tatives from the principal Christian denominations among us and in filling the vacancies which may occur in this body, as also in appointing the Professors, Teachers, and other Officers of the College, trust a like catholic spirit will always govern the Trustees. "It is not my purpose to make VASSAR FEMALE COLLEGE a charity school, whose advantages shall be free to all without charge; for benefits so cheaply obtained, are cheaply held; but it is believed the funds of the institution will enable it to offer all the highest educational facilities at a moderate expense, as compared with the cost of instruction in existing Seminaries. I earnestly hope the funds will also prove sufficient to warrant the gratuitous admission of indigent students annually at least, by regarding the amount remitted, in most cases, as a loan, to be subsequently repaid from the avails of teaching, or otherwise. Preference should be given to beneficiaries of decided promise- such as are likely to distinguish themselves in some particular department or pursuit—and, especially to those who propose to engage in the teaching of the young as a profession. "I desire that the College may be provided with commodious buildings, containing ample apartments for public instruction, and at the same time affording to the inmates the safety, quiet, privacy, and purity of the family. "And now, gentlemen of the Board of Trustees, I transfer to your possession and ownership the real and personal property which I have set apart for the accomplishment of my designs.' Then delivering a small box containing the funds and the titles of his gift, he continued: "I beg permission to add a brief general expression of my views in regard to the most judicious use and management of the funds. After the College edifice has been erected and furnished with all needful aids and appliances for imparting the most perfect education of body, mind and heart, it is my judgment and wish that the amount remaining in hand should be safely invested to remain as a principal, only the annual income of which should be expended in the preservation of the buildings and grounds; the support of the Faculty; the replenishing and enlarging of the library, cabinet, art gallery, etc., and in adding to the capital on hand; so that the College, instead of being impoverished, and tending to decay from year to year, shall always contain within itself the elements of growth and expansion, of increasing power, prosperity and usefulness. "In conclusion, gentlemen, this enterprise, which I regard as the last great work of my life, I commit to you as a sacred trust, which I feel assured you will discharge with fidelity and uprightness, with wisdom and prudence, with ability and energy. "It is my fervent desire that I may live to see the institution in successful operation, and, if God shall give me life and strength, I shall gladly employ my best faculties in coöperating with you to secure the full and perfect consummation of the work before us." The Trustees without delay began preparations for building upon a farm of 200 acres, about two miles south-east of the central part of Poughkeepsie, the plans being furnished by James Renwick, Jr., the architect of the Smithsonian Institution at Washington. It was out of sight of the river, but in the midst of quiet rural scenery. Ground was first broke on the 4th of June, 1861, and the building was completed early in 1865. Professor Jewett, the friend and adviser of Mr. Vassar, was appointed first President, and he was sent to Europe to observe whatever might be useful in the way of female education. He returned with the impression that however successful foreign schools might prove, in their circumstances, the differences in this country required great modification, and that little could be learned from the systems abroad. Mr. Jewett resigned in the spring of 1864, and John H. Raymond, LL. D., a successful educator of long experience, was chosen to his place. He remained in the office until his death in 1878, when the Rev. Samuel L. Caldwell, D. D., the present incumbent, was appointed. Mr. Vassar served as Chairman of the Executive Committee until June 17, 1865, when he requested Nathan Bishop, LL. D., one of his first-chosen Trustees, to accept the place. He continued, however, an earnest member of the Board of Trustees, keeping himself informed of all measures proposed or adopted, and participating in the discussion of all questions that concerned the organization and welfare of the College, which he had chosen to make the crowning labor of his life. He was accustomed to embody the matured results of his reflections during the year, in an annual written address which he read at the annual meetings of the Board. The last of these occasions was on a beautiful morning, June 23, 1868. He had been suffering of late from a functional derangement of the heart, which at times occasioned difficulty in breathing, yet without materially affecting his general health. But on this morning he felt better than usual, and drove to the College at the hour appointed for the meeting. The Board convened at 11 A. M., and Mr. Vassar proceeded to read his address. It was somewhat longer than usual, and as his tones were feeble, and he read sitting, the members gathered closer around him, and listened in profound silence. Suddenly, when he had almost finished, his voice ceased, the paper dropped from his hand, his head fell back upon the chair, and he was dead! When an hour later, the Trustees reassembled to listen to the closing paragraph of the address, it was found to be as follows: "And now, gentlemen, on closing these remarks, I would humbly and solemnly implore the Divine Goodness to continue His smiles and favor on your institution, and to bestow on all hearts connected therewith His love and blessing, having peculiarly protected us by His Providence through all our College trials for three consecutive years without a single death in our Board, or serious illness or death of one of the pupils within our College walls. Wishing you, gentlemen, a continuance of health and happiness, I bid you a cordial and final farewell. Thanking you kindly for your official attentions and services, and not expecting, from my advanced years and increasing infirmities, to meet with you officially again, I implore the Divine Goodness to guide and direct you aright in all your official councils." Mr. Vassar was born near the city of Norwich, England, April 29, 1792, and was a little over 76 years of age at the time of his death. We will now give some account of the College that he founded. The main College building, of dull-red brick, pointed off with black mortar, is about 500 feet long, about 200 broad in the centre and 164 feet at the transverse wings. The trimmings are of blue free-stone. The centre building and the wings are five stories high, and the connecting portions four stories, affording apartments for the resident officers, and about 400 students, besides a full complement of managers and servants. It contains suites of recitation and lecture-rooms, and rooms for instruction in music and painting, a chapel, dining hall, parlors, library, art gallery, apparatus, laboratory and cabinet-rooms, with a full equipment in the way of water supply, and for warming by steam, and lighting by gas. Mr. Vassar's first gift was $408,000, for the carrying out of his design. In 1864, he purchased an Art Gallery and Library, at a cost of $20,000. Before his death he loaned moneys for additional constructions, to the amount of $75,000, which was cancelled by his will. He further made the College the residuary legatee of his es tate, from which there was to be applied $50,000 for a "Lecture Fund," $50,000 for an "Auxiliary Fund," for aiding worthy young women, $50,000 for a "Library, Art and Cabinet Fund," and the residue (about $125,000) as a "Repair Fund." The various gifts of Mr. Vassar amounted to about $778,000. The other principal donations (as reported in 1873) were: A collection of North American Birds (from Mr. J. P. Girard, of Poughkeepsie), valued at from $10,000 to $15,000, and a permanent Scholarship secured by Alanson J. Fox, of Painted Post, N. Y., at $6,000. The funds of this 'College have been recently increased by the following bequests from Matthew Vassar, Jr., viz. ; $50,000 for a Scholarship Fund, $40,000 for a Professorship of Greek and Latin Languages and Literatures, and $40,000 for a Professorship of Physics and Chemistry. Upon the College grounds and adjacent is an ample and wellequipped Gymnasium, and about eight hundred feet to the northeast an Observatory, consisting of an octagonal central building, surrounded by a dome and two wings, making the entire length 82 feet. The revolving dome is 25 feet 7 inches in diameter. The equatorial has an object glass of 12 3-5 inch aperture, and a focal length of 16 feet. The Observatory is provided with an Astronomical Clock, Chronograph, Transit and Meridian Circle, etc., for practical astronomical work. The students are of two classes, "Regular Collegiates," who pursue a four years' course, leading upon approved examinations to the Baccalaureate degree of " A. B.," and beyond this upon completion of further study and an examination, to the second degree of Arts "A. M." and "Specials" or "Irregular Collegiates," who pursue a more limited course. The aim and object of the College, as set forth in general terms by Mr. Vassar, in the paper which he read at the time when the property was turned over to the Trustees, has been regarded as the basis of the plan of instruction since followed, but with some modification of details. On the 1st of February, 1867, the word "Female" was stricken out of the title first given, by the Legislature, so as to read "VASSAR COLLEGE." The progress of this institution from year to year, as to attendance, has been as follows: PRESENT FACULTY (As given in Regents' Report of 1884). President, and Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy Rev. Samuel L. Caldwell, D. D. Lady Principal-Abby F. Goodsell, A. B.; (Assistant) Nannie B. De Saussure. Professor of Astronomy, and Director of Observatory - Maria Mitchell, LL. D. Professor of Rhetoric and of English Language and Literature Truman T. Backus, A. M.1 Professor of Greek and Latin Language and Literature-Charles F. Hinkel, Ph. D. Professor of Physics and Chemistry - Le Roy C.Cooley, Ph. D. Professor of Mathematics - Priscilla H. Braislin. Professor of Natural History and Curator of Museum - William B. Dwight, A. M. Professor of Philosophy and Hygiene and Resident Physician - Mary E. Allen, M. D. Professor of Drawing and Painting Henry Van Ingen. Professor of Music - Frederic Louis Ritter, Mus. Doc. Since appointed Principal of Packer Collegiate Institute. 142 |