Volunteers educated in the Academy, and sent from thence by order of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to serve in his Majesty's ships, shall be qualified, in point of time, for lieutenants after so many years' service at sea as, together with the time specified in the certificate given them upon leaving the Academy (not exceeding three years for the sons of sea officers before mentioned) shall complete the term of six years, provided they have served two years thereof as mates, midshipmen, or midshipmen ordinary in his Majesty's ships, and are not under twenty years of age, but shall pass the usual examination of their abilities before they can be preferred. APPENDIX II. _ADMIRALTY CIRCULAR of February 23rd, 1857 (in so far as it relates to Naval Cadets)._ I. A naval cadet must, on nomination, be not less than thirteen or more than fifteen years of age. II. He must undergo the examination at the Royal Naval College within three months of the date of nomination. III. He must produce a certificate of birth, or a declaration of the date of birth, made before a magistrate. IV. He must be in good health, free from impediment of speech, defect of vision, rupture, etc. V. The subjects in which a cadet is required to pass are as follows:-- Between thirteen and fourteen years of age: (1) To write from dictation legibly and correctly. (2) To read, parse, and translate an easy passage from some Latin or French author (the use of a dictionary is allowed). (3) To have a satisfactory knowledge of the leading facts of Scripture and English history. (4) Modern geography, including the principal countries, capitals, mountains, and rivers, etc.; and to be able to point out a place on the map if the latitude and longitude are given. (5) Arithmetic, including the four first rules, proportion, and a fair knowledge of vulgar and decimal fractions. (6) Algebra, including fractions. Above the age of fourteen, in addition to the above: (1) The use of the globes, correct definition of latitude, longitude azimuth, amplitude, and other circles. (2) Vulgar and decimal fractions. (3) Algebra, simple equations. (4) The first book of Euclid. (5) Plane trigonometry and its application to the solution of easy problems. A knowledge of drawing is recommended. VI. A cadet on passing will be appointed to a training ship at Portsmouth or Devonport for at least three months. VII. Quarterly examinations will be held on board the training ship, and any cadet who considers that he is competent may present himself for examination in sheet No. 1 and seamanship. If found qualified, he will be sent to a sea-going ship. VIII. Any cadet who fails to pass his examination within the periods stated below will be rejected:-- 14 years 6 months on joining The second quarterly examination. 14 years and under 6 months The third quarterly examination. Under 14 years The fourth quarterly examination.