Four days after the probable date of writing he passed his examination a second time, before the new inspector, announced his choice of the artillery as his branch of the service, and a month later was ordered to the military academy in Paris. This institution had not merely been restored to its former renown: it now enjoyed a special reputation as the place of reward to which only the foremost candidates for official honors were sent. The choice of artillery seems to have been reached by a simple process of exclusion; the infantry was too unintellectual and indolent, the cavalry too expensive and aristocratic; between the engineers and the artillery there was little to choose--in neither did wealth or influence control promotion. The decision seems to have fallen as it did because the artillery was accidentally mentioned first in the fatal letter he had received announcing the family straits, and the necessary renunciation of the navy. On the certificate which was sent up with Napoleon from Brienne was the note: "Character masterful, imperious, and headstrong." CHAPTER V. In Paris and Valence[6]. [Footnote 6: Authorities as before for this and the five chapters following.] Introduction to Paris -- Teachers and Comrades -- Death of Charles de Buonaparte -- His Merits -- The School at Paris -- Napoleon's Poverty -- His Character at the Close of His School Years -- Appointed Lieutenant in the Regiment of La Fère -- Demoralization of the French Army -- The Men in the Ranks -- Napoleon as a Beau -- Return to Study -- His Profession and Vocation. [Sidenote: 1784-86.]