Instance of discipline.

Record of the Minister of War.

tinued, during which time many severe wounds were received on both sides. In the heat of the battle when the bullets of snow were flying thick and fast, one of the subordinate officers, venturing to disobey the commands of his general, Napoleon felled him to the earth, inflicting a wound which left a scar for life."

Napoleon remained five years at Brienne. It was the custom to send annually from the twelve provincial schools, three of the best scholars in each, to the military school at Paris. Napoleon was one of the three, from his school, selected for that purpose. From the fact that at the age of fifteen, the earliest age at which any are admitted to this, the highest military school of the nation, it is conclusive evidence of his great proficiency as a scholar. The selec tion of these candidates was made after a thorough examination. The following entry in the minutes of the examiners may be found in the records of the Minister of War:-"State of the king's scholars eligible to enter into service, or to pass to the school at Paris: Monsieur de Bonaparte (Napoleon) born 15th August, 1769; in height five feet six and a half inches; has finished his fourth season; of a good constitution, health excellent, character mild, honest, and grateful; conduct exemplary; has always distinguished himself by application to the

Promoted to the school at Paris.

Luxury.

mathematics; understands history and geography tolerably well; is indifferently skilled in merely ornamental studies, and in Latin, in which he has only finished his fourth course; would make an excellent sailor; deserves to be passed to the school at Paris."

At the early age of fifteen the plebeian and the foreigner had won his way to the highest military school of France. This school had been founded expressly for the sons of the nobility. It was furnished with every appliance for the ease and luxury of the young noblemen who were members of the' institution. "Each of the three hundred young men assembled in this school had a servant to groom his horse, to polish his weapons, to brush his boots and to perform all other necessary menial services. The cadet reposed on a luxurious bed, and was fed with sumptuous viands." Such refinement as this was by no means congenial to the spirit and habits of Napoleon. Had they been offered him earlier in life, before his principles had become fixed by reading and meditation, and before those habits had become confirmed by necessity, he might have been won by them. But it was now too late. He regarded such luxury and effeminacy in a place where young men were to be trained for one of the most arduous and exposed professions known among

Spartan habits. Difficult problem. Napoleon solves it. That iron will.

men, in which hardships and privations are unceasingly encountered, as a shame and a disgrace to the nation. He yielded to none of the blandishments that were thrown about him, but established the same Spartan habits which he practiced in his more humble position at Brienne. He rose early and retired late. His maps, and charts, and scientific books were constantly before him. Here, as formerly, the mathematics were his favorite studies. "On one occasion, a mathematical problem of great difficulty having been proposed to the class, Napoleon in order to solve it secluded himself in his room seventy-two hours; and he solved the prob、 lem." I mention this circumstance, to illustrate the resolution and the will which characterized him as a scholar. This same unflinching, unwavering determination which he manifested in conquering difficult problems in the mathematics, characterized his efforts in solving many a knotty problem in his life's career. Many a day of darkness and difficulty dawned upon him, whose shadows were dispelled by that iron will.

While at this school he was introduced to some of the best society in Paris. The advantages which he derived from this source were very great. The student, ambitious of success, faithful to his tasks, deaf to the claims of society, shut up in his cell, and shut out from the world, is apt to neglect that very im

Society. Habits of the student. Vital questions. Dancing and cards. His bearing.

portant part of his training which can only be acquired by mingling in the company of the educated and refined. The habit of managing a conversation with taste and ability, a becoming address, and ease and unaffected suavity of manners, are among the most important parts of an education, and no young man should ever make any claims to culture till he has acquired these. Napoleon was fond of elegant society, though he felt that he could only spend a limited portion of his time in it. He delighted in the company of the learned who were capable of conversing upon those vital questions which are felt in a nation's pulse, but he had no taste for dancing and cards, and the so called fashionable amusements. He believed that these were proper for those persons whose minds were not big enough to find entertainment in any thing higher, but for him they had no interest. In the circles in which he moved, he began to make his influence felt. Whoever came in contact with him, and saw the flash of his eye, and felt the fiery energy of his bearing, and heard the opinions which he had to advance upon any subject that chanced to be broached, never failed to perceive the superiority of his mind, and the immense extent of his attainments.*

* One evening, in the year 1790, there was a very brilliant party in the drawing-rooms of M. Neckar, the celebrated financier. His en

Abbé Raynal.

Party at M. Neckar's.

Persons of distinction.

The Abbé Raynal, one of the greatest philosophers of the age, was among the first to perceive and recognize the mature reflections and great acquire

tertainments, embellished by the presence, as the presiding genius, of his distinguished daughter, Madame de Staël, were brilliant in the extreme, assembling all the noted gentlemen and ladies in the metrop olis. On the occasion to which we refer, the magnificent saloon was filled with men who had attained the highest eminence in literature and science, or who, in those troubled times, had ascended to posts of honor and influence in the state. Mirabeau was there, with his lofty brow and thunder tones, proud of his very ugliness. Talleyrand moved majestically through the halls, conspicuous for his gigantic proportions and courtly bearing. Lafayette, rendered glorious as the friend of Washington, and his companion in arms, had gathered around him a group of congenial spirits. In the embrasure of a window sat Madame de Staël. By the brilliancy of her conversational powers she had attracted to her side St. Just, who afterwards obtained such sanguinary notoriety; Malesherbes, the eloquent and intrepid advocate of royalty; Lalande, the venerable astronomer; Marmontel and Lagrange, illus. trious mathematicians, and others whose fame was circulating through Europe. In one corner stood the celebrated Alfieri, reciting with almost maniacal gesticulation his own poetry to a group of ladies. The grave and philosophical Neckar was the center of another group of care-worn statesmen, discussing the rising perils of the times. It was an assemblage of all which Paris could afford of brilliance in rank, talent, or station. About the middle of the evening, Josephine, the beautiful, but then neglected wife of M. Beauharnais, was announced, accompanied by her little son Eugène. Madame de Genelis soon made her appearance, attended by the brother of the king; and, conscious of her intellectual dignity, floated through that sea of brilliance recognized wherever she approached by the abundance of perfumery which her dress exhaled. Madame Campan, the friend and companion of Marie Antoinette, and other ladies and gentlemen of the court, were introduced, and the party now consisted of a truly remarkable