New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-12-03


To aas ESisOr If ne " u TSsssa<
Sin; Knowing your interest in THE ProPLE's Cot
1rsy. I am induced to give you brief account OF
what saw and beard Of the institution and ts locality
during a recent professional visit 70 Havana lem
braeed the opportunity 70 make critical examination
of the projected College in I've sanitary, literary ana
other aspects.
AT the head Of Lake Seneca Ia beautiful sheet OF
water forty miles in length, found that neat village
located in valley between parallel ranges of hiis,
running nearly north and south from the SUBMITS Of
which several cascades preeiptated the rocks,
give great animation to the scenery. The history Of
this valley is full Of interest account Of ice having
been the home Of Caiharine Montour, Distinguished
ouecp. " strong-ninded" EliEabethan ruler Of the
Seneca tribe OF Indians, the site Of whose wgwam,
whence abe dispensed justice, and encouraged good
works among her people, is within the College
grounds.
OF the character of this locality for salubty, can
sneak both from my own observation of It's topography
and conversations with some OF its resident physicians.
The frequent banes of places similarly situated are n
termittent and biEous fevers, which am told were
somewhat prevalent in this locality but time, drainage,
andcuvation have 80 completely removed their GAUGES,
that these complaints have for some years past beena
most wholly bapisbed The Chemung Canal, which runs
through the valley from Emira the Lake, on which
large quantities of coal and lumber transported APP
pears 70 have thoroughly drained the soil and removed
all rslarious tendency The temperature is said to DO
remarkably uniform, snow very seldom occurring 70
sny considerable amount This is accounted for by the
eoualIng influence Of the Lake which never freezes,
being from 500 to 600 feet deep in some parts, IT'S largo
body OF water acting regulator OF the temperature
of the surrounding region. A steamboat Plies on me
lab oil ba rnun1 In addition this OF
equable temperature is the defense Of the valley
against the cold winds by the hills which nclose i,
rendering il desirable residence for invads rs well
as for students. -
But the main point of interest is the College tself
The system upon which il is founded has been long
iavorite idea Of the Hon. Charles Cook, the Peter
Cooper" of Central New-iOrk. With ehgntened
sagaety seeing the great hiatus IN the prevalent eys
TEN Of college education viz: the absence Of heahfal
phy steal employment and the need Of instruction IN
agriculture, engineering, and the mechanic arts, DO
conceived the plan of uniting the ordinary literary
course Of study with practical instruction IN the field
and workshop; combination which, at the same time
that il would impart useful practical knowledge, would
enable the stnden TO pay, by has labor, part OF ms
college expenses. The possibility Of this combination
BY an appropriate division of the students time was
the question, and il obstacle IN my own mind
on its first presentation; but when came 70 renecs
upon IT, and especially when Jaw s practical work
ing under far more unfvorabe circumstances IN the
Cooper Institute Whose pupils work ten hours day
and study two three hourse in the evening" the on-
cuky vanished. When | found that the plan Of the
PEOPLES College course for the pupis 70 labor IN
the held OF shop from two TO four hours only and give
the remainder of the day study with better physical
health in the pure air Of that delightful region and
with consequent clearer brains, had no hesitation in
giving the principle my full and cordial eoneurreneei
nor can | conceive of any real objection TO il.
The plan of the College edihce seems TO me well
adapted TO its purpose Its site 10 prominent and ee-
waited overlooking the valley and lake, where it must
be forever free from any special external causes OF IN
saubrity. The appearance of the building, even IN
lis present unfinished state, is elegant and command
ing, while 300 acres Of adjacent land, of the highest
character for fertility afford ample field for the devel.
opment of its peculiar idea. The house is substan-
tally built with double walls of brick and stones the
front 2l6 feet long, and rear building are the only
portions vet erected leaving the wings ofneary equal
length TO follow. With the introduction OF the inn
proyemens and facilities demanded by sanitary law,
such a. water supply drainage ventilation, bathing,
&C., which understand contemplated, IL viii be,
when completed not only unsurpassed but unequalIed
by any similar institution.
Its inauguration will open a era in College edu-
cation and under the guidance of it's judicous and n-
telgent head, Amos Brown LII. d., and the foster
ing care of its nobe-hearted originator IL will be the
means of giving TO the future Of our country stream
of men possessing sound minds in sound bodies, con-
summation most devoutly to be wished.
Very Respectfully JNO. II. GRisCoM.
Ner f0rk, Nov. 81, 1889.