SCH ( 787 ) S C H

Paris ; whereas the subordinate places ofinstruction, and the preparatory houses,were termed colleges, viz. Colleges deSoreze, Brienne, Tivon, Rebais, Beau-mont, Pont-le-voy, Vendome, Eftiat,Pont-a-Mousson , Tournon .

Royal Military School. See Col-lege.

The Royal Military School of Paris,(Ecole Royu/e Militaire de Paris , Pr.)This celebrated establishment, which somany years supplied France with supe-rior talents and abilities, and to whichBonaparte was indebted for the groundwork of that military knowledge whichso long astonished and confoundedEurope , owes its origin to Henry IV .who first erected a public building inAnjou, for the free education of thechildren of poor noblemen; it was calledthe college of La Pleche, wherein onehundred young boys of the above de-scription were supported, S»c. at theking’s expense. They were there taughtLatin and the liberal arts by the Jesuits ;whose learning and aptitude at teachingothers to learn, have been so deservedlyadmired in every quarter of the globe.This order, however, having beenbanished out of France in 1770, byLouis XV , the direction of the collegewas entrusted to the secular priests, andthe number of students was increased to350. On this occasion it was distin-guished by a particular mark of royalfavour, and was called the Royal College.

In addition to this provincial esta-blishment, Louis XV . instituted theRoyal Military School in the neighbour-hood of Paris , where 250 young ladsreceived a regular education under themost able masters; particularly in thosebranches which contributed to militaryknowledge. During their vacations, andat periods of intermission from classicalpursuits, they were attended and in-structed by experienced otlicers. Theygenerally remained until the age of 18,and were, after that, distributed amongthe dift’erent regiments with appropriatecommissions. They were then distin-guished by being permitted to wear across, which was tied to a crimsonpiece of ribbon, and hung from abutton-hole in their coat. The cross,on one side, represented the figure otthe Virgin Mary ; and on the other,there was a trophy adorned with threefleurs de lis. They had likewise an

annual pension of 200 livres, (about81. sterling) which was paid them with-out deduction, until they obtained therank of captain; provided they had acertificate of good behaviour from thestaff or 6tat major of their corps. Theyreceived moreover, when they quittedthe school, a small kitt of linen, a hat,sword, and an uniform coat. Theywere replaced in the military school byan equal number of youths who camefrom the college of La Flfeche, for thatpurpose, at the age of 13 or 14.

Both these establishments underwenta considerable alteration during the ad-ministration of the Count de St. Ger­ main , in April, 1776. This ministerpersuaded Louis XVI. that great publicbenefit might be derived from increasingthe number of these colleges, and ad-mitting youths from every class of hissubjects. When these alterations tookplace in the Royal Military School, allthe young men that were 18 years oldwere incorporated with the regiments ofgentlemen cadets. These enjoyed allthe advantages which their predecessorshad possessed; with this exception, thatthey did not wear the uniform of theircorps, nor the cross. Those lads thathad not reached the period in questiorr,were placed in different corps, andseveral remained in the military schoolwho were afterwards provided for onanother footing. The number of youngmen was gradually increased, not onlyby fresh arrivals from La Fleche , but bythe admission of several others, for whoma yearly pension was paid by theirparents. The latter were not, however,entitled to any advantage or indulgencebeyond what was generally allowed.

On the 28th of March, 1776, theking gave directions, that ten collegesshould be established, over the gatesof each of which was written— CollegeRoyal Militaire; Royal Military Col­ lege . These colleges were under theimmediate care and instruction of theBenedictine monks, and other religiouspersons.

The secretary of state held the samejurisdiction over these colleges, that hepossessed over La LRche, and the mili-tary school at Paris .

Louis XVI . exclusively of the 600students who were placed in the differentcolleges pursuant to the new regulations,restored the ancient foundation of L*5112