SCENE AT THE POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL. 13 



cnl passions, and that through the fault of the govern- 

 ment. 



They wished forthwith to oblige the pupils to sign an 

 address of congratulation on the discovery of the conspir- 

 acy in which Moreau was implicated. They refused to 

 do so on the ground that it was not for them to pronounce 

 on a cause which had been in the hands of justice. It 

 must, however, be remarked, that Moreau had not yet 

 dishonoured himself by taking service in the Russian 

 army, which had come to attack the French under the 

 walls of Dresden. 



The pupils were invited to make a manifestation in 

 favour of the institution of the Legion of Honour. This 

 again they refused. They knew well that the cross, 

 given without inquiry and without control, would be, in 

 most cases, the recompense of charlatanism, and not of 

 true merit. 



The transformation of the Consular into the Imperial 

 Government gave rise to very animated discussions in 

 the interior of the school. 



Many pupils refused to add their felicitations to the 

 mean adulations of the constituted bodies. 



General Lacuee, who was appointed governor of the 

 school, reported this opposition to the Emperor. 



" M. Lacuee," cried Napoleon, in the midst of a group 

 of courtiers, who applauded with speech and gesture, 

 " you cannot retain at the school those pupils who have 

 shown such ardent Republicanism ; you will send them 

 away." Then, collecting himself, he added, " I will first 

 know their names and their stages of promotion." See- 

 ing the list the next day, he did not proceed further than 

 the first name, which was the first in the artillery. " I 

 will not drive away the first men in advancement," said 



