Star.
London, England, 1830-08-10 00:00:00

BCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE.

Amongst the benefits conferred on France by the first revolution
is the above-named institution. It was crested by a decree of the
National Convention, March 11, 1794, in conjunction with a Cen.
minion des Travour Publics. It was originally called PEcole
Centrale. The name was changed to PEcole Polykokuirie by a
decree of the loth Fructidor, An. 111. (Sept. 1, 1795.)
The school is established in dm buildings of the ancient college
of Navarre (Rue des Cartes Montagne, St. Genevave.) Its object
is to diffuse the knowledge of the mathematical, physical, and che.
mical sciences, and to prepare the pupils for the artillery, and for
the various departments of engineering, military, maritime, and
civil. It enjoyed the especial favour and protection of the Em.
peror Napoleon ; in his time it underwent considerable modifies.
tins. In that of the late King (Charles the Tenth) it was entirely
romeganised, and placed under the direction of the Duke of An.
gouleme, assisted by the Minister of the Interior, a Governor and
Deputy Governor. The affairs of the school are likewise under the
superintendence of two Councils—a Council of Instruction and a
Council of Adminiatrstion. The number of pupils is Wes of
these 24 enjoy scholarships founded by Charles X. the sollgnsann
to which was in the King.
The terms for the unendowed student are I,ooo:franes a year, in-
dependent of the expense of uniform and books. The pupils are,
foe the most part, boys recommeoded from the several oltU-r sehooli '
of an inferior order. They must have attained their sixteenth yea/[
and must be less than twenty. Previous to admission, they are
subjected to a severe public examination The course of study is
two years (in certain cases it isextended to three). At the expira-
tion of this period, the pupils about to leave the school are win
examined. The examination is public; it is invariably aum.dn by
the greater number of the Marshals and other distinguished Gene-
rals of France, together with many of those celebrated men who have
devoted themselves to the promotion of 'dem, and rendered their
names immortal by enlarging the boundanies of human knowledge.
The examination refers to all matters of information necessary
for a soldier and a gentleman. It of .course relates particularly
the practical application of the abstract sciences to the pur-
poses of war; but it likewise extends to all the higher branches
of those sciences, and the answeri '
is such as might well asto-
nish a Senior Wrangler of Cambri or a Medallist of Dublifi• •
—ln a word, no other institution it Europe sends fourth t
ot the
world body of young men possessing so much useful infoemion
as the pupils of the Ea. Polidechnique. After passing this ex-
amination they are at once promoted to commissions in some arm of
she *eerier thq are fit.to taketheir place in any; they have boon
taught, and they have practised. the duties of the soldier in each
and all t they have, consequently, the fattest chalice of rising
wherever they may be placed, Since they come there with in edema.
don equally qualifying.thens to serve sod .to tonunand.
The last edict, it is said, signed by the King, was for the disso-
lution of the Ecok Polgier4nique. The Bourbons dear *seed It'
They remember its exertions against tbsii tains in 1814. The pu-
pils then eared .the canon against the Runieas and Paselans,
along the line of batteries commanding eking:l.of YinneerPo
e'istiaguialtedcourage and Vela .40414—Rere4a CskslestoDare
traces of the conflict.