these hours. No marks are given in recitations, if that name can be applied to the questions asked by instructors during the period. The instructors merely keep a journal containing memoranda of the work done, with remarks as to the ability, progress, and conduct of the cadets under their charge. A daily report is made to the principal naval instructor of the attention of each cadet, and this report is inspected by the captain. Monthly reports are also made of the progress of each cadet. Cases of serious inattention are punished by one or two hours of extra drill. For occasional neglect, or for trifling offenses in the class-room, the principal naval instructor may stop the leave of cadets, except for one hour of exercise. On such occasions the delinquents are assembled to write impositions under the surveillance of the cadet sergeant-major.

The courses in Group I would not be considered difficult for ordinary students; but they must put to a severe test boys of from 13 to 15 years of age, whose only preliminary training is that indicated by the examination for admission. This is especially true of the subjects of plane and spherical trigonometry, theoretical and practical navigation, and nautical astronomy. The theoretical navigation includes astronomical geography, plane and middle latitude sailing, great circle sailing, and the Nautical Almanac. Practical navigation includes doing a day's work, and finding ship's position. The other subjects are algebra, arithmetic, and elementary plane geometry.

Of the subjects of Group II, instruction in charts and instruments is given by the staff-commander. It is confined to the three upper forms, and comprises the construction and use of charts, of the sextant, azimuth compass, theodolite, barometer, and thermometer. The cadets take and work out their own observations for latitude and longitude, error and rate of chronometer, &c. During winter the staff-commander is allowed to take cadets of the two upper forms from other instruction, to take observations, when the weather is particularly favorable. Each cadet is required to have his own sextant.

Instruction in seamanship is in charge of the senior lieutenant, assisted by the other executive offiers, and by the warrant and petty officers. The officer of the day visits all branches of seamanship instruction frequently during study hours; and, assisted by the signalman, gives instruction in signals. An extra hour, two afternoons in the week (making thirty hours a week of instruction), is given to practice in signals in the third and fourth forms. This takes place between 5 and 6 p. m., on the middle deck of the Britannia.

About one-eighth of the whole working time of the Britannia is given to what is generally called theoretical seamanship. It is chiefly a course of book-and-model work, if we except knotting and splicing, boat-sailing, and some exercises with spars and sails in the Dapper, towards the end of the course. Of practical seamanship, meaning thereby the manageS. Ex. 51-3

ment of a ship under sail or steam, there is nothing in the Britannia

course.

The text book is Nares's Seamanship. The first term course comprises the naming and identification of the parts of the ship, spars and sails, and standing rigging; the points of the compass, signal-pendants, knotting and splicing, pulling boats, and steering boats under oars. The second term is devoted to the fitment of rigging on lower masts and yards, and bowsprit; names and uses of parts of the running-rigging; tackles, blocks, seizings, log, and lead; a little further elementary knowl edge of the compass and of signals, and questions on sailing in the launch. In the third term, instruction is given in rigging spars generally; setting up rigging on the models; lead of running-rigging; the fitment of sails; working anchors (model); boat-sailing in general, and the rule of the road. Instruction in furling sails, and in working masts and yards, is given on board the Dapper. The fourth term is occupied with a general review.

Lectures in elementary physics are given in the "science room" by the chaplain and principal naval instructor to the third and fourth forms, one lecture a week to each. These lectures, which last one and one-fourth hours, take place during the regular hours of instruction, the cadets assem bling at convenient times from the other class-rooms. The subjects of instruction are—

THIRD FORM.-Mechanics, Hydromechanics, Pneumatics, Acoustics. FOURTH FORM.-Heat, Light, Magnetism, Electricity.

Instruction in Latin, French, and drawing is given by the masters in those branches. In Latin, the examination is not one to give any difficulty even to negligent students. It consists of a passage from the text that the class has read, and another easy passage, new to the pupils, for which they are allowed a dictionary. There are some questions in grammar, and a few easy English sentences, on the model of those they have studied, to be turned into Latin. The French examinations, conducted by the professor of that language at the Naval College, are more searching.

3.-EXAMINATIONS.

Examinations are held twice a year, at the end of each term. The papers are set and the examinations are conducted by the examiners sent down from the Naval College at Greenwich, under the supervision of Dr. Hirst, the Director of Studies, who also conducts personally part of the viva voce examination. The examinations are of great importance in the Britannia course, as they constitute the ultimate test of proficiency, the only exercise at which marks are given; and they alone determine the seniority of the cadets and their ability to remain at the school and continue the course. The final examination also fixes the amount of seaservice time allowed to each cadet, and consequently the date of his promotion to midshipman.

Cadets are required to obtain a certain percentage of the maximum; but the passing mark is so low in all branches except seamanship that very few can possibly fail to get it. In the latter branch, the passing limit is 60 per cent. for each form. In the other professional subjects, and in all branches of mathematics, students are required to get 30 per cent. in the lower forms and 40 per cent. in the fourth form. Deficient cadets of the lower forms are warned by the Admiralty, and a failure on a second occasion causes their dismissal from the service. Cadets deficient at the final examination are turned back for a term; or, at least, they cannot go out into the service until they have passed. With these rules there is no reason why any lad, unless guilty of the grossest negligence, should fail to pass the Britannia course.

Certificates of proficiency are given, at the final examination, of three different classes, the first, second, and third. The certificates have a substantial value beyond the honor they confer, in lessening the time of sea-service required before promotion. As has been stated, graduates of the Britannia must serve one year at sea as naval cadets before being rated as midshipmen. But cadets who take a first or second class certificate at their final examination are allowed to count a certain number of months of this service as performed, and accordingly reach their promotion earlier. The certificates are given in conduct, and in three groups of study-mathematics, seamanship, and the "extra" or non-professional subjects. The percentage required for each class is as follows:

The time allowed in months for each certificate is shown by the following schedule:

Cadets who obtain first class in four departments are thus allowed twelve months, and are rated midshipmen immediately on passing out of the Britannia. The certificate of conduct to which a cadet is entitled is determined by the captain, commander, and principal naval instructor,

reference being had to the record of conduct and to the cadet's general behavior in study.

In all examinations, cadets are distinguished by numbers, the key being in the hands of the captain of the ship.

The following table shows the relative weight of studies in making up the marks of the cadets.

RELATIVE WEIGHT OF STUDIES: MAXIMA.

The regulations of the Britannia contain few prohibitions, and, as might be expected from the age of the cadets, serious offenses are of rare occurrence. Coming as most of them do from the higher classes, and having been subjected to no other influences than those of a wellordered home or school, bad habits and vicious tendencies have had no opportunity to form or develop, and offenses are all of that minor character which may be easily dealt with. Graver offenses when they occur are punished in a way suitable to the age of the cadets; and if, as sometimes happens, an offender is incorrigible, he is simply removed and restored to his friends. While there is the closest and most careful supervision, there is no very close restraint, because there is no need of it. On the contrary, the life is made attractive and easy by utilizing every means to this end that can be obtained from the surroundings.

The discipline is, in form, that of a ship-of-war, and is in the hands of the captain, the commander, and other executive officers. The severer punishments, of a somewhat varied and elaborate character, are ordered only by the captain. In the gradation of good and bad conduct, cadets are considered as being in one of three classes, and all are held to belong to the first class, unless they incur the penalty of being lowered to the second or third, according to the gravity of their offenses, for a limited number of days. During this time they are subject to special regula

tions.*

*Stated in detail in the Appendix, Note C.

In the cadet organization, the chief captains and captains assist the officer of the day in carrying out the daily discipline. The chief captain of the day, and the captain of the mess-room, taken in rotation, are especially charged with this duty; but the cadet officers at all times assist in keeping order at formations, in class-rooms, at mess, and on the berth-deck, when cadets are turning out or turning in. In general, they are to do their utmost to uphold the regulations of the ship." The captains are especially charged with the protection of junior cadets; and certain privileges are allowed them, such as the exclusive use of a part of the mess-room.

5.-FEES AND ACCOUNTS.

Instead of receiving pay during the period of pupilage, as is the case in America, naval cadets on board the Britannia are required to pay the government for the benefits they receive. The fee is £70 per annum. In the case of sons of officers making application the fee is reduced to £40; but the number of those received at the reduced rate is limited to ten a term, forty in all at the school, and it is understood to be allowed only to those who need it. In addition to the regular fee, £40 or £70, as the case may be, cadets pay for their outfit, clothes, traveling expenses, text-books, instruments, and stationery, and even for the repair of their chests and locks.

On the other hand, the government supplies the mess-table, and gives the cadets a weekly allowance for pocket-money; and the expenses for all amusements are paid by the ship. The allowance is 18. a week for each cadet, 28. for captains, and 2s. 6d. for chief captains. Cadets are forbidden to open an account with tradesmen. Such money as may be required by a cadet for any special circumstances is advanced by the paymaster, under the authority of the captain, and charged to the cadet's account.

A supply of small articles of clothing, stationery, &c., is kept in store by the paymaster, and may be furnished to the cadets, at cost, with a slight percentage to cover expenses.

Cadets are forbidden to buy, sell, or exchange any clothes or other articles among each other. Even such articles as cricketing shoes and bats can only be purchased after a formal written consent of the parent has been given to the captain. Pocket-money is stopped for injuring government property.

6.-MODE OF LIFE, HEALTH, AMUSEMENTS.

A. M.

SUMMER ROUTINE.

5.25. Turn out cadets for No. 2 punishment.

5.30. Punishment No. 2 fall in.

6.30. Bugle. Cadets turn out. Bath. (If weather permits, cadets bathe from the

shore).

6.35. Punishment No. 2 dismissed.