minations or given
direct, at the option of the Representative. Appointees to the Military
Academy must be between seventeen and twenty-two years of age, free from
any infirmity which may render them unfit for military service, and able
to pass a careful examination in reading, writing, orthography,
arithmetic, grammar, geography, and history of the United States.

The course of instruction, which is quite thorough, requires four years,
and is largely mathematical and professional. About one-fourth of those
appointed usually fail to pass the preliminary examination, and but little
over one-half the remainder are finally graduated. The discipline is very
strict--even more so than in the army--and the enforcement of penalties
for offences is inflexible rather than severe. Academic duties begin
September 1 and continue until June 1. Examinations are held in each
January and June.

From about the middle of June to the end of August cadets live in camp,
engaged only in military duties and receiving practical military
instruction. Cadets are allowed but one leave of absence during the four
years' course, and this is granted at the expiration of the first two
years. The pay of a cadet is five hundred and forty dollars per year. Upon
graduating, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the United
States Army.

The Academy was established by act of Congress in 1802. An annual Board of
Visitors is appointed, seven being appointed by the President of the
United States, two by the President of the Senate, and three by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives. They visit the Academy in June,
and are present at the concluding exercises of the graduating class of
that year.

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY AT ANNAPOLIS.

There are allowed at the Academy one naval cadet for each Member or
Delegate of the United States House of Representatives, one for the
District of Columbia, and ten at large. The appointment of cadets at large
and for the District of Columbia is made by the President. The Secretary
of the Navy, as soon after March 5 in each year as possible, must notify
in writing each Member and Delegate of the House of Representatives of any
vacancy that may exist in his district. The nomination of a candidate to
fill the vacancy is made, on the recommendation of the Member or Delegate,
by the Secretary. Candidates must be actual residents of the districts
from which they are nominated.

The course of naval cadets i