The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-30
COLLEGE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
Commencement Of the Semi-Annual Examine
tion-The FIRST Days Labors-Subjects Of
the Examination and How the Stu
dents Acquitted Themselves.

dents Acquitted Themselves.
That same look of determined victory that cleaned
from the eyes OF NapOle0n's cohorts they stepped
upon the bridge OF Lodi to attempt its passage in
the face OF the murderous fire opposing them
showed itself yesterday the eyes Of the students
OF the College OF the CITY OF New York as they
stepped upon the bridge OF examination, spanning
the chasm between the two terms OF the collegiate
year. Missiles quite as murderous In their way OPP
posed their advance. All realized this fact, and
that fierce battle was to be fought, and that upon
its result depended victory or defeat-a tri-
umphal crossing or an ignominious retreat. 1t was
PLEASANT SIGHT
to see at nine A. M. nearly nine hundred stu.
dents march to their respective examination rooms,
to take note OF the perfect order ana discipline that
prevailed, and particularly to notice the polite but
manly Difference to the President, professors and
tutors, ana the gentlemanly courtesy shown to one
another All were quickly In their seats, and the
worn OF the day was promptly entered upon
Everything, in fact, opened and progressed with
the regularity Of cl0ckwork. Some OF the examina.
lions were oral and some written. Up to the
time of asking the questions or giving out
the printed slips no one had any idea
OF what the former would be or the latter contain
beyond Of course, the fact that they would embody
portion Of the studies gone over during the past
year.
NO BETTER SYSTEM.
than the adopted here could be devised to test
the proficiency of the students. No communication
Is allowed one with another. Each must stand on
his merits. Strict impartahty and the srictest
thoroughness are the greatly predominant features
OF the examination. Only few OF the parents OF the
students or other visitors were present. which was
not as it should be- though they very likely may In
n m a q
The programme OF the examination was the same
in all the departments. To eacn given the same
time for answering the questions anu at the end OF
this specified time the examination in one particular
branch ended, and another subject or branch was
taken up. beginning WITH
THE SENIOR CLASS,
as naturally coming first In order. The subject upon
which they were examined was spherical astron.
Om,. This was only Que subject, II Is true; but
was enoueh IN view OF the searching thoroughness
with winch the examination was conducted, 10
give TO each brain sufficient abnormal activity
Tor one da,. Professor Compton conducted the
examination. The nature OF the questions to an
outsider evinced very little regard Tor mental equi-
hbrium, and some OF them-such strides nave been
made IN this department of siudy-w0uld have
puzzled teyond question: Herschel and our more
modern astronomers.
A single branch or study-phy sics-Was the only
one In which this class was examined. Professor
DOremus conducted the examination, and II was
dOue certainly III way calculated TO test very ac-
curately the degree OF proficiency attained bv each
student In this important speciality Of scientific
THE SOPHOMORE CLASS.
The examination OF this class embraced more
classes. There were two papers In the department
OF mathematics. both being upon the diferentlal
s%s eac aca souon aHa calling
the dlfierenate OF functions that would
bewder az ordinary Draln. me second paper EN-
difficult solution. Among them was one to deter
nine tine equation Of the cvclod; another to deter
NINE the normal to The cyclOd. and another to de.
termlne the equation OF the spiral OF ArchimedeS,
whatever tnat may be- THESE explanations were
In the department OF philosophy the class was ex-
anned In logic, Tutor Fisher conducting the exam
inalion To give an idea what sophomore wisdom
ia and must be we give the questions to which an-
swers We're required to be wrltten:-
lName and define the principal operations Of the mind in
os's: .a dsd nit ;s,o Of proposition
mined by the form OF the copua.
4-Expain the opposition of propositions.
WHIT !: the Il" aai issn% Of Aristotle,
.s-xre the Gods / o and o 4 + valid 7
ill-pedne q disinncilve syllogism:,
y Wha. is a sories p Different kinds Of sorItcs?
H-What In meant by abstraction and generalization!
,,s-Dehne genera species and siaersn I,!
hs Ssss9. are ases
s-E1pan the aacy Of middle
Determine the validity the following argument and
pursued at Oxford eonducs to the Improvement
the the celebrate ancients the
therefore of the works OF
the most celebrated anciens conduce to the OF
the mind.
THE FRESHMAN CLASS.
This class was examined in American literature
and natural history, Professor Barton and Tutors
Stratlord aud Burnett conducting the first and
WOlf the last. The examination upon the nrst
branch covered quite extended field. and some
OF the questions sufficiently abstruse to puzzle
even older heads than college nedgings. In natu-
raj history the examination was restricted 10 the
departments or physiology ana hygiene The fol-
loving are the two concluding questions on this
paper, the proper answer 10 which can hardly be
otherwise than salutary In Its influence upon the
members OF this class regards their nablLS Of ine
briefly or s0bre.y In the fnture:-
s-Describe the Of wIne--of malt liquors.
lOFrom what cider perry, ale beer, brandy whis
In excess?
THE INTRODUCTORY CLASS.
This class was examined in their new building.
The examinations were In French Latin and Ger.
man, conducted by Tutors Fabrigon Tlsdall,
Roberts, Frist0n and Hutton. The questions were
all printed slips and embraced two papers In
each language.
RESULTS OF THE EXAMINATION.
In all the classes 1t could only be learned that the
same papers would be returned to-day with marks
upon them in req chalk, which would be very I'M
pOrtant 10 the youths whose names viii be found on
the top OF the page. Well alter all II II but minia-
ture world. 1ney work nd meet the consequences.
II they fail they kindly told OF It, II they sue
coed they are congratulated. The usu:S committee
of the Alumni, II should have been stated above,
present and rather jealous OF the reputation OF
their Alma Mater. They had many things to think
o and grave doubts OF the present Board OF Public
Instruction; but they wait We shall expect to hear
, from them soon. The examination VIII continue TO-
day pursuant 10 the programme already published
III the HERALD.