The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-09-05

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 to
condition until Marbguf 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
ow-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 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 Bril-
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. Itappears that
| the inspector would have had Cadet
| Bonaparte sent to the fleet; 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: IN.
de Bonaparte (Napoleon) born August
10, 1863 Height, 4 pieds, 10 pouces,
i 10 lignes I'll metre, 50 centimetres, 8
millimetres= feet, 81 inches, is in
the fourth class; of good constitution,
! tANtlltllb Dthllllt hlhDbsltlOh Alhio-
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. I"
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 safe ledge of the priesthood. Thus
would he have him out of his wayl
Given a military career for both, and
Joseph must be, by seniority, before
him. But nothing shall be before him.
Arguments fit for Richelieu are found
why Joseph shall enter the Church. rise
to distinction, be Monseigneur, and by
that way defend, support and advance
the prospects of the family of Buona-
parte. AS for me, Twill accept the hard
ships of the military life; and maybe
something beyond! There are on record
several subtle communications written
by the young casuist, strongly urging
the priestly Office as the one thing suit
able and advantageous for Joseph. Our
future king of Naples or Spain or both,
willingly obedient to the imperial soep-
ter, shall testify to our prescience and
brotherly wisdom!
JOHN CLARK RIDPATH