Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-01-31
HARVARD COLLEGE.

The annual meeting of the Board of Over
seers of Harvard College was held in the Sem
ate Chamber on Thursday. Gov Banks pre-
sided.
The annual report was presented, being the
sixth by President Walker. 1t presents the
various branches i'll a forishing condition.
Nearly three thousand books have been added
to the library. The aggregate number of stu
dents in all the departments of the University
at the commencement of the present academic
year. was seven hundred and thirty, consider
ably exceeding what it was the term before.
The President is happy to add, that in the
moral and religious condition of the Universe
ty there has also been noticeable improve
ment to be ascribed in no small measure, to
the earnest and efficient ministrations of the
Professor of Christian Morals and Preacher to
the University, and showing the wisdom and
importance of that appointment.
The following is from the statement of Hon.
Amos A. Lawrence, the Treasurer, as proceed
ing the extended statement of the College ac-
counts:
"The property of the Corporation has remain
ed secure during the disasters of the past year.
The Boylston Museum has been completed
at a cost of $50,0O2 25.
The late Thomas Wren Ward, for many
years the Treasurer, and always an efficient
friend ofthe College, bequeathed five thousand
been received from his executors.
"Mr. William Turell Andrews, on resigning
the office of Treasurer last year, gave the sum
of $500 to increase the Plummer fund, hav-
ing previously given the same amount for the
same purpose.
"Mr. Thomas Lee, always a liberal and jul
dicious benetactor, has given $3.50 for the
purchase of books for the Alvord Profess
| sorship
ga a,,L.a.;,+;o,, oo,,,,,,o,,oaJ Nv nj, yV;l
liam Sturgis, Mr.. John p Cushing, Mr..
Thomas Lee and Mr.. Jonathan Phillips, of
five thousand dollars each, for the benefit of
the Medical Department, still remains open,
| and its progress will be noticed hereafter.
''The vast Geological Collection of Professor
Louis Agassiz, made from all parts Of the
world during many years of labor in some
| departments the most complete in any country,
remains unseen and almost useless in a tenn
porary building, and liable to many accidents,
Nor should it be forgotten, that the learned
man who has made this collection, standing at
the head of all living biologists, while he has
refused the overtures of universities and gov
ernments, is devotng his life to the advance
ment of natural science in this country.
! While this devotion is gratefully acknowl-
| edged by the country, and by Harvard College
| especially, there exists no adequate provision
| for his support, no means for enabling him to
! pursue his researches, nor even of preserving
| the collection which he offers to the corpor-
| alton. Were this collection made available,
| Professor AgaSsiz believes that he would at
tract to Cambridge students of natural science
| even from the countries of Europe.
The executors of the late Thomas Dowse
have proposed to give two thousand dollars to
rebuild the conservatory in the Botanical Gar
| den. This Department has no adequate source
| of income to sustain its expenses. The same
may be said of the Chemical Department.
Certain nominations made last June to fill
vacancies in the educational department of the
/ College were confirmed.
President Walker presented votes passed
| December "A, 1858, resigning trusts heretofore
| assumed by them, for the establishment, main
tenance, Or support off Theological School, as
] a department of the said College.
A communication from Mr. VIM. Gray in re-
| gard to the bequest of $4,000 made by the late
| Francis C. Gray for the establishment and
maintenance Of Museum of Comparative 10
| ology, was read by President Walker, and like
wise the votes of the corporation accepting the
| same and according to tae conditions thereof
| Hon. John H. Clifford presented the report
| of the Committee to examine the Lawrence Sci
entific School, and read communication from
| Prof. Agazziz in accordance with the recon-
| mendations, of which votes were passed au-
| thorizing a Committee of the 0verseers to adj
| dress the Legislature in their behalf soliciting
| the appropriation of the necessary means to
provide tor the erection of a suitable building
in which the Museum of Natural History may
be rendered secure and accessible to all.
The Chairman announced having received
a communication from Mr.. VIM. Gray in
| which that gentleman expressed his intention
to donate the sum of $4,000 yearly, for the term
of five years, to the library.