The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-18

The address contained large share OF morality, was
very religious, and altogether sounded more like SER
than yaiedctory to class OF graduates After this
there fireworks OF every description al OF which, 1t
was understood made by the cadets themselves.
There were rockets. roman candles, blue Lights, fiery
wheels, showers OF fire, and the whole wound up with
the representation o. eagle Of gigantic dimensions.
During the afternoon, visiters were entertained with
somewhat novel sight, the making OF ponbon bridge,
hch Of the recent inventions in the trt OF war
and for which indebted to officer in the United
States army These bridges particularly adapted to
the nature OF Western rivers, and afford the
most rapid means for the transportation O an army
Of widest rivers. They are constructed
in the following manner and with rapity almost ncor-
ceiyab!c India rubber boats from fifteen to twenty feet
long capable OF being inflated at pleasure brought
to the banks Of the river in and bg the usual
process Of imitation s1eed out to the required dimen.
sions The frs; boat then launched and fastened by
Of two 8nciors-eno at the bow and the other at
the stern In TINS way It Is secured IN rs poshon.
Twelve inch pans out from the shore their ends
second boat launched about twelve feet further on! in
the river secured IA the manner by anchors. and
straight line with the first. The connection is then
made by planks and so the process goes en- until the
bridge made Of tae- required length That constructed
yesterday one hundred and fifty feet long, from
h.tecn to twenty wide and was made IN less than quar-
ter an hour. This wonderful feat accomplished by
of labor and was really the greatest performance
of the whole examination far as the drills are concern
CO. The OF these pontoon bridges should not how
ever be confined to the army they would be Of the
greatest service for the transportation OF bodies OF emil
grants the unbrdged rivers Of the far West not
already employed for the purpose they will be found an
invaluable addition to TIE equipage of our great wagon
rains in their overland journey across the continent.
understood that General Scott would be here be-
fore the close Of the examination but he has been detain
ed q. hcme b. the illness Of his daughter, who is now
however, rapidly recovering. Among the guests at
Cozzcns Is the Austrian minister the Chevaler Hulse
MANN who has been enjoying himself in the magnificent
scenery Of West Point for the past two or three weeks
Now that the examinations over, II might be sup
posed that TIL, place would soon be deserted; butt has
tu-a attractions which few other places in the country
seSs and which make it one Of tho most popular summer
Besides the academy Is always open TO vsters
and those who come to West Point seldom leave before
seeing all that is worth seeing in and about IT, The
det still there and through nearly the same exer
ces and drills which have taken place during the exam
nation week The places Of the gaduateshave been sup
Piled by the newly arrived recruts-o the number Of
about hundredand the same routine is preserved
from year year. the only change being in the inmates
OF The institution The following the names Of the
cadets i'll the academy, and with these will bring
my last letter from West Point 70 a conclusion