The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-04

But nothing protected him from the in
ano animosity of his fellows. They jeered
at him In manner ti.~' would have driven
a less resolute spirit TO o. Had he
been complaisant, he nigh, ,asily have
won peace II not popularity; but his de-
fant air seemed to challenge the attacks
Of the contomptuous crowd.
Deep down In the situation lay the prov.
ocation of poverty. The boy perceived
the disparagement to which he was sub
jected on this score; and It maddened him
not little. His most troublesome char
acteristic was this-that he would not
follow in anything He would lead He
would be first or nothing Assumption of
leadership and the air of 1t brought on
him still greater oontumely. The bitter
ness of the situation sometimes camo to
the verge of bloodshed Once he got him
self arrested for challenging another to
fight him on account Of an insulting re-
mark about his father. The sullen boy
went muttering to the guardhouse. Nor
was he restored TO condition until Mar
bpuf had interceded in person with the
authorities.
Getting his liberty, Napoleon sought
his own company more than ever. For
exercise he cultivated small piece of
ground rs a garden. There was hedge
round about and here he could be alone
in his keep. All the while he applied him
self, with great diligence and concentra-
tion of mind to those studies which be
preferred. Such was his willfulncss that
he virtually made his own curriculum.
While becoming proficient In geography,
history and mathematics, he neglected
the languages, giving indeed to all the
polter branches only such modicum of at
tention rs was absolutely demanded.
Out Of this epoch come some well-known
stories Of tho student Bonaparte at Bri-
enne. In course OF time, his fellow cadets,
understanding him better, became first
tolerant, and then friendly. Friendship
i'm the case of the proud and arbitrary Gu
det meant subjection to his will. While
ho could not bo companioDable In sports,
he could and would command. The exist
ence Of the tradition about his dividing
his fellows into two armies, building
fort in winter out OF snow building IL,
too, according TO the principlesSt good
engineoringD, making a siege, with snow
balls for bombs, and with all the serious
ness Of Genghis Khan carrying the place
by storm, may we'll attest his disposition
and growing asccndency at tho academy.
The young Napoleon remained at Bri-
enpe from April of 1879 TO tho year 1884.
The inspector Kornlio, coming from Paris
TO tho military school, discorpcd In the
slender cadet from Ajaccio the hints Of
promise The method was In such cases to
sond up students from tho minor acadc-
mics to the Military School Of Paris
Sometimes promotion was made directly
TO the navy; and this was considered
great honor II appears that the inspector
would have had Cadct Bonaparto sent 20
tho 1cct; but the officer died before bis
wish could bo fulfilled
Accordingly at the end Of Nnpo,con's
course ut Brionne, he was recommended
for promotion TO tho military school In
Paris. At this time, namely. IN 1854.
whom Napoleon was in his sixteenth yo9r.
ho was personally described by tho inspect
or IN the following terms: M. do Bona
paftc (NapolcunD, born August %. 1869.
Asiaht : sleds, 10 ps9csS ls hssss Ivl