The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-04-27

one hundred and sixty-nine feet long. The
halls and stairways and roof are all of
white marble. The entrances are on the
north and south fronts, each having door
ways thirty-two feet high, and sixteen
feet wide. On each of the east and west
sides are thirty. four windows.
Visitors at the Exposition were shown
the place where rest the remains of
the founder of this college. They are
buried beneath the center of the lower
vestibule, and are covered by marble
statue of Girard himself. The cost OF
erecting the building was not less than
two millions of dollars.
Provision was made in the will for sup
porting as many orphans as could be ac-
commodated; first, the orphans of the city
of Philadelphia; secondly, those OF Penn
sylvania; thirdly, of New York, and
fourthly, of New Orleans. Generous pro-
vision was made for these poor children
between the ages of six and ten years,
and when between fourteen and eighteen
years of age, they are to be bound out to
learn trades or follow useful occupations.
The eccentricity of the mans character
is shown in his will, where be says, mo
ecclesastic missionary or minister OF any
sect whatever shall ever exercise or hold
any station or duty whatever in said col
lege, nor shall any such person ever be
admitted within the premises approprl-
ated to the purposes of said college"
The trustees are very watchful lest the
will be violated or broken, though years
ago they decided to introduce the Bible
for the use of the pupils, not deeming
such step at variance with the will OF
the founder.
We write this crude biographical sketch
at the suggestion of little lady at our
elbow, who very recently has become in
terested in all that relates to this singular
man. We ask her if the marble statue of
Girard was fine looking. "Not by any
MEANS" she replies with shudder. "His
head was fiat where veneration should
have been, and his countenance was not
at all prepossessing. He was life size, and
Il didn't see his white wall-eye, because
the snowy marble favored the poor old
man."
Don't forget she adds, "that his lat
ter generosity covered multitude of sins,
and that his wealth was what brought him
up before a carping, critical, scrutiniz-
ing public, always ready to detect flaws"
1t is gratifying to know that the pres
ent President of that noble and humane
institution is the President of the Ameri-
can Bible Society, LII. D., and man OF
unblemished Christian character.
A very homely man once stepped up to
Girard and handed him huge old jack
knife, saying, "That knife was gin to me,
stranger, fur bein' the humliest man at
anybody ever seed, but gor a nifty take
it. an may peace go with vel"
The donor was glad to get away with
out any broken bones. Girard swore and
sputtered in villainous English the wrath
that boiled over Indignantly.
Ministers of the gospel are not even al
lowed to visit this institution-to steI
their unhallowed feet over the princely
stills of polished marble, and for this rea
son the utmost watchfulness is preserved
One time party of students visited
the college, and one of them, jolly, fun
loving fellow, wore a snow-white cravat
and put on the very demurest of clerical
faces. At the door the warden politely
bowed, and looking keenly at the white
cravat, said, ~ am sorry, sir, but indeed
you cannot be permitted to enter"
"What the devil is the reason can't &C
in?" said the student, with great show
of mingled indignation and surprise.
"Oh, 1 beg your pardon, sir; was mis-
TAKEN" said the suave warden, with a
wave of the hand that signiied an abun-
dant welcome-Ohto Farmer.