The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-03-01
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY.
R.rrn,opp Fabrro-r o4,l

BALTIMORE, February 9th, 1884.
Messrs. Editors Among the many different
ways of honoring the recurrence of Washington's
birthday, that adopted by the Johns Hopkins
University deserves mention as being eminently
the most practical and instructive. Formerly the
I'D of February was considered incomplete with
out the 'pomp and circumstance" of military
parade, but now the day partakes more of the ma
ture of civic celebration especially in Baltimore
Nor is this remarkable. "Peace hath her victories
no less renowned than war;" Although Washing
toms fame rests chiefly ON his skill as general,
yet as President Of the United States and as
private citizen he is no less entitled to our admira
ton. 1t is to him more than to any other man
that the Washington and Lee University is in
debted for its endowment. And so to take as its
anniversary day that on which this illustrious
man was born, is a graceful acknowledgment of
the greatness of him who was facile 1,rinceps not
only in war but also in peace.
1t is the wise and far-seeing policy of the gen.
tlemen composing the Board of Trustees of the
johns Hopkins to keep up an active outside in
terest in the University by inviting men widely
known as specialists in the various departments
OF literature, science and art to deliver addresses
on tho live issues and topics of the day. In pur-
suance of this object "Hopkns," as it is familiar
ly called, has entertained such noted writers and
educators as Dean Stanley, Matthew Arnold,
President McCosh, Of Princeton, Andrew White,
OF Cornell, and others equally famous on both
sides of the water.
At the recent commemoration ceremonies an
essay was read by President Eliot, of Harvard,
who took as his subject "The Degree of Bachelor
of Arts as an evidence of liberal education" The
speech was in substance plea for broader and
more catholic curriculum in the college of the 10th
century. The Degree of Bachelor of Arts must
not be mere honorary appendage to an univer-
sity career, but must be the evidence that certain
hoA ho1x, .c..I
and these courses must be as liberal as the times
and progressive spirit of the age demand. We
must not be content with a mere smattering of
Latin and Greek, q bare acquaintance with our
own language, and blind adherence to the cut
and dried systems of the old regime. THE study
of the modern tongues and mathematics is too
much neglected. Natural sciences, such as bota.
ny and astronomy, should be made a compulsory
part of the leading to the Degree of Bach
elor of Arts, and history and political economy
should receive that attention and application which
their merits as factors ia the education of our
future statesmen and law givers entitle them.
The learned lecturer pointed out the folly of re-
studies irrespective of their natural tastes and af
aptitudes, and the need of intoxicating the Ian
guages when the mind is young and the memory
retentive. The speaker ives throughout listened
TO with marked attention by the representative
audience assembled in the new gymnasium. and
was frequently greeted with applause.
President Gilman next spoke of the apathy
shown by Baltimoreans in not fully recognizing
he presence of such an institution as the Johns |
Hopkins University in their midst, and their ap |
parent Indifference in sending their sons away |
rom home to get what was lying at their very
loors; condition of affairs, by the way, pointed
ut by Mr.. S. Teackle Wallis in an admirable
peech delivered year ago on similar occasion.
The exercises were interspersed with singing by
ne recently organized glee club, and altogether
he celebration was one which must have been
PURGE of pride and qualification to those who have
atched the steady growth of the University from
fancy to vigorous youth. D.S.G.