, 1860-08-10
The Army Of Napoleon.

A French newspaper, the Rcrae Iade
s,ndante, of recent Date, publishes an arti.
IL irving full and interesting particulars
tespecting that almost terrific force, the
French army. 1t was published without
the dsapproval Of the French Government,
and may therefore be looked upon as Civ
iue authentic details.
Even in time Of peace, the French army
consists of 100000 men. Every year lOO,-
900 Frenchmen are added to this force, by
couscription or voluntarily, who take the
Mace Of 100000 who retire after seven
Years, service, for each recruit must serve
for seven years. The war establishment of
France can readily raise this force to L.
100000, for the Government can antici-
nate the conscriptiou. Thus, at few
weeks notice, the Emperor can call out, in
ADVANCE, the levies of future time. In
1860. for example, he can also call out the
Ieyies of 1861, 1862, and lS63-thus, by
one stroke OF his pen, swelling his army to
100000 Moreover, as the number OF
French officers is comparatively greater
than in any other European army, the raw
lsYies can be formed into regiments and
properly drilled, with the least possible de-
hy. During the last two years, Napoleon
has called out $50, 900 coascripts, instead
Of 100000.
The French law of conscription estab-
lshed 10 1898, provides that, in ordinary
eases, every Frenchman, between the ages
d9O and 80. shall be liable to &rve in
he army. The conscripts are selected by
lok In time Of war. young men of Is and
10 have also been declared liable to he
drawn as conscripts.
From all classes grades, and ranks Of
French society, therefore, the army Of
France is drawn. A dukes son is as liable
to serve as the son Of PEASANT. From
The ranks, by this process, must come the
officers, except the students from military
ssminaries, who indeed, have been actual
soldiers almost from infancy. The result
Is that the French army represents the
French nation. No man can 6e above
commencing his servitude as Il private sol
der; no man, however humble, need de.
spair, because of the lowliness Of his orig
inal station, of rising to military rauk.-
There is no exaggerution in the common
saying that "every dru inner in tie Grand
Army has the baton Of Marshal of France
10 the bottom Of his knapsack" Further,
IN the army Of France meet the representa-
tives Of all politics and parties they are
proud to serve their country. whoever may
rule itfor the time. Military service is
alphabetically the neutral ground upon Which
all degrees of men may meet in France
To enter tbe military schools, as stu
oents, the candidates have to pass through
severe examinations. These competitive
trials are continued during every year Of
pupllage, and distinction is bestowed whol.
y according to merit. No such thing as
iavor is allowed-we do not see how ii
could be shown, without detection aud pun.
lshment. The best pupils of the military
snools are made officers. The studies are
constant, the examinations are severe, at
every stage, but the result is that France
mas by far the best military officers in Eu.
rope. The army knows this, and relics
upon them with great faith and constancy
Many Of the ablest officers in the French
army have risen from the ranks-a process
which is more unfrequent in the American
nne than elsewhere. Occasionally, officers
70 the British army may be met with who
nave risen from the ranks. In the French
army distinguished valor, added to intelli.
gence, education, and good conduct, will
almost invariably elevate q man from the
ranks. Some of the very best and most
eminent Of the present French General:
have thus risen, without having ever beeu
TO military school. Nearly all the Mar
shals Of the first Napoleon commenced theiI
career as private soldiers.
In England, with very few exceptions,
an officer purchases his first commission
and each successive step. The prices are
regulated, but rich man, who desires rap
Id advancement, can obtain it by giving
considerablyover the regulated price fol
the step which he desires to obtain-thu.
tempting his superior officer to sell out
Two men may enter the British army one
day. The rich man can purchase his rank
from ensign to Major-General, in a dozen
years, at the end of which time his poorer
friend, who had no money TO expend thus
will probably find himself no higher than
lieutenant This is impossible in France
Merit alone wins promotion there, and the
better man is educated, the greater
chance he has Of rapid promotion, aier he
has once risen from the ranks.
The French army is the best-organized