Not the least inviting portion of the book is that which relates to the topography and scenery of the Point.  It is one of the singularities of our frame of government, that the nation is the lord of so little soil in the inhabited portion of its own dominion:  though it is well to remember that territorial sovereignty is not, as many persons imagine, the only kind of sovereignty, nor, indeed, the most important kind; for there is sovereignty over persons, which may be held without eminent domain over the soil.  Allegiance is personal.  It is not based on the feudal doctrine of tenures.  The notion of many persons respecting the right of the people of a State to carry themselves out of the nation is connected with false conceptions on this subject.  It is pleasant to think that one of the places in which the nation is the land-owner and exclusive sovereign is celebrated for historic events, and also preeminently distinguished for beauty of situation.  This circumstance undoubtedly contributes to the hold which the place has on the minds of those who have passed a portion of their youth on the spot, and it has evidently been a source of inspiration to the author, and, we may say, to the publisher, too, who have combined in making this a book of luxury as well as of useful reference, a parlor-book.  The pictorial illustrations they have given add greatly to its value; and in this matter they might safely have gone even farther.  This book is intended to make the spot familiar to the minds of many in various parts of the national domain.  Most persons of any leisure, in this section of the country, have either themselves visited the banks of the Hudson or are familiar with scenery somewhat similar in some part of the Eastern or Middle States.  But there are multitudes in the South and West of our conlinental empire who have hardly ever seen a rock bigger than a man’s body, and who can, except by the aid of pictures, have no idea of a river hemmed in by mountains.  The view given in this book of the localities in 1780, after a drawing made at the time by a French officer, is more valuable in this respect, we think, than for the historical purpose; and we should have preferred a similar view of the place as it now appears.

In common with all institutions which are the means of power and influence, the Academy has been regarded with jealousy.  It has occasionally been assailed by an hostility which must always exist, and which its friends should always be prepared to meet.  Captain Boynton has fairly stated and answered the objections commonly advanced.  Among those recently put forth is the complaint that no great military genius has been produced from the Academy.  The question might be asked, Does ever any school produce the genius?  It is contrary to the definition of genius to be produced by such instrumentality.  If no such military phenomenon has been seen, the only inference is, that the genius was not in the country, or that the circumstances