Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 edition. Excerpt: ... Bonaparte Chief Consul. 57 brilliant conquests, France was still in a state of anarchy. Her long-protracted Revolution had now run through the usual course of universal enthusiasm, general suffering, plebeian revolt, bloodthirsty rage, democratic cruelty, and military despotism. There remained a last stage to which it had not yet arrived, but which nevertheless was necessary to tame the passions of the people, and reconstruct the fabric of society out of the ruined fragments of former civilization. This state was that of a single despot, and this final result was rapidly coming on, to prepare the way for a return to a more stable order of things.* The last, but not the least important event of the eighteenth century, was the elevation of Napoleon Bonaparte to the dignity of Chief Consul. The new Constitution of France was proclaimed on the 24th of December, A.D. 1799. The King and Queen of Prussia had spent a considerable portion of this and of the preceding year in making journeys through the provinces. They sometimes penetrated into the most secluded and the wildest districts. Ernest Arndt was not more desirous nor more determined than they were, to become acquainted as fully as possible with all classes of persons, by seeking them in their own homes, and observing their ways and customs. The Queen, always alive to the beauties of nature, was never in higher spirits than when she made these excursions: she was delighted to take a picnic meal under forest trees, and watched the preparations with almost childish glee. She used to say, 'The children's world is my world.' Surely therein lies the secret of her own children's deathless love for her. One day as the King and Queen were entering a town, a band of young girls came forward to..
