We were kept busy at first complying with requests (?) of upper classmen, but they were very considerate and dispensed with our services long enough to let us attend drills three times a day, police service twice a day, and to other military duties. We were still required, both in and out of ranks, to carry palms of the hands to the front, but nothing more was said about depressing the toes. Cadets are encouraged to be patriotic, and they always celebrate Fourth of July. This year, as the Fourth fell on Sunday, the exercises were held on the next day. NOTE 1. At my time hazing, or deviling, consisted of little more than harmless badgering, which had the effect of reducing a possibly conceited or bumptuous youth to a frame of mind more consistent with the requirements of military discipline. In time, however, it developed into practices which it was deemed advisable to discontinue, and hazing has entirely disappeared from the Academy. UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. July 5th, 1869. President, Cadet E. E. Wood Pennsylvania Marshal of the Day, Cadet J. Rockwell New York PROGRAMME. Overture. Prayer. Music. Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Cadet E. M. Cobb California Music. Oration, Cadet E. S. Chapin Iowa Music. Benediction. Music. Plebe life was very trying, especially on H⸺e of my class, and he, being something of a poet, reduced his thoughts to writing, which he showed to his classmates. They said that he had expressed the situation very well, indeed. Some of the yearlings heard of H⸺e’s poetry, so he was persuaded (?) to read it to them, and then to sing it. His poetry was so well received by the yearlings that the first classmen wanted to hear it, too, so at their invitation (?) H⸺e both read and sang it for them. And, at the request of a number of upper classmen, he made copies of his songs for them. Other plebes were requested (?) to make copies of the copies, and the following are copies of H⸺e’s copies that were made for me by a plebe in my yearling camp, viz.: THE BIG MENAGERIE. Attention, all ye forlorn Plebes, While the story I relate, Of how I came to fall into My present lost estate. A moment only dry your tears And listen unto me, And I’ll describe my experience In this big menagerie.