His fine instinct of the
dramatic gave the right setting to all his public acts. And in the
difficult arts of lying and deception, Bonaparte has never been
surpassed.
[Sidenote: The Government Of The Consulate: Constitution Of The Year
VIII]
Such was the man who effected the _coup d'etat_ of 18 Brumaire
(November, 1799). His first work in his new role was to publish a
constitution, which he prepared in conjunction with the Abbe Sieyes and
which was to supersede the Constitution of the Year III. It concealed
the military despotism under a veil of popular forms. The document
named three "consuls," the first of whom was Bonaparte himself, who
were to appoint a Senate. From lists selected by general election, the
Senate was to designate a Tribunate and a Legislative Body. The First
Consul, in addition to conducting the administration and foreign
policies and having charge of the army, was to propose, through a
Council of State, all the laws. The Tribunate was to discuss the laws
without voting on them.
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