The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-03-13

suit OF recent ag1tatlons; ana the lnStl.
tuition was at this time well fitted to be
the finishing ground for young mill
tary aspHant. L'Ecole Militaire de Paris
held the relation to that OF Brienne and
the others Of college to academy. The
curriculum was more ample and the
methods more rational in the first than
those pursued In the provincial institu.
tons Here the academic training Of
Napoleon Bonaparts - as that of his
younger brother Luoien afterwards
was completed. From this school he
was to be delivered. as II by second
birth. to the world.
The social character of Napoleon now
began to show itself more distinctly.
Back at Brienne he had been introduced
by General Marbmuf to some private
families Of distinction. Them he i'm
pressed as peculiar. forceful and soil
tary genius, more capable OF heroic
dreams and boyish monologue than Of
polite conversation or social amenities
Going to Paris, his acquaintance was
somewhat enlarged. Marbeuf's nephew,
the Bishop Of Autun, now lived at Yer.
sailles; and that worthy was glad, after
the lapse Of five years, to receive his for
mer pupil, greatly grown IN intellect
and person, but virtually the same in
demeanor. Elise, the sister of Bona
parte, had meanwhile been brought out
from Corsica, and was now q member
Of the Royal School for Girls at Saint
Cyr. So that the young man had now q
few friends and some social advantages
For the rest, he pursued in Paris the
same self-centered life as at Brienne.
He was hard student-in his way. He
still disprized the polite branches Of edu.
cation in favor Of the exact sciences and
geography. In humane inquiry, his sole
endeavor was to master History. His
study, however, in this field did not
reach historical generalization or a
broad philosophy. He stopped with the
individual. He dwelt with interest and
enthusiasm upon the lives Of great men.
Plutarch he knew almost by heart. The
we'll known stories which in that age
passed for history he conned with the
passion Of zealot.
In after life. the peculiar effect Of this
discipline was manifested in all Of Ma
poleon's work and policy. Out OF bis
history proper he branched In only one
direction--politioa He became rather
expert In tho political platitudes and
persif1aae of the times To the end Of
his life he was never capable Of high
and abstract views; but he knew al
special things as If by intuition. Hi
mind flashed out. lightning-like, In this
direction and in that; the blaze of 1t II
lumined many dark and blood-splashet
place; but from that prodigious intelleo
there was never diffused broad ant
universal light Much Of this must b.
attributed to his Unborn character; ant
something to the manner OF his educa
ton
The year 1855 was in all respects crit
ical to Bonaparte. His course at the Mill
tary School ended with August Of tina
year. He was admitted to his final ex
animation almost precisely at bis SIX
teenth birthday. Nearly six months be
fore this time his father, who had foun'
temporary residence at Montpelier
came to the final scene The visionar,
and unsuccessful Buonaparte had dis
covered refuge for himself at tn
chateau of Madame Permon. mother o
the Duchess d'Abrantes Of great fame
There, on the Gath Of February, be ex
pired, of chronic mslady, perhaps can
Ger of the stomaoh-most fatal Fremont
ton Of what should happen to his famou
son thirty .six years afterwards.
Hard was this stroke Of death on tn
members of Buonaparte's family: From
the time OF his union with Ledtia Ra
molino-a period Of twenty years-thir
teen children had been born. Eight o
those were living; three were in France
and FIVE with the mother In Ajacoio. Al
were at the door Of perjury. 1t is la1
O.. of nature and Of man that every mothe