Building, the Chapel, the Laboratory, and the Senior Building. In this last building are the mess-hall, laundry, kitchen, etc., together with a number of recitation-rooms, so that, with the exception of steam and physics, all instruction is given unThe der one roof.

fourth class recite in the old recitation-hall, taking their meals with the rest of the school in the Senior Building..

The grounds have been enlarged by the acquisition of the Maryland gubernatorial mansion, and the land belonging thereto, and

THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY.

THE ARMORY.

also by the purchase of a farm (known as Straw- | the navy. Here are the graves of Lieutenantberry Hill) of one hundred and fourteen acres, Efforts have been made to purclose at hand. chase the small plot of land lying between the Academy walls and the farm; but Congress has not yet seen fit to appropriate the necessary funds.

Commander Flusser, killed in the sounds of North Carolina, and of Lieutenant Samuel W. Preston, killed in the assault on Fort Fisher. a diversified surface of hill and dale, with windBeyond the cemetery is a handsome park, with ing paths and drives, about five miles in length. The rest of the farm is devoted to raising A large and commodious hospital has fruit and vegetables for the benefit of the

On a high point of land on the farm, from which is obtained a beautiful view of the Severn River and the Academy, with its surround-school. ings, has been laid out a cemetery for the bu- also been erected in one of the most beautiful rial of deceased officers and men belonging to locations on the new purchase.

exercising sails, spars, or boats, whenever the weather permits; if not favorable, the exercise consists in practice with army signals, in learning how to knot and splice, etc.

The gunnery-room contains working models of all the different kinds of guns and gun-carriages in use in the navy. There is a complete model of a frigate's magazine, showing all the internal fittings. There are specimens of various sorts of fuses, projectiles, torpedoes, small-arms, etc., in use in different countries. There are mod

Upon the purchase of the Governor's House | the Academy walls were extended so as to take it within the limits; the lower floor was fitted up for the library, and the books, etc., removed to it, the old library being used as a seamanship-room. There are many professional works to be found here, of course, together with lighter reading; there are in all some thirteen thousand volumes. The upper story of this house is now used as the superintendent's office and Academic Board room. In one of the rooms is quite a handsome collection of curios-els of flasks for casting shot, shell, and guns, and ities, which have been picked up from time to time by various officers, and donated to the Academy.

also a large machine for testing the strength of the iron used in casting cannon. Not the least interesting objects in this room are the captured In the seamanship-room a great want has flags displayed upon the walls. They have been been supplied. Formerly a student would read carefully and jealously guarded and repaired, and in the text-book how some operation of practi- are now in a good state of preservation. Among cal seamanship was performed, and would have them are the flags of the Macedonian, captured to imagine how it would look; now he can go October 25, 1812, by the United States, under to the working model and see just how the command of Captain Decatur; of the Guerrière, operation is performed, and, if need be, go captured August 19, 1812, by the Constitution, through all the various steps himself. There under command of Captain Isaac Hull; of the are here a large number of models of various Java, captured December 29, 1812, by the Conwooden and iron-clad vessels of our own navy, stitution, under command of Captain Bainbridge; as well as of other services. There are also of the Cyane and Levant, captured by the same working models of dry-docks, navy-yard sheers, "Old Ironsides," February 20, 1815, the good launching-ways, masting, and heaving down old ship being at this time commanded by the vessels, carrying out anchors in boats, of ships late Rear-Admiral Stewart; of the Confiance, under all sail, showing the exact way in which Chub, Linnet, and Beresford, captured by Comevery rope is rove, and of many other interest-modore Macdonough's squadron on Lake Chaming things to be found on board ship, and of plain, September 11, 1814; of the Chippeway practical application every day. In this de- and Detroit, captured by Commodore Perry in partment there are three drills in each week in the battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813;

in this room steam-pumps of different patents, a small beam engine, and a model of a steamhammer. A steam fire-engine is also kept here, with fires ready to be lighted at an instant's notice. Exercise with this and the other fire apparatus belonging to the school takes place oc

besides various other trophies of but little less interest. Here is to be seen, also, the flag that Perry flew from his mast-head on that glorious September day, and which he carried with him when he shifted from the Lawrence to the Niagara in the heat of battle; inscribed upon it are the immortal words of the dying Lawrence-casionally during the year. Instruction in the "Don't give up the ship." The sight of these trophies of former days is well calculated to inspire the young midshipmen with high resolves to endeavor to do their duty as well as the heroes gone before, should ever occasion offer.

steam department is given by text-books and lectures, but more especially by practical exercises, in which the engines are manipulated entirely by the midshipmen. It is believed that there is no institution in the country that posIn this department there are drills at great sesses equal facilities for the study of this imguns, small-arms, naval light artillery, mortar portant branch of a naval officer's profession. and iron-clad practice. The great-gun exerIn 1851 the steamer John Hancock was sent cises take place on board the gunnery ship. For to the Academy to be used as a practice ship, the artillery there are twenty-four 12-pound the students embarking for the summer and howitzers, and for infantry five hundred breech-being exercised in the more practical parts of loading cadet muskets. There is a 13-inch mortar mounted upon the sea-wall, at which the first class are exercised. The iron-clad Amphitrite is used also to exercise this class at 15-inch gun practice, as well as to explain to them the construction of the Monitor class of vessels.

In the model-room of the Steam Building are models of various kinds of boilers, propellers, steam-gauges, pumps, valves, etc., and a working model of a propeller engine, with glass fittings, so that the students can see the working of the valves, etc., when the engine is in motion. In the engine-room is a pair of gunboat engines, with four boilers, so erected that they can be operated by steam in the same manner as if they were on board ship. Two of these boilers are used to generate steam. The other two are open, painted white on the inside, and lit with gas, so that their entire interior construction may be seen, and a practical knowledge of the arrangement of the stays, braces, etc., can be obtained. There are also

their profession. The advantages derived from this happy plan of combining theoretical instruction on shore with practical seamanship on board ship were soon evidenced; and since that time there has been a practice cruise every summer (except that of 1861), different sailing vessels having been used for that purpose. The general course has been to go to Europe, visiting some of the principal naval ports of England and France, returning by way of Madeira. There have been some few cruises on our own coast, but the foreign ones have been most in favor. The officers for these cruises are detailed from those serving at the Academy in the various departments. There are appointed from these officers instructors in practical seamanship, gunnery, and navigation; and not only are the midshipmen thoroughly instructed in these different branches, but they are also practiced in the duties of officers. Those not engaged in performing these duties are distributed about the ship, where they can obtain a

THE NAVAL OBSERVATORY.

There is a ball and a boat club in each class, the members of which practice and train as much as their duties will permit. The ball matches are numerously attended, and great interest is excited among the different classes: occasionally an outside club plays a match with the Academy champions.

The boat races take place between the first and second class in four-oared shells, and between the third and fourth in lap-streaks. The senior class in each generally wins, owing to the advantage given by their extra year at the school; but the date of 1866 won in both their second and first class years (1869 and 1870), and the fourth class beat the third at the last race in the spring of 1870. The shell-boats were pulled so well and made such good time that in 1869 a general challenge was given to any club in the country by Vice-Admiral Porter, who was then superintendent. It was accepted by the Quaker City Club of Philadelphia for 1870; other practical knowledge of the duties of a seaman. | clubs declined on account of the early date There are quite a number of vessels now at- of the race, which must take place before the tached to the Academy, and used for different close of the annual examination on the 1st of purposes. They are the sailing frigates Con- June. There was naturally a great deal of stitution and Santee, sloops Savannah, Macedo- excitement about this race, as the midshipnian, Marion, and Dale, and the double turreted men had the disadvantage of being obliged monitor Amphitrite. The Constitution is used to attend their usual duties besides the pullas a receiving ship for the new class of each ing. Mr. Blakie, of the Harvard Club, had year, and for the men attached to the station. been the referee in the previous race between The Santee is used as a gunnery ship, being the classes, and he was so pleased with the rearmed with twenty-four 8-inch and twenty-four sult of that contest that he consented to coach 32-pound guns of the new pattern, mounted the Academy crew for their trial with the upon the iron gun-carriages recently adopted. Quaker Citys. The course is three miles in The Savannah and Macedonian are used as prac-length, in plain sight from the various buildtice ships for the summer cruise. The Marion is used for exercising with spars, and the Dale for exercising with sails. These vessels are all moored alongside the dock, and are convenient of access. The Monitor lies in the stream, and is considered to be by no means the least interesting object to visitors. These vessels are all kept in good condition, and are of much more service than if kept at a navy-yard, while they are no more expensive to the government. In the department of Defense and Gymnastics instruction is given by two sword-masters and one gymnast. The course commences with the fourth class year, and continues throughout the entire term at the Academy. Occasionally the more advanced students give exhibitions of their skill in these branches in the gymnasium, in the presence of the officers' families and of visitors from the city. These affairs generally conclude with dancing. The band of the Academy is a very fine one, and furnishes music twice a month during the year for a hop, and occasionally for a ball.

ings in the grounds, and on the appointed day a large crowd was present. At the start the midshipmen drew slightly ahead of their opponents, and kept the lead, continually increasing their distance until the finish, making the three miles in twenty minutes and twenty-five seconds.

The winning boat's crew in the senior race are presented with the champion boat-flag, and have their names placed upon a silver band around the staff. The flag is retained in their names until the next year, when it is again transferred to the winning crew.

Besides these amusements there is a bowlingalley and a pistol-gallery for the use of the students; and it is the aim of the department to make it so pleasant within the Academy limits that there shall be no temptation to the midshipmen to go outside them. It is to be hoped that success will crown these endeavors, and that the students will appreciate the great advantages that they enjoy, and will improve them accordingly.

ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF.

[Sixth Paper.]

NORTH KEY may be consider which a prof the fo

TORTH KEY may be considered the last of the force of the sea is broken as it flows through A circle of fortifications, completed as

ent stand above the waters of the Florida Reef, is projected, would render this fortress impregthough, to borrow a term, it is one of a remit-nable. tent form. It is the smallest of the circular range which constitutes the group known as the Dry Tortugas, but has its value as an important portion of that barrier which forms the grand harbor for which this place is noted. We say remittent, for sometimes there is no island here. Certain influences of tide and wind conspire to make and unmake, while the good offices of the mangrove are wanted to hold what chances to remain for a time.

Though the island may be beneath the surface, the solid substructure is just as effective as a barrier. The harbor formed by this series is about nine miles in circumference, and has a depth of from twenty to ninety feet, with an excellent holding ground for anchoring, the bottom being a cohesive calcareous mud. Garden Key, on which Fort Jefferson is situated, is near the centre of the harbor. Vessels of the largest class can anchor on all sides, or sail entirely around the fort. It is a novel sight, during a storm, from the walls or the light-tower. Seemingly we are in mid-ocean, what islands there are being so low and inconspicuous. But while without all is tumult, within the water is calm as in a pond. Even the three channels that open out to the deep water are so tortuous that

North Key would make quite a respectable appearance; but when the winter "northers" come the little ridge, the incipient isle that had gradually been swept up by the summer trades, is leveled, and the wave closes over it. So it goes on from year to year. It seems that these advanced outer islands are too subject to the strong winds, which so agitate the water as to prevent the mangrove buds taking root. Consequently their existence depends on other elements. Here we see how useful are the various gigantic ipomoea vines alluded to in the last Number. In the absence of the mangrove with its buttressed roots, which hold the loose material and the floating waste, the strong, stout vines of the ipomoeas spread out, and take root with such firmness as to hold ridges of sand until grass and weeds obtain a footing. The grasses in these sandy wastes have enormous bunches of roots, which spread widely, and give great strength.

Among the more important of these plants the wheat-grass stands pre-eminent. Groups of this grass become firmly fixed, and afford lodgment for little windrows of sand, as well as protection for the more tender grasses and succulent weeds. As the vegetation becomes established and grows rank, the sea-birds come to build their nests there. North Key has, however, never assumed the dignity of this condition. Thrice we have visited it in our rambles on the reef. On the first occasion, while yet in deep water, our boat struck her bows in the yielding sand, and we stood on North Key as one would stand on the ridge-pole of a house. At a little distance it looked like a floating spar. It was in midsummer. The smooth ocean border moved in gentle libration over the clean