2328 ([return])
[ Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène"—Napoleon, speaking of his imperial organization, said that he had made the most compact government, one with the quickest circulation and the most nervous energy, that ever existed. And, he remarked, nothing but this would have answered in overcoming the immense difficulties around us, and for effecting the wonderful things we accomplished. The organization of prefectures, their action, their results, were admirable and prodigious. The same impulsion affected at the same time more than forty millions of men, and, aided by centers of local activity, the action was as rapid at every extremity as at the heart.">[
2329 ([return])
[ "The Ancient Régime," book III., chs. 2 and 3. (Laff. I, pp. 139 to 151 and pp. 153 to 172.)]
2330 ([return])
[ Gibbon, "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," chs. I, 2, 3, and 13.—Duruy, "Histoire des Romains" (illustrated edition), tenth period, chs. 82, 83, 84, and 85; twelfth period, chs. 95 and 99; fourteenth period, ch. 104.—(The reader will find in these two excellent works the texts and monuments indicated to which it is necessary to resort for a direct and satisfactory impression.)]
2331 ([return])
[ See in Plutarch (Principles of Political Government) the situation of a Greek city under the Antonines.]
2332 ([return])
[ Gibbon, ch. 10.—Duruy, ch. 95. (Decrease of the population of Alexandria under Gallien, according to the registers of the alimentary institution, letter of the bishop Dionysius.)]