Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-06-05
OUR NEW YORKLETTER.
NEW YoRK, May 81, 1875.

lHtSSTS. LttttOFcs
Some time ago i wrote you a let
ter, In which l mentioned Cooper
Institute as an institution in which
opportunities for free instruction
in science and art were afforded. -
Last week / had the pleasure OF
attending a reception Of the Art
Department. All the class-rooms
were thrown open, and the visi-
tors invited to examine all the de-
tails connected with the various
branches of study. / shall attempt
to describe this reception to you.
Enter the reading room, which
is large hall on the third floor of
the institute, your eye is greeted
by the appearance Of a great num-
Der Of stands or desks, on which
are placed the principal journals
of nearly every large town of the
Union, together with copies Of the
most prominent foreign Journals.
In the middle of this hail was sta
toned a well-trained band Of mu-
sicians, who favored the visitors
with promenade concert. Run
ming round this hall was gallery,
generally separated from the read
ing room by glass windows, which
on this occasion were thrown open
In this gallery was the exhibition
of art. The walls on every side
were hung with evidences of artis-
tic talent: here are beautiful cray
on drawings, here ornamental
architecture, on the other side oil
paintings, and here drawings from
casts placed in different positions;
here again are specimens ofmodel-
ing in clay, and here witnesses of
the proficiency Of the photograph
ic cass. In a small broom are hung
proofs taken from engra wings On
wood, done by the class. We then
ascend TO the fifth story tosthe sci
entific department Here are sit
uaGed the apparatus and the para
phernalia belonging to natural and
phs sictl science. The room de-
voted to physics is happy in the
possession of most complete
means of demonstrating the forces
of nature and the manner in which
man has taken advantage ofthem.
The labrat0ry is the most COM
pIete that ever it has been our lot
to see. The stock of chemicals is
seemingly inexhaustible, and SO
diverse in nature and construction
are the apparatus for employing
them, that one is almost puzzled
to hem.
AT little distance off is the mu-
scum; this Is especially noted for
fine geological and chronological
specimens, which are regularly la
belled and classified: With even
this hasty description you may
form some idea of the greatness of
this institution, of which our citi-
zens are SO justly proud. But
proud as we are of the institution,
we are none the less proud of its
noble founder, Peter Cooper. His
has been a singular happiness.
When he commenced his work he
was already an old man in years,
but full of manly vigor. AS l saw
him sitting in the exhibition
room, chatting in very lively
way, with too friends, the very
picture of hearty old age, Icould
not help thinking that to him has
been granted great blessing In
heholding the institution, which
owes its birth to him en-
tering upon The eighteenth year
of its existence under such ia
vorable auspices. He is now eigh-
ty-six years of age, and bids fair
to live to celebrate his centennial
birthday.
Nov, come to facts and figures
In all the classes there have been
2,87S students; scientific students,
1919 /; art students, 500. BY look
ing over the list of occupations Of
the students, find that book-keep-
ers and clerks are in the majority,
and piano-forte makers in the mi
nority.
1t is an interesting fact to note
that many of the students are by
occupation Teachers and Students,
and that practical, or / believe /
should rather say, professional ar
lists, do not deeal it below them
to take lessons in their art at this
Institution 1t must take up too
much space to continue this sub
ject by going into all its details, so
| will content myself with stating
that here are employed 26 Profess
ors and Teachers.
JOHN HENRY HAAEEN.