The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-08-15
DICKINSON COLLEGE, CARLISLE, PA.

This venerable institution, identified with al
most the entire history and growth Of the COM
monwealth, has reached stage of development
which is full of the grandest promise. The 102d
commencement, recently held, is suggestive of
honorable relation both to the founders and the
state. What nobler monument could John Dick
inson and Benjamin Rush have erected to perpet-
uate their fame? Within the century many great
and imposing enterprises have succombed to the
Inevitable; Dickinson, through every extreme
test of endurance, has held on her way. Poor as
she has been much of the time, she has enriched
both state and nation. There is no learned pro-
fesson no eminence in letters science or states
manship where her sons have not had distinguish
ed places.
Progress in discovery, in science, in the spread
of intelligence, demand an equal advance in edu-
cational equipment. No institution is prepared
for the work of to-day without such adaptation.
The friends of Dickinson congratulate themselves
and the public on the splendid success already
attained in meeting this requirement. Carlisle
as frontier town in PENIS woods, may not have
been specially attractive, but no visitor to-day
can behold it, as the train rolls through one of its
leading avenues, without doing involuntary hon.
age to its beauty. This sense of admiration only
reaches its full development at the college grounds
This enclosure of many acres is embowered with
magnificent specimens of our native forests. On
these grounds rise six great edfces fold and new,)
namely East, West and South colleges, the new
Tome Scientific building, the Gymnasium and the
Bosler Memorial Library hall. Emory hall, a
seventh building, is one square distant. This
hall is now occupied by the preparatory depart
ment, whose thoroughness and economy of time
in preparation have given it a deserved reputa-
ton.
These are not only spacious but admirably
adapted to their respective purposes. Three of
them are q splendid contribution to the newly
awakened interest and mark the new area upon
which the college has entered. The plan of the
Scientific building is the result of travel and minute
inspection in Europe and America. For its pur-
pose, it is unrivaled on this continent. 1t is $50
feet in length. Its departments will be in the
hands of eminent specialists of broad culture
The gymnasium responds, fully, to the enlight-
ened estimate placed upon physical culture. The
Library hall will probably be, among the build
ings, the browning attraction of the second GEN.
fury of Dickinson. 1t is to be the gift of lady
to the memory of her husband, the late James W.
Bosler, of Carlisle himself, during life, liberal
patron of the institution. 1t is now well advanced
toward completion.
The endowment of the college, constantly in
creasing, is now equal to the support of large
staff of instructors. The curriculum recognizes
the full claim of the ancient classics while it also
makes liberal provisions for students who prefer
special and thorough scientific course, or an ex-
tended course in modern languages.
When we add that ladies are now admitted to
all the privileges of the institution, it would seem
that nothing more is demanded to meet the re-
quirements of the times.
A marked evidence that this college is attract
ing the attention and favor of thinking men is
the provision recently made by two generous
friends, establishing cash prizes to be awarded
annually for excellence in scholarship. There
are eleven of these, eight of S25 each, and three
of $40 each; four of which-two of 500 and two
of S25 each-will be given to members of the fresh
man class, and three-one of 800 and two of S25
each-to members of the sophomore class, and the
awards are to be so adjusted that the same stu
dent cannot receive two prizes in one year. These
noble gifts are destined to stimulate many young
men struggling with limited means to secure
thorough education.
Dickinson originated under Presbyterian con-
troll with DR.. Nesbet, of Scotland, first presi-
dent. After fifty years it passed amicably under
the care of the Methodist Episcopal church. A
liberal and enlightened policy has marked its
whole history. Two great denominations regard
it with paternal interest. Their sons and daugh-
tiers will now find such accommodations and train
ing as the institution has never before been able
to offer. The hope is cherished that they will
come in greatly increasing numbers and that the
future fthe second century will justify the promise
of its suspicious commencement.