The New York herald., 1868-06-17
w e ST POINT.
After the Hop-Ihe Practice Fleet-How the
Middies Look Aboard Their Yes-eis-A
Dinner at tine HESS Hall-ArtilIery
Drill in the Rain-The Board OF
visitOrs-General Grant.

and maiden aunt5 OF a certain age were at their
edible posts as promp, ever but then, they didn't
go to the hop last night and the Others did. So that
accounts for the absence OF the bright side Of
the picture and the presence of the other
side. However, when the gong sounded for
dinner this afternoon the pretty faces that
created such havoc with MILDLY and CADET hearts
last night appeared in the dining rooms fresh and
as blooming ever, as though they had never
attended ball in all their lifetime but had been for
week or more nicely packed up in bed Of roses
and had just been let out for an airing.
1t is really amusing, dinner being Over to sauner
along the piazzas and smoke your cigar quietly and
overhear-not lisen-to the remarks OF the fair ones
they sit in little groups and talk OF whom they
danced with at the hop and what they thought
about him, what his nose was shaped like, what the
color OF his hair was seen to be by gaslight or
| ought to be by daylight. What would not some
mddies and cadets give just to near their names
mentioned in this way and the criticisms that fol-
lows How many would blush to their hair roots
and feel very consequential and how many others
would stare and wonder perhaps get angry and then
quickly get over it again But no telling tales out of
school.
THE PRACTICE FLEET.
The practice fleet IL still riding proudly on the
Hudson here and continues to be q very great
attraction TO visitors. went ON board the Sayan-
nah again to day, and through the courtesy OF the
officers had an excellent opportunity Of observing
the middes on their native SOIL if the expression be
not paradOxica. The main deck is, of course, made
OF oak, and either by carpenters art or
constant scrubbing has been rendered as smooth
as parOr mirror and almost transparent.
person passing alongside the ship in a small boat
only the great dark sides of the vessel with
her iron 'dogs Of war; looking out threateningly
upon the waters, their stern immortality relieved
occasionally by the appearance OF MILDLY
running up to the mast head with the agil-
ity of monkey. But once the visitor has
reached the ladder hanging over the bulwarks and
down to the waters edge and trembling lest by
misstcp he should go head over heels into the river
life OF cOmmOtiOn meets his eye that is at once as
novel to Gland lubber" as 1t in
here and there talking and laughing, perhaps
about the hearts they tried TO break at the hop last
night a all n aost gto the snip grim nns oa sailors
slant hum OF voices and perpetual din OF Slight
noises, such as The echong Of mems feet in
ging Of a hawser over the vessels sides the
furnishing OF the brass ornaments of the
wheel the clancklng Of chain that is being care
fully coiled by two robust old 'salts,r who ac as
though they didn't care about the chain making any
and evidences OF strict discipline show them.
selves in every movement made, In every
word spoken. was particularly interested in
little scene that took place between a sailor
and one Of the Officers. Captain" tof the some
officer, looking about hlm. AYE, aye, sir answered
an old fellow with short cropped beard all about his
the waist he waddled out from group OF his fel-
lows. Is lis the grub ready r. Up wen, the rough
b. Tsn sr TO rsadS 81 seyen
Then go get it-i'm ready for it," | pictured
to few ss a. 0aSe At s table ossr asgs er seated ,a
all the delicacies OF the season. The captain
back shortly, carrying in both hands immense
dish fun OF boiled rice and big spoon stuck in the
middle of it ike small mainmast. The officer took
the spoon and at the same time several mouthfuls
of the rice then smacked his lips with satisfaction.
"That'll do" The Old sailor turned about with
his dish aud disappeared and the onicer continued
his walk. Now this little provision business was
quite novelty 10 land ubber bat when one under
stands its import he viii not fail 10 moraliZe and
think what an excellent thing 1t would be wa, there
O law compelling every boarding house keeper 20
taste the food he prepares for his victims before he
gives 1t TO them. Would the boarding house race
last very long,
Below the main deck of the vessel are the guns and
along the sides, just within easy reach OF each
barker in brass fastenings, cutasses, revolvers,
ana all sorts Of hOrrd looking boarding instruments
are arranged in order About the masts, IN circle,
so placed that they can be pulled out from
their positions without any difficulty. IN the
centre of the ship, on ie same deck with the guns,
IL an immense range, around which several prawny
fellows were persprin9 in their efforts to get
bodys dinner ready. In the forecaste are the wash
rooms for the wardens and the hospital and both
sides lust near the executive officers neat parlor and
the other officers bed ranged the berths OF
the young cadets. found many OF the youngsters
sitting on camp stools with writing desks
on their knees and busily engaged IN in
dting letters to be sent out by the next mail"
Others collected in groups about gra-
duate whom they were all looking at as though Ad-
mral Farragut had been lately deposed and the gra
duate installed IN his place They were nevertheless
talking to him IN the most familiar way, calling him
| by the undignhed title OF jim" and asking him
| how he liked ''that wine we got last night
Everything about the ship denotes the utmost order
and the mddies on board seem to be thorough sailor
pertinent on their vessels as they have been 50 far
on land in their intercourse with the army cadets.
The main deck OF the savannah would give the
cadets here better dancing door than any they can
boast Of on the post and from all can learn on the
subject the middies afford the gray coats
brilliant opportunity TO test It and sec If they can
| ''shivef the timbers"
| THE MTDDIEs IN THE MESS HALL
The cadets are exerting their best endeavOrs TO
make the midshipmen's visit a pleasant one. This
morning after getting over the fagues OF yester-
| day and bethinkng themselves o! the jolly young
fellows from the ships, who did much last night
to please the ladies' the cadets made up their minds
| that the middies should dine with them to-day. OF
course the cadets themselves didn't send the invita-
ton, but the proper authorities here, who are sup
| posed to faithfully interpret the wishes OF the
was accepted as matter Of consequence, and so at
three O'Clock this afternoon the two corps sat down
to dinner together in the mess hail. Perhaps It would
the interesting proceeding; OF how delicious morsels
| we're rolled about under sailor tongues and pro-
nounced better than sea fare or how the cadets
might have winked at their guests and with q
friendly nudge In the ribs gently limited that
were not always part and parcel Of their dnings as
| they were to-day BE that as II may, there was an
| extraordinary spread at the dinner. There were
| rasins in abundance fresh from the importers
| cargo, almonds and rare nuts that were harder to
| crack than even contumacious "plebe" with his
| dander up to one hundred and thirty de.
| grees In the shade of the barrack yard
and as for oranges there was plethora
SHAPES, makes and tastes and puddngs that % most
certainly must have been prepared with all the skill
OF professional Paris caterer And the viands, why
II would be absurd to try TO describe their luscious
ness, the sickness OF their liquid surroundings. the
sauces and the favorite joints. OF champagne
| there was plentiful absence and OF water
there was, indeed fine abundance. Why,
| the cadets almost imagined themselves at
where 1t il to be presumed tender meats come fresh
from the freshest Of markets. II the Board OF Visit
ors had In their ofncia rambIings, stroled into the
| hai IN nm IA 0lori.