New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-21
GROWTH OF SMITH COLLEGE
IT'S FOUNDER FELT THE NEED OF WHAT
SHE HAS PROVIDED FOR OTHERS.
THE CAUSES OF IT'S sUccEss-soOAL AND
sTUpoUs uFEs-GRADUATEs PROMINENT IN
LITER ATTIRE Avn PILL ANrurOpY


Northampton Mass, Dec. 13.-when remember
that this college was founded by lonely. deaf old
woman who had lived all her life IN n little country
town and knew few OF the joys of grlhood woman.
hood. touched By the generosity Of her nature.
On Memorial Day groups Of happy girls suddenly be-
come sad In silence they lay their floral offerings
on the grave Of Miss Sophia smith, of Hatfield, whose
noble benefeenco has given them 50 much that her
own life lacked Her brother who lived alone and
lonely like herself left his large fortune to endow the
smith Charities,' which provide for mpecunious
young couples the means to marry and 10 make start
in life.
Smith College, the first college for women which
required preparation In all respects the equivalent
OF that demanded by Yale and Harvard, opened It's
doors in 1879 and started with recitation hall and
halfdozen students. Its growth has been incredibly
rapid and to-day Its beautiful campus Is surrounded by
seventeen handsome buildings. to which two more are
to be Immediately added. Its students, instead OF
SIX number 600 The increase has been so great
that 1t has been impossible TO build dormitories iast
enough to accommodate the applicants, numbers OF
whom have either been turned away or forced to seek
temporary homes In the town. The unprecedented
prosperity Of the institution has eectualy closed the
mouths Of those croakers who were alarmed at the
high standard adopted and It's system Of self-eovern
ment. The first physical examination conducted by
DR.. Sargent's assistants showed that Smith College
could boast Of the finest health record OF all IN
situations in this country and that It's senior class aa
the highest average of physical perfection. In TACT
no DEATH from any cause occurred among It's students
or alumnae during the first ten years OF its history
Many girl who enters the college enfeebled by In
iudlcious haste In preparation is graduated an almost
perfect specimen Of robust womanhood. This high
standard physical development has been maintained
in spite the fact that the requirements for entrance
have been constantly increased. Starting with
out the handicap Of preparatory depart
rhara nj hnr
colleges have left of. The institution not
long ago bestowed on Amelia D. Edwards the degree
of PHI D. remarkably large per cent Of its graduates
have taken second degrees on A. or Phi. d. from
Smith or other colleges, and its three regular courses
grant the degrees Of b. A. B. L. or b. 5. One graduate
Miss Williams, 49, distinguished herself Mt the Uni
versity OF Zurich, and not n few have made their Alma
Mater respected at oxford and Cambridge. Tic
alumnae have founded long list Of ourishins private
schools in NewYork and elsewhere, and the college
has been instrumental in raising the standard not only
OF other women's colleges, like Vassar and Wellesley
but in forcing preparatory education for girls to
higher level.
Our graduates are we'll known In many branches OF
literary and philanthropic activity and count among
their number musicians, artists and doctors. Inc
larger promotion are devong themselves to the duties
Of married life whose responsibilities their college
training has 50 admirably fitted them to assume They
perform their duties in society with the
graceful courtesy, ready wit and dignhed
sincerity peculiar to the true daughter
Of Smith. The College settlement in Rvington-st'
the Toynbee Hall of Eew-York, should really have been
called the Smith College Settlement. as II was planned
endowed ard founded by the efforts Of smith graduate
and has been Managed and for the most part carried
on by Smith girls.
The faculty Of the college now numbers forty
persons. and is about evenly divided between the
sexes. President L. Clark seelye Is one OF els
tingushed family Of sons, the eldest OF whom
Julus WIS for many years president of Amherst
College 1t IS to the remarkable financial and ex-
ecutive ability and the able scholarship OF It's president
that Smith owes much Of It's prosperity.
Dr. John Stodda71, the head OF tic science depart
ment took Mt Gottlngen the highest degree German
university can bestow seldom given to foreigner
and is said TO have been the most brill ant OF all the
scientific students who have gone to Germany In recent
wears Near the Hall OF Science is the Physical Library
where the Colloquum meets for scientific Investigations
and yares It's programme with charming chemical teas
sorod in beaher glasses and stirred with test tubes
The biological laboratory, one OF the nnest IN the
country the histology rooms, whose incubators attract
the curious and the reproof chemical laboratories are
all flied with busy workers. From the dynamos OF
the basement to the rare collections in the upper nails
there is everywhere reflected the scientific spirit OF the
age.
Tho Music School which grants tie degree OF Musical
Director 70 IFS graduates occupies a superbly equipped
building In its beautiful hall. built with
special reference 10 acoustic propeFucs the
analysis and ensemble classes meet and here each
season the entire college is Invited to listen TO series
of delightful concerts. All the courses IN a' n'er
Azure music or other criticism given for the special
beneat OF ire students OF that are open to any
member OF the college who has time to attend The
choral class which furnishes the chors mnsic Tor com
menccment is under the immediate supervision OF Dr.
Blodgett the music director. The college gec clnb'
founded by the class Of 5S, Is organized ana mahaeed
solely By the students DR.. Blodget recently gave the
College $4,000 organ for its social hall. where the
students meet and where chapel and commencement
exercises held.
The Ulllyer Art Gallery. just enlarged by the addl-
Han OF several new studios contains one OF the hnet
collections of CASTS in America. Professor Iryon OF
New York IS the head of the art school, and Is assisted
by competent artists and scuptors. AT the commence
uent art reception the friends of the college have
an opportunty to see the work OF the Students which
ls dspayed for the occasion Several very successful
illustrators began their undergraduates OF the
Art school.
The observatory, cited with revolving dome and one
of tie best modern telescopes, with superior equip
ment of astronomical instruments, IS one oi tue cst
gifts TO the college.
Professor Gardner Of the metaphysics department,
was one Of the lecturers Of the Concord School OF
Philosophy and has been noted, both at the German
university where he took his degree, and at home as
a psychologist Of remarkable originality and power.
Among the women OF the faculty are Kate sanborn
Mary A. Jordan the writer and critic, and lleloise f.
Iiersey the Browning student, whom Boston delights
10 honor Professor kOhn OF the University OF Gottln
gen one OF the most distinguished political economists
of Europe said not long since. to class OF German
students Think Of the advantages America gives her
young women. Not only have they colleges us good
as those of the men. but faculties as noted"
The social life Of the college is In It's way, as IN
portant as the Intellectual The experiment Ct sell,
government has been absolutely successful. and the
only controlling force has been the college
sentiment ANYTHING Thch savored Of unwOmanliness
would be instantly checked BY the spirit Of tile stu
dents. For genuine good times and Don camarHdcffei
heathfu and constant enjoyment both out OF doors and
in on the tennis field and IN the house, no woman can
On ahead OF the smith undergrad" The beautiful Con
6ectIcut Valley and the neighborng mountains afford
glorious opportunities for walks and drives and inc
suDernuous energy stored up by long uampS and
vigorous gymnastics finds healthful outlet in the
fhaT artfu 0uid