He was continually planning how he might help his mother, and give his brothers and sisters a chance to get an education.
He even treated Joseph as if he himself were the elder, and Joseph the younger brother.

There is a letter in existence which he wrote to his father in 1783, in which he tries to arrange for Joseph's future, as that rather heavy boy had decided not to become a priest.
"Joseph," so Napoleon wrote from Brienne to his father, "can come here to school.

The principal says he can be received here; and Father Patrault, the teacher of mathematics, says he will be glad to undertake Joseph's instruction, and that, if he will work, we may both of us go together for our artillery examination.

Never mind me.

I can get along.
But you must do something for Joseph.