jury, instead of benefit, may result from
an untimely or injudicious use of a cer
tain piece of apparatus. Again, where
students habitually use the same piece,
they bar other students from its use,
thus leaving a tendency to confusion.
Nothing seems more reasonable than
to conjecture that, with a competent in
structor who could direct each man in
that training which he most needs for
his chosen sport, we would not only have
a greater variety in our field sports, but
would have men better trained for those
sports in which we are now making but
feeble efforts.
THE inspection of the battalion by
Col. Hughes, Inspector General
U. S. A., during the latter part of the
last spring session, did to persons unac
quainted with the circumstances, reflect
much discredit upon the corps of cadets.
That we were not up to the high
standard which we had formerly main
tained on similar occasions, could be seen
by everybody; but we are glad to note
that to none did it appear that our par
tial failure was due to a lack of interest
on the part of those engaged.
During the entire collegiate year the
corps had labored under disadvantages.
The armory, opened at the beginning
of the spring session, had lain for a
whole year in the contractor’s hands in
an almost completed state. The wet
weather of the fall term prevented much
of the outside drill, and consequently
TfHE FREE LANCE.
*!•
drill was abandoned on stormy days.
During the winter term, in spite of
the efforts of our Commandant to secure
a suitable room, we had no drill what-
As a result, the new men who
entered college last fall, or since, were
unable to join the battalion with the old
cadets until the middle of May. In fact
we had had battalion drill but three
times when we were notified of the ar
rival of the Inspector General; many of
the new men being entirely ignorant of
the movements which we were called
upon to perform.
Considering the amount of time given
to drill at this college, battalion drill
should begin with the opening of the
spring term, if good results are to be
looked for at commencement.
As it happened, both officers and pri
vates thought themselves unprepared
and taken at a disadvantage.
The difficulties which presented them
selves last year, however, have been re
moved ; and with the large body of new
men just entered, we hope and believe
that we shall have a larger battalion
than ever before; and one which shall
maintain the usual high standard of the
past. The fact that that standard has
been very high indeed is evidenced by
the excellent grades given our corps by
the U. S. Inspectors who have inspected
us in former years, and by the well dis
ciplined and truly military condition of
our battalion at former commencement
drills.