y granted, they proved to be the lost Fesch
papers, and for the first time it was possible to obtain
a clear account of Napoleon's early years. The standard
authorities hitherto had been the works of Nasica,
Coston, and Jung: while they still have a certain value,
it is slight in view of the reliable deductions to be
drawn from the original boy papers of Napoleon
Bonaparte. Later on and after the publication of the
corresponding portion of this Life, they were edited,
printed, and published. In the main there is no room for
difference with the transcript of M. Masson, but in some
places where the writing is uncommonly bad the author's
own transcript presents the facts as stated in these
pages. Within a few years M. Chuquet has summed up
admirably all our authentic knowledge of the subject--in
a book entitled: La jeunesse de Napoleon. His own
researches have brought to light some further valuable
material. I have not hesitated in this revision to make
the freest use of the latest authorities, but it is a
gratification that no substantial changes, except by way
of slight additions, have been found necessary.]

Birth of Nabulione or Joseph -- Date of Napoleon's Birth --
Coincidence with the Festival of the Assumption -- The Name
of Napoleon -- Corsican Conditions as Influencing Napoleon's
Character -- His Early Education -- Childish Traits --
Influenced by Traditions Concerning Paoli -- Family
Prospects -- Influence of Marbeuf -- Upheavals in France --
Napoleon Appointed to a Scholarship -- His Efforts to Learn
French at Autun -- Development of His Character -- His
Father Delegate of the Corsican Nobility at Versailles.

[Sidenote: 1768-79.]

The trials of poverty made the Buonapartes so clever and adroit that
suspicions of shiftiness in small matters were developed later on, and
these led to an over-close scrutiny of their acts. The opinion has
not yet disappeared among reputable authorities that Nabulione and
Napoleone were one and the same, born on January seventh, 1768, Joseph
being really the younger, born on the date assigned to his
distinguished brother. The earliest documentary evidence cons