The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-27
PRINCETON COLLEGE.


The traveller on the Pennsylvania railroad
from Philadelphia to New York, when ten miles
east of Trenton. will notice, about three miles
to the left among the hills, elumps of trees and
number of stately buildings and tall spires.
Were he to visit this scene he would find there
very beautiful town, grown to its present di
mansions by the aid and influence OF one of the
greatest seats of learning in this country for the
town is purely college town, free from the dirt,
and smoke and clamor Of her manufacturing
neighbors. Her streets are amply broad, and
the grateful shade calls forth precious thanks
from many sojourner. A beautiful site
could not have been selected for college A
campus of lofty elms, beautiful and grand in
their natural growth, add to the scenic grandeur
and the imposing and massive buildings located
in their midst, present picture at once scholas-
tic and inviting
1t seems that every great movement is fos-
tered by Christianity This is no exception.
Education in New Jersey was the outgrowth of
religious thought IN the midst of few
pious ministers in early times. Four
! ministers, among whom was Rev. Aaron Burr,
the father Of the Vice president, obtained char
ter from the Governor on Oct %, TAG, to found
a college. The institution was called the Col
lege of New jersey" and was opened first at
Elizabethtown with the Rev. Jonathan Dickin-
son president It was subsequently moved to
Newark, and finally to Princeton which gave
| them ten acres of land for a campus, two hun
dred acres OF woodland and 81, 000 The loca-
ton, as we have said, was happy one. When
this site was chosen you must remember, we
were still British subjects; so number of men
went to the mother country to ask aid for the
| new ENTERPRISE: they were very successful. and
about one hundred yards back from the main
street erected the first building, then called
Nassau Hall, now known rs old North College.
The building was 176 feet in length, 1ifty-four
feet in width, with projections In the middle
| front and rear; there were three stories with a
basement; it was at that time the largest build
ing in North America.
Old North is pre-eminently an historical struct-
ure those old walls that have stood there near
century and a half bear records of deeds that
nave welded an. influence far greater
| than we can calculate--an influence that
has done much in shaping this
mighty Commonwealth. From her walls
have issued forth young men Of strong intellect
ual culture, imbued with sense of right and
patriotism and q will to do-men whose latent
power and budding genius have shown later in
all the high places OF Nation Aside from
this, Old North has a history; it was there that
Cornwals's soldiers CHARTERED when
Washington routed them at the battle Of Prince
ton, in January, 1777. A picture of George LII
and its frame very appropriately afterwards
held the picture of General Washington. An
old cannon. captured then. is planted, mouth
downward, in the rear Of Old North. and around
it, under the old elms, great crowds assemble
each commencement for cassday exercises
Probably the most renowned of the early
presidents of Princeton College was the Rev.
Jonathan Edwards, the great philosopher. He
gave the college reputation in this direction,
and wrote several very valuable works The
philosophical reputation of the institu
ton is sustained by the honored president,
the Rev. Dr.. James McCosE, who is probably
the most acute metaphysician in this country.
and is the peer Of any in the world. He is a
Scotchman, and was pupil of Sir VIM. Hamil
ton. Princeton is also renowned for her scen-
tifc department; Prof Young has more than a
national reputation astronomer The OBJ
servatCry contains a telescope thirty feet In
length with an aperture of twentythree inches,
and is considered the finest instrument in the
country.
There are thirteen schools. all we'll supported.
The discipline is more severe than other East
ern institutions. The stories. of hazing in
regard to her students nave very little founda-
tion; in fact, the order is splendid, and the
students gentlemen. While the authorities
are somewhat conservative, their aim is to cult
vate the whole man. There is a fine gymnasium
very competent director. Athletics are made
Imperative, and the results are gratifying.
E. NJ w.