History of the Consulate and the Empire of France Under Napoleon (Volume 13 and 14)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1845 edition. Excerpt: ...in place of eagerly pressed the completion of the undertaking so happily began. The congregation of the cardinals was wholly favourable to the concordat, since its new revision, and they pronounced themselves in an affirmative manner. The Pope, thinking that it was necessary henceforth to cast himself into the arms of the First Consul, and to accomplish with eclat a work which had so noble an object as there-establishment of the Catholic religion in France, wished that the ceremony of the ratification should be surrounded with much solemnity. In consequence, he gave his ratification in grand consistory, and, to add to the brilliancy of that pontifical solemnity, he nominated three cardinals. He received M. de Cacault in pomp, and displayed, notwithstanding the straitness of his means, all the luxury that became the occasion. Having to make choice of a legate to send to France, he fixed on the most eminent diplomatist of the Roman court; this was cardinal Caprara, a distinguished personage by his birth (he was of the illustrious family of the Montecuculli), distinguished by his understanding, his experience, his moderation. Formerly ambassador at the court of Joseph II., he had seen the tribulations of the Church in the last century; he had, by his skill and ready wit, relieved the Holy See of many an inconvenience. The First Consul had himself expressed the desire of having near his person this prince of the Church. The Pope hastened to satisfy this desire, and made great efforts to overcome the resistance of the cardinal, aged, infirm, and little disposed to recommence the career of his early youth. However, this repugnance was overcome by the earnest intreaties of the holy father and by the pressing interest of the Church. The Pope wished to...