AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, 453 



lion has therefore been confined to the time devoted by the 

 best colleges to calisthenics. The student acquires with his 

 physical exercise what will be of mutual profit to his country 

 and himself in case of need. Should our volunteer soldiery 

 be called into active service, the average graduate of this 

 college could not fail to secure an honorable position, at once. 

 The varied drills, mainly in the open air, besides exercising 

 every part of the body, and under the most favorable cir- 

 cumstances, for health, — have a purpose beyond the devel- 

 opment of the mere physical man. The student must use 

 his reason, his voice, his body. He must control himself as 

 well as others. The artillery, mortar, company, skirmish 

 and battalion drills have each their different commands, 

 diflerent formations and distinctive objects. They are alike 

 only in requiring exact discipline, quick and implicit obe- 

 dience from the instructed ; from the instructors, — usually 

 seniors, — a comprehension of their purposes and a capacity 

 to control and command obedience from others. To be 

 straightened into " the position of the soldier," once, is to be 

 benefited ; and no estimate can be made of the good derived 

 by those who even reluctantly are brought to a regular 

 methodical course of drills for four years. These matters 

 are not sufficiently considered when boys are sent away from 

 their homes for an advanced education. The weekly inspec- 

 tion of the dormitories, and the daily inspection at all drills, 

 are calculated to remedy the careless tendencies of students 

 by the enforcement of personal neatness, which is the basis 

 of a proper, healthful and instructed life. Tactical studies 

 are taken in regular course, but not to exceed one hour per 

 week during the first term of each school year for each of 

 the junior classes. The time thus employed, as it is distrib- 

 uted is scarcely missed, and more perfectly practical instruc- 

 tion is thus permitted. The studies pursued by the seniors, 

 amounting to two hours each week through the year, alone 

 take appreciable time from the students. They are ar- 

 ranged to include the elements of fortifications and ord- 

 nance, especially useful in war, — a brief survey of consti- 

 tional and military law, and much important history, by 

 the review of prominent campaigns of ancient and modern 

 times. It is not desired to give exact information concerning 



