ing, writing, arithmetic, geography, and English grammar, with the addition of the elements of algebra, a branch now generally within reach in most of our common schools.

No preparatory department, so called, was established, but a two years' course of recitation and class-room training was prefixed to the laboratory work in the several departments.

By the time the student has completed this, he has secured the elements of a general education. He has had, for instance, a year's drill in the English language, and by the method of study pursued has been brought to see something of the nature and claims of linguistic science generally. He has advanced in mathematics through algebra, plane geometry, and plane trigonometry. He has acquired the leading principles of physics by a year's study, and the same amount of time devoted to chemistry has given him a fair hold upon the elements of this science. On the natural history side, he has pursued the subjects of human physiology, of zoology and botany, and the subject of physical geography has also received a measure of attention.

At the end of this two years' course, it is judged that he can choose intelligently as to the special lines in which his subsequent work shall be done. The doors of all the departments are now open to him. He can advance in the study of language if he so chooses. He can take up the study of the physical forces or of mechanics in a practical way, aided by the costly apparatus accumulated in the department of physics. He can study chemistry in its relations to agriculture, to pharmacy, to manufactures, in courses that shall extend through, one, two, or three years, with all necessary apparatus for doing analytical work at his hand. He can pursue agriculture as a science in a two years' course that will familiarize him with the best results of modern knowledge in this all-important field. He can turn to civil engineering, to higher mathematics, to geology, to botany, to veterinary anatomy, to natural history, to comparative physi

ology and anatomy, to the study of political and social science. The requirements of the courses insist, however, on a certain balance or proportion in the courses pursued, as a more detailed examination of the scheme here touched upon will show. To secure the degrees of the institution, six years of study from the grade of entrance are required, on the basis of three daily recitations or their equivalents. Three degrees are now offered by the College, viz., Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), and Civil Engineer (C.E.).

Students are admitted to advanced standing, or to special courses, as their necessities require. Distinctions as to sex or color have not been recognized in the College. Tuition is free. Incidental expenses are charged at the rate of fifteen dollars per year. The value of materials consumed in the laboratories is assessed upon the students using them. Manual labor is not required of students, but the necessary work on the farm and grounds is done by them to a considerable extent.

By act of the General Assembly, passed April 16th, 1874, a reorganization of the Board of Trustees was effected, and the number was reduced from nineteen to five. The following named gentlemen were appointed by Governor William Allen and confirmed by the Senate - they compose the present Board:

RALPH LEETE..

ALEXANDER WADDLE

WARREN P. NOBLE...

WILLIAM LARWILL..

JOSEPH SULLIVANT.

Lawrence county.
..Clarke county.

Seneca county.

.Crawford county.

..Franklin county.

In enumerating the resources of the College, mention has not been made of the grant made to it by the State of Ohio of unsurveyed and unentered lands in the Virginia Military District of the State. This grant was made by the Legislature in the early part of the year 1872. It has not yet become a source of income to the institution, but it is expected that

a small addition to the College funds will ultimately result from it.

Several efforts have been made to obtain, for the better equipment of the College, the proceeds that should arise from the sale of swamp and canal lands within the limits of Ohio. Favorable action has twice been taken in the State Senate, and a bill for this purpose is now pending in the Legislature.

With the following recapitulation, this history will be concluded:

The productive funds of the institution, derived from the sale of the land scrip and from interest accruing thereon, now amount to $500,000, and constitute a part of the irredu cible debt of the State, on which interest is computed and paid at 6 per cent., giving an annual income of $30,000.

The money furnished by Franklin county and citizens of Columbus, amounting to about $328,000, has been used in the purchase of a farm of 317 acres within the corporate limits of the city of Columbus, and in the erection of the necessary college and farm buildings, and in the equipment of the several departments of instruction. Since the purchase of the farm, the price of land in this portion of the city has been largely increased. It is within limits to say that the value of the farm has been doubled within the last five years. When to this is added the value of the lands given to the College by the State in the Virginia Military District, the property belonging to the College, exclusive of its endowment, will scarcely fall below $500,000.

Upon this noble foundation there has been established and put into operation a College, with ten departments of instruction and a faculty of eleven professors and instructors. More than one hundred students are now availing themselves of the opportunities it offers in acquiring the "liberal and practical education" which shall qualify them for "the sev eral pursuits and professions of life."

OBERLIN COLLEGE.

PLAN.

The original plan of Oberlin College was conceived by Rev. John J. Shipherd; but in the development of this plan he was assisted by Mr. P. P. Stewart. The plan involved a school open to both sexes, with various departments, Preparatory, Teachers, Collegiate and Theological, furnishing a substantial education at the lowest possible rates, and with such facilities for self-support as the "manual labor system" was supposed to present. The school was to be surrounded by a Christian community, united in the faith of the gospel, and in self-denying efforts to establish, build up, and sustain the school.

NAME.

The name of the school and colony was taken from Oberlin, the Swiss pastor, as representing the self-denying and fruitful life the founders desired to cherish. The school was named the "Oberlin Collegiate Institute," which remained its legal designation until the name was changed upon application to the Legislature, in 1850, to Oberlin College.

LOCATION.

The location selected was in a dense, unbroken forest, eight miles from Elyria, and thirty-three from Cleveland. A por

tion of this land, three miles square-nearly six thousand acres-was purchased at the low rate of one dollar and fifty cents an acre, and re-sold at an advance of one dollar an acre, thus providing a fund with which to lay the foundation of the school. The original proprietors donated to the enterprise about five hundred acres in the center of the tract for the uses of the school. On this site the College buildings now stand, and the entire southwestern quarter of the village.

THE BEGINNING.

The original colony embraced families from several of the New England States, and from New York and Ohio-all of New England origin. The school, during the Winter term, numbered forty-four pupils; but was not permanently organized under regular teachers until the next year, 1834. The number of pupils the first year reached one hundred.

In the Winter of 1834-5, the Trustees first took their posi tion upon the admission of colored students, and in the Spring the Theological Department was organized, and the board of instruction enlarged by the accession of President Mahan, and Professors Finney, Morgan and Henry Cowles. Theological students came in considerable numbers from Lane Seminary, and the college department received large accessions from Western Reserve and other colleges.

CHARTER AND TRUSTEES.

Oberlin College received its charter by an act of the Ohio Legislature, February 28th, 1834. The names of the first trustees were as follows: Henry Brown, John Keys, Eliphalet Redington, Joel Talcott, Addison Tracy, Jabez L. Burrell, Philo P. Stewart, Peter P. Pease, John J. Shipherd. The number of the trustees, at first nine, was increased in 1834 to twelve, and in 1874 to eighteen. It is a self-perpetuating body; additional members, as occasion may require, being elected by themselves. There are no particular requirements, such as residence, religious creed, etc.; and their term of service is for life. The trustees were authorized by the charter to confer