Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1886-07-02

courses excludes the ancient classics and
the more special studies in mental
and moral philosophy; the other in,
cltdes them as essential or fundamental
to the plan of the course. In both alike
common curriculum of study is required of
all in the earlier year or years, while IN the
later years greater freedom of choice Is al
lowed, yet in every case with movement
along some definite and prescribed line. This
is our theory of college education and the ar
rangement which has been provided here in
order to the realization of it. That in every
detail of our plan of education we shall 81
ways continue precisely we are to-day can
not be expected. New questions and prob
lens will arise in the future as they have
arisen in the past There may be changes in
the field of learning and science in the TWEEN
tieth century as compared with what we
know in the nineteenth, which will
be as great as those of our CEN
fury in comparison with the one
behind us. But rs there was no complete
overturning of our plan and system in that
former time, but only progress in accord
ance with what had been previously DONE
so in the period now before us think that
Yale college will move forward towards the
full and perfected growth of what it now is
in this regard: Our system gives us the adj
vantage of offering general, and as we may
say, fundamental choice of two kinds of
education at the outset. 1t then prepares
the student by disciplinary and common
studies in either line until by his age and
progress he may be fitted to determine his
course intelligently. Afterwards
it secures for him the benefit of
that interest and enthusiasm which
come from freedom of choice when the
mind is ready with wisdom to such
freedom. In that department especially
whose aim it is to give general education
and to fit its students for any of the higher
fields of working in life for which they may
make more special preparation in profession
al or other schools, those branches of study
which are deemed most essential to all are
required even in the later years, the freedom
of selection having special limitations with
regard to the time to be devoted to them.
Our plan of optional studies is thus consis-
tent with the plan which our institution
has been arranged, and is one, as we believe,
which, if strictly followed out, may best
satisfy the necessities of the highest educa
ton.
In the development of our university from
the two undergraduate sections we come in
the most direct line to the provisions for
graduate students who are not preparing
themselves for any one of the three learned
professions. This graduate section, which
naturally draws its students from both of the
undergraduate parts alike, is attrac ing espe-
cial attention st the present time 1t is a
heathful sign of increasing intellectual life
in our country, and sign of great promise
for the future, that so many of our young
men DESTROYS of continuing their
studies after the collegiate course of
four years is ended. The demands
made upon us by the growing num-
bers of these young men call
for earnest consideration, and already pro-
vision has been made to meet them SO far
as has been practicable, and with gratifying
success. We believe that no friend of Yale
college can do it a greater service in the way
of benefaetion at this turning point in our
history than to aid in the more complete
endowment of this part of the institution.
We have great company here who may be
easily awakened to intellectual enthusiasm
with the present arrangement of studies in
the different undergraduate departments,
they are becoming more and more inclined
to press farther and more deeply into the
knowledges; with affection for the place ac-
quired by their residence here they are dis
posed to remain longer in the university. IF we
are able to do for them what they need,
the numbers of those who will remain will
be steadily and rapidly enlarged. The prog
ress which has been made within the past
few years with respect to this matter is such
as to afford a most encouraging prospect for
the future, provided we can be abundantly
furnished with what is needful to this must
important aid.
In our case the growth has certainly been
very natural one for the earlier arrange
ments for undergraduate instruction. AS we
look forward to more or less remote period
in the time to come it seems not improbable
that those who follow US may find that this
graduate department is somewhat overshad-
owing the undergraduate ones and
that the latter have in consid-
cradle degree lost their present sig
nifcanee. But the movement towards this
end will necessarily be gradual 1t will not
be affected through any violent setting aside
or overturning of these lower schools, but
through a normal progress along the line of
the historic idea. We are evolving some
thing higher out of something lower, as we
attempt to carry our college forward to its
university life. Our movement must be al
ways forward; but it must be forward out of
the past With q remembrance of the past and
under the best influence of the past. I can
not but believe that when the results shall have
been fully realized it will be seen that our
plea, If not absolutely the best one that could
be conceived, is equally good with any other,
and that it is the best for US because it de-
velops itself by growth, not by a series of
revolutions. In this development of our plan
the inheritance from the fathers will be ever
preserved for those who follow them in the
coming generations and will be always work
ing with what comes afterwards toward the
final completeness.
With reference to the three professional
schools it may be said that they were the
first and natural outgrowth of the original
plan which the early fathers adopted. Ac-
cordingly, when the demand for more special
and thorough teaching in preparation for
professional work made itself especially man
ifsst, near the beginning of the present CEN
fury, the far seeing mind of the one who had
more than any other the charge of the future
interests of the college Immediate
ly appreciated the Importance of
charging and broadening the in
stitation in the direction indicated. AS
the result of his thought and suggestion and
effort it is believed these schools all came
into existence, though two of them were, by
reason of the limitations of those times, not
founded until after his death. They have had
an interesting history-the one of them with
which I am personally most familiar, his
tory so interesting and so connected with my
own inmost life that could not attempt to
tell it publicly. That they have been
strength to the whole institution is beyond
question. That they are essential to the uni
versity idea will not be doubted. In the CO.
ordiDating and unifying upon which
now to enter, they will more COM
pletely assume their rightfal position around
the common center than they did in former
times, and will have, no doubt, more fully
the thoughtful care of the guardians of the
general interests. For that one of them,
which is now most limited in its resources,
the Medical school, it is earnestly to be hoped
that some large minded benefactor may come
forward who shall appreciate the greatness of
the blessing to our commonwealth, which
would result from making this place center
for medical education. With the advantages
of the university and the increase of its en-
dowments, the school may surpass it's former
prominence and have q most useful and hon
CRADLE future.
The largest growth of department in our
college, the Art school, is one no doubt of
which the fathers in the early time had no
thought, and yet there is no one among US,
I think, within the circle of all our schools,
who does not feel that it was legitimate
development of the institution which they
founded. 1t has connection with the root
and the trunk as truly as any of the other
branches, and it has its part in the perfec-
ton of our plans. The work which it has al
ready accom- plished for the college is most
important one; but for reasons connected
with the progress of art in our country, its
greatest work belongs, in particular
sense, to the time to come. The cultiva-
ting and elevating influence of its studies
must have continually increasing power as
students of all other departments SHALL in
the future, appreciate more and more fully
the value of the privileges which it offers. !
have spoken thus of these several branches |