New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-19
THE PEOPLES COLLEGE.


when at Havana few days sinoe, we took a look
at the Peoples College. The College building was
all completed last season except the inside work,
which is much less than on buildings constructed in
the ordinary way for the that ali the partition
walls are OF brick ON the foundation and laid hol-
low, hence no studdny or lalhing is needed on the
side walls.
| This not only makes the building firm and
durable, but proof from below, as there is not
wood enough to busn or reach the ceiling overhead,
and il il would burn at all, from above it would be
very slow.
| We were almost surprised, at this time of general
stagnation and contraction OF business to strong
i posse finishing the inside work.
The stairs built from the basement to the dome,
and floors laid, and the other inside work, COM
menciOg at the bottom, had nearly reached the
good taste. Gas and water pipes have been put in
through the whole building; air and heating fues
connect with every room. The lofts are high and
sash ventilators put in over every door.
( In the center of the building is an octagon of
brick 80 feet in diameter in which the stairs ascend
in nine fights to the dome, making an elevation of
| 100 feet. The view from below along the stairs
appears almost fabulous.
The chapel in the rear and center wing is very
large, and it is said will seat twice many as any
Church in Havana, and the dining-hall is the same
size Of the chapel. From the DOME the extended
undulating rural village, waterfall and lake scene
~, combined, is really grand, and would inspire
poetic illusions:
"Ye Wales and hills where beauty drew
The poets s;eps and fixed him here you,
Thy sacred presence all the landscape fl,
Its groves and plaius and adamantine hills,
Nor less yon crystal lake, old in story,
Or in that wild cascade leaping In glory.
What sweet charms long whispered in mine ear,
Alures attracts compes, and chains me here,
Where murmurfEg echo calls me to resign
Their sacred haunts to ,wseter lips than mne.'
While looking at the massive walls our thoughts
were involuntarily wandering into the future. What
would here transpire in the long centuries to come
What numbers yet unborn would ascend ard gaze
with admiration and delight from this lofty emnence
Would tread these extended halls Would listen TO
words that perhaps would sink deeper than parental
Of theories, Of council and encouragement What
youths fired with aspirations for learning usefulness
and renown, would yet be gaddeneda the first sight
of this lofty dome and these massive walls What
desires, and hopes would here nerve them to study
and research What presidents, professors, aud ora
tors with cOuntenances fired with youthful ardor or
beaming with science and learning, IN refined man
hood, OF perhaps with care-worn bTows are yet to
occupy ana dispense words Of wisdom and eloquence
from this forum What anxious parents are here
hopefully to listen TO the first efforts of a hopeful
child What statesman, luHst, inventors, warriors
and beneiactors, would hereafter be found 10 date
their all at this institution
On inquiry we learned that the State has done
nothing TO aid this enterprise that all had been done
by private donations and private hbeTahty. That
the citizens Of Havana and vicinity exhibited most
commendable lberaliiy in donating TO the College.
Some five or six individuals had given one thou
sand dollars each aud others from that sum down To
fftv. according TO their ability. That the Hon.
CHARLES Cook first donated twenty-five thousand
dollars ard has since added much 10 that sum.
IL occurred 10 us that the names Of those who had
donated and the amount paid by each, ought TO be
posted up in the building, and ever remain there;
NOT that strangers and those who visit IT, receive
it, benefits can zee who the Lord has blessed with
means, for many are thus blessed, that the public
have no particular interest about, or ever Will hsye
but rather to know who He has given a disposition
20 bestow their means, for such c0mGnendable,
uselul and glorious purpose.
We are commanded not 10 envy the rich because
he IA rich aud certainly we ought not TO, If there
was no such commandment, and there ought TO have
been commandment to pity the rich mems children;
but the rich who gives his riches for such pur-
uose we are not forbidden to envy and il appears to
y
that puts his where generations Of parents. Of
children, and the public Will bless his memory, tre
certainly ought 10 envy. Rambler says, whoever
envies another confesses his superiority and accord
ing 10 Pope:
AN humsn virtues, to its lates. breath
FINDS envy never conquered, but by death
Frederick II. accumulated immense wealth, and
displayed IL in building royal palaces, while the IN
teect Of the great multitude of bic subjects were
wholly neglected. While the citizens of Havana
and vicinity have good buildings for their own use,
they are building palace 10 cultivate the intellect
Of the masses. Happy contrast As we passed out,
we stopped and listened to the sound Of the hammers
and nose Of the workmen, and 1t very fOrcibly oc-
Cured 20 US that the interests and OF the
College must have sunken deep into the breast OF
those engaged In this enterprise. Such demonstra-
ton Of progress at this time of financial embarrass
ment, was ike refreshing shower falling on some
sun-psrcbed and barren desert.
We believe IT is now about three years since the
edilce was commenced, and If il had required five
year, more 10 bring 1t 10 its present forwardness by
voluntary donations without any prospects OF pecIl-
mary or business gain 10 stimulate il would still
have been great achievement. We believe so large
amount OF money has been expended for such
n purpose iii this State, and we think not III the
Union In as short time has been this college,
which fact should much encourage the patrons and
friends of the enterprise.
The village of Havana contains three churches,
two OF three large Touring mills, two large public
houses, several brick blocks OF stores, az web as
many fine dwellings, and has population Of about
800; vet at a short distance we hardly know which
away the college and remove all other buildings, or
TO leave the college and remove all the rest. The
college, standing on an eminence, affords most
commanding appearance.
janitor, with his family, now occupies a part OF
the building. Elmira Daily Advertiser