ITS COMPOUNDER. 69 or a name if once mentioned; even although the individual were absent for years, he could at once address him as though he had been introduced but yesterday. But I must return from this digression to New York, whither I accompanied the minister and my other friends after this short but agreeable visit to Rockaway. 70 EXPEDITION UP THE HUDSON. CHAPTER V. Expedition up the Hudson River.-Scene of the Death of Hamil- AFTER spending a few days at New York, I started, in company with a friend belonging to the British Legation, on the expedition up the Hudson river, to which I had so long looked forward with eager expectation, and found myself embarked in the steam-boat Albany, on Monday the 12th of August. The morning was thick and misty, and the rain fell in torrents, so that I feared it would be impossible to see either bank of this magnificent river. However, the fog gradually rose, and I could then discern a succession of pretty villas, lawns, and woods, not unlike, in some respects, those that crown the royal-towered MR. COOPER, THE NOVELIST. 71 Thames. I could scarcely distinguish the spot pointed out to me as the scene of the death of the illustrious Hamilton, who fell in a duel with Colonel Burr, and whose monument is now in the cemetery of Trinity Church, New York, where his remains sleep honoured by the well-deserved praises bestowed upon him as "The patriot of incorruptible integrity, the soldier of approved valour, and the statesman of consummate wisdom." About twelve or thirteen miles from New York, I had great pleasure in finding among the passengers Mr. Cooper the American novelist, to whom I had been introduced by Mr. Rogers some years ago in London, and who was now on his way to his native place, Cooperstown. He was kind enough to point out the scenes of the unfortunate André's execution, and the treacherous Arnold's escape, and to communicate several interesting particulars relative to that transaction, as well as to other events during the war. was sorry that my disembarkation at West Point deprived me of the advantage of so able and agreeable a commentator on the scenery of the Hudson.* I * Let not the reader imagine that I underrate the beauty of the scenery through which this noble river flows. It deserves all the praises bestowed upon it by other travellers; but the rain and mist which enveloped it during this excursion prevented me from enjoying its charms; and though I ascended this river a dozen times at a later date, I have thought it better to leave this part of my journal as it originally stood. 72 SCENERY OF WEST POINT. On landing at West Point, and climbing the hill on the summit of which stands the hotel, (which, by the by, is one of the best and most comfortable I have yet seen,) I was astonished and delighted at the varied beauty of the scenery. The promontory projects into the Hudson, whose ample stream is perpetually crowded with vessels of every description. The surrounding mountains are wooded to their very tops. The small plain is covered with the white tents of the cadets, who are in camp during this season; and above it rise the ruins of Fort Putnam, built upon rocks six hundred feet high, and well calculated, from its commanding position, and association with the history of the war, to inspire the young soldiers with an enthusiastic love for the glorious and beautiful scene of their fathers' triumphs. It is well known that this is the nursery for the American army. The cadets are about two hundred in number; and from them the troops are chiefly, if not altogether, officered. In the winter they live in the barracks, and pursue the theoretic branches of their professional studies; while during the summer months, they bivouac in tents, each of which contains three cadets, and they spend all their time in various military manœuvres. The discipline seems strict, and the regulations for maintaining order and temperance very severe. They seem to have no punishment but dismissal. MILITARY COLLEGE. 73 To the cursory observation of an unprofessional traveller, several branches of the system appear capable of improvement. In the first place, each cadet must remain his full term of four years (generally from sixteen to twenty), whether he be quick and industrious, or dull and idle, the only difference being that on final examination the latter will be dismissed as incompetent, while the former will probably obtain the first vacant commission. It would certainly appear, that the mode adopted by the British Naval College at Portsmouth, of allowing a young man to shorten his time and distinguish his character, by industry and ability, is preferable. In the second place, it is difficult to see why four or five of the summer months should be spent altogether in drills and manoeuvres to the total exclusion of all the studies pursued in the winter. I spoke to two or three of the cadets, and they informed me, that during the encampment they seldom opened a book; and from what I observed of the listless languid sauntering of the whole mass after drill and parade, I do not question the accuracy of their statement. Doubtless the manual and practical exercises are very fatiguing, but it is very certain that such quantum of bodily labour as totally incapacitates a young man's mind for moderate study, must be fatal to the professional advancement of an officer, |