The pre-eminence thus accorded to the Parisian _savans_, who are in general a gang of the vilest ruffians in the world, is a marked insult to the rest of the Republic, and proves that to rule France it is only necessary to be master at Paris. For the sake of this city, France, as well as foreign countries, has been laid under contribution and pillaged of whatever transportable monuments of art and genius they possessed. Had it been possible, the triumphal arch at Orange, the bridge of Gard, the amphitheatre at Nismes would have been removed here to gratify the fancy of the Parisian rabble of philosophers and legislators. The law by which the learned men of a single city were placed on a level with those who people the whole of a vast country was made by the very men who afterwards became self-elected members of this _miscalled_ National Institute. It is no trivial matter to be one of the 144 resident in Paris. It leads to fame and fortune, to places and appointments, and it is the highest step on the ladder of philosophical ambition. To return to the laws of the Institute, it is divided into three classes: FIRST CLASS.--_Physical and Mathematical Sciences._ (1) Mathematics, (2) mechanical arts, (3) astronomy, (4) experimental physics, (5) chemistry, (6) natural history, (7) botany, (8) anatomy and zoology, (9) medicine and surgery, (10) rural economy and veterinary art. SECOND CLASS.--_Moral and Political Sciences._ (1) Analysis of sensations and ideas, (2) morals or moral philosophy, (3) social science and legislation, (4) political economy, (5) history, (6) geography. It will be observed that in this class there is no section for despised theology, which surely should have a foremost place therein. THIRD CLASS.--_Literature and the Fine Arts._ (1) Grammar, (2) ancient languages, (3) poetry, (4) antiquities and monuments, (5) painting, (6) sculpture, (7) architecture, (8) music and declamation. When the National Institute was about to be established a law was enacted (3rd Brumaire, year 4) by which the Directory were authorised to provide salaries for each member, and the five members of the Executive Directory were empowered to nominate the first 48 members, who _thus_ elected had power to choose the remaining 144 Associates. In nominating the first 48, the Directors first elected each other, then their friends, and those friends nominated other friends in Paris and the Departments. Every class of the Institute assembles twice in each decade; the assemblies are private, but each member is allowed to introduce a visitor. The secretaries of each class assemble once a year to prepare a report of its labours, which is presented to the Institute, and whose president then writes to the Minister of the Interior to know when it shall please his consular majesty to give admission to his sacred person in order that they may present it. [Sidenote: RULES OF NATIONAL INSTITUTE]