The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-10-29

R'marts on The .1htttary .2cadenty, at UeSt-
Point: TrnnSiated for The .Ntto York
Statesman, from Tie Revue ENcYoPE-
pIquE," pubtishcd at Paris, an Jaty,
1872.
short time before my leaving the T..
States, in the month of April, 1890, yisl-
ted the Military Academy established at
We stPoint, on the Hudson liver, in The
organization of which has been improved
during the last session of Congress, had
not obtained an unanmity of sultrages ;
some members of the western states were
of opinion that the morals of its pupils
were not watched with sufficient severity,
and that their instruction was not III pro-
portion TO The expenses incurred. | wish
ed personally - examine to what degree
those feproaches were well founded, and
am happy 10 be able to ascertain that far
from deserving them, Lhat establishment is
III all respects worthy Of the liberal atten-
| ton Of Congress, and the curiosity of ira
vclers. Indeed, the latter cannot behold
without surprise, on that remote spot OF the
new hemisphere, an institution of this kind
50 llourlshing.
III dAlbdl huIllbfi vi HIlilo ID ~ ~
| They are nominated by the President of
the United Stctes, or the Secretary Of War,
and admitted free of expense. Sixteen or
seventeen years is the age of admission.
The candidates must lee acquainted with
their mother tongue, the elements of arith-
metlc, and be able 10 write good hand.
The course of studies employs / years,
during which they are instructed in mathc-
| niatlcs, astronomy, natural philosophy, ma
tural history, geography, French, draw ings,
moral philosophy and natural law. Moth
| ing IN short is neglected to complete sci
"ntllic military education. During two
months Of the year, the Cadets are insured
10 the occupation and fatisues Of war, by
encampmcnts, excursions in the neighbor-
Ing country, in surveying, drilling and o.
Their military duties.
The mathematic sciences are those
which they are principally directed to stu
dy. An extensive knowledge in this de-
partment (and undoubtedly superior to
that which IN Europe good infantry or
cavalry officer must posscss) is required
from the cadets. The acqusiou of mathe-
mates ~ considered of very great impor-
lance in the L. States; for their iudicious
inhabitants are well aware of the means
which this science offers them, To derive
advantages from their immense natural re-
sources.
The principal officers of the academy
are, the Conmandant, who must he an
olitcer OF artillery or of the-corps of epgi-
neers, professor, and an adjunct profess
sor vi natural history and experimental
philosophy a professor and adjunct pIo-
lessor oil matht matics; professor, and adj
junct professor of engineering a minister
OF The Gospel, who is, at the same time,
professor of cloquence and literature an
instructor OF drawing and French a fen
eng master aud physician.
The library is not large, but it is well Sc
lected. 1t consists ofw works on natural his
tory, statistics, and history, civil and mill
tary. Among the latter, are the campaigns
OF the French armies, with superb maps
aud engraYings the campaignes of Ere
derlch the Great, and Nauban's treatises
on tortlicaton. The collection of Charts
contains some that are very valuable, such
as those ofthe ports of the Baltic aud North
seas, by Beautems Bcaubre.
The Military Academy at West Point
stands on vast table land, belonging to a
branch of the Allegheny mountains, at the
foot OF which flows the majestic Hudson.
Its elevated situation, and the healthy an
] pearance of its inmates, leave no doubt Of
the salubrity Of the place.-Its remotepess
from popuious towns shelters it from their
corrulptIos, and enables the pupils to pur-
sue their studies with Undetermined all
ton.
West Point was, during the reyolutiona.
~ war, an important military position, OF
which the British repeatedly tndeayoured
|" Now, $50