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Wow I have missed alot... This is as good as it was in the beginning. I finally know that our hero is Catholic lol. I guessed France had a Full Citzenship.
I've just caught up with the last few updates....it's made me wonder even more about the wsort of nation France is in this timeline. They seem to value the Revolution and embrace muulticulturalism within their Empire while holding a firm belief in their superiority....it doesn't sound fascist but certainly reactionary
stnylan said:Clearly someone heard of - and disapproved of - those class-room debates that had previously occurred!
Well I guess any university would be concerned about classroom brawls!
Outsider said:
Thanks and welcome aboard...
Well it should be sufficient to say that Europe will not be as we remember it.IronSkull said:
Patience... there are many other issues to be dealt with before the eastern barbarians can be addressedptan54 said:
Thanks for the compliment... it is challenging to sustain quality writing and I fear often that I do not, so to hear from my readers is a great encouragementBlackBaron said:
LeonTrotsky said:
Well in some respects they aren't so different after all are they?
ALL: An update is to be expected soon... will Napoleon survive the growing liberalism? Now that the Italian question has been settled, whither Germany? And don't forget the colonials... stay tuned and thanks for your patience through my long absence. I'll try to be more frequent in my updates.
By the time our next class came around, we were all on edge a bit. Renault’s attitude had put a decidedly cool cast on things and when we filed into the class, we were careful to maintain file. On this particular day we filed in and stood at attention, as was customary. But Renault was not there.
He had never been late to class before and so none of us knew exactly what to do, so we continued to stand there as the stuffy classroom became increasingly unbearable; the windows were closed, but none of us made a move to open them: we had not been given leave to do so. Ordinarily of course, we might well be lounging half out of the window sneaking a cigarette, but we were afraid to do that now.
We stood there for nearly 15 minutes; not long really in military terms, but very long when you don’t quite know what will happen next. Just then the door flew open and in rushed Renault in a flurry of papers and pipe smoke. He hardly looked at us at all, but simply threw his books down and began the lecture.
“Students, as I’ve been discussing, many malcontents and foreign detractors believed that the Second Empire was a weak façade covering a rotten house full of horrors. Socialists and foreign agents all with their own agenda’s published lies and scandal rags in an effort to undermine confidence in His Imperial Majesty.”
All this time Renault had not looked up, nor given us leave to sit. This was quite confusing.
“Sir?” It was Wellington; whether he was brave or a fool I’ll never know for sure, but at least he spoke up.
“Yes M. Wellington?”
Renault looked up from his papers at Wellington and Wellington simply stood there silently. There really wasn’t anything he could say. What was he to do? Demand that Renault give us leave to sit?
“Oh! Of course, thank you Wellington. Please gentlemen, have your seats.”
Renault broke into a broad smile and took a pull on his pipe while leaning back on his desk. We looked back and forth at each other in search of some explanation. No one seemed to have any.
“Allow me to clarify things. You are perhaps wondering both why I am late and why the change in tone in classroom these days.”
We were wondering, but no one said anything to substantiate Renault’s statements.
“Well then, shall I explain it to you? No, perhaps I had better not. It would not benefit you to know too much. I will direct your attention to the window however. M. Crane de Fer*, please open the window, it is insufferably warm in here. Gentlemen, please note the ship departing port just now.”
While Renault loosened his jacket, we all craned out necks to see. The ocean was not far, but it required a bit of effort.
“The ship that is currently departing has as her passenger the most excellent Deputy Minister of Higher Education who was for these several months on tour of educational facilities in French Africa and was based here. This morning before class, the faculty had a meeting with him and was able to bid him a fond adieu. Beyond that gentleman, I think I need say nothing further. Shall we continue with the lecture?”
So that explained it. Renault was the same brilliant scholar he had always been, but with high government officials around, it was to his benefit to be a bit less scholarly and a bit more, well official. Even as we settled with relief back into our seats I felt a bit of unease. Renault had all too easily assumed the role of a militaristic disciplinarian, and I’d had my share of experiences with those during the course of my education. Though I was glad to have Renault “back” I was still apprehensive.
*Crane de Fer = Skull of Iron
He had never been late to class before and so none of us knew exactly what to do, so we continued to stand there as the stuffy classroom became increasingly unbearable; the windows were closed, but none of us made a move to open them: we had not been given leave to do so. Ordinarily of course, we might well be lounging half out of the window sneaking a cigarette, but we were afraid to do that now.
We stood there for nearly 15 minutes; not long really in military terms, but very long when you don’t quite know what will happen next. Just then the door flew open and in rushed Renault in a flurry of papers and pipe smoke. He hardly looked at us at all, but simply threw his books down and began the lecture.
“Students, as I’ve been discussing, many malcontents and foreign detractors believed that the Second Empire was a weak façade covering a rotten house full of horrors. Socialists and foreign agents all with their own agenda’s published lies and scandal rags in an effort to undermine confidence in His Imperial Majesty.”
All this time Renault had not looked up, nor given us leave to sit. This was quite confusing.
“Sir?” It was Wellington; whether he was brave or a fool I’ll never know for sure, but at least he spoke up.
“Yes M. Wellington?”
Renault looked up from his papers at Wellington and Wellington simply stood there silently. There really wasn’t anything he could say. What was he to do? Demand that Renault give us leave to sit?
“Oh! Of course, thank you Wellington. Please gentlemen, have your seats.”
Renault broke into a broad smile and took a pull on his pipe while leaning back on his desk. We looked back and forth at each other in search of some explanation. No one seemed to have any.
“Allow me to clarify things. You are perhaps wondering both why I am late and why the change in tone in classroom these days.”
We were wondering, but no one said anything to substantiate Renault’s statements.
“Well then, shall I explain it to you? No, perhaps I had better not. It would not benefit you to know too much. I will direct your attention to the window however. M. Crane de Fer*, please open the window, it is insufferably warm in here. Gentlemen, please note the ship departing port just now.”
While Renault loosened his jacket, we all craned out necks to see. The ocean was not far, but it required a bit of effort.
“The ship that is currently departing has as her passenger the most excellent Deputy Minister of Higher Education who was for these several months on tour of educational facilities in French Africa and was based here. This morning before class, the faculty had a meeting with him and was able to bid him a fond adieu. Beyond that gentleman, I think I need say nothing further. Shall we continue with the lecture?”
So that explained it. Renault was the same brilliant scholar he had always been, but with high government officials around, it was to his benefit to be a bit less scholarly and a bit more, well official. Even as we settled with relief back into our seats I felt a bit of unease. Renault had all too easily assumed the role of a militaristic disciplinarian, and I’d had my share of experiences with those during the course of my education. Though I was glad to have Renault “back” I was still apprehensive.
*Crane de Fer = Skull of Iron
Nice update, I was wondering when this AAr was going to get started up again.
Most excellent! But please sir, you can call me M. Crane.
I'm a character now?kingmbutu said:
Most excellent! But please sir, you can call me M. Crane.
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Quite a change to see Renault flustered. Not what I would have expected. Well I look forward to hearing his response to those slanderous lies.
Those pesky socialists, always spreading propaganda.....
And Renault's behaviour is more proof of the authoritarianism in the French government, surely?
And Renault's behaviour is more proof of the authoritarianism in the French government, surely?
LeonTrotsky said:
methinks so to.
AAR bulleted. Enjoying it immensely.
I wonder if Switzerland will find itself under French protection when Germany forms?
Ayeshteni
Iron_Skull said:Nice update, I was wondering when this AAr was going to get started up again.
I'm a character now?
Maybe M. Rock-head?? :rofl:
Yes, have to bob your heads and doff your caps to governmental inspectors. Though lynching them would be far more satisfying.
Very good I would like to know how the french relations with United States are fairing.
Good bye and good riddance to the government inspectors, I say. And it is interesting to know more about Renault... I would like to see more of France though
stnylan said:
I agree...
Black Baron said:
Hmm... I don't know if I tracked that very closely. I'll try to bring it into the next update.
No worries... we will return to the main lecture and the glorious history of France in the next updateCorbett said:
ALL: I apologize for the delay in updates. They should be more frequent in the next few weeks
Our next class resumed just as it had before the visit of the government inspectors. We were much more relaxed, which was wonderful for the atmosphere in the classroom. It was not so wonderful for my marks.
“The world of the early eighteen sixties was a world in tremendous flux. You may not realize, but this decade was critical to the foundations of the current prosperity of France and, not insignificantly, to the broadening of French influence, values, and prosperity to the ends of the Earth. In the Far East, colonial forts were launched in Guinea, Borneo and the Sunda Islands; these were areas of historic Dutch interest, but which they were not in a position to exploit. Napoleon encouraged and even financed this expansion both for the sake of increasing the glory of France and for distracting his detractors from the very limited reformers he had granted.
Another motive for French expansionism in this era was that much of Polynesia & Micronesia had been claimed by the British from their bases in Australia, and France could not afford to be left behind. Also the recent accession of Japan to the ranks of civilized and industrializing countries meant that the Orient was an area of much greater strategic importance than it had been previously. Although the UK and France were on friendly terms, colonial rivalry was alive and well.
Fortunately, the claims of France promised to be far richer than the barren islands staked out by the British. There were large forests of tropical trees, rubber plantations, and coffee farms while many of the British claims promised only to increase the amount of fish on the market. The British, in their characteristically reckless fashion, had not approached things scientifically or rationally. Students, at this point, I should not even have to mention what is obvious to any of you that has been attentive to the lectures to this point.”
Renault stopped his lecture and took a long drag on his pungent pipe. It was clear to us, and should be clear to you. The French are quite simply superior.
“The world of the early eighteen sixties was a world in tremendous flux. You may not realize, but this decade was critical to the foundations of the current prosperity of France and, not insignificantly, to the broadening of French influence, values, and prosperity to the ends of the Earth. In the Far East, colonial forts were launched in Guinea, Borneo and the Sunda Islands; these were areas of historic Dutch interest, but which they were not in a position to exploit. Napoleon encouraged and even financed this expansion both for the sake of increasing the glory of France and for distracting his detractors from the very limited reformers he had granted.
Another motive for French expansionism in this era was that much of Polynesia & Micronesia had been claimed by the British from their bases in Australia, and France could not afford to be left behind. Also the recent accession of Japan to the ranks of civilized and industrializing countries meant that the Orient was an area of much greater strategic importance than it had been previously. Although the UK and France were on friendly terms, colonial rivalry was alive and well.
Fortunately, the claims of France promised to be far richer than the barren islands staked out by the British. There were large forests of tropical trees, rubber plantations, and coffee farms while many of the British claims promised only to increase the amount of fish on the market. The British, in their characteristically reckless fashion, had not approached things scientifically or rationally. Students, at this point, I should not even have to mention what is obvious to any of you that has been attentive to the lectures to this point.”
Renault stopped his lecture and took a long drag on his pungent pipe. It was clear to us, and should be clear to you. The French are quite simply superior.
Wow, nice update. That last line about surperiority, heh, ouch. I cant wait to see the rest of their history that has brought about these, uh, interesting theories about themselves.
I have said it before, and I will doubtless say it many times in the future of this AAR, but one of the joys of it is how deliciously prejudiced the good Professor is.