Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-02-19

dome OF University Hall. To the east ID
Mount Mansfield eighteen miles away, and
yet so near. the trees that half conceal her
rugged form may readily be identified
also Camel's Hump, jealous and formids-
Bile rival. To the west at our very feet is
gentle slope, the site of charming subur-
ban homes beyond. and nesting snugly
at the feet of protecting hills, the city;
still farther removed, the placid waters Of
the emerald gemmed lake; while just
across, upon the other side and nearly ten
miles distant, although apparently not
three, abruptly rise the stern cliffs Of the
Adirondacks, whose towering SUBMITS
gradually blend with golden heaven. But
let US not linger here. Perchance We NAV
find within the walls beneath US more en-
| gaging scenes, themes for more fascinating
memories.
| Let US pas tn door and enter. Weare
| spirit guests so our advent is unnoticed.
Yonder professor. Peter Collier. NJ. D. Ph.
D., is conducting recitation Of the Sopho-
more class on the chemistry of the vegeta-
bic oils. His face still bears unmistakable
i
self-sacrifcing devotion to the agricultural
interests of his adopted state. Here are
the students, thirteen classicals" and tive
scientific freshmen. Is that colored per-
son? Yes, and a perfect gentleman he is
| too, deservedly enjoying the esteem of his
companions. Modest and retiring, yet dill
gent and faithful, he obtained admission to
one of the secret societies while leading his
class But who are they just across the
aisle? 1t is possible Yes, there are four
young lddies-maidens strictly entitled to
be thus designated. And the youngest
stood second in her class during the past
year, Unfortunately we miss her who
stood third, she is absent to- day but num-
Der four is present, that tall lady; Thus
| these three. the only classical Sophomore
ladies, surpassed all their Caucasian breth-
rem to be vanquished in turn by mulatto
| The Others present are scientific - Fresh
| woman" and special chemical student.
How do the sciences influence class
| standing?" Let US glance over the pro-
fessor's shoulder as he notes the recitations.
Do no. turn 50 hastily away. will inter-
pret the hieroglyphs. Our eolored friend
has been surpassed by a white brother, who
| likewise gives place to three Young ladies.
The term is not ended, however, and exami-
nation questions may work sad havoc.
/" What has been the case in preceding
classes?" Ladies were first admitted to
the present senior class. Two Of the gen.
tlemen outranked them. In the Junior
class the first position was shared by repre-
sentatives of either sex. woman claiming
the second also. - Very good but this Is
theoretical work. Can ladies become
practical chemists" Just step across the
hall to the analytical laboratory. At GER
tain seasons we should find it crowded with
tyra fro
there are but eight, of whom five are cand-
dates for degrees. Three of these are ladies
and occupy adjoining desks. Observe the
centre one. She is possibly trihe below
the average height and delicataly organized.
See how quickly and carefully she manipu-
lates her apparatus. Gracefully withal !
How skillfully she removes the last traces
of obstinate precipItates from the most
tenacious beakers. Mark the perfect neat
ness of her surroundings. Glance at the
notebook and you will find her first quanti-
tative analysis agreed with the theoretical
composition to within two hundredths Of q
per cent. and the entire subsequent work
has been proportionately accurate. She is
the first of the fair Juniors already men
toned. and it is long since she has been ex-
ers- They would not suffer by comparison
celled in this department.. The remaining ma
triculants are faithful and successful work
with attendants upon our largest iaborato-
ries. The average power of the ladies is
equal to that of the gentlemen.
Now why should not women become ex-
pert chemists? Certainly innate delicscv
and neatness are no obstacles. The labor is
not severe. but rather positively healthful.
Moreover it is quite as appropriate and
ladylike as that pertaining to many oocu-
pdtions in which they engage without
arousing a thought of censure, and to the
profession whose pursuit by them is now so
popularity lauded. Satisfactory remuners-
tion undoubtedly awaits them. Neither of
these, however. contemplates professional
career. In answer to the interrogatorY of
her instructor as to the correctness of his
impression that she was pursuing the course
simply as part of liberal education. one
promptly replied /" Yes, sir, and very
important part think it is. too; seven
teen twentieths at least" Is it wonder she
excels? Aud yet equal aptitude is dis
played by the maidens for other natural
sciences. The most accomplished geologist
in the senior class is woman She ranked
her mates at the end of the junior year as a
scientist, the other lady standing third un-
der that classification. Similarly in tho
junior class lady occupies the third posi-
ton. The general averages of persons pur-
suing the various scientific courses sur
prisingly agree. marked deficiencies ap-
pearing only among the gentlemen.
Special attention has been directed to the
success of ladies in this department of col
lege labor, partly because although extern
sive and important, it is often unmention-
ed partly as suggestive to those desirous
of higher education and yet practically
inclined. If we now compare the general
work of the eighty-seven students in the
academic portion Of the University, seven
teen of whom are ladies, we shall find that
while it would be premature to affirm that
in any of the present classes, the highest
honor will be attained by woman, such
result in certain instances would not be
surprising. That the general average Of
the ladies' marks in any given class is coz
above that of the entire member
ship and that in each and every depart
ment. however foreign to their so-called
sphere. women amply maintain their claim
to honorable recognition. Let it not be
imagined that this eminence arises from
any inferiority on the part Of their compe-
titOrs. They are quite equal N ability and
fidelity to those attending larger institu-
tions-in steadiness of character superior.
Nor yet can it be ascribed to the lenience
of the Faculty. Prof Collier, Prot. Bar
bour. the engineer. (ladies are found in his
classes also), and Prof George Ii. Perkins.
n. ", tue LOOlOSIst dTo REduudLcs VI
the Sheffield Scientific School. Their meth
DDS of instruction are founded upon those
which have secured 50 high reputation.
The rigidity OF their requirements is the
same. Citizens of Vermont may well con-
gratulate themselves upon the possession OF
such educators In matters pertaining to the
vital interests of the State. Let them mani
fest their appreciation by an increased in
provement of opportunities afforded. The
Greek chair is occupied bv William G. Sim
mons, a graduate Of Harvard, well remem-
bered in Newport as a most successful pri-
vate instructor. The other chairs are oc-
cupied by gentlemen Of culture and expert
ence, graduates OF their own University.
Should you ask one of the young men if
he is pleased with the attendance of tho
gentler sex upon the exercises Of the col
lege. the chances are that the response
would be i" L wish they were not here"
or else, They do not trouble mep' Each
reply is typical of the spirit that prompts
it. The reasons assigned constitute the
only objections to their presence raised in
any quarter whatsoever. They are gene
rally ELECTED with difficulty and amid much
hesitation. Their overwhelming force will
be apparent without particular explana-
ton. Certain rough sports tolerated in
many institutions are strictly prohibited in
and Immediately around the college build
ings since the advent of the ladies 7; the idea
Of attending woman's college" is often
,ive to some. Now in spite Of this curtail
ment ofrights and fancied degradation, after
due examination and careful observation,
one cannot avoid the conclusion that the
removal of ladies from the University would
be no less keenly regretted BY the young
men than by themselves. Term by term
the icewall Of prejudice melts away nero
traces of it remain and soon the last vestige
Of its existence will disappear. On the
other hand it i. clear that the ladies exert
marked influence for good in theclass room.
which extends to the campus. Of course it
cannot be expected that the young men
will admit this. They bear too strong
family resemblance to the rest OF mankind