nothing under the act. Various attempts have been made to secure from Congress the much needed redress. The socalled "Morrill Bill" which tailed to become a law last winter, because its friends consented to let it go to a conference committee near the close of the session, had this for its main object. Instead, however, of procceding directly to right the old wrong, it proposed by a new distribution in equal amounts to the States at once to silence clamors for justice, and to disarm the opposition of those already in possession of the lion's share. The passage of the Morrill Bill, while it would have given much immediate relief and satisfaction, would in my opinion, have proved a mere placebo. The old injustice would not have been remedied. The sentiment of justice is strong in the American people. Should the General Government, impelled by them, at length resolve to remedy this unequal distribution, our State would receive a handsome addition to its educational endowments. I would respectfully suggest that the Board request the Governor and Legislature to demand of Congress an immediate investigation of this subject.

(5.) Pending the accumulation of productive funds from the sales of the University lands, the example of the State of Michigan might be followed in assigning to the support of the University a small proportion of the tax for educational purposes.

IMPENDING NEEDS.

It would serve no practical purpose to discuss at this time the remote and ultimate demands of the University which may grow up from the present beginnings. I confine myself to a statement of such as seem to require immediate or early attention.

I place first among our needs, a competent instructor in Elocution and Vocal Culture. The instruction in these subjects has been cheerfully given by the Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature, but who can not longer carry it on without injury to his own department. If the person to be employed should be competent to assist in teaching History and in Rhetoric, it would be possible to delay the appointment of other officers. Provision, however, should be made for filling the chair of History at no distant day. With the completion of the new buildings, while our literary and classical work will be none the less, will come a large increase and development of our general scientific

work. Apparatus of various sorts, in large amounts, will be needed. The time has gone by when the teacher of science can sit in his easy chair and hear his pupils relate what certain text-books state as to the alleged behavior of substances and forces. He has got to teach the thing itself, on the spot, by means of actual materials and appropriate apparatus. If we do not equip our scientific departments with the proper means of illustration, we must not complain if our young men emigrate to Troy, New Haven, Boston or Hoboken, to study general and applied science.

The Chemical Laboratory will need a complete outfit of furniture and a large addition of apparatus and supplies.

The Physical Laboratory will need almost everything. The Library must, if possible, be supplied with scientific and mathematical books, of which the present stock is very meagre. The Engineering department ought to be provided with the indispensable machines, instruments, models, and with steam or other motive power. The Museum will need a large expenditure for cases to contain specimens. What demands the agricultural college will, after receiving its outfit, make for instruction and means of instruction cannot now be foreseen. The plan for a course of technical instruction to be given to young farmers during the winter months, which I have heretofore had the honor to suggest, I still believe feasible, and to be the best way to begin the proper profes sional work in that College. I trust it may be possible to assemble, after the close of the working season, a class of young men, either already engaged in farming or about to enter upon that profession, to whom such instruction may be given during the winter, as they will be able to put to practical use on returning to their farms in the spring. It was in a manner similar to this that our American law and medical schools began their work, and still carry it on.

The plant house attached to the College will doubtless be stocked, according to agreement, by members of the State Horticultural Society. A gardner will have to be employed to attend it. It experiments in stock breeding or in fruit and forest culture are to be undertaken, funds in considerable amounts will be needed.

The Department of Military Science needs a drill hall and a parade ground. The University year begins in Septem ber and ends in June. No outdoor drills can be had after October 31st nor before May 1st. The Vacation lasts from June 20th to September 10th. There remain thus less than three months (say 50 working days,) during which the

department can be in actual operation. A drill hall is therefore indispensable, if there is any real desire to have the department succeed. The University of Wisconsin has provided a very comfortable building at a cost of $3,000. Two boys' schools in this State have drill halls of sufficient dimensions. It is simple justice to say that, under all existing disadvantages, that such has been the zeal of our young men and the diligence of their instructor, that we could furnish to-day 75 gentlemen competent to take 'command of volunteer companies. I am still in favor of the organization of the Department of Military Science as a separate College.

ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATIONS.

I deem it important that the department of Astronomy be provided with a working observatory. Fortunately, such have been the improvements in instrument-making and in the methods of observing, that no enormous expense will be needed. I have the estimates of two practical astronomers, according to which $7,500 will buy the essential instruments and erect a building to shelter them. Three objects are to be attained in such an enterprise: (1) The instruction of our students; (2) the stimulation of interest in science generally within the University; (3) contributions to the stock of astronomical knowledge. One Western University has already placed both the Old World and the New under obligations for brilliant discoveries.

NEW DEPARTMENTS.

While I do not regard it indispensable, nor even desirable, that departments of Law and Medicine be immediately opened in the University, it is still important that they be taken into account in planning for the future. It is a consideration which largely compensates for euforced delay that much needed reforms in the organization and management of such schools are in progress. Three medical colleges, at least, now require an examination on elementary studies, as a requisite for admission, and the authorities of two law schools are seriously proposing the same thing. For my own part I would say, better never open such departments here than to swell the number of existing low grade, mercenary professional schools. Our people, furthermore, are more concerned in learning how all may keep

well and out of litigation than in gratuitously instructing a few persons how to cure diseases and argue in the courts.

NORMAL WORK.

A very large percentage of our students are teachers and many expect to devote themselves to that work. While I am of the opinion that after some years it will be desirable to open in the University, as the proper place, a Normal Department for training teachers of high schools. I do not think such an undertaking to be now feasible. I would, however, recommend, and that earnestly, that a Normal professor be appointed at an early date whose duty shall be to give general instruction in methods of teaching higher branches. Under the new law requiring County Superintendents to have first grade certificates, several persons have applied for instruction and one was actually instructed by a member of the faculty during the vacation. The officer above referred to, might be useful in instructing such candidates.

NON-RESIDENT PROFESSORSHIPS.

The University has done but little in providing lectures. Means have been wanting; the assembly hall is not attractive nor convenient; and the University building has been difficult of access. The completion of the lower bridge now building across the Mississippi river, and that of the contemplated street railway will remedy the last named diffiulty. The new assembly hall will be a commodious and cheerful audience room. The question of means remains for the consideration of the Board. So soon as these can be provided it will be very desirable to offer our students and the public a liberal assortment of lectures by non-resident professors of established reputation and approved competency. The experiment of last winter in the lectures of Dr. Charles N. Hewitt on Public Health affords much encouragement to increase this kind of opportunities. I have already had the honor to recommend the holding of Agricultural Institutes in different parts of the State, at which lectures should be delivered by distinguished professional persons employed for the purpose.

POST-GRADUATE COURSES.

The new catalogue ought not to be issued without con

taining the outline of one or more courses of post graduate studies. The General Faculty have already been requested to furnish a draft embracing their suggestions.

LODGINGS.

The question of lodgings, which has at all times presented its difficulties, is at length solving itself. The set of lodging houses projected by a member of the Board, will be completed by the beginning of the year 1873-4, and will furnish. shelter to about fifty young men. Other persons have

rooms to let at reasonable rates. Those students who are able to pay for regular boarding, have no difficulty in finding accommodations. There are two occasions upon which the interference of the Board may be necessary the first to provide additional lodgings for young men who need to board in clubs; the second, to secure suitable rooms for young ladies sent from distant parts of the State. A La dies' Boarding Hall is an immediate necessity. No large sum of money need be expended at once. $10,000 would, in my opinion, put up a wood en building of sufficient capacity for present needs and of b ecoming appearance. Dormitory buildings, like hospitals, had better be rebuilt at intervals of a few years. A young ladies' hall, conducted on the "South Hadley" plan, would put the advantages of the University within the reach of a great number of young women, desiring to enjoy them, and who are now practically debarred from them.

Such are the chief demands now imepnding upon your honorable body, to whose wisdom I confidently refer them. It will, perhaps, be said that we are making undue requisitions upon the public purse. To this there are two answers; The first, that we really demand nothing, but merely apprise the people that they cannot have a University without money in large amounts and at proper times; the second, that if the generous policy be now adopted, the institution will receive other than public benefactions. It has become almost a fashion for wealthy friends of education to make large donations to institutions of established reputations and assured permanence. Let it become apparent that the people are resolved to endow and sustain a "genuine University," officered and equipped in the most liberal manner, and our prosperous capitalists will at length vie with one another in their contributions.

There are two subjects to which I especially desire the