Take a man who can ride, dance, fight, speak the truth in his own and several other languages, and pass a stiff college examination, and 3'ou have the kind of man that West Point is turning out b\^ the scores every year. While the standards of physical, mental, and moral excellence have been rigorously upheld at the Academv, and the instruction and drill have advanced with the progress of the world in science, many of the buildings erected at an earlier day, and still in use, have become antiquated and insufficient. There are more than a hundred and sixty buildings of all sorts. Among the older ones are the north wing of the quadrangle, built previous to 1851, and containing most of the cadet quarters; the cadet mess-hall, erected in 1850, of native granite; and the quaint riding-hall, with its arched roof, that dates from 1855; while the Administration and Academic buildings are more modern.

376 The Hudson River

The former is usually known as headquarters, containing the offices of Superintendent, Adjutant, Quartermaster, etc. Opposite is the Academic building, erected in 1891-95. It is, like the other, of granite, and cost in round figures $500,000. It forms the south side of the quadrangle, of which the cadet quarters constitute the north and west sides. The Cha]3el lies to the north of the Administration and Academic buildings. It was built in 1836, and is decorated within with flags, cannon, and other trophies. Tablets honouring the memory of Washington's generals are placed upon the walls, one alone being remarkable from the fact that the name is erased, leaving only the dates of birth and death. It is that formerly inscribed with the name of Benedict Arnold, who tried to betray West Point to the British enemy. Above the altar is a picture representing War and Peace, ])ainted iDy Professor Wier, who at one time was instructor in drawing at the Academy.