In my day, by special dispensation, twelve cadets of the first class were permitted to take meals at the Misses Thompson, who lived in General Washington’s old log Headquarter House, in Professor’s Row. These ladies were quite old when I knew them; the oldest of the three sisters died of old age shortly before I went there to board. It was not easy to get a seat at the Misses Thompson’s table, and when a cadet secured one without any conditions imposed he generally “willed it to his plebe.” And this is the way I obtained mine. My predecessor had a seat there and he willed it to me, but as I could not go there until I became a first classman certain members of the three classes ahead of me had the seat on condition that it should come to me when I became eligible. But this was not all, as may be seen from the following (old form) permit: West Point, New York, June 19, 1872. Cadet R⸺d, Private 2nd Class “C” Co., has permission to take his meals at the Misses Thompson (to have the seat last occupied by Cadet R⸺p), his name having been proposed and accepted. J. F. S⸺h, Com’d’g Co. “C.” E. U⸺n, Comdt. Cadets. Approved: T. H. R⸺r, Superintendent. JULY 4 1872 ANNIVERSARY OF THE Independence of the United States CELEBRATION AND HOP BY THE CORPS OF CADETS TO WHICH The pleasure of your Company is respectfully requested. Ceremonies in the Chapel to commence at Ten A. M. Marshall, Orator, Reader, CADET COFFIN. CADET TOTTEN. CADET EATON. President, CADET HOYLE. Hop Commencing at Eight P. M. Floor Managers: CADET BIRNEY, CADET O’CONNOR, CADET LA POINT. Pyrotechnic Display on the Cavalry Plain. The father of these old ladies rendered most valuable services to General Washington during the Revolutionary War, and as his family was left in humble circumstances they were permitted to live at the Point and board twelve cadets. We used to think that Miss Amelia was about ninety years old and that Miss Kate was seventy-five. Miss Kate for months talked of making a trip to New York, but finally Miss Amelia said: “Catharine could not go, as she was too young and giddy.”