A military dictionary

by William Duane

On the 28th of March 1776, the king gave directions, that ten colleges should be established, over the gates of each of which was written—Collége Royale Militaire; royal military college. These colleges were under the immediate care and instruction of the Benedictine monks, and other religious persons.

The secretary of state held the same jurisdiction over these colleges that he possessed over La Fléche, and the military school at Paris.

There were always 50 at least, and never more than 60 young men placed for education in each of these colleges, at the expence of the king; amounting annually per head to 700 livres, about 150 dollars. For this sum each student was supplied with a blue coat with red cuffs, and white buttons, a blue surtout or great coat, two white waistcoats, two pairs of black breeches, twelve shirts, twelve handkerchiefs, six cravats, six nightcaps, two dressing-gowns, two hats, two pairs of shoes, combs, and powder-bag. These articles were, in the first instance, to be provided by the young man’s parents or friends, and when he quitted, he was furnished with the same articles at the expence of the college. Travelling expences, postage of letters, &c. were defrayed by the parents or friends of the different students. The secretary of state’s letter, conveying the king’s approbation, was the voucher for admission; but no child could be received unless he had previously learned to write and read. Candidates for admission, underwent a close examination on the very day they arrived, and if they were found deficient in any of the necessary qualifications, they were sent back to their friends with directions not to return until the year following, provided they got properly instructed during that period. No person could be admitted who was lame, or otherwise deformed; and certain proofs of nobility were to be established and given in, as well as proofs of property, vouched for by two gentlemen who lived in the neighborhood of the applicant, and confirmed by the intendant of the province, or by the governor. And in order to afford the parents ample time to collect the necessary vouchers, the preliminary consent of the king was forwarded to them six months before July, announcing that their children might be presented to the college on the 7th of September next following.

The king’s students, or those young lads for whom 700 livres (150 dolls.) were annually paid out of his privy purse, were taught in the subordinate colleges, as in the military school at Paris, every thing that could be useful to a military character, besides music and other accomplishments. They were, moreover, regularly supplied with foils for fencing, and with mathematical and musical instruments. In order to excite emulation, prizes and rewards were distributed according to merit; and an allowance for pocket money was made in the following manner:—20 sols, or 10d. English per month, to each boy under twelve; and 40 sols, or 20d. to all above that age. The royal pensions and allowances were paid every quarter, commencing on the 1st of April 1776. These payments were regulated by specific returns, which were regularly forwarded on the 15th of each month preceding the expiration of the quarter, to the secretary at war, and were signed by the heads or superiors of each college, accompanied by an exact muster-roll of all the students. By direction of the secretary at war, every species of necessary furniture and utensil that was found for La Fléche, and the military school at Paris, was distributed, in equal proportions, among the subordinate colleges; a preference, however, was uniformly given to the calls and necessities of those two establishments. The colleges that were appointed to pass the final examination of students received a double quantity of each article.

Every student who was admitted into any of the subordinate colleges at eight or nine years old, was obliged to remain there six years before he could appear at the final examinations; that period being thought necessary to complete his education. With respect to those who were entering into their tenth or eleventh year, and even those who were orphans, they were not forced to fill the term of six years instruction, provided they had already acquired sufficient knowlege to entitle them to a favorable report from their superiors.

The king directed that the pensions for 50 students upon the establishment, should be paid three months in advance to the several colleges, for the purpose of enabling them to complete the necessary buildings, &c. Each of those students was allowed a small separate apartment, with a key to the door. They were distributed in a particular quarter of the building, that they might be more easily attended to; having no other communication with the honorary pensioners, or those who had an allowance from their parents, than what was absolutely necessary to carry on the public instruction and discipline of the place.

The college of Brienne, a small town in Champagne, was fixed upon for the admission of the young lads whose pensions were paid by their parents. The latter likewise defrayed the expences of the journey; but they were entitled to the same indemnification that was afterwards granted to the king’s students. The same rules and method of instruction were pursued by the different colleges, in order that all the candidates might be brought together at the same time for examination. This examination was made in the presence of the principal, and under inspector of the schools, and of other literary men, who were appointed by the secretary of state for that purpose, and received 1200 livres, or 250 dollars, as a gratification for their attendance, besides board and lodging at the king’s expence. The concours, or meeting for examination, took place every year, and lasted from the 1st to the 15th of September; the original one commencing in September 1778. The young men that passed the examination to the full satisfaction of these gentlemen, were placed in different regiments, and received commissions accordingly.

The four best informed and most able of the young candidates, received pensions or temporary allowances in the following manner:—The two first got 150 livres, between 6l. and 7l. sterling; and the two next 100 livres, equal to 4l. odd per annum, until they were promoted to companies. They were further entitled to wear the ancient cross of the military school. If any of them quitted the service before they had obtained the above rank of captain, the pension ceased. They likewise received, (in common with all the other students that left the establishment) 200 livres, between 8l. and 9l. on their becoming lieutenants in the army.

The young men that were not found sufficiently instructed to join a regular corps, as gentlemen cadets, remained at the Collége de Concours, or college of examination, until the following year, when they were again questioned as to every particular which regarded a military education. But, let their success on this occasion be what it might, they ceased to be entitled to those marks of distinction and temporary allowances which were given to the first successful candidates. Those boys, who were brought by their parents, and for whom a pension was to be paid, lost all pretensions to the notice of government if they failed to give satisfaction at this final hearing. Proper representations of their incapacity were made by the inspector of military schools to the secretary of state, which representations were formally attested and corroborated by the opinion and judgment of the superior of the college of Brienne, in order that an accurate account might be given to his majesty, and that the parents might be officially directed to send or come for their children.

The superior or head of each subordinate college was directed, from the 1st of July 1778, to send, under cover to the secretary at war, an effective return of those students that had finished their course of education, and were prepared for examination. An order was then issued from the war-office for their attendance at the college of Brienne.