Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-05-21
Correspondence KsSrrcKIlS:
LIFE AT ANNAPOLIS.

A Christian County Naval Cadet Writes
Entertainingiy Of the U. S.
Naval School.
We take the train at Washington
for Annapolis sud after about forty
minutes II le through the hilly lhnds
of Maryland We arrive at our desti-
nktion. The city il pleasantly atu-
ated on tho bank Of The Severn river,
which when nndi,turhed lays, look
ing towards the East, IL oae bean'ifnl
sheet as far ~ the eye can reach aud
Is ouly broken by ihc conslsn. pts.-
ing Of lugs aud passenger sieamsrs
the wiad, tide and occasionally the
entrance of grim, gloomy black
nsn.of-wsr. The quaint old hwn is
OF ancient Puritan foundation aud
many OF tho buildings look OIL. as
well they may, for there the "manor
halls cf lord snd lady" arc still
standing, built more Than 200 years
ago. Here horses arc lloun seen,
but occasionally SLEEPY OK team
driven by more sleepy looking lad
comes numbering down the poorly
flushed streets, while business is at
st.nd-till, which gives the place an
unnatural slowness compared with
the Western town. The most inter-
esting feature TO the sight.seer, and
that which ex.rts tho wilest influ-
ence on this "iaisho'l city" is the
United States Naval Academy sllua-
ted just north of the city aud separa-
ted from Il by n high yellow brick
wall. Here may b. found Que Of the
prettiest yards in America; shady
walks, paths aud drives of brick
gravel aud granite Cross anil recris'
the gently rolling tract OF iify acre
occupied by the Academy. and all
laid oir with geometrical precision
finely chasci old Frcnch guus, ele-
gantly mounted, stand at every iurn
and corner; the beautiful trees aud
lawn with their inviting settees give
the spot a glorious freshness AMI .
refreshing aspect. Here is where by
that wonderful discipline and mill
tary training known only to Wesl
Point aud this pace, the awkward
lad is transformed into a straight
graceful young man, educated to oil
the highest stations of life, aud fitted
to 10 honor to the personnel Of ihf
Navy, which so justly deserves lhs
reputation 1t has of being the mosl
highly educated of any IN tho world
Auy young man between the sgc'
OF 10 aud 30 who aspires to be
Naval Officer applies to the Congress
man representing his district, who
| II he thinks the applicant qualified
recommends him to the Secretary q
the Navy, by whom he Is presented
with an appointment, aud ordered 4
Annapolis on the 18th OF May, or 10
of September for entrance eximina
tion. Here he meets with Is or lOI
"future admirals" and on the ap
pointed days accompanied by hi
comrades, marches down to the arm
ory for examination. lilo Is isre
quire 10 pass satisfactory exami
nation In the elementary principle
of Algebra, Arithmetic, Geography
| English Grammar, reading, writing
including orthography, and the His
tory of the United States Grea
stress is placed upon the mathemat
ical stan ling, aud II the candidat
should fall short IN some othe
branch, and chow special aptitude y
this he would be retained. lie mus
also be able to passa rigid fhysics
examination. Eyesight is particular
ly tosted, AS a pergon with defcctiv
eyesight would not be fitted for th
service.
Should he be ono Of the thirty
forty per cent. who pass both tn
physical and mental tests, he take
the oath of allegiance 70 ibe Unite
States Government and is commits
stoned Naval Cadet, US. Navy. II
Is now conducted 10 the store situate
in the lower part of the yard, wher
he Ia supplied with all his househoi
goods, measured for his uniform
, makes his deposit of 5000, and wit
aclotEes bag on each arm and a ma
tress on his back trudges his way !
i the old Santee, tho re ,eiying sui
3 moored to the wharf lie Is here a.
!. signed a locker1 "a small wardrol
/. iu the ship's side) In which 10 keS