Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/530

 492 Readings in European History power, which can alone assure a continuous political life which may endure for generations, even for centuries. The Senate, as was proper, served as the organ through which this general apprehension found expression. The necessity of hereditary power in a state as vast as France had long been perceived by the First Consul. He had endeavored in vain to avoid this conclusion ; but the public solicitude and the hopes of our enemies emphasized the importance of his task, and he realized that his death might ruin his whole work. Under such circumstances, and with such a pressure of public opinion, there was no alternative left to the First Consul. He resolved, therefore, to accept for himself, and two of his brothers after him, the burden imposed by the exigencies of the situation. After prolonged consideration, repeated conferences with the members of the Senate, discussion in the councils, and the suggestions of the most prudent advisers, a series of provisions was drawn up which regulate the succession to the imperial throne. These provisions were decreed by a senatus consultus of the 28th Flore'al last. The French people, by a free and independent expression, then mani- fested its desire that the imperial dignity should pass down in a direct line through the legitimate or adopted descend- ants of Napoleon Bonaparte, or through the legitimate de- scendants of Joseph Bonaparte, or of Louis Bonaparte. Coronation From this moment Napoleon was, by the most unques- of Napoleon tionable of titles, emperor of the French. No other, act by the pope. r. was necessary to sanction his right and consecrate his authority. But he wished to restore in France the ancient forms and recall those institutions which divinity itself seems to have inspired. He wished to impress the seal of religion itself upon the opening of his reign. The head of the Church, in order to give the French a striking proof of his paternal affection, consented to officiate at this august ceremony. What deep and enduring impressions did this leave on the mind of Napoleon and in the memory of the nation ! What thoughts for future races ! What a subject of wonder for all Europe !