The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-07-27
Middlebury College.

AN ENCOURAGING OUTLOOK-NoTABLE
IMPROv EMENTS IN TIE BUILDINGS AND
COURSES OF STUDY-FINANCIAL CONDI-
TION-TIIE NEW BOARDING-iiALL-TIIE
ADMISSION OF WOMEN.
The Springfield Republican of Mon
day has the following letter, written by
a Rutland correspondent, with the
above heading. 1t is so fair and clear
a statement of the condition and pros
poets of the institution that we repro
duce it in full:
The alumni of Middlebury college
have of late years gathered at the an
nual commandments with some fore
bodings concerning the future of their
alma mater. The upheaval of 1880,
financial troubles, the change of admin
istration, divisions among the institu-
TONS friends and the terminated hopes
of her few enemies all contributed to
make her prospects far from flattering.
1t may be that the college corporation
carried its conservatism too far, or that
certain unfortunate occurrences during
a recent administration had an effect :;
but at any rate it was rumored that
Middlebury college, which for the
greater part of century has held no
mean place among schools of learning,
was speedily nearing the grave. How
ever, when Rev. DR.. Cyrus Ilamlin,
founder and for many years president
of Roberts college at COnstantinople,
was called to Middlebury as president, he
brought the vigorous executive ability,
ambition and pluck which the position
demanded. Since that time many i'm
portant improvements have been made
in the colleges equipment and course
of study. The faculty and alumni
united with the president in his ener-
getic work; and the graduates who re-
turned at the recent commencement,
representing classes from the POS to
the SOS, were gratificd to find the ru-
mors groundless and the institution on
q substantial basis, with abundant
promise of prosperous years to come.
The old gray college buildings. half
hidden among the trees of the 30-acre
campus, must have been thoroughly
startled when, after many years of
freedom from hammer strokes, undis.
turbed by harsher sounds than college
"cat-call' and students fun, the clatter
of busy carpenters awoke them from
their slumbers. New laboratories fJr
professors and students were built and
finished, the geological and natural
ranged, enlarged and moved to
spacious, handsome quarters, an attrac-
tive students reading. room was organ
lied, well-appointed gymnasium
constructed, and last but not least the
beautiful library of 16 900 volumes was
moved to new hone, and arranged
where winding stair-ways and galleries
brought the books within easy reach of
the students. This, with "A convenient
cOnsultation-room, is open every day.
Among the alumni who have contribu.
ted to the growing library fund is Mark
| Skinner, a well-knOwn resident OF
Chicago and graduate of the class OF
1888. lie was 80 well pleased with the
new library that he handed the presi.
dent $500 to help fill the empty spaces
at the last commencement The librar,
has perfect card-catalogue, a supply
OF foreign and homo reviews, and i.
meant for everyday use. TO cultivate
independent research the professors
place upon certain tables such books
concerning The study in hand as theil
classes should consult, and give then
references to volume and page. The
department of physics have been re-
modelled aud brought up to time, the
best appliances and delicate instru
ments have been bought in Europe anC
America, and Middlebury students
have all the advantages which are now
necessary Tor thorough work.
Notwithstanding the cost of improve
ments, the treasurer has for two year.
reported no deficit. The old leak ha,
been stopped, the college is free from
debt, the income and expenditure,
balance. Realizing that any measur,
which will tighten the expense of boart
without mourning certain evils mus
be welcome to all who have limited
means and yet wish to give their son
the highest possible training, the col
lege, through the generosity of Charles
and Egbert Starr, Midddle6ury grad
yates OF wealth and enterprise VIII,
are faithful friends of the institution, i
building a new boarding-hall. Til,
building, furniture, fuel, lights an,
wages OF the cook will be furnished b,
Inc college, and students can be board
ed for Sl.75 per week. The necessar,
college expenses on this scheme vii
be Sl65 a year; but by means of fund
provided for the purpose, meritoriou
: students can be aided in paying tern
bills to the amount of from $40 to 81
year; and those who study for tn
ministry may receive a larger sun