The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-03-16
A Visit to Pennsylvania State College.

Lewisburg, we reached Lemont at Z
O'Clock, where Mr.. Patterson, the
Supt. of the College farms, was ir
waiting with open carriage to take us
up the three miles of Turnpike to the
City on the Hill This was most
pleasant drive. The air was warm
clear and bright, the view on either
side as fine as anywhere in the State
and before we realized that we were
long on the way, our host drew reins
in front of the College Campus, where
the Boys in Blue were having the first
outdoor drill of the season. Permit
me to give full report of this exer-
else, as it was most interesting.
At 4:2o P. NJ. the drill-cal sounds,
and the corps of cadets form in four
compact companies, numbering one
hundred and seventy athletic young
fellows ready for business. The Sen
iors are officers the Juniors are SER
geants ; the Sophpmores are corpor-
ais the Freshmen and Preps are the
rank and file. The commandant is
assisted by Seniors on staff duty.
March I2th was fine spring day,
and the first outdoor drill of ga. The
air was cool and bracing, and the
drill was fast and energetic.
The Battalion went "Front into
Line of Battle" "On right into Line"
"Broke from the right to march to the
left" "Formed Line by two move
ments" "Broke from col. Of Fours
to companies and then to Platoons,
and reversed the process" "Street-
Fighting Column" Square" Fir
ings were executed with precision.
The Manual Of Arms was we'll done.
The Bayonet Exercise was very ener-
getic, and also very pleasing to look
at, for it was so full Of lie, and the
boys seemed to enjoy the swift Par.
rles, Thrusts, Lunges, Guarding back
again after each. The Advance, Re-
tire, Front and Rear passes. Butt to
the right, rear, left and front. These
rapid movements all coming like a
whirlwind serve to quicken the senses.
The eye, ear and muscles cannot but
be benefited.
Then a March past in Review, and
all was over for the day. All of those
taking part being well tired, but very
we'll satisfied at having done some real
good energetic work. Some errors,
but they will soon be corrected in 4
few drills. A good hearty supper next
in order.
Going at once to the meeting of the
Executive Committee, nothing more
was seen of the school until next
morning at s o'clock, when all met in
the Chapel for devotional exercises.
In the absence of the President the
faculty lead-this morning DR.. Fer
nald read the 65th Psalm and lead in
most earnest prayer. The school,
consisting of ESQ young men and 20
young ladies, presented strong faces
bearing marks of determination and
decision that indicated we'll defined
purpose to succeed, and glance at
the faculty on the rostrum gave assur-
ance that the corps of instructors were
able, willing and determined to bring
to each scholar his other full measure
of success.
From Chapel the school filed out to
duty and we went to our committee
room, but quietly visited every build
ing and department to determine what
might be the condition at times when
visitors were not expected and espec-
tally just before vacation. This was a
most interesting and satisfactory trip.
In the Armory, the Chemical and
Physical Laboratories, the Mining and
Engineering Building, (Which by the
way is the finest in the States) in the
College Halls, recitation rooms and
dormitories and in the steam, heat,
electric light and engine rooms - every
where we found everything in perfect
order-clean, bright and pleasant,
showing orderly care on the part of
the instructors and students that was
commendable indeed After dinner
at the Ladies Cottage, where we were
most royalty entertained, we were
driven back to Lemont by Mr.. Patter-
son and returned home Tuesday even
ing, well repaid for the "trip. This is
given to your readers with the belief
that they are interested in their col
lege, the Pennsylvania State College
the college that has within very short
period come to the fore front as ar
educational institution of high rank
and every son and daughter of the ole
Keystone Commonwealth should fee
proud to hear OF the good work going
on in the quiet, practical thorough
manner that has marked her course a
every step,
Most earnestly,
II. V. WHITE.
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