Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-10-08

The Naval School Mt Newport.
Examination of Candidates fo3 admission
Discipline of the 4c tdemy-Fitcts Con-
CerHtag The IIuctics Ships-How MidShip-
men are Taught.
NEWPORT, Il. L., Friday, Oct 2, 1868.
The regular examination of candidates for
admission to the naval academy commenced
few days since, and will close to-day. | will
be able to send you tomorrow or Saturday,
full list OF the midshipmen who may have
passed-COmmodore Blake having on my ar
rival given me permission to obtain all the
information desired The great aud rapid in
crease of our navy has rendered the perod-
cal admission OF mldShipnen to the naval
school Il very important event. When the
number of candidates accepted at each ex-
animation was counted by fveS and tens,
little general interest was felt about the af-
fair; but now hundreds apply for admission.
The spring and fall ceremonies attract the
curious and the a1iiuent from all parts of the
country. Newport would be comparatively
deserted at this period of the season, but for
the excitement Of the academy. As it is, the
hotels are studded with guests, anxious to
witness the proceedings. No small share of
the soJOurners are composed of the rela-
tives and friends of the aspirants to ma, al hon.
ors. The anxious faces of parents and
guardians can be easily dscerned among the
crowds that throng the halls and galleries.
Celebrities, too, have their representatives
Bancroft, Julia Ward Howe, Tuckernan,
and others, mix frequently with the audience
at the school. Many distinguished citizens
of New York also witness daily the eyolutions
of the Mitlslipmen.
Annapolis as is known, was formerly the
''locale" of the academy until the treason Of
the south made It's removal eXpedIent. 1t is
now situated at the commencement of Thames
street, IN this city, in spacious ediice, for
merry the Atlantic house. Its proximity to
the city, however, tetracts from ITS value and
another removal is contemplated The au
thorites of the city have offered the navy de-
partment, as free gift, Coartis Island, which
contains 100 acres of land or Whereabouts.
Commodore Blake is fayorably disposed to-
ward the acceptance of the grant, as, To use
his own words, at is remote enough for dis
cipllne and near enough for convenience"
The examination is now confined to young
men seeking admission to the school. The
questions asked are not difficult to answer, if
the boy possesses any sort of education.
Nevertheless, in grammar, spelling and arth-
metic the answers are sometimes very bad.
In geography and history candidates are well
lnfOrmed but the ignorance Of many of the
fundamental principles Of knowledge is won-
dcrtul. | have not heard any one say that
Mount VesuviuS was the capitol of the Med.
iterranean Sea, as British candidate for ac-
ceptance said to an East India company Off
Ger, but the following officers are cqualed in
erroneousness every day at Newport.
ONcer-Spell effects.
Pupil-E.f-e-x.
O6iceT-No, that's very bad.
PUp1-EfteX.
OHcer-No effects.
There is often an amusing reply, as fol-
lows:
Officer Would it be grammar to say, oman
and woman is the noblest works of God?"
PUpiI-No, sir, it should be oman is the
nobleSt work of God"
When the. young candidate is passed, he is
ordered to report for duty, where he is soon
lost in the numbers of his own age who are
all dressed in neat and becoming uniform,
which is required to be kept in the most per-
feet order. 4 hammock and Il locker is
assigned to each one; he and everything be-
longing to him is numbered, and by his nun
Der he is known. No time is lost, and they
at once commence their studies, few in num-
Der the first year; but i'll these they are drill
ed until they are thoroughly grounded in the
rudimentS Of an English education No ad-
vance is made till that which has been learn
ed is understood, and can be applied correct
ly and without hesitation. The studies for
the first term are arithmetic, grammar and
geography; and for the second, geometry,
English grammar, history and composition.
The rectations are all at the blackboard.
The question is given and the answer is
written out at length on the board--a method
which tests the pupils knowledge of the sub
ject, and at the same time pertects him in
composition, photography and punctuation.
There are three REGULATIONS daily, except on
Saturday, on which day the practical exer-
cises commence at IL l2 O'clock, and por-
ton of the afternoon is given up to recrea-
ton On the other days of the week, (Sun.
day, of course, excepted,) after the third rec
itation, which closes at 4 P. M, there is drill
eight Infantry and dress parade.
THE SCHOOL FLEET.
Foryears one sailing corvette was deemed
sufficient for the academy. Now the follow
ing fleet ia in its service: