ST. HELENA 195 



Marbeuf, the French Governor of Corsica, procured his 

 admission to the military school of Brienne, in Champagne 

 in his tenth year. The military education received at the 

 public schools was marked by a peculiar severity of dis- 

 cipline, and was strongly of a monastic character, so that 

 while here. Napoleon's disposition, naturally reserved and 

 unsocial, was not improved, while his military propensities 

 received all possible encouragement. He pursued his 

 military studies with ardour, and showed great fondness 

 for mathematics, but paid little or no attention to writing, 

 languages and line arts, evincing a contempt for everything 

 not military. At the school his conduct gave presage of an 

 unusual character, for he associated very little with the other 

 boys, and evinced a distaste for their amusements. By 

 this he gained the name of " Spartan." In games and 

 exercises of a martial nature, he excelled, always taking 

 the lead, and influencing his comrades. In 1784 he was 

 removed to the " Ecole Militaire " at Paris, where he studied 

 mathematics under the celebrated Monge ; his proficiency 

 was so great that immediately after his first examination 

 he was placed as an officer in the " Corps de Genie," a part 

 of the French Service which combined both artillery and 

 engineering. 



In 1783 he left this school, having obtained a lieutenant's 

 commission, but still continued with passionate ardour his 

 military study, and his republican notions at this time 

 frequently drew him into fierce disputes with his brother 

 officers. When the elements of the Revolution showed 

 themselves openly in France, Napoleon, with thousands of 

 others, was fired with the ambition of taking a decided part 

 in the scenes which it became evident would follow. An 

 opportunity soon offered, for he, with his family, had been 

 removed by General Paoli from Corsica to Marseilles, where 

 he was introduced to General Barras, who obtained for him 

 a commission in the French Artillery. He was ordered at 

 once with his regiment to the siege of Toulon, which was 

 occupied by the British, and so distinguished himself that he 

 was during the siege raised to be adjutant-general, and then 

 appointed general of artillery. 



Soon after this he was ordered to Nice, where he became 

 acquainted with Marat, who, with him was cashiered for 



