This grade is a sort of school, and a very strict one, in which the young men are taught habits of obedience, subordination, and devotion to duty.

While the miscellaneous nature of the work done by this force prevents the systematic grading of the workers which is afterwards possible, yet individual records are kept, and excellence receives distinction corresponding with the penalties that negligence incurs.

It is not, however, policy with us to permit youthful recklessness or indiscretion, when not deeply culpable, to handicap the future careers of young men, and all who have passed through the unclassified grade without serious disgrace have an equal opportunity to choose the life employment they have most liking for.

Having selected this, they enter upon it as apprentices.

The length of the apprenticeship naturally differs in different occupations.