Page:Entertaining history of the early years of General Bonaparte (2).pdf/12

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tinguishing marks of his ranks. Bonaparte appeared insensible to the affront or dis- dained at least: to shew that he was affected by it, his superiors perhaps repented hav- ing obliged him to undergo this disgrace ; but his comrades. from that time, restored to him their friendship because generous minded youth ceases to persecute those who are unfortunate.

This conduct had the most happy effect. Bonaparte testified his sense of the genero- sity of his young friends. He continued his studies, but became more sociable with his school-fellows ; he joined some times in our games, and acquired by that a right. to propose, in his turn, some new diversion. It would have been little amusement to him i if he could not have united utility with pleasure; and, in fact, the plays which he proposed, markeds strongly his character. The Olympic game of Greece, and those of the Circus of Rome, were the modles he , proposed for our imitation. Novelry pleases children, particulary those of France— Bonaparte became our leader, and the loss of his title of Captain was soon replaced by that of Director of our diversions. which was unanimously granted to him. If men, in their pleasures, almost always, exceed the limits of moderation, we may easily suppose that virtue to be still more seldom tbe lot of young people, Our games be-