[8] Accessit. A distinction accorded in French schools to those who have come nearest to obtaining the prize in any given subject. [Trans.]
[9] Concours Général. An open competition held every year at the Sorbonne between the élite of the students of all the colleges in France, from the highest classes down to the quatrième. [Trans.]
[10] Institut de France. Name given collectively to the five following societies—
1. Académie Française, founded by Richelieu in 1635 in order to polish and maintain the purity of the French language. It is composed of forty Life members, and publishes from time to time a dictionary which is looked upon as a standard test of correct French.
2. Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, founded by Colbert in 1663.
3. Académie des Sciences, also founded by Colbert in 1666. It has published most valuable reports ever since 1699.
4. Académie des Beaux-Arts, which includes the Academies of Painting, of Sculpture, of Music, and of Architecture.
5. Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques.
It was in 1795 that these ancient academies, which had been suppressed two years before by the Revolution, were reorganized and combined together to form the Institut de France. [Trans.]
[11] Peers of France. A supreme Council formed originally of the First Vassals of the Crown; became in 1420 one of the Courts of Parliament. In 1789 the Peerage was suppressed, but reinstated in 1814 by the Restoration, when it again formed part of the Legislative Corps; there were then hereditary peers and life-peers. In 1831 the hereditary peerage was abolished and life-peers were nominated by the King under certain restrictions. This House of Peers was suppressed in 1848, and in 1852 the Senate was instituted in its stead. [Trans.]