, is it to be wondered, that, seated in an arm chair, I—fell asleep.