with massive walls and graceful arches, upon the heights that overlook our homes—that example I commend to each in his own degree. It shames the miser's clutch upon that, which hoarded, is but cankering dross; it shames the selfish instinct that bars out the world from all it has and hopes; it shames the vicious reasoning that all can starve and yet each one thrive; it brings to light the rusted links of the forgotten chain that binds our interests in one; it bids us bear our part in generous deeds and manly efforts for the good of all. Intelligent public spirit, that is what we need, and of which we shall never have too much. Let us catch the spirit of the age. Washed from the blood and dust of war, conscious now of a strength we knew not of, roused by the pressure of magnificent debt to a new prosperity, the Nation moves with speed redoubled-breathless. The bars of iron stretch toward the Pacific, the lightning traverses the ocean's bed; great stormy lakes are tamed to fill the goblets of a city; a buried wealth is reached to light the hamlets of the world; mountains of surly rock are tunnelled out to make a road for steam; invention knows no sleep, and genius dares not rest.

Something of this spirit should be ours. So many lights are being set upon our hills, so wondering a gaze is turning hither, so grand and grave is becoming our position, that more of thought, more of labor, more of energy will become us all. If we cannot beat the drums of the advance, at least let us not sleep in the ambulance at the rear; if we cannot reach the mountain top, at least let us not slumber in the valley. Above all let those who lead in every good and noble work receive our sympathy and gratitude. Let them see and feel that every possible aid of ours is at their service; and, as the first important step of such grateful action, let us take this generous gift which has been made to-night, with thankful and appreciating hearts; let us enfold it in our love and care; let it be our pride as citizens, our blessing as individuals; let us firmly resolve its success; forever make impossible the burning shame and bitter disgrace of accepting a costly gift only to bury it in neglect and failure.

It is now a noble and generous boon; the passing years will make it sacred. The day will come which must come once to all— and, Oh, may it be far and dim in the distant years-when the unwearied giver shall give no more on earth, and this gift will become a monument. Let us love it now, that we may better give it reverence then, and from its silent influence learn anew the lesson that

Only the actions of the just

Smell sweet and blossom in the dust.

CHAPTER XV.

THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY.-CHARTER AND ORGANIZATION.

Demand for Scientific Education.-The Agricultural College.—Its Failure. Congressional Appropriation of Public Lands for Agricultural and Mechanical Education.-Acceptance by the State. Appropriation to People's College.-Inadequate Vitality and Withdrawal of Appropriation.—Mr. Cornell's Offer of $500,000.-Animated Contest.-Charter of Cornell University. Offensive Proviso.-Location of the University.—Additional Contributions by the Founder.—Erection of College Edifices.-President White.—University Faculty and Equipment.-Liberal Attendance of Students.

THE importance and desirability of providing special facilities for advanced education in the sciences relating to agriculture, were for many years subjects of earnest discussion in agricultural journals of the country, and more especially in those of this State. The cause was warmly espoused by the New York State Agricultural Society, and found many earnest advocates among the more intelligent farmers of the State, as well as among the active friends of education. The agitation of the subject finally resulted in the passage by the

AGRICULTURAL COLLEge.

185

Legislature, in 1853, of an act incorporating the "New York State Agricultural College."

The act provided that the State should loan the institution forty thousand dollars for a period of twenty-one years, without interest, on condition that an equal amount should be raised by private contributions. The trustees, named in the bill, fixed the location of the institution in the town of Ovid, Seneca County, and selected for its site a magnificent estate of six hundred and eighty acres of fertile land, overlooking the Seneca Lake. It was not, however, until the year 1858 that the necessary subscriptions had been secured to render the State loan available, when the trustees began the erection of a college edifice on the site designated. The funds at the disposal of the trustees were exhausted before the building was completed, and the liberality of the friends of the enterprise was strained to the utmost to provide for finishing the building, and fitting it for active operations.

The College was finally opened for the reception of students in the autumn of 1860, and instruction was begun with a class of between forty and fifty students, and a faculty consisting of the president and four professors. Unfortunately, however, no adequate endowment had been provided for the support of the College; nothing,

indeed, had been furnished beyond the land and building, a very limited equipment of furniture, and a quite insignificant apparatus. The institution had no income for its support beyond that derived from tuition fees, which were wholly inadequate for the payment of current expenses.

Upon the outbreak of the great rebellion, in April, 1861, the President of the College, who was a graduate of the West Point Military Academy, was called to Albany by the Governor to aid in the military preparations of the State, returning occasionally to the College as his duties permitted, during the remainder of the school year. Under all of the discouraging circumstances attending the early experience of the College, it was not strange that before the close of the first year a considerable number of the students had abandoned the pursuit of agricultural science, and responded to the call of President Lincoln for volunteers to suppress the rebellion.

As it became apparent that the war was to be of considerable duration, the trustees of the Agricultural College decided not to open it for instruction in the fall of 1861, but to await more fortuitous circumstances. This closing of the College, however, proved to be permanent, in default of any provision for its support, and the property was afterward taken by the State in satisfaction