95 
until Floyd left the War Department. He took this oppor- 
tunity — perhaps the very first and only release during his 
lifetime from the unceasing demand of duty —to visit Europe 
in company with Mrs. Totten, travelling through France, 
Italy, Germany, and England. Endued with those keen 
perceptions and that harmonious adjustment of faculties 
which render the mind susceptible to the beautiful, whether 
in nature or art, he was, in the true sense of the term, an 
artist. For music, for painting, for sculpttre, he had a high 
relish and a most accurate and discriminating judgment. 
By such a one the treasures of art and antiquity of Europe 
can only be adequately appreciated and enjoyed, as we know 
they were appreciated and enjoyed by General Totten. He’ 
did not fail, however, to take the opportunity to examine, as far 
as he was able, the fortifications of Europe, of the character 
and peculiarities of which, however, he had little to learn. 
On his return he was sent by Floyd to the Pacific coast, with 
directions to inspect the fortifications in construction, and to 
report on the defensive requirements of that region. This 
duty and the report thereon he executed in his usual 
thorough and exhaustive manner. It furnished him with 
the opportunity to acquire the same personal knowledge of 
all that concerned the seaboard defence of our newly ac- 
quired territories on the Pacifie which he already possessed, 
beyond any other man, in reference to the Atlantic and 
Gulf coasts. 
In the year 1851 General Totten inaugurated and con- 
tinued through the years 1852, 1853, 1854, and 1855 a 
series of experiments at West Point, “ on the effects of firing 
With heavy ordnance from casemate embrasures,” and also 
“on the effects of firing against the same embrasures with 
Various kinds of missiles.” It will be interesting, and con- 
ducive to a better understanding of the objects and results of 
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