or
for this table is bound by contract with government to keep several
chambers with beds in order, for the reception of the relations of
the cadets, and thus a kind of inn arose.]

The morning after their arrival, the gentlemen paid an early visit to
lieutenant-colonel Thayer, superintendent of the military school, and
were received in a very friendly manner. He had presided over this
school several years. Colonel Thayer has entirely remodelled this
institution, and very much improved it.

[_Travels_:

The morning after our arrival we paid an early visit to
lieutenant-colonel Thayer, superintendent of the military school,
and were received in a very friendly manner. He has presided over
this school eight years. It was founded in 1802, during the
presidency of Jefferson. Colonel Thayer has entirely remodelled this
institution. During his travels in Europe he visited the French
military schools, and has endeavoured to make this resemble the
polytechnic school. But he will find it difficult to equal this once
celebrated school, as with the best will in the world he cannot find
in this country such excellent professors as were assembled in that
institution.]

[[Sylvanus Thayer (1785-1872) was Superintendent of West Point from
1817 to 1833.]]

The cadets, whose number may amount to two hundred and fifty, are
divided into four classes for the purposes of instruction. They are
received between the ages of fourteen and twenty, and must undergo an
examination before they enter.

[_Travels_:

The cadets, whose number may amount to two hundred and fifty, but at
the last examination consisted of two hundred and twenty-one, are
divided into four classes for the purposes of instruction. They are
received between the ages of fourteen and twenty, undergo an
examination before they enter....]

Instruction is communicated gratuitously to the cadets, each of whom
receives monthly eight dollars from government as wages.

[_Travels_:

Instruction is communicated gratuitously to the cadets, each of whom
receives monthly eight dollars from government as wages.]

A public examination of the cadets takes place every year at the end of
June, by a commission appointed by the Secretary of War. This commission
consists of staff officers from the army and navy, members of Congress,
governors of states, learned men and other distinguished citizens. After
this examination,