For nearly half a century the veteran diplomatist acted a prominent part in the affairs of Europe. As the prime minister, or ambassador of the directory, the consulate, the empire, and the monarchy of Louis Philippe, he negotiated the important treaties which determined the boundaries of empires and the fate of kingdoms, and formed plans which made Napoleon an Emperor, and the Emperor an exile. Such a man's view of an eventful life of fourscore years, furnishes instructive lessons to men who are wasting the energies of being on political ambition or worldly aggrandizement. Just before his death, a paper was found on his table on which he had written, by the light of the lamp, such lines as these: “Behold, eighty-three years passed away! What cares! What agitation! What anxieties! What ill-will! What sad complications! And all without results; except great fatigue of mind and body, and a profound sentiment of discouragement with regard to the future, and disgust with regard to the past!” Contrast with this the exclamation of “Paul the aged” as he was about closing his earthly career: “I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day.”