Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-08-15
UNIVERSITY OF yERMo. w.
IMPROVEMENTS AND DONATION

VI vi hhO-
IMPROVEMENTS AND DONATIONS
We have noticed heretofore some Of the
improvements in progress in the University
buildings during tie present season. We
were a little surprised to hear 10 allusion
made 10 them at the public reunions Of tie
late Commencement occasion-with slugle
exception at the Alumni meeting. CON-
meucement morning. In fact the war fever
seemed to have absorbed the minds Of every
body to such a degree as to preclude stien-
tion to the real and substantial Improvements
that are making in and about the college
buildings. We even heard some remarks Of
Encouragement and depression. We sus-
poet that those who used such language
could hardy have noticed that more has
been done the last SIX months n The way Of
improvement about the Institution than i0T
wears previous, and this has been done with
Ut mourning d collars Indebtedness by tie
Institution, and almost wholly by do
nations OF citizens in Burlington -ri Wln-
ooosSi. Il is due to their generous response
10 the calls Of the institution, tlat this TACT
should be known. It /, certainly something
that six thousand dollars should BE- -Zpaud,d
IN these war times upon tie erection Of q
fine library building, said, BY god arcli-
teers, in view Of its Proportions anl 81 &c Of
finish, to be one of the LaudsJm-s; public
buildings in town. and By experienced judges
on such matters, TO be admirably fitted t.
contain fifty thousand volumes Of books.
The want Of separate building for the vale
liable library Of the University has long been
felt. We learn that the interior viii be So
lar finished a. to allow Of the transfer Of the
Library to It within the next TWO months.
l. lie something worth notice, TO, that
nearly two thousand dollars have b4en ezpeu1
ed on the thorough repair. or rather recon-
,truction Of one halt Of tie rooms devoted 10
the use Of the students, making them as g51i
and convenient, to say tie least, as any IN
any co lege in the country.
Again. valuable donations Of land bay.
been made. one BY the late President Wheel
er for the benefit Of the Natural History D.
rar'ment, and one by Hon Thomas Reed 4
Montpelier Dr.. Wheeler also left s'me
r-re and expensive volumes TO be- the begin.
ming Of a Law Library IL the University
The gifts of 4ul and books are worth me
three thousand dollars. The more OF this
SOFT OF Depression the Univer.ity c1p-I.en
ces, the better.
1t IS true that the University Of Y-rm Mt,
ike most Of the similar institutions in OH
country which are not richly endowed feels
the straitening influences Of the times and
has fewer students than it had few year,
ago. With a wise economy 70 suit the times
there has been retrenchment in the number
and salaries Of it officers, Sd a. to bring the
expenses Of the institution rigidly within III
/ income, and still more may be needed bu
the course OF study has been and Will b.
maintained lie integrity. With the eztlr
! nal Improvements have corresponded the IL
tarnal order and quia; and attention to study
/ Another fact Of special interest to the &c
f. ligious public Is, that the proportion o. rali
( gious students has been steadily increasing o
late years, till they are now in the majority
(; The classes have been thinned by the larg
number who have enlisted in the army. Bu
F; while the colleges Of our country cain Il
lead in the cause Of christian civilization
they must share IL Its TRIALS and burdens
and that without discouraCeleut. Again
as a large number Of students axe dependen
on their own rez5urces-m1Ie here than IL
most other colleges-more than usual hay
been obliged 70 leave for wan; Of mean to g
on ar yre-ect. Possibly the SINE causes Iu u
continue to act to keep the attenl4ocs reil
lively small hereafter. Yet enough Lav
entered at this commencement T. insure
respectable class for the ensuing year.
To the disc1uraglng tone in which som,
spoke OF the prospects Of tie University &
the late anniversary, We have, therefore, 6.
sly, that there Is DO ulsiantial ground Tor it
L ke thousands Of business concerns, large
ana small, IN the country, the University j..
in some respects straitened-saip-likes she has
been obliged 70 take in SAL TO meet the storm
Of war but the ship io stlanch and as .rue
to her course as ever. Il her progress is Te-
tarded by the battling winds OF the uaes, it
Is none the less SURE for the ages Vt To come