Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-03-21

THE CAMBRIDGE coURsE FOR wOAEN-AMUsR
MENTs AND MUSIC AT THE NIB.
posrox March IL 1879

MESTs AND MUSIC AT THE HuB.
RosToS, March Is, 1879.
To the Editor Of the Free Press and Times.
The subject of all-absorbing interest now
to the Hteratq, if | may so designate the
female book-worms, is the proposed course
of Instruction for women at Cambridge
under Hlrvari professors. This PROJECT,
like many another attractive air-castle. IS
the offspring of Col. Higginson's fertile
brain but, in truth, the probability OF its
success is much greater than many news
paper critics would have US believe. After
the SUCCESS that has attended Nassar
college, Smith college, at Northamp'
ton, and the Harvard examinations for
women, no one can doubt the practi-
cability of offering women instruction IN the
higher branches of learning. 1t has been
fairly demonstrated that the women are not
few who are eager for such opportunities
The comparatively low standard of Vassar
(no knowledge Of Greek being required for
admission) was not wholly sati.lactory
But when Smith College was opened nearly
four years ago, with standard equal to that
of Amherst College, hardly dozen young
women could be found who were qualified to
enter the first class. Four years have served
to show at that institution that the
supply is equal to the demand. 1t
is now proposed to 60 4 step
farther, and offer young women both in
structi)n and requirements of the same grade
a, those offered young men in Harvard col
lege the prime movers aiming, OF course,
to make this an entering wedge to all the
privileges of the college, though the college
authorities will not, for the present, official
ly recognize the undertaking. Recitation
rooms will be fitted up and supplied with
all necessary appliances all the evening
readings, and the public lectures of the diff
to them and when they graduate, instead
of receiving the formal diplomas. they will
receive certificates signed by all their
instructors, whose names are given
below. SIch certificate could not
be sneereI al, GA the contrary, am
conf lent IN saying that the combined in
nuencc of these individual names would
carry more weight than the formal sigma
ture OF the President of Harvard College.
Within the last four weeks President
Eliot has been seen to frown several times at
Col. lligginsOn, and some have too hastily
concluded that this project is the cause. But
anyone who knows how the Newport essayist
has been trying ID introduce Innovations
since he removed to Cambridge, last
Fall, will sec other reasons than the one
suggested above for President Eliot'4 dis
Of Beacon street, Boston, is opposed to
co-education, no one at all conver-ant with
the subject can deny but to conclude that.
therefore, it is opposed to the higher educa
ton Of women would be a gross mistake
1t is Just here, in iact, that it would draw
the line The fact that the wife of PROBES
scr Cooke, the chemist, is one oil the prime
movers, is adduced to show that President
Eliot looks on the undertaking with favor
for of the whole army of teachers, no other
one, it is said, has the entire con
iience of President Eliot as has Professor
Cooke. Again President Eliot would not
have been persuaded to address the young
ladies of Smith College at their commence
ment if he did not favor the higher educa-
ton of womeI. Moreover, all the LADIES'
who give character to the undertaking are.
with two exceptions, the wives or the
daughters Of present or past professors IN the
college. There are, Mrs. Louis Agissiz, the
wife of the late eminent naturalist, Mrs.
+. W. Quincy, the wife Of the professor of
history Mrs. j. p. Cooke, the wife of the
professor of chemistry Mrs. j. Il. Green
ough, the wife Of the professor OF Latin
Mrs Arthur Gilman, the wife Of the writer
on English literature, Miss Alice NJ. Long
fellow, daughter Of the poet, and Mhs
Lillian ilorsiord, a representative Of one OF
the old Cambridge families.
The salaries paid Harvard professors are
surprisingly meagre as compared with
the payroll in other colleges, and it is on
this account, doubtless, that some Of the
very best professors have consented to
1. l.,
salaries Of Harvard professors are estimated
ut about double their nominal value, (the
other half being perhaps $2,OOO in honor;
and there are two or three, 1t Is said, who
choose to take their entire salaries in the last