Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-07-28
Correspondence Of the Herald.
Wost ROAmt.
Nh EnIToR-

West R0Ant.
Nm. EpIroR-
sir-Mr Turner, of Massaeh.setts, one of the
board OF Inspectors at West Point, most intelii-
gent gentleman, made me visit ON his return from
that institution and gave me lively account OF the
aquiremsnfs ofths cadets and the judicious co.rss
OF discipline pursued by the professor But after
mixing with these young gentlemea, and entering
into conversation the various bran hes of study
pursued BY them, felt disposed to say with the
Queen of Sheba, when she saw the wisdom aud
glory of Solomon, that the half was not told me- I"
How would you measure the altitude Of that
mountain, said to q cadet Shading near rae, with
cut the use Of the bareneter' With Quadrant,
and by Plane Trigonometry, was the reply. Well,
said !, the mOdus oPerondi, if you please. should
first take the angle OF elevation, then measure q
base line, in direct line-then take another angle
angles, and from certain propositions Of Euclid,
can find the other angles. then find what i wish
by logarithms, the sides OF MI triangles are in
proportion to the signs OF their opposite angles,
&c. &c. Here, with much enthusiasm, he ente red
into demonstration Of the 47th proposition of the
first book Of Euclid, although, he sad they adopted
q different course Of mathematics at the academy
Being my self long ut Of practice felt inclined
to draw off, lest he should get into Knot. /
think the name of this young man Berbank -
Turning 10 another, fac portly young man, with
most prepossessipg demeansr-Can you tell me,
sir, said l, how high You should be elevated in a
perpendicular line over the surface OF the Hudson
river TO see the suns upper limb hour before he
shall have made his appearance to an eye placed on
and refraction? sir, was the reply. This what
i wanted saw he was at home. What is the diff
ference between paralax and refracuon? said L.
There difference whatever, sir-betwe things
that are way related there can be numerical
diff ference. This rather turned the laugh on me-
Well, sir, said i, what is paralax! It is the angle
formed by two observes Of the same heavenly body,
the supposed to stand at the earths CENTRE and
the other at point its surface, having the
earth's semi diameter between them. At this
ment the band came marc hing up, ready to play,
which interrupted our further conversation Next
day put various questions in natural philosophy
on the doctrines OF pure mechanics, On optics, on
hydraulics, sc. to various cadets, which were ge-
Morally answered with much prompttude and accu-
racy The requirements of some OF the elder
diets in ethics, mental philosophy, history. &c.
really astonishsd nc. ] am most strongly impressed
with the immense benefit conferred on the United
States by this noble national institution.
Congress cannot do toe much for il. Were the
number of cadets increased to or even two thou
sand, have no doubt that the people of the United
States would sanction the measure. twould exalt
the character Of this great nation mere than any
thing the Government has ever accomplished
There are many views that might be taken of the
subject, and ell beneficial The press too, which
all powerful in free country, instead Of quarreing
much about politics and little sorSid interests,
the conduc of which, for the greater part being
gentlemen who know the value Of scientific educa-
uon, should advocate the measure just referred to.
Let not the guns Of this vast republic be lost for
want Of such polish as education always confers.
Nature does much for the human species, but edu-
catoa does mere. And to be educated by the first
talent in the world. which this country always
procure, will elevate the moral sentiment of the stu
dent and make him in future life blessing to his
fellow men, and an honor 10 his country.
The son Of any man known to be worth one hun
dred thousand dolla's or more, should be rejected
at this academy II should be devoted to the bene-
fit Of the middng classes and the talented poor.
must reserve my rambls with party Of ladies
to the top Of the mountain called the Crows Nest,
and also some remarks the geology Of that inter
esting district, for future communication.
doubt very much whether the biologists APP
pointed by the State took the trouble to climb up
the side Of this immense and almost inaccessible
elevation of 200 feet Not the celebrated Sous
sure, who crossed the Alps no less than fourteen
times in different tracks, and encamred with his
son for more than two weeks a high Alpine noun
tain, making at the same time the most interesting
meteorological and geological observations. His
has been the true reward Of the true Of science
immortal fame.
In my last communication. / said that Mr.. Doty
was the head waiter at the West Point Hotel; but
this is mistake he is the very gentee steward Of
that establishment. j. y.
ARLINGTON HoUsE, Long Island, July "a, ls4o