"General Merit Roll,” sent also to the War Office.

Names A B C
Mathematics 300.0 295.3 276.7
French 98.7 97.5 69.1
English Studies 100.0 89.5 98.9
Philosophy 300.0 295.6 278.2
Chemistry 150.0 147.5 145.1
Drawing 91.3 100.0 94.2
Engineering 300.0 285.3 290.2
Ethics 200.0 193.4 186.9
Mineralogy &

    Geology 100.0 96.7 98.2

Infantry Tactics 150.0 147.5 137.8
Artillery 158.0 145.1 147.5
Conduct 297.3 293.8 294.5
General Merit 2237.3 2187.2 2117.3

"Official Register of the Cadets” at West Point, printed yearly.

  Order of general merit 1 2 3
  Names T.L.C.  N.C.A.  G.H.M. 
  State At large Tenn.  Pa. 
  Date of Admission July 1, 1848 do. do. 
  Age at date of admission
    Years / Months 17 / 1 18 / 7 16 / 8
  Order of merit in their
    respective Studies
      Engineering 1 2 3
      Ethics 3 4 2
      Mineral. & Geol. 1 2 4
      Infantry Tactics 1 2 5
      Artillery 2 1 3
  Demerit of the Year 39 18 73

A board with the marks of demerit is always publicly hung up, so that each cadet may know the exact length of his tether, for if the numbers amount to 200 he is dismissed.  I have dwelt very lengthily upon the system adopted of recording and publishing the merit and demerit of the students, because I was informed of the admirable effect produced by it.  As far as I can judge, it certainly appears not only an admirable means of enabling the War-office to estimate character, but the great publicity given to it must act as a powerful stimulus to exertion and good conduct.

A portion of the cadets are instructed every day in fencing and riding.  When well advanced in the latter, they are taught spearing rings or stuffed heads at the gallop, and the same with the sword.  The riding-school is perfectly abominable, being dark, full of pillars, and most completely out of harmony with all the rest of the establishment, which is excellent in every detail.  On Sundays all the cadets attend church, unless excused on conscientious motives, and with the approval of their parents.  The minister is selected by the President, and may be of any denomination.  I was told that an Episcopalian had been most frequently chosen.  The present minister is, I believe, a