The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-06-15
Price Two Cents.
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West Point.
Correspondence Of tho Herald.1
WEST PorNT, June IL, 1872,
Description Of The Point Examination ofths Cadcis-
Their Average Capacity, &C. &c


WEST PorNT, June IL, 1872,
Description Of The Point Examination ofths Cadeis-
Their Average Capacity, &c. &c.
G. BENNETT, ESQ -
DEAR SIR =
voice from this retired spot surrounded as il is
by natural beauties of the highest ORDER will not be
unacceptable to many ofyour readers. 1t is mpos-
sbe to look around the prospect presented at this
Hotelwithout the deepest impression of admiration.
Such spot, had it been found in the Old World
would assuredly have been selected at remote
epoch, by the votares Of Monastic sanctity Its abb
soute secluslons, Its enclosure by wood covered
hills the tranquil and majestic Hudson meandering
through 1t, and a thousand other circumstances.
would have pointed 1t out for place of religious re-
tirement. How different has been its distinction
and how opposite the purposes TO which it is now
devoted Instead of the Convent bell summoniug
the peaceful inmates to their Mathis and Vespers.
the roll Of the drum, the braying of the trumpet and
the roar of the reverberae from hill to hill,
summoning the future leaders Of the national army
TO those studies and exercises so well suited to pre-
pare them for their duties Instead of a Convent.
with It's gloomy and ascetic tenants, a splendidly
furnished Hotel mot so well managed, however,
pcopled at this moment with the gayest and the
most fashionable, and the fairest from all parts Of
most prominent hill. In word the annual exami-
nation of the United States Military Academy is in
progress here and the board of visitors, with numer-
friends of the Cadets attracted from every quar-
ter crowd the hotel and share the hospitality Of all
the residents of the Point
The examination, which being public, we have
daily attended, is which offers results creditabe
alike to the school and the nation. The number Of
Cadets under examination is 2lS, consisting of four
classes. The subjects which they are examined
are in the Sciences, Natural Philosophy, Astrono-
my. Mmeralogy and Geology, and Mathematics
in Philosophy, Ethics-n the Arts, Engraving and
Drawing-in professional business, the science of
War, Tactics, Artillery, besides History Languages,
DC. The answering has been most creditable
among all the cadets to whom we have heard ques-
lions proposed; none betrayed any dscreditable de-
ficiency, and the large majority proved that they
possessed thorough practical knowledge of all the
subjects prescribed for their examination. Compar-
ing them with European establishments, which we
have had some opportunities of attending, we should
say that the average amount of requirement here is
greater than in Europe, but that individual cases of
very brilliant answering is less frequent II is right,
however, to observe that this may possibly be owing
to the manner of conducting the examination. The
object being apparently to test the industry and APP
pication Of moderately gifted minds, rather than
to determine those of the most distinguished ia
Tents.
These interesting examinations will be continued
until about the 10th June, after which the summer
encampment will be formed, some notice of which
you may expect to receive. VIAroR.