The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-03-06
ALEXANDRIA La WEDNESDAY MARCH g. 1896

fathers The Brienne academy was con.
Quoted by the Minim Fathers, good men
in their way, but as sources Of inspira-
ton to lads with the CLEAN of military
glory in their brains they were mere
dulluess and obfuscationl The courses
of study were mathematics, geography.
history, Latin, modern languages, phi
losophy, and such poor misnamed science
as might be squeezed from the sponge
of clerical dogmatism in the eighteenth
century
Such was the disciplinary fare which
was offered to the boy Napoleon. He
was now far removed from friends and
kinsmen. He made the acquaintance of
his schoolmates; admired one Of them
-Bourienne-and seemed to love an
other-Des Mazis; but his character and
manner were rocks of offense to the rest
of the hundred and fifty. Nothing more
striking has been presented in personal
annals than the contrast which the poor
Corsican lad, with his solemn face,
long, stiff black hair, naughty express
sion, close shut Italian mouth. solitary
pride of bearing, and questionable In
sular suit, afforded to the throng Of
noble, knocking effe,ninates among
whom he was washed up as from the sea
On his entrance into the academy
which was a clean. well-ordered place
Napoleon brought from the Able
Chardon certificates Of moderate prof.
cheney and the usual character-sketch
of himself as pupil But nothing pro-
tected him from the inane animosity Of
his fellows They jeered at him in a
manner that would have driven less
resolute spirit to despair. Had he been
complaisant, he might easily have won
peace, if not popularity; but his defiant
air seemed to challenge the attacks OF
the contemptuous crowd.
Deep down in the situation lay the
provocation of poverty. The boy per.
ceiyed the disparagelnent to which he
was subjected on this score; and it mad
dened him not little His most trou.
blesome characteristic was this-that he
would not follow in anything He would
lead. He would be first or nothing AS
sumption of leadership and the air of it
brought Oh him still greater contumely
The bitterness of the situation some.
times came to the verge of bloodshed.
Once he got himself arrested for chal.
longing another to fight him on account
of an insulting remark about his father.
The sullen boy went muttering to the
guard house. Nor was he restored tc
condition until Marbeuf had interceded
in person with the authorities
Out of this epoch come some we'll
known stories Of the student Bonaparte
ut Brienne In course of time. his fol-.
low cadets, understanding him better,
became first tolerant, and then friendly.
Friendship in the case of the proud and
arbitrary cadet meant subsection to his
will While he could not be companion.
able in sports, he could and would com.
ss:.:::nd The existence Of t..o ,..,..,.5 : :.
about his dividing his fellows iato two
armies building fort in winter out Of
snow building it, too, according to the
principles Of good engineeringD, max
ing siege, with snowballs for bombs,
and with all the seriousness OF Genghis
Khan carrying the place by storm, may
well attest his disposition and growing
ascendency ut the academy.
The young Napoleon remained at Bri.
enne from April of 1910 to the year 1884.
Tho inspector Keralio, coming from
Paris to the military school, discerned
in the slender cadet from Ajaccio the
hints of promise The method was in
such cases to send up students from the
minor academies to the Military School
of Paris Sometimes promotion was
made directly to the navy; and this was
considered a great honor. Itappears that
the inspector would have had Cadet
Bonaparte sent to the feet; but the Off.
Ger died before his wish could he fulfill.
ed.
Accordingly. at the end Of Napoleon
course at Brienne, he was recommended
for promotion to the military school in
Paris. At this time, namely, in 1884,
when Napoleon was in his sixteenth
year, he was personally described by the
inspector in the following terms: M.
de Bonaparte tNapoleon), born August
10, 1863 Height, 4 pieds, 10 pouces,
10 lignes ( ii metre, SO centimetres,
millimetres feet. 81 inches). is il
the fourth class; Of good constitution,
excellent health, mild disposition (mis
take there. InspectorD. Is upright
grateful; conduct very regular; has beef
always distinguished for his application
to mathematics; is fairly acquaintee
with history aud geography; is weak ii
all accomplishments Every true. Mon
sieur de KeralioD and Latin. He viii
make an excellent sailor; deserves pro
motion to the Military School in Paris
The character Of the young Napoleon
at this period Of his career reveals il
one thing depth and far-oR sigh tina
might we'll have belonged to the force
full years of his maturity The thing 70
lated to Joseph, his brother. As early a
the coming to Autun, Napoleon exoogi
tated the scheme to lodge his brother OF
the safe ledge of the priesthood. Thu
would he have him out Of bis way
Given military career for both, ant
Joseph must be, by seniority. befor
him. But nothing shall be before him
Arguments fit for Richelieu are fount
why Joseph shall enter tho Church, ris
to distinction, be Monseigneur, and b,
that way defend, support and advance
the prospects Of the family of Buona