202 Captain George Ilamiltoii Perkins, U.S.N. [April,
trousers, he went one day to catch the Naval Academy, Annapohs, Mary- a colt in one of his father's fields land, which, after some hesitation, his bordering on the Contoocook. The pi lents permitted him to accept, and he colt declined to be caught and after a was withdrawn from Gilmanton and sent sharp scamper took to the river and to Concord to prepare for entrance at swam across. Nothing daunted, the Annapolis, under a private tutor. He plucky little urchin threw off his jacket, remained under such pupilage until the plunged into the swift current, and age of fifteen, when the beginning of safely breasting it, was soon in hot the academic year, October, 1851, saw- pursuit on the other side ; and after a him installed in " Middy's " uniform at long chase and hard tussle made out to that institution, and the business of life catch the spirited animal and bring for him had begun in earnest, him home in triumph. Always passion- To a young and restless lad, used to ately fond of animals and prematurely being afield at all times and hours with expert in all out-door sports, he thus horse, dog, and gun, and fresh from a early began to' master that noblest of country home where the " pomp and beasts, the horse. circumstance " of military life had had
When eight years old, his father no other illustration than occasional
removed with his family to Boston, glimpses of the old "training and
and, investing his means in shipping, muster days " so dear to New Hamp-
engaged for a time in trade with the shire boys forty years ago, the change
west coast of Africa. The son was apt to the restraint and discipline ; the
to runabout the wharves with his father, inflexible routine and stern command ;
and the sight of the ships and contact the bright uniforms and novel ways ;
with "Jack " doubtless awoke the taste the sight of the ships and the use of a
for the sea, that was to be gratified vocabulary that ever smacks of the
later on. sea ; the call by drum and trumpet to
Returning to the old homestead on every act of the day, from bed-rising, the Contoocook after the lapse of two prayers, and breakfast, through study, years or more, the old, quiet, yet for recitation, drill, and recreation hours, to young boyhood, frolicsome out-door tattoo and taps, when every student is life was resumed, and the lad grew expected to be in bed, — was a trans- apace amid the rural scenes and ample formation wonderful indeed ; but the belongings of that generous home ; not flow of discipline and routine are so over studious, perhaps, and chafing, as regular and imperative that their cur- boys will, at the restraint imposed by rents are imperceptibly impressed upon the study of daily lessons and their the youthful mind and soon become a recital to his mother. part of his nature, as it were, unawares.
At twelve years of age, he was sent So we may conclude that our young
to the Hopkinton Academy, and after- aspirant for naval honors proved no
wards to the academy at Gilmanton. exception to the rule, and soon settled
While at Gilmanton, General Charles into these new grooves of life as quietly
H, Peaslee, then member of Congress as his ardent temperament would
from the Concord congressional dis- permit.
trict, offered him the appointment of The discipline at the Academy, in
acting midshipman to fill a vacancy at those days, was harsher and more
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