The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-19


University or partial course. The attendance
during the past two years has been as follows:
lS66-67. lS65-66.
eniors........, ,......" .............39 II
juniors ............5O b9
Sopnomores '............,....'...A 43
Fresnlnen n,..........................H n
Partial CourseS.,................S5 %
Totals. tals..........................iT8 228
The annual Commencement takes place on
Wednesday, July a.
Washington College,
located at Lexington, Virginia, in addition to
being the most fourishing seat of learning in
the Southern States, excepting the University
of Virginia, has recently attracted large share
of attention, from the fact that its pre-
siding officer is the late military chieftain of
the Rebel army, General Robert L. Lee. 1t
originated in classical school established in
the Valley of Virginia, by the early settlers,
before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.
In 1882 its present charter was procured, the
institution from that time to 1898 bearing the
name of Liberty Hall Academy. In 1855 the
Legislature of Virginia presented to George
Washington one hundred shares in the James
River Navigation Company to be applied by
him as he might desire, as he was unwilling to
receive the gift except upon the condi-
ton that he should be at liberty to devote it
to some public purpose. BY his will, the
.
which then received the name of Washington
Academy, and dsubsequently of Washington Col
lege 1t now yields the institution the yearly in
terest on $50, 600. A subsequent endowment of
$23, 600 was received from the State ''Society
of Cincinnati, an association of Revolutionary
officers. In 1926 a further endowment of
$4,000 was received from the estate of John
Robinson, OF Rockbridge county, another
Revolutionary soldier.
In the spring of 1861, the College being then
in very fourishing condition, its operations
were interrupted by the outbreak of the Re-
bellion, and for time altogether suspended.
Most of the students entered military organi-
zation which was connected for four years
with the famous "Stonewall Brigade, " winning
from its first commander, General Stonewall
jackson, the designation of "more than brave
young men," In June, 1864, while the town
of Lexington was in possession of General
Hunters forces, the College buildings were
considerably damaged, the chemical and phi
losophical apparatus destroyed, and the greater
portion of the libraries scattered to the winds.
In the summer of 1865 the Trustees resolved
upon repairing the fortunes of the institution,
and with that object in view hit upon the
happy expedient of calling General Robert
E. Lee to the Presidency. General
Lee had the good sense to accept
this offer, and at once entered upon the
discharge of his duties. Five new professor
ships were established, and the course of study
extended so as to embrace those scientific
studies which satisfy the material require
ments of the country at the present day.
considerable sum of money was also added to
its former endowment, through the generosity
of its friends, both North and South. The
ravages made upon the Library were repaired
to some extent by Mr.. Rathmen Wilson, of
Philadelphia, who donated large number of
rare and valuable books formerly belonging to
his brother, the late Thomas b. Wilson. In
October of last year, Law Department was
established for the first time, by adopting the
s'Lexington Law School, private institu-
tion which, for the previous eighteen years,
had been conducted by Professor John W.
Brockenbrough, LID.
The system of instruction adopted in the
College differs from that in vogue in the
Northern States, the institution embracing,
| like the University of Virginia, number of
''schools" each of which is presided over by
a particular Professor, and devoted to a special
| branch of study. On those who complete the
| course in certain number of schools, attain
ing in each a respectable grade of scholarship,
the degree of "Bachelor of Arts'' or "Bache-
| lor of Philosophy" is conferred; while those
who give evidence OF distinguished attainments
are 6onored with the degree of "Master of
| Arts"
The whole number of students in attend
ance during the year 1665-66 was l46; and
during the year 1866-67 the number rose to
| 800. of whom % were in the School of Lava
marked tribute to the popularity of General
Lee with the people of the Southern States.
In addition to this section of the country
| there was pres ent during the year just closed
one representative from Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Massachusetts, Kansas, and California
each. The annual Commencement took place
on the 9th of June.
BOVVdOin College,
| located at Brunswick, Maine, was chartered by
the Legislature of Massachusetts,, of which
Maine then formed dependency in the year
| 1874. Its original endowment consisted of
| five townships of unsettled land. To this was
added $500 in land and money by the Hon.
James Bowdoin, a son of the Governor Bowdoin
from whom the institution took it's name. In
1901 the Rev. Joseph McKeen, d. D.. was
elected President and in 1902 he opened the
College, with the assistance of one Professor,
in small building which served as his resi-
denoe, in addition TO accommodating the stu
| dents. In 1906 the first class, of seven men,
bers, graduated. In 1907 the institution suf-
fered great loss in the death Of President
McKeen. He was succeeded by the Rev. Jesse
Il yLo