CADETS' COLLEGE. A college with this designation was established in 1858 by a remodeling of the junior department of the royal military college at Sandhurst. Its objects were, to give a sound military education to youths intended for the army, and to facilitate the obtaining of commissions when the education was finished. The age of admission was between 16 and 19. The friends of a youth, able to pay the sums of money presently to be named, applied to the commander-in-chief for permission to place the youth on the list of candidates; this permission was usually granted on production of satisfactory certificates and references. The youth might go up for examination on any half-year. The list of subjects included English composition, continental languages, mathematics, history, geography, natural sciences, experimental sciences, and drawing. After the examination, the candidates were reported to the commander-in-chief in their order of merit. Those who had the most marks were admitted as cadets as soon as vacancies occurred in the college. When entered, they studied for two years on a great variety of subjects connected with military science and practice. The friend sup
plied clothing, books, and instruments. The annual payment for education, board, and lodging varied from £100 per annum down to £20; the highest sum being demanded for "the sons of private gentlemen," while the lowest was deemed sufficient for "the sons of officers of the army or navy who had died in the service, and whose families were proved to be left in pecuniary distress." Twenty of the youths were "queen's cadets," sons of officers "who had fallen in action, or had died from the effects of active service, and had left their families in reduced circumstances." These 20 cadets were admitted and educated gratuitously. This system was abolished in 1870. Sub-lieu tenants of cavalry and infantry, styled "student officers," who have done duty with a regiment for about 12 months, are now required to attend the college at Sandhurst, and go through a course of study for a year. At the end of it, ou passing a satisfactory examination, they are promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and rejoin their regiments. See also MILITARY ACADEMY, ROYAL.