Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-11-06
French MILITARY EDUCATION.

The Philosopher who undertakes to inves-
tigate the causes of the present military
superiority of the French, will, perhaps,
be inclined to attach some Importance to
the facts contained in the following anec-
dote:-
1t is well known that in he course of last
winter, part of the pupils of the PrytGncnn
at Paris left that city to receive appoint
ments as officers in the grand army in Po-
land. The route of these youths, of whom
many had not obtained their full stature,
and others, had a weakly appearance, tho
they were neither SO small nor so weak as
were formerly MANY subalterns in the
Prussian army-led them through Berlin.
An officer accompanied then. iii the quail
" of an Inspector. They past one night in
the capital.
A well informed inhabitant Of the city,
who had formerly been in the service, and
possessing considerable military attain
ments, had occasion to be in the neighbour
hood of their quarters Their juvenile APP
pearance induced him to ask the officer who
accompanied them, whether these youths
would be capable of enduring the fatigucs
and dangers of the field cncampments in a
northern climate, at so inclement a season,
and Ill such a country as Poland ?--rhe
officer, who seemed to be polite and SEN
sible man, made this reply -
"These young men, Sir, can scarcely be
subject to any contingency for which they
are not perfectly prepared by education
and practice. You are mistaken it you
imagine that the Emperor Napoleon consi-
ders theoretical instruction sufficient for a
soldier our instruction goes farther, a
great deal farther. All these youths whom
you here see, have had much more expe-
rience than many officers in actual service
In other armies. Their constitution is ear
ly Injured TO all the prejudicial influences
which menace the practical soldier. A.
mong these young men there is not one but
what has worked with his own hand at the
construction of real forts not one but what
has stood centinel whole nights together.
All OF them have slept many cold and tenn
pestuous nights in the open air, and next
day performed march of 10 or le leagues /:
have climbed lofty mountain, beneath the
scorching rays OF a meridian sun; have
swan, sometimes in their clothes, some
times without, through impetuous rivers
and chilling streams ; have even been obli-
ged to abstain for whole days from food
and during the hottest weather from drink,
that they might learn to endure all posi-
bic inconveniences incident 70 a soldiers
life, and that they might be intimately ac-
quainted with them before they were in
Volyed in them by necessity. Nothing
would terrify them in an uncommon de-
gree; for, in the sham fights in our insti-
tuition, the rapier is thrown away after the
first few hours * sharp sword is put into the
hands of the pupils. Ifany of them receive
wound, he has nothing but his own aux.
wardness TO blame for it. 1t is his business
to protect himself by his superiority.
Would you now repeat your question %
1t is easy to conceive what happy effect
such a practical education must have upon
the soldier in the higher ranks What
may be expected of an officer thus pre-
pared for every event? That the conduct
of their leader operates with a powerful
impulse on all those who are under his
command, is not to be denied Exercise
begets courage and energy, and at period
when war is trade, those who possess
these two qualities in the highest degree,
must predominant.