New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-24

to IL in the plenitude or his pAySlcai anu ''''
lectual power. Sprung from sturdy STOCK Oh
Scottish yeomanry. he was nevertheless IN ns-
Ere bearing and presence one OF nature hooie-
men a fact which is not so surprising Wheh we
remember that the nobility have ever been re-
cruited from the same stock, not only IN SCOT
land. but in England. To the day of his death lie
commanded attention wherever he appeared. In
itself this is no small advantage 10 a man VINO
desires 20 hold position Of leadership over men,
bur In the case OF Or. McCosl II was by no
means all AS a pastor he had wrought well and
successfully. making full proof Of his ministry
in n country where the standard of ministerial
equipment IS unusually high AS keen and
original thinker he had made name for him.
self not only in Great Britain, but on the Cont
nent. and his books had been read even in this
country long before he was called to the presi-
dency of Princeton. AS q lecturer he had shown
a rare ATTITUDE in bringing out and stimulating
the latent capacities Of his pupils. and thus
proved himself to be, in the truest sense or the
word, teacher. As a citizen he strove ever I"
Identify himself with every helpful movement in
the community, and in his personal relations
with his feow-men he was genial kindly and
sympathetic Men and women in every walk or
life liked to meet him. Without seeming TO make
any effort he brought out what was best in
them. and without Just understanding why they
felt that they were the better for having known
him. 1t was noted of him that he did not, in
deed. have "the smoothness Of pleasant speech
nor the elegance OF polished manners, nor the
Difference of courtly self-restraint but the gift
of perfect naturalness. of keen appreciation. of
forcible statement and quick retort. Of wit both
conscious and unconsclous-in short, or n most
uncommon Individuality which interested and
attracted men and women OF sound sense-the
good breeding which makes every one feel his or
her own WORTH
Such was James McCosh who in coming to
Princeton found the place for which nature IN
tended him. for it was truly said of him that he
was born American and "A Prncetonian, so
perfectly did he adjust himself to his new rela-
tons OF Princeton at that time II is to be SAID
IL needed the guidance Of the big-bodled Dig
Drained man who came IL 1t from over the seas.
1t IS a curious coincidence that Just a century
earlier 1t had for its president another Lowland
Scot John WlthcrspooH. by descent Cove
nanter. by conviction an opponent Of moneratlSh'
by instinct statesman. but by adoption an
American and s!gner Of the Declaration OF In
dependence But though strong in history ana
patriotic tradition Princeton had become ser-
ously Handicapped in many ways Her re-
sources were slender. and che numbered am ing
her supporters few men OF wealth. There was
no great commercial city o. feel local pride IN
her upbudng, no close-knttci organization of
graduates 60 promote her interests. situated
midway between New York and Philadelphia
she had enjoyed the favor Of neither. Her grad
yates were scattered all over the Union. ana
many Of them In the South were disoyal. impov-
erished and bitter. Moreover. the college had
teen waging relentless war against IA" Greek
letter fratcrnites in the interest Of ii7 Two an
Gent literary societies. Whg AMI clio halls
Hazlng. dishonesty in examinations ani faculty
espionage were prevalent, and had given the col
lege a bad name This was the situation that
faced Dr. McCosh when. on october -, 1858. he
took his seat as president. swearing loyalty TO
the Constitution Of the United States and that OF
the State OF New-Jerscy. And Il was under ihes"
untoward conditions that he bcgar work tina.
lifted Princeton 10 position among the chief
colleges Of the country.
Education IN the United states Just after the
Civil War was at low obb The vitality u the
Nation had been largely expended IN the great
conflict. and when T. ended the people were con-
fronted by s. many other urgent problems de-
handing immediate solution tina they had
neither the time nor tn. inclination T. think 81
education. In addition e. all that the war had
brought to the Nation a consciousness Of larger
life 1t had grown away from It's old anie-war
Institutions which It inst!nctivcly felt must DC
recreated by mon Of genius before they could be-
come worthy II support. In time th'ee men
would doubtless appear. after the fever OF the
war had subsidei; but meanwhile the home col
leces were neglected. and young men Of intel
h., ,,,,t,. =
Europe for the stimulus and opportunity they 50
eagerly desired The halls OF the German unvcr-
sites were thronged by American studon,s. AMI
in alarm the American colleges began - ask
themselves how they should arrest this hegra.
and at the same time take away the reason for
its existence.
There soon began to appear signs OF new
birth in the higher education Of the country. Four
years before Dr. McCosh came to Princeton Co
lunbia had called Barnard to build anew the
walls Of her temple Of learning. Harvard chose
Eliot for the same reason. Gilman was soon to
take the reins at the newly established Johns
HOPKINS University. Yale reaching out after
larger ideals under Woolsey. The scope of near
" all the other great colleges Of the country was
or larged and Princeton under McCosh 10
feel the impulse OF the same new and regener-
atng life.
Dr. McCosh's own sketch of his work In Prince
ton is given In full In the volume. I. should be
read by those who desire to know how Princeton
rrospered under President McCosh. though out Of
modesty he had omitted many things that pertain
to the chronicle He was disappointed with the
buildings which were poor and unsuitable.
Some OF the recitation-rooms. especially those
in the building now called the college offices.
were temptations 10 disorder, OF which the stu
dents took advantage. At times they would take
out the stove and when the class met in the
morning they cried Cold cold" and the pro-
fessor had 10 dismiss then; some OF the in
structors, however. keeping them In the whole
hour remember one night when they took out
the furniture Of a room and made a bonfire of IT,"
~ sInclIlar, slIccnssf III In 1ai.inp nlnuny