Cadet Life at West Point

by Hugh T. Reed

7. Him dying at this time led to the attempt being given up.

ENGLISH COMPOSITION AND ENGLISH LITERATURE.—Candidates will be required:

1. By the writing of short themes on subjects chosen by themselves within limits set by the examination paper, to prove (a) their ability to spell, capitalize, and punctuate, and (b) their mastery of the elementary principles of composition, including paragraphing and sentence-structure.

2. To give evidence of intelligent acquaintance with three plays of Shakespeare: one comedy, one history, and one tragedy,—The Merchant of Venice, Henry V., and Macbeth being especially recommended.

3. To exhibit a fair knowledge of the names of the most prominent English and American authors, and of the names of their principal works.

The general character and scope of the examination are indicated by the following specimen:

A. Write a composition of about two hundred and fifty words, on each of four subjects selected from the following list. (Of two or more subjects in brackets choose but one.)

1.	The Story of the Three Caskets in The Merchant of Venice.
	A Character-Sketch of Antonio.

2.	The Influences that Caused Macbeth’s Moral Downfall.
	The Story of Macduff.

3.	{ The English Army at Agincourt (in Henry V.)
	{ A Brief Narrative of the Historical Events of Henry V. Previous to Agincourt.