[The annual charge] for board and instruction is 40l. (1,000 fr.,) payable in advance in four installments. In addition there is the cost of outfit, varying from 20l. to 24l. [Exhibitions], however, for the discharge of the whole or of one-half of the expense (bourses and demi-bourses,) are awarded by the state in favor of all the successful candidates, whose parents can prove themselves to be too poor to maintain their children in the school. Outfits and half outfits (trousseaux) and demi-trousseaux) are also granted in these cases, on the entrance of the student into the school; and the number of these boursiers and demi-boursiers amounts at the present time to one-third of the whole.
[The course of study is completed in two years.] On its successful termination which is preceded by a final examination, the students are distributed into the different services, the choice being offered them in the order of their merit, and laid down in the classified list drawn up after the examination. If it so happen that the number of places or the services which can be offered is not sufficient for the number of qualified students, those at the bottom of the list are offered service in the infantry or cavalry, and those who do not enter the public service, are supplied with certificates of having passed successfully through the school. Students who have been admitted into the school from the army, are obliged to re-enter the army.
All others, as has been said, have the right of choosing, according to their position on the list, the service which they prefer, so far, that is, as the number of vacancies in that service will allow; or they may if they please decline to enter the public service at all.
Such is a general outline of the plan and object of the school. We may add that, besides its military staff, it employs no less than thirty-nine professors and teachers; that it has four boards of management, and that ten scientific men unconnected with the school, and amongst the most distinguished in France, conduct its examinations. The magnitude of this establishment for teaching may be estimated by the fact, that the number of pupils rarely exceeds three hundred and fifty, and is often much less.
[A fuller enumeration] of these bodies will complete our present sketch.
[I. The military establishment consists of:—]
The Commandant, a General Officer, usually of the Artillery or the Engineers, at present a General of Artillery.
A Second in Command, a Colonel or Lieutenant-Colonel, chosen from former pupils of the school; at present a Colonel of Engineers.
Three Captains of Artillery and Three Captains of Engineers, as Inspectors of Studies, chosen also from former pupils of the school.
Six Adjutants (adjoints,) non-commissioned officers, usually such as have been recommended for promotion.