Summary
May 24. Ther. 60°. West Point.—My phrenological labours being now terminated for the season, we resolved to visit Lake George, Niagara, and Canada, and this morning at seven o'clock embarked on board the “Avon” for West Point, where we landed at quarter before eleven, the distance being 50 miles. The military academy belonging to the United States stands here on a platform of land elevated several hundred feet above the Hudson River, and surrounded by hills clothed to the summit with wood. No situation can be more lovely. There are at present about 240 cadets in the establishment. They are maintained and educated in civil and military engineering at the public expense for four years, on condition that they serve the State, if called on, for four years after the expiry of their time. On the hill which rises to the west of the plateau, there is an ancient fort (Fort Putnam) in ruins, which is a picturesque object, and repays the labour of ascending to it. There are monuments to Kosciusko, to Lieut.-Col. Wood, who was killed in September 1814 leading a charge at Fort Erie, and to a pupil who was accidentally killed by a gun in his exercises. These objects, although all simple in themselves, being placed in appropriate situations, add to the interest of the scene. There is an excellent hotel for the accommodation of visiters; but it has been let this year by the Government on the condition of total abstinence by the guests from all liquors containing alcohol in any form.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Notes on the United States of North America during a Phrenological Visit in 1838–39–40 , pp. 294 - 366Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010