Page:Life of Napoleon Bonaparte.pdf/5

Rh conceiving that the current would have conveyed him to such a distance.

In 1783, Napoleon was one of the scholars who, at the annual competition at Brienne, was appointed to be sent to the military school at Paris, in order to finish his education; M. Keralio, the inspector at Brienne, being particularly attached to young Napoleon.

In the year 1785, Bonaparte was admitted into the artillery; and proceeded from the military school at Paris to the regiment de la Ferre in quality of second lieutenant. Born amidst a republican contest in his native island, it became his destiny to burst into manhood at the moment when the country of his choice had engaged in that struggle which opened a boundless field for the military adventurer; there being much in his habits and manners applicable to the situation allotted him.

From the period when Bonaparte had the command of a battalion in Corsica, 1791, until the beginning of 1793, with some short intermissions, he was occupied in pursuing his studies, in mathematics, and going through the ordinary routine of his profession.

Upon joining his regiment at Valence, Napoleon was introduced to Madame Colombier, a lady about fifty years of age, endowed with many estimable qualities, and one of the most distinguished personages in the place, who entertained a great regard for the young artillery officer. By that lady, Bonaparte was introduced to the Abbe de St. Ruffe, a man of considerable property, who associated with the most distinguished persons in the environs; and the same female frequently prognosticated that Napoleon would rise to eminence. Her death took place on the breaking out of the revolution, an event in which she had taken very great interest, nor did the emperor ever speak of Madame Colombier, but with expressions of the tenderest gratitude.