The Portland daily press., 1870-05-06
of the largest and Oldest New England insti.

tutions.
The University at Evanston, under the con-
troll OF the Methodists, and the University of
Chicago under the more immediate direction
OF the Baptists, have made vigorous opening,
and promise well in the several departments
OF education which they have Undertaken.
Another of the educational enterprises HAS
its center at Lake Forest. Will you a.'o" INC
to sneak of this more particularly, since my
location at this point enables me 10 10 II win
mora accuracy than could tell in describing
other movements alluded to.
Tb. Lake Forest Forest University provides
in its charter for a classical preparatory school,
a ladies' collegiate department, scientific and
literary departments for the higher education
of Young men, and professional schools N ad-
dition.
At Lake Forest, twenty-seveD miles from
Chicago, on the western shore of Lake Michi-
gan, have been already erected a fine building
for the classical and business Academy, and at
half miles distance an elegant edifice for the
ladies department. with the best equipments
for educational purposes. The latter school
has been open only since September last and
is already commanding fine patronage, with
the most flatterng prospects for the future.
Our charter allows scientific department
to be established in Chicago, to reach more i'm
mediately the masses of young men who
would like to avail themselves of its advantage.
This particular branch of the university is
that which is just now engaging the attention
of the trustees as the next step in their for
ward movement. In securing this end they
are very fortunate in having found a man of
fortune to assist them by rAtting in large
"pile" OF California "rocks" as foundation.
The Richardson College of Mining and the
| Sciences" the department. referred to, is SO
named in honor of Captain Benjamin Rich
ardson of New York, an Englishman by birth,
and Californian by long residence, who has
just presented the trustees of Lake Forest
University with property in New York worth
more than 5000, 900, aud now yielding an an.
nual income of $4,000; which income is to be
used for the purposes of this department.
whenever the trustees shall raise the means O.
putting up the building required for its use
| Mr. Richardson made it condition of the do
| nation that the trustees should purchase the
cabinet of Prof. j. III. McChesney late State
| Geologist, for the use of the institution. This
| they have already done at cost of $50, 900
and arrangements are now making to divide il
suitably between the branches of the Univer-
sity at Lake Forest and Chicago. Prof. Nc
Cbesney has expended large fortune in the
collection of this cabinet, said to be one OF the
finest in the country, and intended by thu
Professor to surpass all Others He is still
continuing his colee tions from all parts of tn,
world. 1t ought to be stated that the goot
f"rtune of the University in securing this do
patton from Captain Richardson is due to hi
acquaintance with Prof. McChesney, will
whom he has travelled much in Europe, visit
ing the mining regions and mining schools o
the continent.
| 1t is understood that the "Freiburg Cole g
of Mines" is in some sort the model on whc
| this department of the school is to be founded
1t is intended to occupy ground which is no
covered by any scientific school in this couu
try
The citizens of Chicago are expected to con
tribute the means for the erection of the Col
lege edifice, leaving the funds of the Universe
ty, otherwise obtained, to be applied to tn
building up of the literary or classical depart
ments of Lake Forest
The situation of this place, its scenery an,
surroundings, are all admirably adapted to tn
requirements of such an institution. The sit
is elevated considerably above the level of tn
Lake, which it overlooks, and the whole terri
tory is laid out with much taste and alread,
occupied by a large number of elegant pri
vate homes and school buildings
The residents are engaged in business il
Chicago or have retired from active employ
nient to enjoy their fortunes in this rural re
treat, and to educate their children in the Uni
versity schools.
The Lake Forest University is nominally I'M
der the control OF the Presbyterians, but is en-
tirely unsectarian and truly liberal in the man
agement of its affairs. The aims of its origina
projectors seem likely to be realized in du,
time; and the departments now organized ant
operated are already doing an important worl
in this region of grand enterprise and rapid
| success.
We are hoping to see many Of our Main,
friends in shis resfe.- of Ehicaxn,-aa- 1l,H=sea
son opens, and shall be glad to welcome then
20 TINS most charming OF retreats from tue BUS
tie and business of our great metropolitan city
e. p w.