EDUCATION

DEVOTED ΤΟ THE SCIENCE, ART, PHILOSOPHY, AND

LITERATURE OF EDUCATION.

VOL. VIII.

OCTOBER, 1887.

No. 2.

VASS

VASSAR COLLEGE.

BY MARY L. FREEMAN, A.M., CANANDAIGUA, N. Y.

ASSAR COLLEGE, the first well-equipped college for women, was founded in 1861 by Matthew Vassar. In his first address to the trustees, he said: "It is my hope to be the instrument in the hands of providence of founding and perpetuating an institution which shall accomplish for young women what our colleges are accomplishing for young men." To this end he gave the college four hundred and eight thousand dollars, afterward increasing the sum by money and other gifts to seven hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. The enterprise was felt by most people to be a gigantic experiment, and met with not a little ridicule and opposition; but Matthew Vassar's faith in the future of the college was unwavering. The college was built in troublous times. Ground was staked out for the foundation of the college on the day that Fort Sumter fell. In June, 1861, Mr. Vassar turned the first sod where the foundation was to be laid. The spade he used is still preserved, and makes its appearance annually on Class Day, when it serves to bury the senior class. records at the foot of the class-tree.

In September of 1865 the college was opened to students. It had then a president, lady principal, eight professors, and twenty assistant instructors. Two of the professors and all the assistants were women. The college buildings then consisted of the main.

building, the observatory, a gymnasium and riding-school, and a lodge. Vassar's early work was pioneer work. Students came ill-prepared, and with most chaotic notions of study. It must be remembered that no schools then existed designed to fit girls for college. A preparatory department was therefore found to be an absolute necessity. Dr. Raymond, president at that time, said: "Their plans for future study revealed as clearly their need of authoritative guidance and direction. There was no lack of zeal; but their reliance was largely on the adventitious advantages which the college (was supposed to possess. Of the real elements and processes of a higher education, and of the subjective conditions of mental growth and training, comparatively few, either of the students or their parents, appeared to have any definite idea.

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There was no lack of definiteness of choice. Tastes and inclinations were usually positive; reasons were not so plentiful. That the young lady 'liked' this study or disliked' that was the reason perhaps most frequently assigned. If its force was not at once conceded, she strengthened it by increased emphasis, declaring that she was 'passionately fond' of the one and 'utterly detested,' or 'never could endure,' the other. Practical studies were greatly in vogue, especially with parents; 'practical' meaning such as had an immediate relation, real or fancied, to some utility of actual life: such, for example, as that of chemistry to

cooking, or of French to a tour in Europe. Appropriateness for the discipline of the faculties or the furnishing of the mind was often not appreciated as a practical consideration at all. . . .

"One fact the faculty discovered, which went far to counterbalance all their discouragements. The most mature, thoughtful, and influential of the students perfectly apprehended the situation, knew what they needed, and earnestly sought it. Modestly,

but firmly and intelligently, they pleaded for the adoption of the highest educational standard, avowed their readiness to submit for themselves to the most rigid conditions, and exerted a strong influence to diffuse right views among their fellow-students."

By the aid of the preparatory department and strict adherence. to a fixed course of study, order was evolved, a collegiate standard attained, and, in spite of the jests of would-be wits, and the grave head-shakings of the wiseacres, Vassar College won respect and reputation.

Mr. Vassar lived to see all initial difficulties overcome and the college in fair running order.

It was fitting that his death should occur, as it did, at the college to which his last words and thoughts were given. The circumstances were these. He had come to the annual meeting of the board of trustees, and had asked that he might remain seated as he read his address to them. They gathered about his chair while he read. As he neared the close, his voice faltered, the paper dropped from his hand, he leaned back in his chair, and, in a moment, without pain, breathed his last. His death gave a pathetic significance to the closing paragraph of his address:

"And now, gentlemen, in closing these remarks, I would humbly and solemnly implore the divine Goodness to continue his smiles and favor on your institution, and to bestow upon all hearts connected therewith his love and blessings, 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 in one of our pupils within its 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, not expecting, from my advanced years and increasing infirmities, to meet with you officially again, and imploring the divine Goodness to guide and direct you aright in all your counsels and social business deliberations."

Since its early years the changes in Vassar College have been many, but steadily in the line of a higher curriculum and better facilities for work.

The college stands at Poughkeepsie, New York, two miles from the Hudson River, in spacious and beautiful grounds of its own, where landscape gardening has made more noble and varied a naturally fine location. Within the grounds are wide lawns, tennis grounds, a flower-garden, beautiful walks and drives, shy footpaths under old forest trees, a winding lake with little islands, a glen, brooks, hills, and groves.

The spot known as "The Meeting of the Waters," where Mill Cove Brook unites with Kaspar's Kill, is but one of many picturesque nooks which the new student finds and explores with all the delight of a discoverer. One hill within the grounds, Sunset Hill, "commands a view of the Hudson valley more than sixty miles in extent, from the Fishkill range on the south to the Cats