These qualities, which Machiavelli so highly admires, form, as we have already shewn, the constituent principles of the mind of Buonaparte. The courage of the lion, and the cunning of the fox, are more completely united in him than perhaps any other personage in the annals of history—with these natural talents, with Machiavelli in his hand, and Sieyes and Talleyrand by his side, can we wonder at the rapidity of his movements, or the uniformity and magnitude of his successes!
We have already considered the degree of estimation in which Buonaparte is held by the people of France; and we have also dared to shew the basis of their esteem; to which we may add, the semblance of religion with which he veils his ambition: which, as Machiavelli observes, always produces a powerful effect. "He ought, above all things, to study to utter nothing that does not breathe goodness, justice, good faith, and piety, but the latter quality is the most important for him to appear to possess, &c." Of Buonaparte's
