always.  I did not take hold of my studies with avidity, in fact I rarely ever read over a lesson the second time during my entire cadetship.  I could not sit in my room doing nothing.  There is a fine library connected with the Academy from which cadets can get books to read in their quarters.  I devoted more time to these, than to books relating to the course of studies.  Much of the time, I am sorry to say, was devoted to novels, but not those of a trashy sort.  I read all of Bulwer’s then published, Cooper’s, Marryat’s, Scott’s, Washington Irving’s works, Lever’s, and many others that I do not now remember.  Mathematics was very easy to me, so that when January came, I passed the examination, taking a good standing in that branch.  In French, the only other study at that time in the first year’s course, my standing was very low.  In fact, if the class had been turned the other end foremost I should have been near head.  I never succeeded in getting squarely at either end of my class, in any one study, during the four years.  I came near it in French, artillery, infantry and cavalry tactics, and conduct.

Early in the session of the Congress which met in December, 1839, a bill was discussed abolishing the Military Academy.  I saw in this an honorable way to obtain a discharge, and read the debates with much interest, but with impatience at the delay in taking action, for I was selfish enough to favor the bill.  It never passed, and a year later, although the time hung drearily with me, I would have been sorry to have seen it succeed.  My idea then was to get through the course, secure a detail for a few years as assistant professor of mathematics at the Academy, and afterwards obtain a permanent position as professor in some respectable college; but circumstances always did shape my course different from my plans.

At the end of two years the class received the usual furlough, extending from the close of the June examination to the 28th of August.  This I enjoyed beyond any other period of my life.  My father had sold out his business in Georgetown—­where my youth had been spent, and to which my day-dreams carried me back as my future home, if I should ever be able to retire on a competency.  He had moved to Bethel, only twelve miles away, in the adjoining county of Clermont, and had bought a young horse that had never been in harness, for my special use under the saddle during my furlough.  Most of my time was spent among my old school-mates—­these ten weeks were shorter than one week at West Point.

Persons acquainted with the Academy know that the corps of cadets is divided into four companies for the purpose of military exercises.  These companies are officered from the cadets, the superintendent and commandant selecting the officers for their military bearing and qualifications.  The adjutant, quartermaster, four captains and twelve lieutenants are taken from the first, or Senior class; the sergeants from the