The New York herald., 1869-06-16

should attain only after q rigid examination
Win not t, more slan irom six to twelve I'VE, on ahsa
would supply q want that is felt, be more useful
TO the government. and at the same time be &C.
other method. The theory and practice Of gunnery
must be attractive to the youth who desires to ne
fled but not surprised by the successful examina
tions in the recitation room, and the admirable
target firing with the heavy guns OF the santee.
The mortar practice was also good. The drill on
shore with sixteen boat hOwitzers, showed perfect
familiarity with the work, and was brilliant eXh-
witnessed satisfactory exhibition of naval tactics,
representing in small boats the different orders Of
steamng and sailing feets divisions and squadrOns.
TO be observed for battle and other purposes and OF
changes from one order to another. The midshp-
appeared before us as battalion Ofiniantry on
dress parade. and In battalion exercises performing
all the ordinary changes OF front and formation,
marching and changing column and line, and win
nlng from us and all spectators the most enthusi-
aStlc praise
Beyond expressing its approval OF the course OF
instruction and its satisfaction with the results, the
Board has nothing special to remark concerning the
examination in mathematics, astronomy, naviga-
tion surveying and natural and experimental philo-
sophy. The department OF steam englnery presents
more of novelty. Vice Admiral Porter constructed
the edi6ce known as the ''steam building" IN which
marine engine, complete IN all its parts even TO
the propeller. kept ready for use and freely
open to the midshipmen, under competent super
vision, affords them every facility for practical
study. The department is well supplied WI models
and drawings, ana contains boilers In severa!
stages OF construction. The graduates were very
thoroughly examined, orally and IN writing, upon
all the ordinary problems Of steam, apd were re.
qrtired to show that they could personally run and
govern the engine. The textbook In use, "Main ana
Brown upon the Steam Engne,' an English work,
is manesty unfit, being deficient IN some respects
and erroneous in others; and we are Informed that
much time is consumed in correcting its errors and
iecturing upon important topics which 1t does not
touch. Many parts of the engine are designated by
names not in use IN this country. The subject of heat
is very briefly treated, and the theory advanced is
not accepted at the present day. 1t contains no
analysis of American Goals, nor any table showing
their relative efficiency. The dozen lines devoted
to anthracite coal contains several inaccuracies.
1t coniesses that Its rules for finding the efficiency
OF engines are OF little use. 1t has no list OF our
ships, and its long list OF British ships contains the
names OF many that are not In the service; and its
table OF engines in ships makes no mention OF the
boilers attached which are the real exponents Of the
capable officer could be selected 10 prepare text
book on the subject, which would be very valuable,
not only t2 the Academy, but to many other AMeri-
We doubt if any institution in the world affords
equal facilities for The theoretical and practical study
of steam and the steam engines, and it has seemed
to that they might be made Of much more aivant-
age to the navy and tine country. We think that
further efforts should be made to carry into effect
education OF naval constructors and engineers
The navy will annually require additions to the
Engineer corps, and the officers Of that corps could
not be better trained elsewhere. II the regulations
for the admission OF cadet engineers are such as
to defeat the object entirely they can easily be
modified.
In the department of ethics and English studies we
see nothing calling for special remark addition 10
general commentator.
and written examinations Oh the constitution Of
the United States, the law OF nations generally
ana a s m e Of anS war s M o sn
pens that our naval officers appear the sole re-
personalities Of the government in circumstances
requiring the most prompt and energetic action, as
well careful and accurate judgment and 1t is i'm
portant that all who hope to deserve the command
OF SHIPS should be well grounded in the general
m a Ug k01 RI Ia in
such emergencies. In connection Herewith the
Board freely praised the progress OF the graduates in
these as in many other branches it can only be ex-
pected that the Academy Will start the scholar upon
his course; but so far as the work Is attempted II
certainly very well done. All the drawings of the
midshipmen-rght line, sketching perspective, topO
graphical, chart and mechanical-were exhibited to
the Board. The general average is exceedingly
good, and there are many examples Of marked ex.
cellence
In committing to the government the absolute
control OF several hundred youth, the country has
right 10 expect careful regard to their moral and
religious culture. The obvious dificulties OF the
case in State without church are met as well as
they can be. In the regular course provision is
made for familiar lectures by chaplain upon 'the
ground OF moral obligation; our relations to God
and consequent duties; personal duties; the
chief relations OF men to each other in
society, and the duties thence arising" d.
and on euass anda he m
grounds, at which sit IL desired that all shall
attend" The students are excused upon written
reasons OF conscience, but they required to at
tend other services If such held In the town. IN
chapel fifteen minutes before breakfast are ordered
by the regulations; but for various reasons which
we are informed are temporary this has given place
to brief invocation at the table. We think IL pre-
ierabe that In place where the honor Of obedience
and faithful discharge OF duty are well taught
In other respects this daily act of worship should
not be overlooked, and we are convinced that It is
not well to prescribe, as we find 1t Is done, that at
all other hours on sunday save those occupied at
hn nhana Cfn ghAll skA
scrbed hours Of study" The judgment Of the
wisest Psychologists, as well as the moral and re-
liglous sense OF the country requires that sunday
shall be day OF rest from all unnecessary labor.
We do not believe that this infringement Of the rule
finds due compensation In the additional progress
made In study. The Monday morning recitations
do not commence until eight O'Clock, ana they can
easily be so arranged that sufficient preparations
can be made on that morning.
Conscientious scrupes are carefully regarded In
other respects, and they should be In this IN ac-
cordance with the customs OF colleges generally
health and training. Hours OF study and exercise
are rlgidy prescribed. The rooms are plainly
ne. Is determined IN b upon Sy
tendent, and Is furnished by comnssary OF long
experience. An oillcer presides at the mess. table
as inspector and officer In charge Bathing at regu-
lar intervals Is required, and the best facilities are
at other times at trifling charge The
police OF the ground and buildings Is admirable;
every description are positively forbidden. Regu.
lar instruction Is given In dancing, boxing and
to submit to gymnastic training. Ball playing and
rowing are encouraged, as the Board had excellent
evidence. The result OF all TINS care Is remarkably
fine physical development, with instances OF supe-
rior gymnastic skill and strength and very sats-
factory general condition OF health During the
year, out Of nearly 400 students and officers there
has been average OF only about two per cent ex-
cused from duty by reason OF Ill health, which has
usually been OF slight and temporary character. The
regulations speak Of the Importance OF the art OF
swimming, TO which all would yield ready
assent; but we ind that owing to the multiplicity
OF other duties, and the occurrence OF the annual
cruise from June to october, no instruction and no
are afforded. This seems to the Board
defect IN system OF physical culture, otherwise
almost without fault, and the Board invites atten-
ton TO the matter
The hospital Is unexceptonable, 80 far as 1t goes,
but the Board IL decidedly OF the opinion that IL IL
greatly insufficient. II can properly accommodate
only twelve patients, and including the detachment
of marines the various Of vessels generally at
tins station and the employees OF all descriptions.
there are many hundreds OF persons who can CLAIM
attention IRON the Medical Department. IL IL pro-
posed TO remedy this, as the Board OF Visitors have
repeatedly recommended, by the erection OF q new
hear It,lt t,nnn tha Grounds lately Durchaspu