The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-24
Middlebury College.-Report of the
Examining Committee.

10We C0fPoTatt0HV -htddfeORfy COHfgc.
GENTLEMEN:
Having attended, by invi-
tation of the Faculty, the recent exam
nation of the several classes in College
and understanding it to be the custom of
examining committees on such occasions
to make reports to the Corporation, the
undersigned offer the following commun-
ication
The examination commenced on Mon
day, August LIST, and was continued
through the week, occupying from seven
to eight hours of each day. The Senior
class was examined in the several studies
to which they had given attention during
the years. the three lower classes in the
studies of the course up to the points to
which they had respectively advanced.
Hence, of two classes, the Senior and
Freshman, the review taken embraced
the studies of one year only : Of one
class, the Sophomore, the studies of two
years, and the Junior class those of three
years.
The thorough and impartial manner
in which the examination in all its parts
was concluded by the several members
of the Faculty, and the privilege extend
cd to us of intcrposing questions at our
pleasure, gave to the Committee the best
opportunity for forming judgment, both
of the manner in which the work of in
struction is conducted, and of the degree
and manner in which the students avail
themselves of their advantages.
In stating generally the result of our
observations we can say, that our antici-
pations, which were high at the COM
mencemont, have been more than fulfill
ed by what we have heard and witnessed
in the progress of the examination. To
make discrimination between classes,
or between the several individuals of
which they respectively consist, may not
be expected of us, or be consistent with
the purpose and necessary brevity of this
communication. Yet the committee
feel inclined to say word on this point.
Having been furnished with lists of tho
several classes, duly prepared, and in
formed of the system of marking practic-
ed in College, We adopted the same not
ing independently Of each other our esti-
nation of every student at the time of
his examination in each branch of study.
On comparison afterwards the cores
pondcncc between the marks of the COM
mittee, and the general agreement, also,
with those on similar lists kept by mem
bers of the Faculty, gave us an assur-
ance of the general accuracy oftthe rec
ord
An inspection of our papers would
fully justify the opinion expressed Of the
high character of the examination The !
rigid scrutiny sustained, and the manly
yet becoming and modest self-reliance |
with which it was generally met, could
not fail deeply to interest our feelings as
the examination proceeded, and to inn
part the hopeful assurance that, blessed
with their present advantages, the stu
dents of Middlebury College are dcstin.
cd to illustrate hereafter the high value
to society of those interests committed by |
Providence to your Superintendent and
direction.
The Committee would also express
their qualification at the quiet, deferen-
tial, but dignifed department of the
students, both in the examination room,
and elsewhere whenever they came under
BUR observation, The fact, valuable as
il is in itself, told us that the police of
The College did not depend for its eiiec-
liveness on mere rule and penalty, but
rather on the active conscience and the
carefully guarded self-respect of the
student, and went to remind us, that
while there is no class animated with \
more generous impulses than the young,