The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-12-01
WaterxiIlIe CaIIeaa.

We have leceived from the editors a copy OF
the " Watervillian," with its annual crop ofin-
aeresting statistics. Among the novel features
is list of marriages during the year of men
who are or have been connected with the col
leee. The new chapel, it appears, is to be built
of a "blue stone," found within two miles OF
the college premises, and the young gentlemen
indicate a doubt about its fitness for the pur-
pose. We copy with great pleasure the follow
ing handsome tribute to Professor Hall, form
erly of Portland:
The Faculty of the College has received
valuable accession in the person of Edward
Winslow Hall, A. NJ, of Portland, a graduate
of this College of the class of 1862. who has
been chosen by the Trustees to the important
position of Professor of Modern Languages
We congratulate the College, its friends and
students upon the accession of Professor Hall.
We welcome him to his field of labor, where
everything seems to promise long and happy
career of usefulness; AID our best wishes Tor
him could be no more than this--that his sue
cess may be commensurate with our expecta-
tons.
Mr.. Hall has made good impression during
his first term.
Here is some plain talk, wholesome but rath-
err rare in college papers of this class:
The requisites Of popularity we cannot claim
for Waterville; her catalogue is sadly destitute
of names; her gymnasium has become SO rot
ten that the student can improve his physical
condition only at the risk of life or limb; and
through want of endowment her buildings are
anything but an attractive home for the stu
dent: in these things she is below the maIorl-
ty of New England colleges, although present
appearances indicate that even IN TINS respect
she is not to remain long their inferior. But,
ON the other hand we do most emphaticaly
claim for her that permanent basis, that lntrin-
sic worth which is derived from the sound IN
struction here impaired. Let no one imagine
that he can pursue course mere ana acquit
himself with honor without that labor which
is the price of all perfection If this be his de-
sign, he had better seek more cOngenial 1nstl-
tuition, where he can obtain the reputation OF
a college graduate without the effort necessary
to obtain the advantages which should accrue
to the diligent student.
The hint about the gymnasium ought not to
be neglected. Waterville is the only college
in the State unprovided with good gymnastic
apparatus.
1t appears that a movement is on foot to
change the name of the college. The Watervil-
liam says
At the last meeting of the Trustees it was
voted to change the name of this college to
that of Colby University, in honor of Gardner
Colby, ESQ.,, of Boston, who has made the mu
nifoent gift of fifty thousand dollars to the in
stitution. a
Although commencing the spirit in which
this proposition is made, we feel that we are
but expressing the sentiments of great pro-
portion of the alumni and students when we
say that we do not approve of the change. 1t
seems like destroying old landmarks. The past
graduates would thus be left without an Alma
Mater. Again, it appears to us, as the name OF
an institution should indicate its character,
that of university" would be altogether inap
propriate to this college, in its present condi-
ton. This name in its original signifcation,
means something more than a college " it'll
merely classical course; and, although it has
been improperly appropriated by some institu-
tons to which the name of Academy would be
more properly applied, yet we think this dis
Enction should remain inviolate We hope
this subject will receive that attention from
the alumni which its importance demands.
1t is a singular fact that the Baptist denomi-
nation appears to have penchant for calling
all its colleges universities. Brown Universe
ty, Madison University, Rochester University,
are merely colleges, with a classical course, or
perhaps with supplementary divinity schools,
but at any rate with no title to rank as univer-
sites. The same weakness for a cloud" title
betrayed itself recently in Waterville, in the
transformation of the venerable Waterville
Academy into Classical Institute The pro-
priety of naming the college after Mr. Colby is
another question, which, if he desires that hon.
or, hardly admits of discussions The attach /,
ment of the alumni TO the familiar name is nat
ural and proper; yet they can hardly urge that
sentiment against the proposition to pay COM
pliment SO richly merited to the munifcent pa
iron of their Alma Mater