Those  brigands  are  no  longer  representatives  of  the  people,
but  representatives  of  the  poignard."  After  this  violent  ap-
peal, addressed  to  the  troops  by  a  conspirator  president,  who,
as  usual,  calumniated  those  he  wished  to  proscribe,  Bonaparte
spoke:  "  Soldiers/'  said  he,  "  I  have  led  you  to  victory;  may
I  rely  on  you?" — "  Yes!  yes!  Vivele  General!" — "  Soldiers,
there  were  reasons  for  expecting  that  the  council  of  five  hun-
dred would  save  the  country;  on  the  contrary,  it  is  given
up  to  intestine  quarrels;  agitators  seek  to  excite  it  against
me.     Soldiers,  may  I   rely  on   you?"     "  Yes!    yes!     Vive


THE    FRENCII    REVOLUTION.  359

Bonaparte."  "  Well,  then,  I  will  bring  them  to  their  senses  \n
And  he  instantly  gave  orders  to  the  officers  surrounding  him
to  clear  the  hall  of  the  five  hundred.
