The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1883-12-08
The Attention that is Given to the Study
OF the Sciences at the University.
iSpcctnL (hy-.esnto,deoce of T,be (1,ronicye


our University h1s no princely gifts, no
large endowment fund, nor even such an
annual appropriation as is given by most
OF the surrounding States to their centres
OF education, yet she is doing much in the
way Of new scientific education. Her
scientific department is under the charge
OF six instructors, all specialists, whose
training has been received in the Univer-
sity itself, at the johns Hopkins Univer-
sty, at the University of Virginia, at Cor
nell. and II the University Of Bonn. Their
aim is to give knowledge OF things rather
than Of books. Apparatus and improved
appliances have been gradually added, IN
til the equipment of the various labora-
tories compares favorably with that Of the
more wealthy colleges. Just recently a
large shipment OF eleven cases of fine ap-
paratus was received from Germany FIR
the departments Of Physics and Chcmis-
try.
TIE theory Of chemistry for instance
Of course, has to be taught by lee
lures, but to make this matter of sight as
well as hearing, it is supplemented first with
the use OF the blOWpipe. The student is
then taken through course of analyses as
to the nature of the constituents Of any
unknown substance, and the amounts Of
these constituents, until he is qualified to
conduct alone the analysis Of any ordinary
mineral or commercial product. By de-
voting most Of his time to this work he
can get good professional training, hav-
ing the advantage Of more personal atten-
ton from his instructors than he could get
at most other and larger institutions. Al
ready several such professional chemists
have been sent out into the laboratories OF
the State The applications Of chemistry
are not only brought out by laboratory
work, but by lectures on the chemical in
dustries the production of metals, man
u1acture OF glass, bleaching and dyeing Of
clothing, adulteration of food, making OF
soap, paint, candles, matches, paper, etc.
Fifteen hundred or more specimens have
been collected, and by means Of them a
clear knowledge Of the subject can be given
| the student.
Within the last two years two new lab
OratOlie 5 have been fitted up-One for Min
eraiog. and one for Biological work Both
Of these new features in Southern in
sttutiOns, dependence being commonly
placed upon short courses Of lectures, with
no practical work to render the subject in
telligible. An extensive cabinet Of min
erals and museum, afford the student all
that is needed in the way of illustration.
Several microscopes Of German make are
constantly in use by the students, and
each is provided with his table and dssect-
ing instruments. Frequent excursions are
| made with these biological classes about
the surrounding country, collecting insects
and plants, ana studying so far as possible
tIelT llIc-IlSlOTlcS III Jutlf IliIuial habitat.
| The geology class also take similar walks,
tracing the outlines Of natures grand
earth writing, mode OF study that must
fix all tie prominent facts indeAibly upon
the mind Of any intelligent student.
Thus the University is following 50 far
as her resources will allow the newer
methods Of scientific instruction, striving
to make the young men who come to her
for training thinkers and workers, and not
mere memorizers. Four large laboratO-
ries. capable of accommodating thirty or
forty students each, and one two smaller
ones supply the needs Of the several de-
partments. 1t is matter Of time and
money to fit up one Of these laboratories
perfectly, and every effort is being made to
cause a more complete equipment. Each
year adds much to their comfort and con-
venience.
The spirit of energy With which the
sciences are taught at the University is
we'll illustrated by the Mitchell Scientific
Society. Once month the scientific pro-
ftssors in the college gather around them
a body Of young men to imbibe the spirit
Of investigation and a love of natures
truths. The formality and necessary rou-
| tine character Of the daily instructions are
absent. Student and professor stand side
| by side fellOw-WCrkels in the laboratory
Of nature. Here aspirations are born and
strength is developed. Here men are
trained who will utilize the natural wealth
1 Of North Carolina; Investigators, observ-
| ers. writer's. What we reed, and have
i long greatly needed, is corps of edu-
! Gated scientists; men who know how to
| look at nature. and what to see and what
/ is worth developing, aud who can tell our
people what to do with their resources,
| and how to do it. This is what the Mitchell
/ Society hopes to do. II it succeeds, and
| it has every prospect Of success, what
names should be held in higher reverence
| in North Carolina than those of the Pro-
4 f,ssors that manage this society, Graves.
I Venable, Gore, Holmes and DeSchweinitz? !?
ALUMNUs
4 A Democratic Ticket for Next Year.
To THE CHRONICLE The is one name
j in North Carolina that strikes me the
most popular with the people for Governor
| Of the State, regardless Of political at11a-
tons. | almost certain that he can
carry the Democratic banner triumphantly
! through the next campaign. Hon. John a.
/ Gi!mer, of Guilford, IS the proper man to
nominate for Governor Always at his
post, in any position you may place him, he
would make a splendid executive officer.
James Edwin Moore, Of Martin county,
would answer well for the second place on
the ticket Then place in the field all over
the State good and reliable men for the
I Legislature, and GIlmer and Moore will
ru!l through all right When the General
Assembly meets, place in nomination that
noble and true man, T. 3. Vance, for
1 United States Senator, to succeed himself
and the people will say all right, and the
Old North State will hold her head up
against all comers.
Respectfully CHATHAM
/ Dec. 4.
A Railroad Commission.
From the Asherile citizen.