The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-12-14

To stranger in Austin, there is no place
more deserving of visit than the grounds
and buildings of the Texas Military Institute.
When this school commenced operation here
little over a year ago, in the face OF hnan~
cial difficulties and the foolish, but determ"
ined opposition of the present administraN
ton and of the late Legislature, our citi-
zens regarded its success as a matter of e1-
treme doubt Jet their were some 50 sanguine
as to predict the splendid success which has
since crowned the efforts of the superinten-
dent and his able corps of colAborers.
Owing to the great press of students last
session, Col. James spent the vacation in
| putting up extensive additions to the Cadet
barracks, mess ball and hospital accom-
modatious The addition to the Cadet
barracks is in conformity with the general
plan and deaign, so that when the entire
plan is finished, it will be a massive and i'm
posing building, in the form of a square, each
front nearly one hundred yards long, aud
three stories high, with galleries running
around the entire length of the building on
each story on the inside. The quadrangle
enclosed will be about an acre Of ground.
This. immense building will be the largest
school edifce South of Virginia, and when
completed will deserve to be the pride of the
State. The style of architecture is Norman
| with octagonal towers and battlemented cor
! nice which set off the building with fine eff
feet When finished nearly five hundred
Cadets could find comfortable quarters within
l., besides the rooms to be used as lecture
halls, recitation rooms, offices, etc.
Upon a recent visit we were delighted with
the neatness and order peryading the whole
establishment. The various recitation rooms
we found provided with blsckboaris painted
upon the plastered walls, a vast Improvement
on the old style-the Cadet rooms we found
warmed by steam, and the gun racks with
their polished muskels, and accoutrements'
reminded US that we were indeed in what
the Cadets call "barracks.D H..-
In addition to the regular infantry drills,
there is daily drill in artillery with the two
ten FOUNDER PARROT guns recently loaned tie
school by the State, in which the Cadets al
ready display considerable proficiency. In
order to develop still further the military
branch, fencing lessons are given to such Ca
| diets as select that exercise. This department
is under the practical control of Capt. A. G..
DuTour, most accomplished master of the
foil. The admirable manner in which the
studies and military duties are arranged, does
not permit the latter, in any way, to infringe
Upon the time necessary for prosecuting the
| former.
1t gives US pleasure to note the large num-
Der of Cadets present, nearly one hundred,
and we feel assured that in few years there
will be two hundred, if not more, if Colonel
James can only provide the necessary builds
ings. With the present accommodations
forty more Cadets can be taken, and we
would advise those interested in the educa-
ton of their sons to apply at once, as we
were told by the Superintendent that appli-
cations were coming in more freely than ever
before at this season of the year.
Read the advertisement and write for cata-
1 logue nd circnIars