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52 the Palace, and one of his most devoted servants, is the same.

"When the Prefect has arranged 'one of those magnificent fêtes in which all the arts minister to his enjoyment,' economically, correctly, with splendour and success, Madame never asks her husband if the Emperor is satisfied, but whether he has scolded more or less."

Napoleon trusts to no principle in his Ministers but fear and self-interest, he takes elaborate precautions against their ever becoming independent of him. In this respect he shows a delight in the degradation of human nature that sometimes almost appals one―it is as though the hideous sneer of Mephistopheles were transferred from the pages of the poet to the more moving drama of human life. Take, for instance, Napoleon's treatment of his Marshals. He claimed to "be sole master, making or marring reputations" according to his personal requirements.

"Too brilliant a soldier would become too important; a subordinate would never be tempted to be less submissive. To this end he plans what he will omit in his bulletins, what alterations and what changes shall be made in them. It