New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-08-27
Howard University.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 1874.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 10, 1874.
IT, the Editor OF the NeW National Era.
DEAR SIR: AS the me-September lG-
for the opening of the Academic, Theological.
and Law Departments of Howard University
rapidly approaches, n few words concerning
the condition and prospect of this widely
known and justly celebrated University NAV
not be uninteresting to your numerous read.
ers. Atno time since its organization has
the University been in better condition as
regards the thOroughness of the instruction
impaired, its adaptability to the wants of the
students, and the competence of the corps
of instructors employed. General Howard
the illustrious founder of the University, and
after whom it is named, having been ordered
into active service by the Government, the
duties of the Presidency have devolved upon
Prof. John NJ. Langston, Vice President,
and now Acting President.
Prof. Langston brings to this Office all of
his well known zeal, earnestness, aud ability
His success as Dean of the Law Department.
which he organized, and has steadily kept in
the front rank Of the law schools of the coun-
try, may be taken as an earnest of what NAV
be expected of him in the new position to
which he has been called.
At the head of the Normal Department is
Mr.. Thomas Robinson, a very efficient
teacher, assisted by Miss Martha b. Briggs.
Miss Addie c. Bowen, and Mr.. Robert p.
Brooks, A. NJ. The instruction in this de-
partment is thorough and complete; the
object is to prepare its pupils for the position
of teachers. Many of its graduates already
occupy important positions as teachers IN this
city and elsewhere. Indeed the good that
this department is calculated to do, and is
doing, in the present necessitous condition
of the country, and especially of the South.
is incalculable.
AT the head of the Preparatory Depart
ment stands the venerable Dr. c. S. Richards.
who has, perhaps, prepared larger number
of young men for college than any other man
in the country. DIR. Richards is assisted by
Mr.. j. NJ, Gregory, A. b., very talented
young man, and a successful teacher. In
this department, whose object is to prepare
students for entrance into the College De.
partment, fatherly care is extended oyer
the pupils not only in the recitation room,
but in their whole student life. The Pre-
paratory Department, as a school in which
students are prepared especially for college,
is second to none Of the preparatory schools
of the East. The College ranks among the
first in the land, and its graduates, of whom
as yet it has but few, in mental discipline,
in thorough scholarly accomplishments, and
in the energy, always necessary to success
in life, are already noted.
The Dean of the College Department,
Prof. G. NJ. Mitchell, is graduate of Oberlin
College, and also of the Law Department Of
Howard University, where he has been
teaching continuously during the past five
years, and has successfully filed the posi-
tons of tutor in the Preparatory Department,
tutor in the College Department, and pro
lessor Of Latin and instruc tor in political
The other instructors in this de-
partment, Prof. WestcOtl, in mathematics !;
Prof. Clarke, in chemistry; Prof. Fairfield,
IA "iSShy iois DhCi"SCi, III IhCIOllC, udNC
no superiors in their respective chairs.
To one desiring to take complete course
Of training, no better opportunity can be
found than is offered by the Preparatory and
College Departments of Howard University.
The Theological, Law, and Medical Depart
ments have full corps of efficient instructors
10 each. The Law and Medical Departments
have been sending out graduates for the past
years, and have already established repu-
tation Of the highest order wherever their
graduates have gone. The Theological De-
partmcnt graduated its first class at its Com
which took place in the College
Chapel in June last. Their class numbered
seven, and gave great promise Of accomplish
ng great good in the sacred calling which
they have chosen.
A word as TO the surroundings and general
advantages of the University, and L shall
bring this communication to close. To
those away from the District of Columbia, 1
would say the University is located on one
of the most beautiful hills, and in the mos t
healthful section in the District. The build
lnSs are At once cOIIuuOulOuS anu COuNtuIcuI.
A main University building, including
chapel, with recitation rooms sufficient to
at least one thousand students;
main hall for ladies, and Clarke hall for gen.
tlemen, will each accommodate about two
hundred students. These halls are complete
in their arrangements. Mr.. Page, recently
placed in charge of the boarding hall, prom
ses to be the right man in the right place.
In placing Mr.. Page in charge, it is the in
tention Of the Board of Trustees to secure
that kind of home influence which can only
be secured when instructors, clearinghouse
and his family, together with the
shall constitute one large family in
which all shall fare alike, and each shall
exercise over the other a restraining and
elevating influence. In this respect it is
hoped that the institution will offer superior
advantages to any similar school.
The Howard University is one Of the re-
suits ofthelate war. But for the war it never
could have existed. 1t involves a principle
dear to the heart of its founder, Gen. How
ard, and upon which evidently the ultimate
success Of the two races in all respects de-
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