Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-06-23
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.
Special Correspondence.

budt ali NeW lOIk LIDS UCou up do "Coe
Point this week, for that enchanting
spot has not even temporary accommoda-
ton for one per cent. of the Gothamites
but at all events, great crowds of the
elite of this and other cities have
swarmed upon its hotel piazzas, roamed
through its romantic groves and lanes,
and stood admiringly about the parade
ground, from Monday until Thursday.
The event, of course, was the graduating
exercises of the class of 10, who are
now full blown army officers (albeit at
the foot of the LADDER, ready, and the
most of them anxious, to enter active
service at the Far West.
There are few spots on the conti-
nent which can vie with West Point
in beauty and refined spledor Of scenery.
Nature has done everything for it in the
way of contour and variety. The mas
ses of rock and forest verdure piled in
careless symmetry, the broad river wind
below and stretching northward in full
sight for ten miles between high and
heavily undulating banks, the views
of melting blue distance, and the del
icate and luxuriant vegetation near at
hand, give a rare landscape from every
standpoint, and suggest the wish for
lifetime of luxurious ease in which to
enjoy auch varied loneliness. But who
dares talk of luxurious ease at West
Point ? Shades of the martinets am
almost afraid to publish this, lest Gen.
eral Schoefeld should send down here
and have me put under arrest, and per-
haps courtmartialed and shot, for giving
utteranee to such an incendiary sugges-
ton. assure you that nature monop-
olizes ease and repose at West Point.
Nothing animate has any business there
with luxury or easy going civilian COM
fort. and even such animate things as
the cadets barracks and officers quar-
tiers have the uncompromisingly square
cut look about them which impels the
sensitive observer to involuntarily square
his shoulders and fall into sort of mil
itary step as he passes them by. The
close shaver parade ground is one vast
carpet of emerald velvet, upon whose
prim perfection no straw or leaf would
dare intrude itself any more than it
would venture to invade the generals
well scrubbed sidewalk, up and down
which sentry constantly PAGES.
The course of sprouts" through which
the cadets are put is, as might be in
ferred, even if the fact had not been SC
frequently reiterated, pretty severe one
during all of the four years course
Beside mastering the abstruse studio:
which are administered in heroic doses
and constant drilling with heavy rifles
the boys have to learn by hard expert
ence every thing which a common SOL
der is expected to know. They have
to keep their scantily furnished rooms
in order, make their own beds, keel
their uniforms and guns in Immaculate
condition, and perform for themselves
every mental service. Some Of then
come to the Academy from Luxurious
homes, and from the enjoyment of ever.
liberty and comfort. To such the irol
rule and machine-hke life at Uncl
Sans school seems intolerable for
while, of course. But there is no us
objecting. Excuses are unknown here
and the authorities possess no bowel
of compassion whatever. However, al
this discipline is salutary. if one ma,
judge from the appearance of its subject
for a neater, trimmer, healthier lookin,
set of boys l never saw together.
OF the exercises of this week l ca
say but little. The rigorous examlna
tions ended, Wednesday was devoted t,
the reception of distinguished visitor
and to review before them of the ca
J diets. 1 witnessed this review an
the subsequent dress parade, both G
which were sights worth seeing. Ever
evolution was performed with the mos
t soldierly precision, and apparently to tn
: great satisfaction of the aristocratic an
t rainbow-hued throng of lay spectators
= as we'll as that of the more or less illus
trious visitors, for whose special benef
) the movements were executed. On
8 group of the latter, near where l stooc
? contained Secretary of War McCrar,
General w. T. Sherman, General Scht
' field, commandant of the post, Chi
/. Justice Waite (who had a son anon
e the graduates), President Noah Porte
: of Yale College, Charles O'Conor, an
t several other notables in and out of I'm
. form. A grand ball was given in th
f evening, at which the bellies of doze
e cities shone like stars, and at which tt
e cadets. released from stern disciplir
q for the occasion. basked in the soft rad
!. ance of the aforesaid, and were as ga
t as so many larks. 1t is only once
5 year that the youngsters ge