The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-06-08
West tAo1nt.
Correspondence Of the HERALD

Hall Of Eran,nsatios-Academical Statistics-Sy-
aopsis Of the CoNrse of hsst,uction-C Corps Of Ca
dets-7nsI Discipiss and Prospects-An Infant
ry Revieuc.
To-day brought it's full quota Of arrvals-what the
morrow may bring forth time alone will reveal; but
a change of weather is likely, the clouds this
evening are moving darby over the hills, and are
apparently the precursors of ram. Come what will,
it is not to be expected that the glowing flame Of
military ardor that now perches on the top OF this
martial emnence, will be at all damped Mars,
shrewdy suspect, has thunder his especial guardian
ship and viii either cast his vote for dry weather
make such arrangements as will not interfere with
the legitimate calling of his Bellona, too, will
have word to says for many, if not all, Of her
daughters-at least, of her sex-appear deeply inte
rested in the uninterrupted progress of the exercises
that have convened SO many here from various and
distant quarters.
| Nine o'clock being the prescribed hour, the board
took their seats this morning with all the punctuaty
that characterises the profession. The hall of
animation is large and handsome apartment in the
form OF an oblong square. All Of its length in
the centre, Is occupied by platform two feet high,
| on which is placed transverse row of tables, for
the use Of part Of the board In the centre of this
| row sits the President, Gen. Scott, Commander In
| Chief OF the United States Army his commanding
figure and truly martial demeanor lending air of
dignity to the scene while on either hand are seat
led the Secretary at War, the Hon. VIM L. Marcy;
l,nd others in official attendance Parallel, and al
most in contact with the front verge of the platform,
ire other tables, extending all the way the
room, except section In the middle, where, at
arge desk, are seated Major Deafed, the Com
| nandant of the establishment, and Adjutant Nc
Dowel to whose courtesy, as well as that of the
Major, visitors are much indebted for information,
whenever it is sought. The various gentlemen who
put the questions to the Cadets occupy the tables last
mentioned; of the names of those gentlemen, list
will be found below. On the rear of the platform
chairs, seats placed for ladies' Of whom the at
tendance is considerable, allowing for the dry ma
ture OF the theme that engages the attention OF the
house without intermlsson. AT one end of the hall,
third OF its entire space is for the of transient
view Of the proceedings. AT the other extremity and
corresponding secton isthe arena where the cadets
are placed, when under examination They. come
in about twenty at time, take seat provided tor
their use at one side OF the apartment, and called
up alternately in the order in which they stand In
their respective classes. In order, however, to ex-
pedite business, questions are put to four or five in
succession, thereby saving the interval that would
elapse between the questions and their solutions,
which frequently abstruce calculations, or COM
pick diagrams which require several minutes to pre-
pare. Those who are fond Of scientific investga-
tons, could not fail to relish these proceedings for
the variety of the questions is nexhaustbe, and the
accuracy Of the answers and the diversity Of express
and style in the language Of the respondents are
though there is an evidently thorough comprehen-
sion OF the several topics propounded, yet there is
lack of defniteness in the responses, and loose
ness in the terms used, which impair. good deal,
is the case universally. Men who wish to speak
well must attend to the cultivation of the art. They
who think most do not speak BEST and certainly
there is nothing in Notifications, mechanics civil
engineering to facilitate the acquisition Of that CO.
piousness and command of words without which the
cearest ideas will 60 forth shrinking, stark-naked,
without a rag to cover them.
The second class was up to-day, the subjects on
| which they were examined being natural and ex-
perimental philosophy There are sxty-two MEM
bers In this class, and among that NUMBER 1t may
be well supposed, there are several very promising
young The five-sixths of the Cadets here are
under q years of age, and very few go above that
The discipline to which they are Injured, is strict
without harshness, and minute without being vexa-
tlous. Justice the most rigid, and mpartialty the
most scrupulous, are melted out to all A daily re-
gster throughout the year is kept, of individual mer-
It and demerit: and Of these statement appears at
the end Of each session or term, expressed in plain
the sum indicating the aggregate Of acadet's merits
every unit OF proficiency IN every brach of his stu
dies, every exceency of conduct, ability and dispo-
stion, are included. Of this, which forms most
clear, yet concise history OF the individuals academ
ic life, regular returns are sent to Washington, and
stated times, corresponding reports forwarded
to the parents of the pupils. In this way, every one
finds his just positions powerful stimulus is given
to the students, and all msconception the part Of
over solicitous parents obvlated. Not member of
the several classes who is not well known at head
quarters through this system, as ne is to his precep
tors. Thus the best men are marked out as men of
promise, and candidates for future preferment !;
whilst those who, either from incapacity, or perver-
sty are unworthy the privileges furnished by their
country, and who give no promise of worthy re-
turn, are detected and dismissed.
The course OF instruction is pretty extensive, as
may be seen by glance at the synopsis annexed
Il is divided into four divisions, corresponding with
the four classes Of cadets Under the first class
included;
Engineering aud Science Of War-Instructors-
sor Mahan Lieut. Newton Lieut. Smith.
Ethics-Prof Parks, Lieut.. scammon.
Infantry Tdctics-Capt Thomas
.4rfiuery-Capt. Reyes.
Mineraosy and Geoiogy-Prof Bailey, Lieut.. Kendrck,
SECOND CLASS.
Observation-Disclosures Bailey, Lieut.. Kendrick, Lieut..
Natural and Experimental Phiosephy-Professor Bart.
lett, Lieut. Roberts, Lieut.. Rosecrans, Lieut. Deshon
Drawins-Mr Weir, Lieut. Smith
Observation-Disclosures Church, Lieut.. Howe, Lieut.
Qumby.
French Language-Mr. Berard, Mr.. Agnel, Lieut.. De
Oromieulx.
English Grammar--Prof Parks Lieut. scammon, Lieut.
Hardie.
FOURTH Glass.
Mathematics-Lieut Vodges, Lieut. Clarke, Lieut. AL.
French Language-Mr. Berard Mr.. Agnel, Lieut. De
Oremieulx.
In all cases the whole course of instruction. as
above noted, gone through by the cadets but
determines the branches particularly cultivated In
the eye of the Board there is difference in the rela-
tive Importance of these Observation-Disclosures ma
tural philosophy and chemistry having the prece-
dence of French, drawing or ethics, for instance !;
and in order that the most important should prepon-
derate in the minds of the students, and command
degree OF attention proporonate to their value, ex
ceence in them has numerical expression, double
the value of the minor studies: for example, he who
is at the head Of the mathematical class is entitled
TO an amount Of credit greater than that of him who
is first in chemistry, IN the proportion OF ten to five
while the latter will take precedence of the mere
ingust, by the same rule. As soldiers, their regu-
ations are exact and stringent enough to promote
discipline. The whole force of the corps Of cadets
is under the command OF Capt. Thomas U. S. A.,
md are divided into four companies whose captains
md subordinate officers are chosen out of their own
ranks Infantry. artillery, and cavalry evolutons
practised, and all fitted for the service he may