Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/601

The Career of Napoleon Bonaparte 457 only in importance to those of the great Revolution of 1789. The Reign of Terror and the incompetence of the Directory's govern- ment had left France in a very bad plight. 1 The finances were in a terrible condition. These the First Consul adjusted with great skill, quickly restored the national credit, and established the Bank of France. 801. Adjustment of Relations with the Church. He then set about adjusting the great problem of the nonjuring clergy, who were still under suspicion for refusing to sanction the Civil Consti- tution of the Clergy (759). Under the slack rule of the Directory persecution had ceased and priests were again officiating in thou- sands of parishes. Their churches were now formally given back to them. All imprisoned priests were freed, on promising not to oppose the constitution. Their churches wer given back to them, and the distinction between "nonjuring" and "constitutional" clergymen was obliterated. Sunday, which had been abolished by the republican calendar, was once more observed, and all the revo- lutionary holidays, except July 14 the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille and the first day of the republican year, were done away with. A formal treaty with the Pope, the Concordat of 1 80 1, was concluded, which revoked some of the provisions of the Civil Constitution, especially the election of the priests and bishops by the people, and recognized the Pope as the head of the Church. It is noteworthy, however, that Bonaparte did not restore to the Church its ancient possessions and that he reserved to himself the right to appoint the bishops, as the former kings had done. 802. Emigrant Nobles permitted to Return. As for the emi- grant nobles, Bonaparte decreed that no more names should be added to the lists. The striking of names from the list and the return of confiscated lands that had not already been sold he made favors to be granted by himself. Parents and relatives of emi- grants were no longer to be regarded as incapable of holding 1 The roads were dilapidated and the harbors filled with sand ; taxes were unpaid, robbery prevailed, and there was a general decline in industry. A manufacturer in Paris who had employed from sixty to eighty workmen now had but ten. The lace, paper, and linen industries were as good as destroyed.