The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1891-02-28

ally so small that an instructor has no
difficulty in giving Individual attention
to each of its members. In each section
one cadet is detailed as its leader. and
he has charge OF the section while
marching to and from the recitation
hail anu is responsible for its good order
and conduct. The section having arrived
at the recitation room the cadets stand at
attention until its leader has presented
them and reported the absentees WIFI
military precision to the instructor
When the recitation hour is finished the
instructor turns the section over to its
leader and he again takes charge and
marches it back to the quarters.
At thirty-tiye minutes after noon is
the recall from recitation and the release
from rooms. and twenty minutes later
dinner { rlnation. Orders and routine
of drills are read at this formation by
the adjutant After dinner until two
o'clock is period of recreation-not IA
very long one, but still it is made the
most of-and the grounds in rear of the
quarters are soon in possession OF a sky
larking, football kicking crowd.
At two O'Clock the afternoon period of
recitation and studies begins and contin-
ues until five minutes of four o'clock.
Ten minutes later the drill call sounds,
to which ali must attend save those on
the sick or excused list. Drills are held
every week day except Wednesdays and
Saturdays, and they are many and varied.
Stewardship drills takes place on board
the Wyoming, artillery or infantry drills
on the parade ground, and the Severn
River affords fine place for drill in
boats under oars or sails and for firing
with the Hotcnkiss guns atlOat. The
time Is thus employed until half-past
five o'clock. Recreation follows until
half-past six, when the bugle sounds for
evening roll call and supper. At half
past seven the last study call of the day
is sounded and for two more hours these
busy mortals wrestlc with the problems
of the morrow. AT half-past nine the
evening gun booms out release from
studies, and then they are free to visit
each others rooms and enjoy few mo-
ment's relaxation. At ten o'clock taps
are sounded-out go the lights and the
big building is dark and silent.
Such is the daily routine of naval
cadets life, and while it would seem as
though there were little time in which
he could perfect himself in athletic
sports, yet last wear their football team
held the championship of the South.
Football and baseball are the amuse-
ments most INDUCED in by the cadets.
Aquatic sports do not seem to have the
attention which one would naturally eS-
pect at naval academy, and although
there are several available shells they are
seldom used.
On Sunday the cadets are marched to
the chapel to attend divine service.
Should the parents of any cadet desire
that he should attend some particular
church in town u note addressed to the
superintendent of the Academy will bring
the desired permission.
At the expiration of each academic
year the cadets, with the exception of
the second class, are embarked on board
a sailing vessel and given practical sea-
manship during a summer cruise in
Northern waters.
The system of marking,a cadet for
recitation or discipline is Simple. The
scale ranges from 4, the maximum, to 0.
a cadet is marked whenever he recites,
and the average of those marks combined
With that received at his monthly exami-
nation determines his standing. Any
mark below 2. ) is given to a recitation
that is not considered satisfactory, and
at the end of the year the general stand
ing of the class is made up. Cadets
whose average at the end of the year is
below % in any branch are deficient and
they are reported as such to the AGA
deinic Board, which may recommend
them to the Secretary of the Navy for
dismissal
When at last the four years of earnest
effort and keen competition are drawing
to close some of those who entered
with the class have fallen by the way
side, but for those who have perse-
vered to the end the day of graduation
is at hand. Never are the academy
grounds lovelier than in the commence
mcnt week of June. The broad and
well-kept lawns sweeping down to the
rivers side, the climbing vines and
stately trees and the glimpses and views
one has of the river sparkling and rip.
ping in the sunlight are worth travelling
many mile to see.
Then the graduating class march out
from the battalion to receive their diplo-
mas from the hand of some distinguished
visitor, and the lower classmen, cheering
their departing fellows, are cheered by
them in return, and the graduates hurry
to their rooms, don their citizens clothes
and appear in all their glory to the adj
miring eyes of expectant friends.-[New
York Herald.
Smallest Baby in the World.