On the 20th of November, 1785, the young Duke of Chartres, then in his thirteenth year, became colonel of the nineteenth regiment of dragoons. He proceeded, not long after, to Vendome, and devoted himself, with all the enthusiasm of youth, to the duties of his profession. His democratic principles led him, in opposition to the example of most of his brother-officers, to associate quite familiarly with the common soldiers. "Far from imitating the example of these young noblemen, who disdained to mix or converse with the soldiers, the duke was constantly in the midst of them, and the advice and reprimands which they received from his lips had double the force of usual orders. On every occasion he proved himself the soldier's friend. He heard their complaints with kindness, and the generous, noble familiarity with which he replied to their demands in a little time won for him all their hearts. Strengthened by those affections, which he so well knew how to merit, he was enabled, without any exertion, to establish and preserve the strictest discipline. His men obeyed him with pleasure, because his orders were always given with urbanity. "His exemplary conduct had the happiest influence over the whole garrison of Vendome. The soldiers now forgot his youth; the oldest officers found in him such intelligence and punctuality as sometimes left their experience in arrear. He frequently reached the stables, in the morning, before the lieutenant, whose duty it was to call there; and he exhibited equal energy in every other subject. His lieutenant-colonel, imagining that this too frequent appearance among the men would lessen that respect for the dignity of colonel which he considered essential to the maintenance of discipline, ventured to remonstrate with him upon his conduct. He replied: "'I do not think that I shall forfeit the respect of my men, or be less entitled to their regard, by giving them an example of punctuality, and by being the first to submit myself to the demands of discipline.'"[B] [Footnote B: Life and Times of Louis Philippe, King of the French, by Rev. G. N. Wright.] CHAPTER II. THE EXILE. 1791-1794 Plans for the invasion of France.--The campaign of 1792.--The invasion of France.--Proclamation of the Assembly.--Imprisonment of Lafayette.--Measures of defense.--Battle of Valmy.--Gallantry of the Duke of Chartres.--Embarrassment of Egalite.--Continued war against France.--The Battle of Jemappes.--Peril of the Orleans family.--Decision of the Duke of Orleans.--Origin of the Tri-color.--The Decree of Banishment.--Battle of Nerwinde.--Charges against Dumouriez.--The Flight.--Supposed Plan of Dumouriez.--Wanderings on the Rhine.--Arrest of the Orleans family.--Life in Switzerland.--Letter from General Dumouriez.--Hardships of travel.--A college professor.--Political divisions in France.--The wilds of Scandinavia.