The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-10
w E ST POINT.
Tho Third Class Finishing tho Examination IN
xathematcs--A Clever Set Of "Immor.
talg'-Thc Graduates on Law and
Ethics-A Cavalry Drill

WEST POINT, June Q, 1874.
The 'rmmortals" in mathematics OF the third
class got through their examination this afternoon
in splendid style. Indeed, two three OF the
members OF the section went through tho severe
ordeal they were put to great deal more success
fully than many members OF the leading sections.
There was no evidence OF any examining what
ever, and II such an unreliable chance OF passing
well here as that fine arc SO well known to most
Of our colleges had been depended upon BY any
one Of the cadets he was certainly made to feel
before he lett the presence OF the instructors that
tits
ONE OF THE LOST ARTS,
so far as West Point Is concerned. In solving
problem on the blackboard each one was left to
himself and hts own resources, and II his solution
was not considered as full as was deemed neces-
sary, sharp question, "well, sir, Is that all ~
spurred him on to further calculations, which
were then sure to be followed by quite as sharp
rebuke. Explain the point yourself sir; don't let
me draw you out"
The close OF this mathematical examination of
the third class showed plainly TO any one present
who ever had doubt upon the subject, that the
nrst two years OF cadets life at the Academy must
ofnecessity be years OF the most intense application.
think It would be capital idea for fathers
who intend to have their sons sent here to bring
them to the examination OF the third class In
mathematics the year before their appointment
Is to be obtained. 1t would be OF immense advan.
tage to them and the best means possible to In
duce them to apply themselves to the study Of
mathematics before they come. Many boys get
appointed and know just enough Of the nrst rudi.
ments Of arithmetic TO allow OF their pass
ino all right at their 'plebe" exam.
nation, and astonish their parents couple
Of years afterwards when they are sent
homo with the explanation Tor their return
that they were found deficient in mathematics
the future studies OF the cadet IN engineering
gunnery and the like, and 1t is Tor this reason that
years besides performing his usual millta airy duties
the third classman. IRON the knowledge OF the
to pass az tSrd class NAM to master m the nirSer
opportunity Tor
A boy, then, who comes here with good knowl-
edge OF these higDer mathematics has in the first
than II he came only with just enough arithmel-
cal knowledge to get him through his plebe
eXeminati0n a1d IN me second place. stands IN
the third class examination.
THE GRADUATES AT 1T AGAIN.
The winding up OF the slmmortalsn in the third
class to-day made way for the nrst and second
sections Of the graduating class, who were ex.
examined IN this study appeared to DO perfectly
at home on the subject, so far as IL goes here
paS az se e s% 70
courts martial and their power, martial law and
i,s relation TO the civil power. definition Of mlni.
ctpal and international law to the right OF priva.
teering, &c. One OF the cadets noticed, stated,
IN answer to question. that IN case writ OF
commanding ol1cer for the production IN court OF
9 minor who had enlisted 10 the army OF his own
the writ 'unless he saw Mt" He could,
the cadet sad, simply send as his return
ana had sworn he Was tSensy ce TINS viii
be news to Judge Benedict and one or two other
United States Judges, who have had 20 many
years, in which they issued wrlts and no one
dared to refuse to obey the Court Probably no
law can be carried could be given than that given
by another cadet, who stated that Its extent de-
oosed at saa in mg este
day, this subject OF law is not very thoroughly
svely !" those delicate lines paw Which divide tho
military from the civil Jurisdiction and to detect
Ing In general way where, in war times and in
times OF peace, the one begins and the other ends.
CAVALRY DRILL.
The nrst class had squadron cavalry drill this
ground. amid pelting rain. TINS drill is very
exciting one, and the horses In the charge seem
riders themselves, it can be easily imagined what
splendid sight 1t is to witness.
Secretary Belknap left here yesterday afternoon
for KeOkuk, where his son has died. This sad
event will necessttate slight change In the pro-
mas, aud doubtless some one other than the Secro-
tary Will deliver the annual address.
THUNDER STORM.
We were treated about SIX O'Clock this evening
to one OIL those terrific thunder storms for which
this place Is SO famous Tne sky was Gle ar lew
minutes before SIX, when, with u suddenness that
was positively startling great black clouds began
to roll UP from the westward, while the rumblings
oil the distant thunder aud the hollow murmur.
ings that were in tue wind las though 1t had been
blowing where the thunder rolled, loretoli what
was at hand. The darkness was at one time the
darkness OF night. lit up occasionally BY a
vivid nash OF lightning, which revealed the
rain pouring down IN torrents all around
us, and yet up the river, as 1t were
between the storm, on the post near Cold Spring,
there was an intervening space where the SKY was
clear and the waterS beneath unrufled by the
slightest rainfall. fhis way OF distributing storm
by piecemeal Is a popularity Of the Clerk Of the
Weather who rules in these parts; and, despite
the terr0rs inspired by the live thunder, leaping
from crag to crag, and the flashes OF lightning,
which but add by their vivldness to the awfnlness
OF the night In day that prevails, is a sight well
worth travelling from the city TO behold But the
worst OF 1t Is for travellers, the hour Of the per-