Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-06-27
THE NAVAL ACADEMY.

turned last Wednesday afternoon to Washington,
The examinations terminated the same day, and to
those who were present they cannot but have af-
forded deep qualification. The whole course is excel
lent and thorough, and all that could be desired not
only embracing the direct professional quali6ca
tons of the officer but very properly extending into all
the studies and requirements which Indirectly
socaed with the duties of whose swords and pens
have equal share in representing the country
and defending the flag The high standing of the nsti-
tution its rapid Improvement wholesome regulations,
and present complete organization the surpris
ing when consider that its existence dates back as
late 1916, under Secretary BANCROFT. An English
naval officer the of deceased distinguished Admit
rail- in visiting the academy remarked that he had seen
several naval schools in Sweden he had thought the
complete before coming to this country; that of
France excellent; but our own, embracing, as 1t
Does every advantage that could give one character
and practical knowledge to the young officer was une
qualed This should be known and appreciated 1t is
at what aimed and what have succeeded in secur
ing. large navy we cannot have; but what we have
should excel.
Those who have been present at the examinations and
observed attentively how the midshipmen acquitted
themselves must feel assured that they answer the
highest expectations of any naval corps The young
has successfully passed through of sesmanshp
nautical astronomy, navigation and surveying naval
tactics gunnery steam chemistry, history, languages
international law and ethics besides branches
of ordinary English education claims confidence from
those who look upon him of distinguished corps
who entrusted with the welfare of their country at
home and of its citizens abroad. 1t pleasing to OBJ
serve with what ease and self-assurance those young
would turn from the most difficult theories of nau
teal astronomy to explain The rights of nations
None of the graduating class failed FnANcIs B.
BLAKE, of Captain BLAKE United States navy took
the first honors. The diplomas publicly awarded
in The chapel. The lively and interesting
Some choice music added to the enjoyment of the
pany The Board of Visitors, attended by Capt COLDS
BoRoUGH-an officer of well-known merit and distinc-
tion-and by the academic staff, first entered; roll of
drums and flies next announced the midshpmen. The
graduates occupied seats in front.
After prayers by the Rev. THEo. B. BARROW the class
of graduates addressed by Commander THOMAS JEF-
PERSON PAGE who deputed to perform the duty by
Capt. GoLDsBoRouGH and the Board of Visitors.
After some Introductory remarks aluding to the
ritorious efforts of officers under the sold system
educate themselves in the sciences embraced maritime
art Capt. PAGE continued:
1t has not been unusual in days hope forever past
to hear these efforts of naval sneered at
cessary to distinction in nautical e and this by officers
their profession those who entertain such views
will point to an age or PERIOD ancient modern, in
which professional eminence in any maritime organza
ton has been attained without high moral and mental
culture the result either of sefeducation the tuition
of others, will undertake to prove that education in
sUery other walk of life should be abandoned.
At very early periods Of maritime adventure we find
nautical men coseed in study, decpherng principles
and systems applying themselves to the theoretical
luton ofprobems which subsequent experience enabled
them to demonstrate practically. At the close of the
dark ages the fifteenth century opened era, the
dawn of uncouded day of civilization, which
times scarcely to have reached its meridian
The invention of printing made all knowledge progress
sive; and improved social organization sprung up
new forms, of civilization; men sought Intellectual light
and diyed into such of the scientific records of the
clients saved by learned Arabians, and at that
time preserved among conventua treasures No depart
ment of science embarrassed imperfect
than geography The extended voJ ages of the Phene-
clans, the crcumnavigaon of Africa, the Atlantis of
the West, were referred to myfhic legends The
Mediterranean and the Euxne formed almost the boun
dairy of nautical experience. The coveted wealth of the
Indies was only poured into the lap of Western nations
by long overland journeys perilous inland navigation
The power and application of the magnet were under
Stood but mariners trusting their barqvss mdy tie its
guidance, still Rugged the coasts and looked with
upon the great expanse of the ocean.
Like the great astronomer of our times who from
the depths of mathematical knowledge discovered the
celestial world Portuguese Prince from the quiet halls
of country house Cape St. Vncert conceived the
grand idea of penetrating the mysteries of the
south, and directing Portugal by oceanic highway
the trade of the Indies. In the maritime enterprises
that sprung from this thought great terrestrial world
was unveiled But what the course pursued by this
Princes Did he send rude mariners eoursing the
rackess Deep who by force of accident luck to
reach the Dorado No; his the true wisdom which
leads to great results genius tempered by
long and patient study expansive intellect rejecting
nothing that bore remotely science the useful
arts. He acquired q good mathematical knowledge,
mastered all the astronomy known to the ancients and
earnestly applied himself to the acquisition Of their inn
perfect geographical science An Observatory and Naval
College established at Sagres. Nautical men of all
nations invited 10 repair to Portugal where,
couraged by the Prince and enlightened by study they
boldly launched forth the wilderness of waters.
stupendous maritime enterprise followed-no less
than the opening of the portals of the Western Atlantic
Among the nautical who repaired to Portugal
| the Genoese Columbus. Who Columbus? A rude
sailor, who by chance guided his barque to Western
hemisphere? One of his bographers, among the most
eminent Of our American writer's. tells that he no
youthful adventurer seeking the pleasurabe excitement
of nautical enterprise; wild visionary, reasoning
from the data of an excited Imagination but past
the prime of fe the best years Of which had been given
nautical studies the requirement of practical
manship, to the construction of maps and charts, the
main support of his family taking part in the African
discoveries then studying Aristotle, Seneca, Plny,
Srabo, Polemy; in noting all indication of land in the
West in correspondence with the most learned cosmo-
grapher of the age the Florentine Toscane in fine,
making all the geographical science and traditions of the
ancients his own. Such were the preparations Of Co.
umbus for the most brilliant and croynng achievement
of his maritime upon which he at last launch
| ed with " hairs silvered by age and thought"
The Florentine Verrazzani who coased the whole of
what is the United States, the Atlantic, in 1924
interesting narrative, and submitted plan of
colonization to the French Sovereign under whose ban
ner he sailed The Cabots father and son. were men
high intelligence. Sebastian the distinguished is