The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-01-18

ing advance, but more particularly TO
break the youngsters in. After that,
unless misconduct bars the way, each
boy has liberty on shore once every
fortnight, and if his parents or relatives
live in the city or near by from Saturday
to Monday. From forty TO fifty boys
are thus let loose on every Saturday, and
the captain asserts with pride that in
but few instances have any of them over
stayed their time and snone returned
under the influence of LIQUOR.
They mess and sleep on the gIin-deck,
the berth deck being Appropriated to the
men. Their morals are under the especial
care of the officers, who display the
greatest Interest in the welfare Of their
charges. Fos the purposes of discipline
the boys are divided into gun crews of
seventeen each, two Of which form a
division, each division being in charge of
a lieutenant Once a week the bags
containing their clothing are brought on
deck and the contents Of each carefully
inspected. Besides this there is a daily
morning inspection, and one afternoon
each week is devoted tn riending, old
sailors being detailed to teach them the
mystery of mending ard making their
garments. The course of Instruction Is
divided into two hours in the morning
and two in the afternoon, and, the
boys being detailed in four divisions,
each division goes al the end
of each hour to a difesnt course Of in
struction, Ia training al he guns, broad
sword exercise, single stick and infantry
drill, or, consolidated into two divisions,
take turns at practical seamanship, such
as making and shortening sail, bending
and unbending sails, sending down yards,
etc. Their lessons, studied Of evenings
are also recited in the morning hours.
Three schOOlmasters teach reading, writ
ing, spelling, ARITHMETIC, grammar, geog-
raphy and history. Swimming is also
taught. OF evenings fbe boys are en-
couraged to amuse themselves in singing
and instrumental muA The great
idea" said Capt, 60 u TO keep them
/ always engaged" 5
or the result of he Gaining of these
/ BOYS the officers of tie Constitution speak
/ with ore accord. heir good behavior,
their desire to learn their alacrity to obey
are warmly praised and while it seems TO
/ be admitted that when their time OF en-
/ listment expires with their twenty-first
year the majority will leave the navy,
vet it Is firmly believed the country will
BE benefited by the infusion into her
merchant servic, OF body OF skil'Ful
seamen of native birth, who, in time OF
war, would be quick TO return to a ser
vice in which tIey will always be appTe-
ciated.
As one vear's service in the training
ship is reGuirel before the boys can be
sent on a cruise, none of those on the
Constitution lave yet seen blue water ;
but Captain Schey, Of the Essex, and
CAPTAIN Adams, of the Hartford, both OF
which vessels have drafted boys from the
Minnesota, speak in the highest terms OF
their proficiency and availability ss sea
men. One excellent thing in the system
is that no .avoritism, political or other
wise. can secure an enlistment The
chance is open to every boy of good NOR
ais. who can secure the consent of his
parents or guardian. and who can pass
the very sevefe physical examination
REQUIRED by the navy department.. An,
other very pleasant idea will suggest it.
self TO the most casual observer whC
visits the Constitution, and that IS the
kindly. careful interest taken by the
ships officers in the welfare of the boys
The discipline is firm aud exact, and &c
the idle or vicious, severe. No time OF
pains are, however, lost apon such char.
acters when found to be incorrigible
They are reported at ONO to Washington
and mustered out.-Ptikdelphia Times