Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-04-06

fathers. The BrieDne academy was con-
Quoted by the Minim Fathers, good men
in their wa-, but as sources Of inspira-
ton to lads with the CLEAN .: military
glory in their brains they were mere
dullness and obfuscation, The courses
Of study were mathematics, geography,
history, Latin, modern languages, phi
losophy, and such poor misnamed science
Is 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. BE
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. mocking effelninates 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 If
his fellows. They jeered at him in a
manner that would havo driven a 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 co1temptuous crowd.
Deep down in the situation lay the
provocation of poverty. The boy per-
ceived the disparagoment 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 on him still greater contumely.
The bitterness of tho 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 to
condition until Marb9uf had interceded
in person with the authorities.
Out of this epoch come some we'll
known stories Of the student Bonaparte
at Brienne. In course of time, his fell
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
mand. The existence of the tradition
about his dividing his fellows into two
armies, building fort in winter out of
snow building it, too, according to the
principles of good engineeringD, max
ing q 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 at the academy
The young Napoleon remained at Bri-
enne from April of 1879 to the year 1884.
The 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 great honor. 1t appears that
the inspector would have had Cadet
Bonaparte sent to the feet; but the Off
Ger died before his wish could be fulfill
ed.
Accordingly. at the end of Napoleon's
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 (Napoieon), born August
Is, 1863. Height. 4 pieds, 10 pouces,
10 lignes (=l metre, 80 centimetres, 8
millimetres=5 feet, 81 inches), is in
the fourth class; of good constitution,
excellent health. mild disposition (mis-
take there. InspectorD. Is upright,
grateful; conduct very regular; has been
always distinguished for his application
to mathematics; is fairly acquainted
with history and geography; is weak in
all accomplishments (very true, Mon
sieur de KeralioD and Latin. He will
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 in
one thing a depth and far-off sigh that
might well have belonged to the force
full years of his maturity. The thing re-
lated to Joseph, his brother. As early as
the coming to Autun, Napoleon excogi-
tated the scheme to lodge his brother on
the safo ledge Of the priesthood. Thus
would he have him out of his way!
Given n military career for both, and
Joseph must be, by seniority. before
him. But nothing shall be before him.
Arguments fit for Richelisp are found
why Joseph shall enter the Church, rise
TO distinction, be n Monseigneur, and by
that way defend Suppo-s ,pd ,dva,co