National Republican., 1876-02-04
plIHcRreN COLLEGE.
4 Years History Of that Venerable 1nsti'
tuition.

tuition.
At the recent annual banquet Of the Princeton
Alumni, In this city. tn. following letter was re-
ceiyed from Rev. DIR. James McOosh, the present
president Of Princeton College, but which was
mislaid at that time. The contents will repay
perusal. The venerable president says: 81 wish
very much to be with you this year, but tho time
you have fixed is the evening Of the day of prayer
for colleges, and We have solemn services here. 1
yield, at once, to your request to have history OF
the past year and report Of our present state
for your association. great deal OF history con-
sists In the record or wars. We have had Two
bits of war at Princeton College during the past
year. There was the cannon war, caused BY the
abstraction by neighbors. at midnight, Of cannon
used at the battle Of Princeton. The college
always retains IN Washington friends ready to
defend her. Had the cannon not been restored
am sure the Secretary Of War would have come
down here to defend this alma mater with the
whole army Of the United States. Had 1t not
been sent back at the time Il was was about to
write to the Secretary Of the Navy to sail up the
Raritan with all his ships. As 1t is, the old can
mons are here ready for display on the centennial
Of the battle Of Princeton. We have had another
war about secret societies. As It, too, has been
settled, and this to the satisfaction Of tho great
fight the battle over again. We are Co keep up
the old Cliosophic and Whig Societies in all their
life and vigor. But, meanwhile, We are allowing
scientific and phtlosophic purposes and for de-
baiipg these being private, but held ia our rooms
Of
Mr.. Lynde, has given US 5000 to encourage us.
Certain anonymous correspondents Of newspapers
happy to be able to report that never knew the
college in so quiet o state and in so good
and gracious humor.
ant work. We have added half dozen new pro-
fessorships and more than dozen new branches
o. s,uay & RHFe a sseoo 81 M S
ums, one Of geology and one of natural history,
the latter being much indebted to DR.. Henry ID.
Baird and DR.. Gill, Of the Smithsonian Institute.
We are now TO organize thoroughly the mathe-
maticaI and the ether scientific departments, SO
as to provide a thorough course OF science we
have twoprofessors OF English, and make Eaglish,
with essay-writing, run through every year OF
the course. Three of the number teach philoso.
PS Save ana %
but We need another two, and We require an ad-
ditionsl professor in modern Languages and liter
to accomplish within the next few months, and
will be glad II your association can assist us.
When we have done this am sure We shall have
as able and conscientious body Of instructors as
In any college in America. am able to report
that there is great deal Of reading, literary and
philosophic study and research in the college.
"The public meanwhile are encouraging and sus-
tanning us. The number on the roll at the date
of my appointment was 264 now 1t is 49, We
the freshmen amount to 10. We have upwards
of 100 students from New York city and State:
The South continues to send Us alarge body OF
promising young men. We are specially pleased
to find that We have no fewer than 20 students
from the District of Columbia. Besides the reg.
ulsr students We have nearly so at the prepara-
tory school. We do our best to watch over the
spiritual interest and words ofthose thus commit
ted to our care by anxious parents and we believe
that there is the whole healthier spirit reign
ing in the college. We do not receive just such
large contributions as we did some years ago,
when money used to come at the rate OF 5000 a
week. We have received in all, within the last
few years, upwards OF 81, $50 000 for various pur
poses. Within the last few weeks we have got
Scholarship of So 600 from the estate Of the late
Mr.. Van Arsdale, OF Newark, N. ] Two sums of
$500 and 5000 from the estate Of Mrs. Stin;;
necke, for the encouragement Of learning, and
$4,000 from the estate Of AIR. Hamilton Murray,
for the benefit efitbe Philadelpha society, the
specially religious organisation of the college,
and IS, 900 fran Mr.. Lynde, as prizes for excel
lence in debating. wish 1t to be understood that
from this date should wish all donations to be
specially devoted to the increase Of the teaching
power OF the college, as required by the increase
Of the students and the advance Of the times.
From the above statement It will appear that we
have great reason to be grateful to God and man
for continued mercies and favors."