The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-02-24
Matters nj Colby University.

WATERVILLE, req. Il, lSlO.
To the Editor Of the Press:
The Spring Term of Colby University COM
menced ten days ago. The Freshman class
has received an accession of two members. A
large number of the students spend the long
winter vacations proftaby in the pedagogue's
desk. Indeed it has become quite matter OF
course for town committees to send to the
Faculty annual orders for supplies of expert
enced schoolmasters. At present the demand
exceeds the supply.
GYMNAsTIC
education, or SO much as may be needed to
keep young blood healthy, is now recogniz-
ed element at Waterville. During the winter
the new gymnasium building has been stocked
with necessary apparatus, and was last Satur-
day formally opened with some remarks from
President Champlin on the proper relation Of
physical and mental training. list Of Rules
was read, defining the purpose of the gymna-
SUM and prohibiting any sort of gambling in
connection with exercises in it. G. w. Foster
OF the Junior class was placed in charge OF tine
apparatus. Had any graduate OF dozen years
suce been present to witness the alacrity with
which the students sprang to the wellfurnish-
ed bowling alleys and displayed their skill be-
realized that the world had moved through
quite circuit since the days when he used to
get lectures in private and probations in the
rural districts for the same sort of muscular
exercise.
THE MEMORIAL TABLET,
which is to be placed upon the wall OF the
American Hall in the Memorial Building at
the expense of the Alumni Association, will
not only transmit to posterity the names of
the tweLty-one Watervile students who fell
in the late rebellion, but will also be the be-
ginning of collection of works of art which
grace the waits q y this 5ssnslai.i Saia.ns 1s IMe
Committee who have the matter In charge,
have sought to present mural monument
which shall commemorate the devotion of
their fallen brothers and at the same time be
of such an artistic design that the eye shall
not weary of beholding it. For these purpos-
es nothing has been found so appropriate, as
a modified copy in marble of the famous Lion
of Lucerne, the master piece of the great Da-
nish Sculptor, Thorwaldsen. The original Is
colossal in size and celebrates the fidelity of
the regiment of Swiss Guards who died in the
defence of LOUIS and his family, at the attack
on the Tuileries in 1902. The design repre-
sents lion pierced by spear, protecting in
the agony OF death the national emblems COM
mitted to his keeping. The majestic head in
clines forward with an almost human express
ion of fidelity and anguish, while the protrud-
ing claws of one massive paw symbol the dy-
ing determination to guard the country's
shield. The names Of the honored dead are
to be inscribed in gded letters below this
speaking emblem, ON tablet of simple and
classic design. The whole will form memo
rial that will be expressive and peculiarly
adapted to the purpose for which it is erected.
About $4,000 will be expended in its con-
struction.
The Alumni and friends of the deceased are
generously contributing for this object, and il
is expected that the work will be completed in
season for the Semi-centenniat Anniversary
next August, which will be an occasion of un-
usual interest to the graduates of Watervillc.
Prof Hamlin, who has faithfully filled the
arduous position of Necrologist for several
years, will then present the Roll of all gradu-
ates and undergraduates who served in the
late war, and also a general Neurology of all
deceased alumni. These pamphlets will have
a permanent historical value, as will also the
discourse on the early history of the college,
now in preparation by President Champlin.
THE LIBRARY
which in former years has suffered from the
lack of funds to purchase new volumes or fur
nish proper care to those already acquired,
has now better prospect. About one hun
dred new volumes have been recently placed
upon the ample shelves in the cOmmOdious
library room, soon to be followed we trust by
other hundreds from the friends of learning
among us.
The generous liberality of Gardner Colby,
ESQ.,, in devoting $500. per year for ten years,
to the increase Of this library, will do for the
mental wants of the college as much as his
former gift has done for its pecuniary needs
FURTHER ENDOWMENT
is however required to enable the institution
to do what it may and should do for the train
ing education of our youth. The treasury is
now barely able to meet the expenses of con-
ducting the concern from year to year, even at
the low rates paid for salaries and services.
Every dollar now added to its funds will tell
upon its efficiency and may be directly applied
to the benefit of the library or to increase the
faculties for knowledge in any department. of
college studies. This fact is worthy OF the at
teution of liberal men who love to feel that
their bequests are made to worthy objects at
seasonable times. WNsLOw.