THE language of Horace, Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona may be applied, justly, to the Naval Academy.
While we rejoice at the skill of our naval cadets, we must not depreciate the merits of their seniors in the service. It was the science already existing in the navy which created the Academy, and the superior discipline and accurate firing of the naval cadets, besides evincing the excellence of their at tainments, reflect additional glory upon the older officers. By the older officers the Academy was organized, and has been brought to its present condition of admirable efficiency in imparting a scientific education to the élèves of the navy.
Full access to public documents has been had, considerable assistance has been rendered, also, by naval officers and midshipmen, in the preparation of this work, and, it is believed, that the statements here made are reliable.