POLYTECHNIQUE (Ernie Polytrchnique). One of the most famous military preparatory institutions of Europe. It was established by the National Convention as the Ecole Centralc des Traraux Publics in 1794, and in 1795 its name was changed to Ecole Polytechnique. Although originally intended as a preparatory school for all branches of the public service, it wis par ticularly devoted to the training of civil and military engineers. the faimus mathemati cians Lagrange and Nonge. the institution devel oped rapidly. especially in mathematics and physi cal sciences, a view being had to their application to technical training. In 1804 'Napoleon reorgan ized it on military lines, and under his regime it became a training school for artillerists and en gineers. The Ecole Polyteehnique is under the supervision of the Ninister of War, and is de voted mainly to the preparation of students for the several branches of military and civil engineering. Students must hold the bache
lor's degree in order to become eligible for the competitive entrance examination. The course of study covers two years. at the end of which period the names of those who successfully pass the final examination are placed on a list in the order of merit, and candidates are allowed to choose what branch of the service they wish to take up. Soldiers who have been in the service at least six months may be admitted, without. ful filling all the ordinary entrance requirements. The branches of the service which rely upon the Poly technique for candidates are the corps of land and naval artillery. military and naval engineers, the marine, the corps of hydrographie, road, bridge, and mining engineers, and the telegraph and gunpowder superintendencies.