story from north to south.

On either side of the hall is a

suite of rooms, one of which has been appropriated for the President's office, and the others for recitation.

The hall and vestibule are formed by interior brick walls, eighteen inches thick. Those of the vestibule extend to the roof, and support the base of the cupola. In the center of the vestibule is a flight of spiral stairs, leading to the upper apartments. The upper story originally consisted, aside from the vestibule, of two large rooms, each 43 by 52 feet, the one on the north occupied by the Senate, and on the south by the House of Representatives. These have since been sub-divided and appropriated for various objects, among others the Library and Cabinet of Natural History.

The cupola was not constructed in accordance with the original plan, but is quite appropriate and ornamental. The first and second sections are square, and the third is octagonal, surrounded by sixteen corinthian columns, which support a spherical roof. This building, though designed for other purposes, with the recent changes and improvements in the upper story, is very well adapted to its present uses, and if not destroyed by some calamity, will constitute a lasting and creditable monument of our early history.

The south hall, erected under the superintendence of Thos. M. Banbury, is 45 feet east and west, by 108 feet north and south, and is three stories high above the basement. The basement and facings are of cut stone, and the superstructure of brick. In its external appearance it is more slender and less uniform in its style of architecture than either of the other buildings, the result more of necessity than of choice. The limited amount originally appropriated for it made it necessary to modify the plan in various ways during the process of construction. Had the whole sum ultimately expended upon it been appropriated at one time, a uniform plan could have been adopted and adhered to, and its architectural proportions and internal conformation very much improved.

It is, however, a very useful and durable edifice, constructed throughout with great care, and in the most economical manner consistent with utility. The first and second stories are

appropriated for offices and recitation rooms, and the third story is occupied exclusively by the Literary Societies.

The north hall is 61 feet east and west, by 90 feet north and south, and two stories high above the basement, the first 15 feet and the second 27 feet from floor to ceiling. The style of architecture is not so massive, but similar to that of the central hall. The basement is of cut stone, and the superstructure of brick, with cut stone dressings. It was constructed exclusively for a Chemical Laboratory and Chapel, under the supervision of Robert S. Finkbine, a practical builder. No pains were spared in the selection of materials and the execution of the work, to make it as permanent and as well adapted to the objects named, as the means appropriated for its construction would admit, and the Trustees have reason to congratulate themselves upon their success in this respect.

A vestibule 13 feet wide across the south end is appropriated for the general entrance to the Chapel. The portion of the lower story north of the vestibule, 58 by 74 feet, and part of the basement, if needed, were set apart for the Chemical Laboratory, which is provided with a separate entrance from the east side of the building. Prof. Hinrichs, who has charge of this department, under the direction of the Board of Trustees, visited a number of the eastern colleges, including Harvard and Yale, with the view of ascertaining and introducing the latest improvements in the apparatus, fixtures and apartments designed for its use, and as the result of his observations presented a plan in accordance with which this part of the edifice was constructed. It is divided into four apartments, one of which, 30 by 60 feet, is the Student's Laboratory. Each apartment is systematically arranged and furnished with a view to the particular use for which it is intended. It is amply supplied with all the apparatus, chemicals, minerals and other conveniences necessary for the study and practical illustration of physical science, and its general facilities for instruction are considered equal to those of any of our American colleges.

The upper story of the building is the Chapel, and is

admirably adapted for that purpose. Exclusive of the vestibule, it is 58 by 74 feet, with a gallery 12 feet wide across one end, making its seating capacity 58 by 86 feet, more than double the size of the room formerly used for chapel services. Its construction became a matter of necessity, as there was no room, when the attendance was full, in which the students alone could be properly accommodated, with no provision for the promiscuous assemblages incident to the annual commencements. It is neatly finished and well ventilated, and is indispensable to the comfort and convenience of the students, and the proper administration of the rules and regulations of the University. As a whole, the north hall is a valuable accession to the University buildings, and will fully remunerate the state for the amount expended upon it.

Each of the buildings is roofed with the best quality of slate. The basements are used for storage, heating apparatus, fuel and similar purposes. Great care has been observed in the construction of the heating apparatus to guard against accidents by fire, and to provide the necessary heat for the various apartments without exposing the students to the evils of an impure atmosphere. The buildings and grounds are valued at $150,000.

The engraving accompanying the catalogues and other publications of the University, presents a correct view of the buildings, but so far as the grounds and shrubbery are concerned, it is purely imaginary. What may properly be termed the college green consists of an oblong square of five acres in front of the buildings. It is covered with a rich sward of blue grass, and well studded with thrifty trees, among which are a number of large native oaks, with selections from the best varieties of the adjacent forests. The green is inclosed with a substantial iron fence, and is destined to excel in beauty the ornamental grounds of many of the older colleges. Some of the classes who have recently graduated conceived the excellent idea of commemorating the event by planting a tree on the college grounds. Several of these trees have already attained fair proportions, and a half century hence a few gray-headed men, by whose hands they were planted,

will recline under their foliage, and recall the halcyon days and pleasant reminiscences of college life.

VI. JANITORS.

During the early history of the University the duties of Janitor were performed by some one of the students. The regularly appointed Janitors were John W. Mitchell, from July 15th, 1858, to October 15th, 1862; John Amspoker, from October 15th, 1862, to October 15th, 1865; Alpheus Rowley, from October 15th, 1865, to August 1st, 1866; and Herrman Ruppin, the present incumbent, from August 1st, 1866.

VII. CONCLUSION.

Having presented the outlines of the history of the University from its infancy to the present time, a few general observations will close this sketch.

In its primitive days it met with some opposition, which at one period apparently assumed the form of a settled purpose to divert the partial endowment made by the general government for its support, and to withhold the additional aid required from the state for its development. This seeming hostility had its origin in unfounded prejudices and local interests. Of necessity the institution had to be located at one place, and hence the idea was readily, though erroneously, imbibed by the people of other localities that it was not designed for their benefit. Locality is a matter of secondary importance, so the place selected is healthy and easy of access. The present location fills both these requirements, and hence we cannot comply more fully with the demands of those who make locality a sine qua non.

One of the most prominent arguments against a state literary institution is, that in time it will become infidel or sectarian. But this objection, when properly analyzed, applies with equal force to private institutions. For it virtually assumes that the people of the state, who are the proprietors and guardians of the University, will themselves become infidel, or that the preponderance of political power will be

vested in some one sect, contingencies, from present indications, scarcely within the range of possibility. But in case

either should happen, would not both public and private institutions share the same fate? The people are divided by sharply defined lines into numerous sects, each of whom has vested rights in the University, and the fair presumption is that in the selection of their representatives, who make our laws, they will provide for the protection of those rights. But the more practical answer to the objection is perhaps embodied in the fact, that all the officers and students connected with the University, from its incipiency to the present time, will, in point of morality and integrity, compare favorably with those of any other institution.

Neither is there any real cause, as assumed by some, for conflict between the University and our private colleges. Their aims and interests are similar, and the prosperity of the one contributes to the success of the other. Each will have its friends and patrons, and frequently mutual friends and patrons, and both may enter the list of an honorable rivalry as to which can furnish the most thorough and useful instruction. This rivalry will form a safeguard to the former, and advance the literary standing of the latter. If the state performs its duty, the University will possess many facilities which our private colleges cannot, in our day, at least, provide. In these facilities the students of our private institutions will have a common interest, and may in due time avail themselves of them, on much more favorable terms than they can elsewhere. It is also true that every addition made to the general fund of knowledge among the people of the state-and the University will reach many which private institutions cannot-will promote the welfare of all our literary institutions, public and private. Hence there is no valid reason why they may not work together in perfect harmony.

With many, myself included, the admission of both sexes to our higher institutions of learning is an objection, but not confined to the University. An equal or perhaps greater number contend that the co-education of the sexes is benefi