moral philosophy; the Rev. Samuel Hart, professor of Latin; the Rev. I. T. Beckwith, professor of Greek; the, Rev. F. S. Luther, Seabury professor of mathematics and astronomy; the Rev. Henry Ferguson, Northam professor of history and political science; Charles F. Johnson, professor of English literature; the Rev. John J. McCook, professor of modern languages; Wm. L. Robb, professor of physics; R. B. Riggs, Scovill professor of chemistry and natural science. Among the lecturers is Charles Dudley Warner on English literature. Recent alumni are Judge Joseph Buffington of the U. S. Court, and W. E. Curtis, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, in 1875, Richard E. Burton, in 1883, and Prof. C. M. Andrews, of Bryn Mawr College, in 1884. 3063- -17 CHAPTER VII. WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY. MIDDLETOWN. On the west bank of the Connecticut River and rising high on terraces above it, stands the pleasant city of Middletown, embowered in trees. It is a quiet and quaint place of slow growth, but with a most charming population and most delightful surroundings. All three of the Connecticut colleges have lovely sites, but Wesleyan's is loveliest of all. About 150 feet above the river is High street, and on this street on the summit of one of the terraces are the buildings of Wesleyan. From the top of Judd Hall the eye ranges over the country and sees a most exquisite view, said to be the finest in the lovely valley of the Connecticut south of Mount Holyoke. Across the river is Portland, with its famous quarries furnishing brownstone for city houses, and the whole neighborhood is very rich in minerals.2 "THE AMERICAN LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC, AND MILITARY ACADEMY." In 1824, Capt. Alden Partridge, who had formerly been superintendent of West Point, opened this institution at Middletown. He purchased a site of 13 acres, fronting for 634 feet on High street. The curriculum was intended to be similar to that of the United States Military Academy and the citizens becoming interested subscribed liberally towards it. The foundation of the Lyceum3 was laid October 24, 1824, with masonic rites, two substantial stone buildings were erected, and there was great success at first. On August 22, 1825, the academy opened and the first catalogue showed 19 officers and 281 cadets from nearly every State. The old laboratory of Wesleyan was built for a gun house, and the boarding hall was also erected in 1825. The discipline grew lax, complaints of disorderly conduct were frequent, the number of students fell off, and an attempt in 1828 to obtain power to give degrees failed to receive the assent of the legislature. As a result of this, Capt. Partridge removed the academy to Norwich, Vermont, in 1829.4 His departure left the buildings vacant and in the hands of the trustees, by whom they were offered for sale. 'The illustrations of Wesleyan University building are from photographs furnished by Mr. H. B. Slayback, Class of 1890. 2 College Book, p. 301. 3 Now, since 1871, South College. *College Book p. 303; Field's Middlesex, p. 108; Annals of Wesleyan University p. lxxx. 258 |