3343 ([return])
[ Thibaudeau, "Mémoires sur la Consulat," p.88. (Exposition of motives by Roederer to the corps Législatif, Floréal 25, year X.) "After all, it is the creation of a new currency of quite different value from that which issues from the public treasury, a currency of unchangeable worth and of an inexhaustible mine, since it lies in French honor; a currency which can solely reward actions regarded as above any recompense.">[
3344 ([return])
[ Thibaudeau, ibid., 83. (Address by the First Consul to the council of State, Floréal 14, year X.)—Also "Mémorial": "Old and corrupt nations are not governed the same as young and virtuous ones; sacrifices have to be made to interest, to enjoyments, to vanity. This is the secret of the return to monarchical forms, to titles. crosses, ribbons, harmless baubles suited to exciting the respect of the multitude while at the same time enforcing self-respect.">[
3345 ([return])
[ "La Légion d'honneur," by M. Mazas, passim. Details on the nomination ceremonials. "The veritable date was July 15th, as the 14th was Sunday. Augereau and about sixty officers, "bad fellows" who disliked the mass, refused to go into the chapel and remained outside in the court.">[
3346 ([return])
[ Several generals, Lecourbe, Souham, etc., were excluded as being too republican or suspect and hostile. Lemercier, Ducis, Delille, and Lafayette refused. Admiral Truguet, through pique and discontent, had at first declined the grade of grand-officer, but finally changed his mind and became at first commander and then grand-officer.]
3347 ([return])
[ "Les Cahiers du capitaine Coignet," passim and pp. 95, 145. "When the ceremony was over, handsome women who could get at me to examine my cross, asked me if they might give me a kiss."—At the Palais Royal the proprietor of a café says to him: "Order whatever you want, the Legion of Honor is welcome to anything.">[