Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-21

down, That Is one reason why this latest
mutiny, which seems to be against the pres
ent radical republican government, excites
attention: the truth Is that mathematics 90
not need to be imposed by republicans to be
odious. at least too much mathematics
The student enters in his civil dress. The
first preparation he has to undergo le TO
get into his uniform. This: with the resi- EST
Of the 'trousseau." will cost him from $40
to $16O. The officer on service makes sure
that his beard and hair have the regulation
cut before passing him over to the tailor,
shoemaker and linen keeper. The student
Is at once furnished with all he is supposed
to need for his entire stay Of two years. 1t
Is his business to take care Of 1t. There
Is one uniform for the interior Of the school.
and the tradition Is that the student need
take little care Of 1t.
On the contrary, he must give the great
est attention to his uniform for the outside.
The latter has two rows Of buttons on the
coat, with black velvet collar Inside
which white collar appears), q belt with a
sword and the two-horned hat. This hat
the mutineers have had to change now
that they are sent into real barracks, for
the ordinary soldiers cap.
Plenty Of Study.
The students Of each year have four prin-
cipal professors-one for mathematical an
alysis and calculus one for mechanics, one
for physics and another for chemistry.
Then in the first year they study perspec-
tive, descriptive geometry and other
draughtsmanship; and in the second year
they have course Of astronomy. In all
these studies special examinations are held,
and the students on leaving the institution
are ranked according to the marks which
they have received in them. Altogether,
each student has eighteen examinations to
pass each year. There are other very ex-
aa1yo t.,
the military art, in history and literature,
and there are exercises in French essay
writing. But all these count little for the
place the student aims to obtain on the
lists and which determine the order of
his promotion in the public service
Special army captains are detailed under
the title Of inspectors Of studies," to in
struct the students in military maneuvers.
There are eight of these four for each year,
and each one Is assisted by an adjutant.
They are also charged with the gymnastic
exercises, for which the officers of the fire
companies of Paris are brought in. Then
there are lessons In fencing. All Of these
physical exercises are compulsory: but the
student IL he wishes, may engage in horse
back riding and in learning to dance in
special schools outside the. establishment.
The days out of the students are not
very numerous. Each. week they can leave
the establishment on Wednesday after the
2 o'clock dinner. On Sunday, when there
is no grand review on hand, they may go
out from in the morning, without their
breakfast, ofScourse. They must be back by
10 o'clock at night on ordinary occa sions. A
special theater permission is sometimes
given, which lasts until half after midnight.
Few Outings.
After the first examination of the year,
in February. there is a vacation of fifteen
days. After the second, at the end of July
there is another of two months. During the
year the students are taken from time to
time to visit scientific and industrial es-
Establishments and even are exercised at mill
itary marches across country. The object
throughout Is to treat these young men
like school boys who have still great deal
Of work before them. Yet the minister Of
war now complains that the mutineers have
The tradition Of the Polytechnique has it
that the first years students shall conduct
themselves In such way as to mislead the
despised freshmen into many boyish fol-
lies and little vanities.
According to the jokes Of the older stu
dents, the first 'sortie' or day out Of a fresh
man Is about as follows: The morning
breaks and he has a whole day before him
in the city of Paris, to air his new uniform
and to commit innumerable debauches. His
earliest occupation Is to hurry out of the
school and cross the street to a celebrated
wine and tobacco shop-"Mother Leblanc's'
and treat himself to dish of branded
prunes and package Of cigarettes.
Then. not being used to navigating his
two-horned hat, and being slightly ex-
cited by the prunes, he must bump his hat
against a lamp post or the eye Of citizen.
Item Avoid breakfasting in the rich cafes,
where they charge dear; keep your pocket
money for getting your photograph taken;
eat your luxurious restaurant breakfast in
q reasonable Duval establishment This
will give you more beer money in the af-
ternoon. 1t is imperative to sit a couple Of
hours in aspretty- girl beer cafe. chat
with the damsels In an airy fashion, treat
them to many drink, so proving that you
are no longer a mere sehoolboy with the
law against minors hanging over your fair
person.
a Great Event.
The great event of the day is to have your
photograph taken. 1t is a hntype. 50 that
you can take it Immediately to your mother.
aunt, or any other relative or lady friend
on whom you now will pay CALL Toward
evening you will stroll along the grand
boulevard wondering what in the world to
do next. Everyone is admiring the uni
FORM of course In the omnibus on your
way back, you will note the admiration Of
the public with increased satisfaction.
1t may happen that some roguish middle
aged man will slide up beside you and ask
timidly: Monsieur is no doubt Of the off,
GERS school Of Saint-Cyr?" He thinks that
the Polytechnic School Is only for the edu-
cation Of tobacco inspectors. Rect1fy this
enormous error for the honor Of your class,
and do not hesitate to run over the names
of all the careers Of government service fed
by the Polytechnic. That will make the
timid gentleman open his eyes. Only it may
happen to you that at the moment you get
out of the omnibus he will turn and cry in
a rude voice, "Ras conscrit!' which, in the
slang Of the school. means. Don't be late,
school boy!' And SO he proves himself to be
an old student himself who listened to your
innocent brag in order to amuse himself.
Take another branded prune at Mother Lee
blanc's and reflect that you will do the
same some day, and dream at night of fu-
ture fame. For It Is looked on as re-
ligious duty of any graduate who catches
freshman out to follow him and bunco him,
II 1t be possible.
Their Curious Customs.
There Is q great spirit Of fraternity among
these students. One Of their most curious
customs Is their organizing Of their study
halls into business corporations. There are
eight or ten students for each study hall,
and these take up for a year some one of
the various branches Of commerce, which
are for the public utility. The profit is not
to be distributed in money, but 1t Is to
serve for festivity at the end Of the year.
One hall sells tobacco. Another, under the
name of foie gras, sells PIES chocolate, and
such like eatables. The hall Of liqueurs Is
the closest watched by the management,
and has the merchandise which il the often
est seized