VI.--It is important that it be clearly understood that this examination, like all subsequent ones, is very thorough--does not permit any evasion or slighting of the course, and exacts a very close and persevering attention to study. The examining officers have no option; they _must_ reject the deficient. The nation sends these young men to the Military Academy, supports and pays them adequately, and opens to them an honorable profession, in the expectation that their best efforts will be given to qualify themselves for the higher duties of the military service. Those who will not, or can not, profit by these generous provisions, should not occupy the places of those who will and can. VII.--In June there is held the "Annual Examination," which, in its character of searching scrutiny, is like the semi-annual examination in January. Cadets who have failed to make the requisite proficiency, and are not likely to succeed in future, are discharged. VIII.--It will thus be seen that a person must carry to the Academy a certain degree of preparation; good natural parts; an aptitude for study; industrious habits; perseverance; a disposition to conform to discipline, and correct moral deportment. If deficient in any of these respects, it will be best for young men not to enter the Military Academy, as they will thus avoid the probabilities of disappointment and mortification. Many of those who receive appointments fail, through deficiency in the above particulars, to graduate. But it must not be understood that those who fail to master the scientific course taught at the Military Academy, necessarily incur thereby discredit as regards mental ability, since it is by no means rare for intellects otherwise strong to be averse to mathematical investigation, or study of language. IX.--The pay of a Cadet is $41.66 per month, with one ration per day, and is considered sufficient, with proper economy, for his support. MEMORANDUM INDICATING THE METHOD OF EXAMINING CANDIDATES FOR ADMISSION INTO THE MILITARY ACADEMY. Candidates must be able to read with facility from any book, giving the proper intonation and pauses, and to write portions that are read aloud for that purpose, spelling the words, and punctuating the sentences properly. In ARITHMETIC they must be able to perform with facility examples under the four ground rules, and hence must be familiar with the tables of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; and must be able to perform examples in reduction and vulgar fractions, such as:-- Add 2/3 to 3/4; subtract 2/5 from 5/6. Multiply 3/4 by 7/8; divide 2/5 by 3/8. Add together two hundred and thirty-four thousandths (.234), twenty-six thousandths (.026), and three thousandths (.003). Subtract one hundred and sixty-one ten thousandths (.0161) from twenty-five hundredths (.25). Multiply or divide twenty-six hundredths (.26) by sixteen thousandths (.016).