New-York daily tribune., 1858-11-04
A MYSTERY SOLVED.


especially that 50 few young men from Rhode Isl
and resort to the institution. "Ihe University is
worthy" says The Journal "of larger patron
"age than she now receives. There is no good
reason why the number Of Rhode Island boys
"wbo enter our college should not be at once
doubled or trebed."
Ever anxious to enhghten the ingenious inquirer,
THE TRIBUNE will attempt solution of this mys-
tery. For many years previous to 1850, Brown
University was in condition by 10 mesns -four
isbing. It's friends, in dolorous tones, greyed that
its advantages were unappreciated. The avalis
from tuition and from the funds Of the College,
became quite inadequate to the payment OF the an
nual expenses. and the institution tended to bank
rrptcy. In view of these circumstances 1t was
determined TO offer the advantages OF the College
10 larger class. Accordingly, branches of in
struetiOn were established ard endowed IN the
Mechanical and Agricultural Arts and IN Industrial
Science: a degree was offered to those who had
not pursued the classics: courses of lectures were
projected designed specifically for mechanics, and
eyery effort was made to render the advantages of
the College available to the community at large
AT once the number of students increased, and
shortly was doubled. A course Of lectures ad-
dressed TO jewellers upon the principles and Prac'
tice Of their craft was fully attended, "Rhode
Island Hall" being crowded to its utmost capacity,
by members of that calling. Rhode Island, which
had hitherto sent to the College but meager rep
resentation. now furnished larger number of
pupils than any other State.
", 'ta a M al
enterprisDg little Commonwealth, engaged largely
in mechanics and manufactures, have neither time
nor inclination for the luxury of elaborate classical
research. What they desire and need for them
selves and their is an education that shall mt
them for the callings which they from choice pur'
sue: which shall Tighten their toll lessen their
hours of labor, and render more safe their often
perilous processes which shall make their daily
life less drudgery, more elevated, and more pro-
motive of their own and the general wealth When
this was offered them, it was appreciated. There
was 10 complaint then Of a small attendance.
Recently a change has taken place in the genius
of the University The lectures 10 mechanics
have been discontinued. The announcement pub
licy made that the jewellers course was but the
beginning of series Of courses IS unfuhIed.
The Professorshp in Agriculture is vacant. The
degree of Master Of Arts, once conferred only by
merit on examination, is now conferred in course
on all who survive their graduation three years.
Every year witnesses some retrograde step, rem
dering the College of less and less value to the n-
dustria classes, and limiting the numbers to whom
its advantages may be available. Faithfully ad'
"hering to those academic courses which all e1-
"perience has shown to be essential to finished
scholarship and liberal culture, thus Inc Jour
nal defines the present position of the College
E,ery one understands what this language means
when used by the advocates of the classical
routine.
What follows! The number OF pupils has
diminished. The entrances are less than hall the
number that they reached few years ago. Then
they were from hundred to hundred and twenty
annually. For the opening year, we learn from
the journal that fifty have entered. Or these,
forty pursue the classical curriculum. In other
words. ten now seek the college TO gain prepara-
tion for industrial life, instead Of five or six times
that number as formerly. Again the complaint 10
heard of their numbers, and advantages unap-
preciated.
If the authorities of Brown University desire to
mike the Institution q retreat of learned leisure
for few students for the ministry, or for the
scions of Providence millionares, they are pursu-
ing a course eminenty suited to that end. But II
they desire TO enlarge its numbers, and to increase
it's fame and its usefulness, then let them make it
the property of the people Of Rhode k'and-let them
offer again its advantages 70 the sons Of the farmer
the artzan, and the mechanic-let them make 1t
the fountain Of an education that shall develop the
resources that shall economize, direct and elevate
the labor Of Rhode Island. Let them, ono longer
mocking the many by the offer of knowledge sought
only by the few, be willing TO teach what
the world is eager to learn. No longer VIII
the complaint be heard of scanty numbers.
Rhode Island alone will furnish more pupils than
now are furnished from all the States. Not only
would expedency recommend this course, but
fairness, honor and justice. The magnificent en-
dowment by which the College is now maintained
was raised upon the express pledge that the system
of instruction should be thus extended. In lcoO,
the Corporation voted " that the systemof nstruc'
" ton in Brown University be modified and ex'
4" tended, in the manner indicated in the report
(which was the basis Of all these changes, as soon
las the sum Of Sl25, 900 can be added to its pres
sent funds" Will body Of honorable men,
guardians Of literary and religious institution,
violate pledge thus expressly given! VIII they
disappoint the hopes of ali who long to see the
benefits of education universally difused!