Joseph, writes the younger brother, would make a good garrison officer, as he was well formed and clever at frivolous compliments--"good therefore for society, but for a fight-- ?" Napoleon's determination had been noticed by his teachers.

They had failed to bend his will, at least on important points.

In lesser details his Italian adroitness seems to have been of service; for the officer who inspected the school reported of him: "Constitution, health excellent: character submissive, sweet, honest, grateful: conduct very regular: has always distinguished himself by his application to mathematics: knows history and geography passably: very weak in accomplishments.

He will be an excellent seaman: is worthy to enter the School at Paris." To the military school at Paris he was accordingly sent in due course, entering there in October, 1784.

The change from the semi-monastic life at Brienne to the splendid edifice which fronts the Champ de Mars had less effect than might have been expected in a youth of fifteen years.