In this he made such rapid progress that in a short time he commenced the first rudiments of Latin.

But to this study he evinced such a repugnance that at the age of fifteen he was not out of the fourth class.

There I left him very speedily; but I could never get before him in the mathematical class, in which he was undoubtedly the cleverest lad at the college.

I used sometimes to help him with his Latin themes and versions in return for the aid he afforded me in the solution of problems, at which he evinced a degree of readiness and facility which perfectly astonished me.
When at Brienne, Bonaparte was remarkable for the dark color of his complexion (which, subsequently, the climate of France somewhat changed), for his piercing and scrutinising glance, and for the style of his conversation both with his masters and comrades.

His conversation almost always bore the appearance of ill-humour, and he was certainly not very amiable.