Let me now skip over at a bound some twelve months of my life,--not that
they were to me without their chances and their changes, but they were
such as are incidental to all boyhood,--and present myself to my reader
as the scholar at the Polytechnique. What a change had the time, short
as it was, worked in all my opinions! how completely had I unlearned all
the teaching of my early instructor, poor Darby! how had I been taught
to think that glory was the real element of war, and that its cause was
of far less moment than its conduct!
The enthusiasm which animated every corps of the French army, and was
felt through every fibre of the nation, had full sway in the little
world of the military school. There, every battle was known and conned
over; we called every spot of our playground by some name great in
the history of glory; and among ourselves we assumed the titles of the
heroes who shed such lustre on their country; and thus in all our boyish
sports our talk was of the Bridge of Lodi, Arcole, Rivoli, Castiglione,
the Pyramids, Mount Tabor. While the names of Kleber, Kellerman,
Massena, Desaix, Murat, were adopted amongst us, but one name only
remained unappropriated; and no one was bold enough to assume the
title of him whose victories were the boast of every tongue. If this
enthusiasm was general amongst us, I felt it in all its fullest force,
for it came untinged with any other thought. To me there was neither
home nor family; my days passed over in one unbroken calm,--no thought
of pleasure, no hope of happiness, when the fête day came round. My
every sense was wrapped up in the one great desire,--to be a soldier; to
have my name known among those great men whose fame was over Europe; to
be remembered by him whose slightest word of praise was honor itself.
When should that day come for me? When should I see the career open
before me? These were my earliest waking thoughts, my last at nightfall.
If the intensity of purpose, the strong current of all my hopes, formed
for me an ideal and a happy world within me, yet did it lend a trait of
seriousness to my manner that seemed like melancholy; and while few
knew less what it was to grieve, a certain sadness in me struck my
companions, on which they often rallied me, but which I strove in
vain to conquer. It was true that at certain times my loneliness and
isolation came coldly on my heart; when one by one I saw others claimed
by their friends, and hurrying away to some happy home, where some fond
sister threw her arm around a brother's neck, or some doting mother
clasped her son close to her bosom and kissed his brow, a tear would
find its way down my cheek, and I would hasten to my room, and locking
the door, sit down alone to think, till my sad heart grew weary, or my
sterner nature rose within me, and by an effort over myself, I turned to
my studies and forgot all else.
Meanwhile I made rapid progress; the unbroken tenor of my thoughts gave
me a decided advantage over the others, and long before the regular
period arrived, the day for my final examination was appointed.
What a lasting impression do some passages of early life leave behind
them! Even yet,--and how many years are past!--how well do I remember
all the hopes and fears that stirred my heart as the day drew near!
how each morning at sunrise I rose to pore over some of the books which
formed the subjects of examination: how, when the gray dawn was only
breaking, have I bent over the pages of Vauban and the calculations of
Carnot! and with what a sinking spirit have I often found that a night
seemed to have erased all the fruit of a long day's labor, and that the
gain of my hard-worked intellect had escaped me,--and then again, like
magic, the lost thought would come back, my brain grow clear, and
all the indistinct and shadowy conceptions assume a firm and tangible
reality which I felt like power! At such times as these my spirits rose,
my heart beat high, a joyous feeling throbbed in every pulse, and an
exhilaration almost maddening elevated me, and there was nothing I would
not have dared, no danger I would not have confronted. Such were the
attractions of my boyish days, and such the temperament they bequeathed
to my manhood.
It was on the 16th of June, the anniversary of Marengo, when the drum
beat to arms in the court of the Polytechnique; and soon after the
scholars were seen assembling in haste from various quarters, anxious to
learn if their prayer had been acceded to,--which asked permission for
them to visit the Invalides, the usual indulgence on the anniversary of
any great victory.
As we flocked into the court we were struck by seeing an orderly dragoon
standing beside the headmaster, who was eagerly perusing a letter in his
hands; when he had concluded, he spoke a few words to the soldier, who
at once wheeled round his horse and trotted rapidly from the spot.
Again the drums rolled out, and the order was given to form in line. In
an instant the command was obeyed, and we stood in silent expectation of
the news which we perceived awaited us.
“Messieurs les élèves,” he began, when stillness was restored, “this
day being the anniversary of the glorious battle of Marengo, the General
Bonaparte has decreed that a review should be held of the entire school.
Lieutenant-General d'Auvergne will arrive here at noon to inspect you,
and on such reports as I shall give of your general conduct, zeal, and
proficiency will recommendations be forwarded to the First Consul for
your promotion.”
A loud cheer followed this speech. The announcement far surpassed our
most ardent hopes, and there was no limit to our enthusiasm; and loud
vivas in honor of General Bonaparte, D'Auvergne, and the headmaster
himself were heard on all sides.
Scarcely was the breakfast over when our preparations began. What a busy
scene it was! Here were some brushing up their uniforms, polishing their
sword-hilts, and pipeclaying their cross-belts; there might be seen
others conning over the directions of field manoeuvres, and refreshing
their memory of the words of command; some practised marching in groups
along the corridor; others, too much excited by the prospect before
them, jumped madly from place to place, shouting and singing snatches
of soldier songs; but all were occupied. As for me, it was only two days
before I had obtained my grade of corporal; my new uniform had only just
come home, and I put it on for the first time with no inconsiderable
pride; indeed, I could scarce turn my eyes as I walked from the stripes
upon my arm that denoted my rank.
Long before the appointed time we were all assembled, and when the clock
struck twelve and the drum beat out, not a boy was absent. We were drawn
up in three columns according to our standing, spaces being left between
each to permit of our wheeling into line at the word of command. The
headmaster passed down our ranks, narrowly inspecting our equipments and
scrutinizing every detail of our costume; but a stronger impulse
than ordinary was now at work, and not the slightest irregularity was
anywhere detectable.
Meanwhile the time passed on, and although every eye was directed to
the long avenue of lime-trees by which the general must arrive, nothing
moved along it; and the bright streaks of sunlight that peeped between
the trees were unbroken by any passing shadow. Whispers passed along
the ranks,--some fearing he might have forgotten the whole appointment;
others suspecting that another review elsewhere had engrossed his
attention; and at last a half murmur of dissatisfaction crept through
the mass, which only the presence of the _chef_ restrained within due
bounds.
One o'clock struck, and yet no rider appeared; the alley remained silent
and deserted as before. The minutes now seemed like hours; weariness and
lassitude appeared everywhere. The ranks were broken, and many wandered
from their posts, and forgot all discipline. At last a cloud of dust
was seen to rise at a distance, and gradually it approached the long
avenue, and every eye was turned in the direction, and in an instant
the stragglers resumed their places, and all was attention and anxiety,
while every look pierced eagerly the dense cloud, to see whether it was
not the long-wished-for staff which was coming. At length the object
burst upon our sight; but what was our disappointment to see that it
was only a travelling carriage with four post-horses that approached.
No appearance of a soldier was there,--not one solitary dragoon. A
half-uttered shout announced our dissatisfaction, for we at once guessed
it was merely some chance visitor, or perhaps the friends of some of the
scholars, who had thus excited our false hopes.
The chef himself participated in our feelings; and passing down the
lines, he announced that if the general did not arrive within ten
minutes, he would himself dismiss us, and set us at liberty. A cheer
of gratitude received this speech, and we stood patiently awaiting our
liberation, when suddenly, from the guard-house at the gate, the clash
of arms was heard, and the roll of drums in salute, and the same instant
the carriage we had seen rolled into the courtyard and took up its
station in the middle of the square. The next moment the door was opened
and the steps lowered, and an officer in a splendid uniform assisted
three ladies to alight. Before we recovered from the surprise of the
proceeding, the master had approached the party, and by his air of
deference and deep respect denoted that they were no ordinary visitors.
But our attention was quickly drawn from the group that now stood
talking and laughing together, for already the clank of a cavalry escort
was heard coming up the avenue, and we beheld the waving plumes and
brilliant uniform of a general officer's staff advancing at a rapid
trot. The drums now rolled out along the lines; we stood to arms; the
gallant cortege turned into the court and formed in front of us. All
eyes were fixed on the general himself, the perfect beau ideal of an
old soldier. He sat his horse as firmly and gracefully as the youngest
aide-de-camp of his suite; his long white hair, dressed in queue behind,
was brushed back off his high broad forehead; his clear blue eye, mild
yet resolute, glanced over our ranks; and as he bowed to the headmaster,
his whole gesture and bearing was worthy of the Court of which once he
was a brilliant member.
“I have kept my young friends waiting for me,” said he in a low but
clear voice, “and it now remains for me to make the only amende in my
power,--a short inspection. Dorsenne, will you take the command?”
I started at the name, and looked round; and close beside him stood the
same officer who had so kindly received me the day I landed in France.
Though he looked at me, however, I saw he did not remember me, and my
spirits sank again as I thought how utterly friendless and alone I was.
The general was true to his word in making the inspection as brief as
possible. He rode leisurely down the ranks, stopping from time to time
to express his satisfaction, or drop some chance word of encouragement
or advice, which we caught up with eagerness and delight. Forming us
into line, he ordered his aide-de-camp to put us through some of the
ordinary parade manoeuvres, which we knew as thoroughly as the most
disciplined troops. During all this time the group of ladies maintained
their position in front, and seemed to watch the review with every
semblance of interest. The general, too, made one of the party, and
appeared from time to time to explain the intended movement, and direct
their attention to the scene.
“Let them march past in salute,” said he, at length. “The poor fellows
have had enough of it; I must not encroach on the entire holiday.”
A unanimous cheer was the reply to this kind speech, and we formed in
sections and marched by him at a quickstep. The chef d'école had now
approached the staff, and was making his report on the boys, when the
general again interrupted him by saying,--
“Madame has expressed a wish to see the boys at their usual exercise of
the play hour. If the request be admissible--”
“Certainly, mon général; of course,” said he. And stepping forward, he
beckoned to one of the drummers to come near. He whispered a word, and
the tattoo beat out; and, like magic, every one sprang from his ranks,
caps were flung into the air, and vivas rung out from every quarter of
the court.
The sudden transition from discipline to perfect liberty added to our
excitement, and we became half wild with delight. The first mad burst
of pleasure over, we turned, as if by instinct, to our accustomed
occupations. Here were seen a party collecting for a drill, officers
gathering and arranging their men, and sergeants assisting in the
muster; there, were others, armed with spades and shovels, at work on
an entrenchment, while some were driving down stockades and fixing a
palisade; another set, more peaceful in their pursuits, had retired to
their little gardens, and were busy with watering-pots and trowels.
The section I belonged to were the seniors of the school, and we had
erected a kind of fort which it was our daily amusement to defend and
attack, the leadership on either side being determined by lots. On
this day the assault had fallen to my command, and I hurried hither and
thither collecting my forces, and burning for the attack.
We were not long in assembling; and the garrison having announced their
readiness by the display of a flag from the ramparts, the assault began.
I know not why nor wherefore, but on this day my spirits were unusually
high; it was one of those chance occasions when my temperament, heated
and glowing, had elevated me in my own esteem, and I would have given my
life for some opportunity of distinguishing myself.
I led my party on, then, with more than common daring, and though
repulsed by the besieged, we fell back only for a moment, and returned
to the assault determined to succeed; the others, animated by the same
spirit, fought as bravely, and the cheers that rose from one side were
replied to by shouts as full of defiance from the other. Heated and
excited, I turned round to order an attack of my whole force, when to
my surprise I beheld that the general and his staff, accompanied by the
ladies, had taken their places a short distance off, and were become
interested spectators of the siege. This alone was wanting to stimulate
my efforts to the utmost, and I now returned to the fight with tenfold
impetuosity. But if this feeling animated me, it also nerved my
antagonists, for their resistance rose with every moment, and as
they drove us back from their walls, cheers of triumph rang out and
proclaimed the victory.
Already the battle had lasted nearly an hour, and all that was obtained
was a slight breach in one of the outworks, too small to be practicable
for assault. In this state were matters, when the sound of a cavalry
escort turned every eye towards the entrance to the courtyard, where
we now beheld a squadron of the Landers rouges following a numerous and
brilliant staff of general officers.
Scarcely had they entered the gates when a loud cry rent the air, and
every voice shouted, “C'est lui! c'est lui!” and the next moment, “Vive
Bonaparte! vive le Premier Consul!” All that I ever heard from poor De
Meudon came rushing on my mind, and my heart swelled out till it seemed
bursting my very bosom. The next instant my eye turned to the little
fort; the moment was propitious, for there every cap was waving, every
look bent towards him, I seized the opportunity, and pointing silently
to the breach, stole forward. In a second I was beneath the grassy
rampart; in another, I reached the breach; the next brought me to the
top, where, with a shout of victory, I called on my men to follow me. On
they came rushing,--but too late; already the garrison were upon me, and
overcome by numbers, I fought alone and unsupported. Step by step they
drove me to the edge of the rampart; already my foot was on the breach,
when with a spring I dashed at the flagstaff, and carried it with me
as I fell headlong into the ditch. In a moment I was on my legs, but
so stunned and crushed that I fell almost immediately again; cold
perspiration broke over my face and forehead, and I should have fainted
but that they dashed some water over me.
As I lay sick and faint I lifted my eyes; and what was my amazement to
see, not the little companions of the school about me, but the gorgeous
uniform of staff officers, and two elegantly-dressed ladies, one of whom
held a cup of water in her hand and sprinkled it over my brow. I looked
down upon my torn dress, and the sleeve of my coat, where the marks of
my rank were already half effaced, and I felt the tears start into
my eyes as the remembrance of my late failure crossed my mind. At the
instant the crowd opened, and a pale but handsome face, where command
was tempered by a look of almost womanly softness, smiled upon me.
[Illlustration: C'était bien fait, mon enfant 223]
“C'était bien fait, mon enfant,” said he, “trés bien fait; and if you
have lost a coat by the struggle, why I must even see if I can't give
you another to replace it. Monsieur Legrange, what is the character of
this boy in the school? Is he diligent, zealous, and well-conducted!”
“All of the three. General,” said the chef, bowing obsequiously.
“Let him have his brevet,--to date from to-day. Who are his friends?”
A whispered answer replied to this inquiry.
“Indeed!” said the first speaker; “reason the more we should take care
of him. Monsieur,” continued he, turning towards me, “to-morrow you
shall have your epaulettes. Never forget how you gained them; and
remember ever that every grade in the service is within the reach of a
brave man who does his duty.”
So saying, he passed on, while, overcome by emotion, I could not speak
or move.
“There, he is much better now,” said a soft voice near me; “you see his
color is coming back.”
I looked up, and there were two ladies standing beside me. The elder was
tall and elegantly formed; her figure, which in itself most graceful,
looked to its full advantage by the splendor of her dress; there was an
air of stateliness in her manner, which had seemed hauteur were it
not for a look of most benevolent softness that played about her mouth
whenever she spoke. The younger, who might in years have seemed her
daughter, was in every respect unlike her: she was slight and delicately
formed; her complexion and her black eyes, shaded by a long dark fringe,
bespoke the Provençal; her features were beautifully regular, and when
at rest completely Greek in their character, but each moment some
chance word, some passing thought, implanted a new expression, and the
ever-varying look of her flashing eyes and full round lips played between
a smile and that arch spirit that essentially belongs to the fair
daughters of the South. It was not until my fixed gaze had brought a
deep blush to her cheek, that I felt how ardently I had been looking at
her.
“Yes, yes,” said she, hurriedly, “he's quite well now;” and at the same
moment she made a gesture of impatience to pass on. But the elder held
her arm close within her own, as she whispered, with something of half
malice, “But stay, Marie; I should like to hear his name. Ah,” cried
she, starting in affected surprise, “how flushed you are! there must be
something in the air here, so we had better proceed.” And with a soft
smile and a courteous motion of her hand, she passed on.
I looked after them as they went. A strange odd feeling stirred within
my heart,--a kind of wild joy, with a mingled sense of hope too vague to
catch at. I watched the drooping feather of her bonnet, and the folds of
her dress as they fluttered in the wind; and when she disappeared from
my sight, I could scarce believe that she was not still beside me,
and that lier dark eyes did not look into my very soul. But already my
companions crowded about me, and amid a hundred warm congratulations and
kind wishes, I took my way back to the college.
Scarcely was breakfast over the following morning, when the order
arrived for my removal from the scholar quarter of the Polytechnique to
that occupied by the cadets. A small tricolored cockade affixed to
my hat was the only emblem of my new rank; but simple as it was, no
decoration ever attracted more envy and admiration from the beholders,
nor gave more pride to the wearer, than that knot of ribbon.
“At number thirteen you 'll find your quarters, Monsieur le Cadet,” said
a sergeant, as he presented me with the official order.
I remember at this very hour what a thrill his military salute sent
through me. It was the first acknowledgment of my grade; the first
recognition that I was no longer a mere schoolboy. I had not much time
granted me to indulge such sensations, for already my schoolfellows had
thronged round me, and overwhelmed me with questions and felicitations.
“Ah, what a fortunate fellow! No examination to go through; has
his grade given him without toiling for it.”--“Is it the cavalry,
Burke”--“Are you a cheval?”--“When do you join?”--“Where is your
regiment?”--“Shall we see you again?”--“Won't you write to us all about
the corps when you join them?”--“Who is your comrade?”--“Yes, tell us
that; who is he?”
“Ma foi,” said I, “I know not more than yourselves. You are all aware to
what an accident I owe my promotion. Where I am destined for, or in what
corps, I can't tell. And as to my comrade--”
“Ah! take care he 's no tyrant,” said one.
“Yes, yes,” cried another; “show him you know what a small sword is at
once.”
“Burke won't be trifled with,” cried a third.
And then followed a very chorus of voices, each detailing some atrocity
committed by the cadets on their newly-joined associates. One had a
friend wounded in the side the very day he joined; another knew some one
who was thrown out of a window: here was an account of a delicate boy
who passed an entire night in the snow, and died of a chest disease
three weeks after; there, a victim to intemperance met his fate in
the orgy that celebrated his promotion. This picture, I confess, did
somewhat damp the ardor of my first impressions; and I took leave of my
old friends with not less feeling of affection, that I doubted how much
kindness and good feeling I had to expect from my new ones.
In this mood of mind I shook their hands for the last time, and followed
the soldier who carried my baggage to the distant quarter of the école.
As I entered the large court by the richly ornamented gate, whose
bronzed tracery and handsome carving dated from the time of Louis the
Fourteenth, my heart swelled with conscious pride. The façade of
the square, unlike the simple front of the scholars' quarters, was
beautifully architectural; massive consoles supported the windows,
and large armorial insignia, cut on stone, surmounted the different
entrances. But what most captivated my spirits and engaged my attention
was a large flag in the centre, from which waved the broad ensign of
France, beside which a sentinel paced to and fro. He presented arms as
I passed; and the click of his musket, as he stood erect, sent a thrill
through me, and made my very fingers tingle with delight.
“This is number thirteen, sir,” said the soldier, as we arrived in front
of one of the doorways; and before I could reply, the door opened, and a
young officer, in the uniform of an infantry regiment, appeared. He was
about to pass out, when his eye resting on the luggage the soldier had
just placed beside him, he stopped suddenly, and, touching his cap,
asked in a polite tone,--
“Not Mr. Burke, is it?”
“Yes,” said I, bowing in return.
“Eh, mon camarade,” said he, holding out his hand, “delighted to see
you. Have you breakfasted? Well, you 'll find all ready for you in the
quarters. I shall be back soon. I 'm only going to a morning drill,
which won't last half an hour; so make yourself at home, and we'll meet
soon again.”
So saying, he once more saluted me, and passed on. “Not very like what
I feared,” thought I, as I entered the quarters, whose look of neatness
and comfort so pleasantly contrasted with my late abode. I had barely
time to look over the prints and maps of military subjects which
ornamented the walls, when my new friend made his appearance.
“No parade to-day, thank Heaven,” said he, throwing down his cap and
sabre, and lolling at full length on the little camp sofa. “Now, mon
cher camarade, let us make acquaintance at once, for our time is likely
to be of the shortest. My name is Tascher, a humble sous-lieutenant of
the Twenty-first Regiment of Foot. As much a stranger in this land as
yourself, I fancy,” continued he, after a slight pause, “but very well
contented to be adopted by it.”
After this opening, he proceeded to inform me that he was the nephew of
Madame Bonaparte,--her sister's only son,--who, at his mother's death,
left Guadaloupe, and came over to France, and became an éleve of the
Polytechnique. There he had remained five years, and after a severe
examination, obtained his brevet in an infantry corps; his uncle
Bonaparte having shown him no other favor nor affection than a severe
reprimand on one occasion for some boyish freak, when all the other
delinquents escaped scot-free.
“I am now under orders for service,” said he; “but where for, and when,
I can't tell. But this I know, that whatever good fortune may be going
a-begging, I, Lieutenant Tascher, am very likely to get only the hem of
the garment.”
There was a tone of easy and frank good-nature in all he said, which
at once disposed me to like the young Creole; and we spent the whole
afternoon recounting our various adventures and fortunes, and before
night came on were sworn friends for life.