Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1875 — What They Do in the Naval School. [ARTICLE]

What They Do in the Naval School.

Thrt assemble at bugle-call for their first dress parade. All are provided with rifles, and a line is formed on the lawn in front of the main tmilding. The splendid band plays a lively quick-step as the line is formed and the companies are led through the movements of military drill. They acquit themselves admirably; march, halt, shoulder arms, present and Are with the steadiness of a veteran corps. It is a very pretty sight and an inspiriting one, but the greenhorns soon learn that there are harder duties and that the life before them in the academy is not too full of play and jirettiness. Unless the new-comer i» in earnest and has plentv of courage I am afraid he will wish himself home again before he has served many days. The course of studies for each of the four classes occupies the greater part of the time. A loafer has no chance. The reveille is sounded at six in the morning, and between then and ten p. m.—bed time—students have not much more than two hours for themselves. Some of the studies are recreations, to be sure, but they are all compulsory and we suspect they are not the more enjoyed on that account. Gymnastics, sword practice, rowing, sailing, dancing and swimming are among them.

The midshipmen are berthed two in a room on the “ upper deck" of the main building. The rooms are small and neat, furnished with two camp bedsteads, a wardrobe, two chairs, a small table and washing utensils. We were disappointed at the absence of even the simplest decorations in them, as we had expected to find them looking like cosy cabins, with more space and comforts than could be had onboard a ship. One room is exactly the same as the other; with out pictures on the walls or vases of flowers on the table, or shelves loaded with books of adventure and travel, or, in fact, any of the natty little odds and ends that a boy usually amasses in his ■own sanctum.- — ■ ■■■

We asked why. Dr. Philip Lansdale, the Surgeon-in-Chief, told us it was according to the rules of the academy. Formerly the midshipmen were allowed tO' decorate their rooms, and the wealthier ones turned their rooms into miniature draw-ing-rooms, filling them with expensive furniture, pianos, richly-bound books and all the luxuries of home. The rooms of the poorer students looked so shabby and dismal in comparison that envy and uncharitableness cropped out in many a heart; and to avoid this evil the seeming harsh law was passed that all rooms should be furnished in the plainest and most uniform fashion. Perhaps it would be better if the law was not quite so strict, or if it gave permission to hang the photographs of mother and sister on the walls, which it does not. But they are martinets at the academy, and among their other lessons the members are taught to endure discipline. In most of the rooms the law is evaded, but not violated. The wardrobes are supplied to contain clothes, and the clothes are stowed away in the small est possible compass, leaving considerable space for other things. So we found pictures hung in the inside, and ornaments of various kinds hung on little shelves—sometimes a case of butterflies, a model ship, a model marine engine, a musical instrument or a magnificent post-age-stamp album. The etiquette between the classes is exacting and is closely observed. A third or fourth class-man is not allowed to sit down until all the first and second classmen are seated. Frequently it happens that the first class-man is a bit of a fellow scarcely four feet high, while the fourth class-man stands six feet, and has a manly pair of side whiskers. The difference in stature and age matters not and the great fellow has to salute the mite and treat him with all respect due to a superior officer. Sometimes it seems a little absurd, but if the observance were neglected there would be a terrible row, and the fourth class-man would be taken in hand by the fellows of the first and punished. “ Hazing” is forbidden and any midshipmen found guilty of it are dismissed instantly, as they deserve to be.— W. H. Rideing, in St. Nicholas.