New-York tribune., 1886-06-07
THE CADETS IN CHAPEL.
ROUTINE OF SUNDAY AT WEST POINT.
FAREWELL SERMON TO TIE GRADUATING CLASS
ASTICIPATIOSs FOR THE WEEK.

FAREWELL SERMON TO THE GRADUATING CLASS
ASTICIPATIoNs FOR THE WEEK.
lFnoM Az OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
WEST POINT, June 6.-The cadets Sunday
differs from the other days OF the chiefly In the
KIND rather than the amount OF work that required OF
them IL opens like other days with gunhre, rsveille
and police call There rectations, however. and
the examining committees desist from their endeavors
out the battalion inspection the plain. the barrsck In
specon that and the chapel service at keep
the young men busily employed until the dinner hour
There are intervals between haif-past and 0 and
between II and when they go out under the
green trees to Irritation path and walk and Loaf and
sun themselves for brief hour the attendance
compelling drum recalls them to duty dinner Some,
ambitious OF class rank fearful OF being found def
cient deny themselves this modicum Of recrea-
ton and plod steadily at their books through all the
waking hours OF the day.
sunday at West Point prOverbally pleasant-tha Is
10 the visitOr-for tho cadets regard hne weather
anything but pleasant and welcome tho day only when
1t Is so rainy to make an out-of-door Inspection
impossible or working as pastlne they stand in no
particular need and to bs kept indoors By bad weather
they deem unmlred benefit II they thereby
enabled 10 evade the grim OF fulldress bat
TALON inspection. II such their hope to-day. how
ever they must be sadydisappointed OF men; for
more lovely day than this has been can hardly he
imagined.
At o'clock the sharp drum-tap filed the road in front
OF the barracks with the svarns OF cadets that IN
yariaby foo@ the application OF drumsticks to sheep
skin at any time OF the day night. The only differ
enee between the various formations to that
some are and under This dii
Terence seems be due to particular tap
ping. known only those whose movements
are regulated by It. The companies were
quickly formed and marched out the green parade
the music OF the band. Arriving there the usual line
was formed aud the battalion presented by the cadet
tiut N wa fneu hrnka fufo gnlum Of
nies 10 the right after which ranks opened
ana dressed The companies which had faced the
nanhht ih line now stood Ia column looking to the
north and there moments bu.,le II doubt per-
vaded the command to whether the movements were
e res ut OF accident or design. Evidences 0f method
hegan to appear. The commanding marched
stiy to his place at the head OF the Accom-
ptned o' ms assis ant wao preceded hm to tue mead
OF tue battalion, he passed 10 aud out through lhe
ranks examining each cadet critically as to his
ceanllness and soldiery appearance The inspection
lasts about hall All hour The daily guard IN juntng
follows IN which the cadets seem TO appear by repre-
seniatlOn. There Il certainly not a quorum Of them
present and most of the absentees are paired some
times with other but more frequently with young
laiies. to whom this kind OF participation In military
legislation seems TO he entirely asreeaDe The morning
soon expires and the buge summons the cader to
the inspectiOn Of barracks, The pairs declared
Oh untll after church, and the cOmnandant assisted
by his tactical officers. cadets IN their
quarters operation lacking nothing OF thoroughness
II ia efficiency is IN proportion to the amount of Lime
AT lO:I5 A. church call sounded. the buge call.
save always "1p-' winch appeals to the hearer as
apropla'eto or suggestive o.. the ceremony taAt lo
lows Tie companies were marched by thsr ca ley cap
taius 70 the Chapel west OF the Library, and hed Into
their seats IN the body the Tue the
sides reserved for the guests, official aud other
wise, with which place apOuuds at this season The
began with anthem finely rendered by choir
After service OF morning prayer.
according To the ritual Of the reformed Episcopal
Church. the preached BY Dr. Postlethwae,
the chaplain OF the Military Academy. 1t was a
last kind word the frat from the pastor
under whose nlnistratons they nave SAT Tor
four years, and ciosei with u special word OF
farewell the graduating class. For them the occasion
had prcCliar significance, 1t l. the last sermon tha
they Will hear before they separate forever.
THIS week promises To be exceedingly b1sy ono AT
the Academy. Tue Secretary Of ar ana Lieutenant
General sheridan expected The Alumni A-socla-
ton l. have ANIMAL meeting on Thursday, followed
by the graduates the evening Ot the same day
Tue examination IN spanish Will BE- completed OuMondaY
morning ana will be succeeded by the final examination
OF lass m law. The examination OF the second
class I'm astronomy will continued, but hardly COM
pleted tomorrow cavalry drlil the plain in the
school Of tue Company and Battalion Will be given In
the presence Board Of Visitors at IN the after
noon.