The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-26

puzzles and problems regarding pro-
priety that would perplex Ward Meal
lister. She listens to the confidential
chatter of the seniors, who look upon
her as an old friend, and she must have
an eye on the freshmen, make their ac-
quaintance and gain their confidence.
To the lady principal is given author
ity to execute all the laws relating to
the conduct Of the students, in the class
rooms and out. She must impress on
some just what the faculty requires
when it demands that the behavior of
the students must at all times be lady
like. All this calls for personal su-
pervision of their personal habits, social,
moral and religious culture, as we'll as
to their intellectual progress.
Mrs. Kendrick has held the position
of lady principal since 1891. She is a
widow, and her husband was formerly
acting president of the college. AL
though she is not a college bred woman
herself, she is amply fitted in educa-
tional attachments as we'll as in social
and moral characteristics for the posi-
tion. AS girl she studied science and
logic, metaphysics, Greek and Latin
under the brother of John Stuart Blackie.
She delved to the very roots of these
sciences and became thoroughly con-
versant with all the higher collegiate
branches before her marriage. After she
became the wife of DR.. Kendriclz she
continued her studies and researches.
When the position of lady principal
was offered to her, she at first hesitated,
having always enjoyed the seclusion Of
home life and being of modest and re-
firing disposition. She finally accepted
the offer, but it was with much trem-
bling and misgiving that she undertook
the home government of 600 young
women. She entered upon her duties,
however, with gentle frmness and
quiet dignity that has made her respect
ed by the students and admired by the
faculty.
It was the fact that she realized the
full responsibilities of the Office that
made her hesitate, for Vassar aims not
only to equip its graduates with high
er education, but to turn out women
who will shine equally we'll as wives in
the home circle or as professors in the
lecture room. The bodies as we'll as the
minds are trained at Vassar, and it's
graduates are for the most part rosy
checked. strong limbed young women
who have good digestion, good morals
anu WO11 tTdIuCQ mIDOS.
The athletics of Vassar have been the
butt of many a joke by the humorists,
but they are continued in spite of ridi-
Guile. Around the college buildings near
Poughkeepsie is a campus of 21O acres.
There the girls play golf, football, ten
mis-, baseball, hare and hounds, swim,
skate, ride bicycles and indulge in other
sports that make their muscles firm and
hard and their lungs strong. In the Sc
clusion of their campus they wear COM
Portable knickerbockers and sweaters and
taste the delights of a freedom that they
will never know after leaving college.
In their big gymnasium they exercise
under the direction of skilled instruct
ors Athletics is not an optional course
at Vassar.
There is something else that the Vas
sar girls learn that is not specified in the
curriculum. It is not an ology nor an
ism. In fact, it is something that can
hardly be defined. It might be called the
gentle art of living a refined home life.
This is something that is absorbed rath-
er than learned. 1t is gained from the
custom of all the students living togeth-
or under practically one roof. 1t is this
that furnishes the social charm of Vas
sar, which is remembered long after
many of the sciences taught there are
forgotten. ANNETTE CRAWFORD.