Precautions are taken against fire, by having stations for fire-quarters and duties assigned every officer, seaman, and boy on board, with frequent drilling at quelling this dangerous element.

Divine service is held on Sunday in the school-room at 10 A.M., and again in the evening at 6.30 P.M., the peculiar religious tenets of all respected, and religious instruction imparted by both Protestant and Catholic clergymen, who are granted access to the ship for this purpose at all times.

Nothing has been left undone that would enhance the comfort of the boys or assist them in their studies. Every encouragement is held out to them, and liberty on shore and other privileges granted to the deserving, while advancement the grade of petty officer awaits the pupil. Positions, though they entail an additional responsibility, bring with them certain privileges and distinctions which make them objects of desire to the aspiring lad.

The food furnished the boys is of a good quality and the supply is ample, and provided in accordance with the suggestions of a medical officer of acknowledged ability. Boys from a few wealthy families have been admitted whose parents pay $10 per month for their subsistence and instruction. It is probable that an independent ship could be made to pay as well as an academy. The boys take great pleasure in going aloft to spread or furl the sails. We saw from a distance a hundred or less of them engaged in this exercise. The spars, tackling, and flapping sails, united to the rapid movement of the boys, presented the appearance of a handful of black ants caught and struggling for dear life amid the meshes of a great cob-web.

Much interest is being manifested in all parts of the country in the great undertaking, as is frequently shown by the numerous letters received from this and adjacent States, together with the visits received from many distinguished citizens, all of whom are unanimous in their approbation of this philanthropic enterprise. Delegates from adjacent States have journeyed some distance to examine into the leading features of this Institution, and returned to their own cities to indorse the movement and recommend a like action on the part of their authorities. One has well said:

"The Commissioners deserve the thanks of the community for having added this to the many other noble public charities which are receiving the benefit of their wise and efficient administration. It would he difficult to exaggerate the ad vantages likely to accrue to the public from a benevolence which, receiving these neglected, vagrant, and degraded boys, shall shield them for a season from the rough blasts of temptation, teach them their duty to God and man, impart to them the principles of a noble science, train them to skill in the application of those principles, and, finally, opening to them a path of honorable usefulness, shall bid them go forth and walk therein, to the honor of God and the benefit of their fellow men. The very qualities of sagacity and daring, of earnestness and enthusiasm, which, under their former evil training, were likely to render them a pest as well as a terror to the community, will no doubt, in numerous instances, constitute a vigorous impulse to push them forward and give them success in their new career of virtue, honor, and usefulness."