Daru', Pierre

ANTOINE NOEL BRUNO, COMTE, a French statesman, poet, and historian, B. at Montpelier, 1767. At the age of 16 he entered the army, and at the breaking out of the revolution adopted its principles; but though engaged in active service, he devoted much of his time to literary pursuits. He attracted the notice of the First Consul, and, in 1802, became a member of the Tribunate In 1805 he was made a councillor of state, and general intendant of the imperial household. This last office he hesitated to accept. "I have spent my life among books," said he, "and have not had time to study the arts of the courtier." "Of courtiers I have plenty," said Napoleon I., "they will never fail; but I want a minister, at once enlightened, vigilant, and firm." He subsequently became the confidential friend of the emperor, and his prime minister. In 1812 he opposed the expedition to Ru ia, as he did several other of the emperor's schemes. On the abdication of Napoleon, he retired from public life, and, although exiled by the first government of the restored Bourbons, was recalled in 1819, and made a peer of France. He afterwards wrote a Life of Sully, and a History of Venice. D. 1829.