Morning journal and courier., 1891-01-27

A UNIVERskTY.S PROGRESS.
Ex-Professor Cyrus Northrop and
the Rapid Growth OF Minnesota
University Since He Took Its
Helm.
President Northrop of Minnesota uni
versity has the following in the Mime
apolis Tribune and it win specially inter
est the many friends of our distinguished
former townsman, as well as that large
portion of our reading public which takes
an interest in educational matters in the
country at large:
The progress made by the University of
Minnesota in the last three years has at
tracted very wide attention. The most
remarkable part of this progress has been
in the expansion of the work in science.
For the work which formerly was confined
to two or three not very pleasant rooms,
two of the finest buildings to be found in
any institution have been erected and are
was confined to the teaching of three
instructors now receives the constant at
tention of eight. The apparatus which
formerly was hardly equal to the needs of
a first-class high school, is now of the very
best character, and more extensive than
can be found in any institution of our
land, except very few of the largest and
best endowed. Under these circumstances
the study of science becomes some
thing more than the recitation of facts
learned in the text book-it becomes a
most delightful communion with nature in
the laboratory, and a searching out of all
her mysteries by means of the microscope,
the retort and the crucible. The depart
ments of chemistry, animal biology,
physics, botany, geology and minerology,
are all equipped in respect to room, light,
material and apparatus, SO fully as to
leave little to be desired at present by the
student, and to satisfy the reasonable
wishes of that most unsatisfable being,
the enthusiastic scientific teacher and in
vestigator. The buildings devoted to
science have been visited tho past summer
by many people from all parts of our coun-
try, including some of the most dis
tinguished scientists and college officers,
and the expressions of approval and ad-
miration have been universal. 1t is safe
to say, without any unjustifable pride,
that the opportunities for gaining the very
best scientific education are not not great.
er, than at the university, in many places
in the country, if any, and that such
places, if they exist, are not to be found
in the northwest.
The department of law is well provided
for, having building devoted entirely to
its use and thoroughly efficient corps OF
instructors. It has $50 students. The de
partment Of medicine, at present occupy
ing quarters on the west side of the river
is prospecting the present year beyond my
| most sanguine expectations. Notwith
standing the lengthening of the course
from six months in year to eighth
| months, the number Of students in the
medical department is 179, or nearly 81
| no buildings of it's own. Application will
| be made to the next legislature for an ap
preparation to supply this deficiency. TIL
erection of appropriate buildings on tn
campus and the proper equipment of tn
necessary laboratories which must attent
the building will place the medical depart
ment in position to do the best worl
| and to be practically self-supporting, a.
| the law department already is.
The school of agriculture at the farm
| with its three buildings, its thorough
| equipment for work in Chemistry, physiol
ogy and physics, as well as in horticul
ture, agriculture, veterinary science, prac
teal mechanics and dairying, is the great
est success yet achieved in the way o
| practical agricultural education. I am tn
recipient Of letters from other states yer,
often inquiring respecting the organization
and workings of this school. I hope in tn
near future to see this school opened t.
farmers daughters as we'll as to farmers
sons, and thus to have it contribute to tn
| comfort of Minnesota homes as well as t.
the wise cultivation of the farms. Ninet
| students are in attendance at the school o
agriculture.
| What was the university till three year
ago? The college of science, literature an
the arts, and the college of mechanic art
are flourishing, with 553 students in al
tendance, of whom $50 are in the fou
regular classes and candidates for degrees
The sub-freshman class, or preparation
class, was dropped at the end of last yea,
and the loss in the number of students ha
been more than made up by the strength
ening other classes. The freshman elias
numbers 1876, the sophomore 116, tn
junior Sc and the senior 80. The Who'll
number of students in the university
,O55. Want of space prevents my dwell
ing specially on other parts of the univel
sity, and speaking of the character of tn
work done in language, literature, politics
science, history and associated branches.
| l have never known an institution i
which there was greater docility, more of
spirit of order, more genuine courtes
and manliness among the students, tina
there is in the university. The relation
of the faculty to the students are mos
pleasant. Disorder and dissention ar
that anyone can come within the reac
and influence of the university withou
being benefited by it or without being i'm
pressed with the delightful earnestness a
we'll as kindness of spirit which pervade
the institution.