Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-01

less Celebrated by his moderation tow
ards his enemies, than by his brilliant ex-
ploits.
Bnnaparte quilted the school OF Bril-
enne at the end of the year 1885. Ma !c
Cheyalier de Renauit, then inspector &c
neral, knew how to estimate the merit of
THAT young man, to which he did Justice,
Notwithstanding the bitter complaints of
his master, whom his hard. stubborn
Character had generally rendered un.
friendly TO him. There was in that year
promotion of Several of the Kings pu-
plis, whom their. progress in the studies
had rendered worthy 10 be sent to the Mi
iitary School of Paris-Bonaparte was of
the number; his talents gave him value
in the eyes OF gallant officer, Wis him
self owed his prelerment and his fortune
TO his own merit, and TO the universal ties /.
timony OF an irreproachable conduct. On
his arrival at Paris, he testified his incl.
nation to serve in the artillery, because
tins and the engineers were the only corn,
in France where interest and riches could
not easily usurp the place due to merit.
he applied himself, with an unwearisd
zeal, to the mathematics, which then be
came his principal study, and was soon in
situation to go through the necessary
examination. He acquitted himself with
credit, and was promoted 10 the rank OF
the officer in the regiment de la Fere,
shortly before the revolution.
From the principles which he had avow-
ed so early, 1t is very natural 10 believe
bonaParte, at that memorable epoch, did
not hesitate TO declare in favor of indie.
pendence. Always unal;erablc in his dis
like of royalty, and devoted TO the love of
glory, his ambition did not neglect so ia.
vorable an opportunity TO signalize him
sell, as was presented by the revolution.
IL lsIn difficult situations that thong mind
can best force itself into notice; in that
moment, when timid INDIGESTION betrays
Its own Weakness, it never hesi,ates To Sc
parate from the crowd to triumph or die
with glory, are the only alternatives, and
from these nothing can turn it aside.
notwithstanding the dangers an carly de.
clarauon in the beginning OF the disu,r-
Dances, Bonapartc, disdained to feicn.
he declared himself In favor of freedom.
Almost all his brother officers blamed HIM
Tor so prompt decision! and the spirit
OF party, occasioned soon after the most
violent alterations between him and them,
SO that 1t was fortunate the loss of their
friendship did not cost him his life.
One day walking by river side with
sonic young officers, with whom he pere.
rally associated, the dispute ran high, and
IN moment OF enthusiasm, on which
tnere nave been numerous instances in all
the wars OF opinion, the young people,
enraged, seized Bonsparte, and were on
the point of throwing him headlone into
the stream, when nnomentary reflection
made them perceive he shameful inelual
" 81 the number. BoDaparie could not
DE forced 10 retract his mode of thinking.
the danger which he ran altered not his
plan; but he broke eff all his Connection
with ms companions till the revolutionary
spirit having made more progress, induc-
ed some Of those who had condemned
him, 10 adopt, shortly after, the same OPT
nion' The others listening 10 nothing
but their attachment TO the king, ard dis
pairing to be able to aid his cause a, the
head oftroops who had most decidedly re
VOTED against hun, took the desperat re.
solution to sacrifice their rank and fortuns
10 the sentiments of honor and prob;y hy
which they were animated.-Theirde pnr-
lure still rendered more exasperated those
OF their comrades who were attached 10
the opposite party.
a powerful lriend,~ it is true, seconded
his personal merit, aud fac !llatcd ms en-
try into that career, in which he has
at least equalled the most celebrated he
roes.
nl79o, Bonaparte accompanied to Cor
slca, general Paoh, who had made some
say at Paris.--Du.irg the lhree years
that he renamed with his family, he en-
pl0yed the whole Of his time in improving
himself still more in the theory of military
science; bur the disturbance which arose
IN that island in 1898, after The accusation
brought against Paoli by the convention,
de- rm'red him to return to France. He
persuaded his parents to accompany him,
and the family settled near Toulon. The
siege oil that town then occupied by tie
English having taken place soon after,
Bonaparie was promoted by Barras and
theother commissioners the rank Of ye-
neral OF artillery. II was there he gave
the first proofs of military genius inte.
/ 80 81 IL y