USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Historical sketches of the ten miles square forming the District of Columbia : with a picture of Washington, describing objects of general interest or curiosity at the metropolis of the Union. > Part 15
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The natural scenery of the District, heightened in its effect by the Seat of Government, has much to awaken the enthusiasm and to charm the ima- gination of the scholar.
This College was incorporated, by an act of Congress, in 1821; and, after the completion of the principal edifice; and the appointment of a Faculty, the course of instruction was commenc- ed in January, 1822.
The funds by which it has thus far advanced, have been derived exclusively from private mu- . nificence. Its sister institutions have been libe- rally endowed by the Legislatures of their seve.
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Columbian College.
ral States, or by Congress, where the States have recently been admitted into the Union. As Congress is the only Legislature for the District, its appeals for public aid have been addressed to that body; but, we are sorry to say, thus far in vain. Who, that surveys the influence which education, in all, and especially in its higher forms, has on the sublimest destinies of our spe- cies, can be willing to see a single intellectual light put out, or its beams even intermitted, for want of adequate support!
Its buildings are-a College edifice, 117 feet by 46, of five stories, including the basement and the attic, having 48 rooms for students, with two small dormitories attached to each ; the Chapel, and offices of the Steward's department in the lowest story : another edifice of the same dimen- sions, but partially erected, which is connected with the first by a building of one story, 80 feet by 40, designed for a Refectory: two very com- modious dwelling houses for Professors, and a Philosophical Hall, with apartments for deposit- ing apparatus for lecture-rooms, and the classical school. All its buildings are of brick, and re- markably well finished and arranged.
It has a Library of between 3 and 4,000 vol- umes, obtained principally in England and Ger- many, and well adapted to its design.
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The Philosophical apparatus is ample, and of a superior order, having been procured in London under the inspection of a distinguished English Professor.
The following is the course of study, which, it will be seen, is extensive, and of an elevated character.
Studies and text-books of the college classes:
Freshman Class .- Graca Majora, vol. I. begun; Livy, firs 5 books; Adams' Roman Antiquities; Cambridge Course of Mathematics, comprising, 1. Lacroix's Arithmetic, 2. Euler's Algebra, 3. Legendre's Geometry, begun; Worcester's Gc- ography, Murray's Grammar; Walker's Rhetorical Grammar; writing translations of select portions of the Latin and Greek Classics, and declamations weekly; revision of some of the studies required for admission,
Sophomore Class .- Græca Majora, vol. 1. finished; Irving on Composition; Hedge's Logic; Legendre's Geometry, fin- ished; 4. Lacroix's Algebra; 5. Analytic Geometry, compris- ing Plane and Spherical Trigonometry, and the Application of Algebra to Geometry, particularly to Conic Sections, be- gun; S. E. Morse's Geography; Tytler's General History- Horace, Latina Excerpta; composition and declamation week- ly.
Junior Class .- Græca Majora, vol. II. begun; Blair's Lec- tures on Rhetoric; Paley's Natural Theology; Analytic Gic- ometry, finished; 6. Topography, or the Application of Geo- metry to Projections, Dialling, Mensuration of heights and dis- tances; Navigation, Nautical Astronomy, Surveying, Levelling, &c. Farrar's Natural Philosophy, begun; Cicero de Officiis, de Senectute, and de Amicitia; Paley's Moral Philosophy; Natural History; Chemistry, Campbell's Philosophy of Rhet- orie; declamation and composition.
Senior Class .- Graeca Majora, Vol. II. finished; Cicero de Oratore; select portions of Homer's Hliad; 7. Differential and Integral Calculus; Farrar's Natural Philosophy, finished; Stewart's Philosophy of the Mind; Paley's Evidences; But- ler's Analogy; Vattel's Law of Nations; Constitution of the United States; Kent's Commentaries, Vol. I. declamation and composition.
The higher' Classes are admitted to courses of Lectures on Natural Philosophy, Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Botany, Moral and lutellectual Philosophy.
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Columbian College.
There is connected with the College a Classi- cal and Preparatory School, in which pupils are fitted for admission to the Freshman, or higher classes, or for other objects. Studies : reading, writing, English grammar, arithmetic, and geo- graphy. Adams' Latin Grammar, Historia Sa- cra, Cæsar's Commentaries, Virgil, Sallust, and Cicero's Select Orations, Valpy's Greek Gram- mar, the Gospels, and Jacobs' Greek Reader. For admission to the Freshman class, a know- ledge of these studies, or an equivalent, is re- quired. Geometry, Algebra, and other higher studies, are also pursued in this school.
The College year is divided into two sessions, of about five months each; the first, from the second Wednesday of January, to the first Wed- nesday of June, when the Summer vacation of two months occurs : the second, from the first Wednesday of August, to the third Wednesday of December, when the annual commencement takes place, and the winter vacation of one month begins.
On occasions of great interest, the students are permitted to hear the arguments in the Supreme Court of the United States, and the debates in Congress.
Faculty.
Rev. Stephen Chapin, D. D. President, and Professor of Belles Lettres, and of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy. Thomas Sewall, M. D. Professor of Anatomy and Physi ology.
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James M. Staughton, M. D. Professor of Chemistry.
William Ruggles, A. M. Professor of Mathematics and Natu: ral Philosophy.
Alexander M'Williams, M. D. Professor of Botany. Carroll, Esq. Professor of Law.
William Boulware, A. B. Tutor and Teacher of Ancient Languages.
Philip Leon, Teacher of French.
Henry J. Foster, Tutor of the Preparatory School. -
The graduates of this College, on taking their degrees at the public commencements, have uni- formly acquitted themselves in a manner highly creditable to the institution, and shown that the great objects of education are there successfully prosecuted. Although its establishment has been so recent, and its career unhappily checked by serious financial embarrassments, which are now, however, mainly removed, it has numbered among its students young men from almost every State in the Union, and sent forth from its walls scholars who are already ornaments to the pro- fessions they have chosen, and will be eminently so to their country.
Here the student may pursue his studies, apart, and free from the danger of any dissipation which the Metropolis may contain; and, on proper oc- casions, leave his " learned lore," and gain from great and living examples what his book-philoso- phy never dreamt of, by seeing the theoretical principles he has studied, take, in actual life, modifications of the most important and instruc-
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tive character. His mind may be quickened and urged onward as he looks at the heights, which other men, constituted with powers like his own, have attained. He will see extraordinary talent and untiring industry, which may have started even from the lower ranks of life, occupying the highest posts to which a great and grateful nation could ever call them. Upon a high-minded and gifted youth, such lessons cannot be lost. Ilis soul must kindle as he surveys this prize; and, while he may have a higher and holier ambition, than to respect an earthly reward alone, he will take a determined resolution, that he will not be behind in the race of glory thus set before him.
The advantages which will flow to the Metro- polis, and the District generally, from a flourish- ing literary institution, are too apparent to need ssion. The liberal education of their sons, at a comparatively small expense; the creation of a literary and scientific atmosphere about them; their character for refinement and intelligence in the view of enlightened strangers; and, even the benefits of large expenditures which such institu- tions bring with them, should not be overlooked in estimating its advantages.
Every city of importance in our country, and, indeed, throughout the civilized world, has its public institutions of learning, and cherishes them - with an honorable and elevated pride,
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Columbian College.
The opinion of our late venerable Chief Magis- trate, in reference to the character and more general advantages of this College, is expressed in the following letter addressed to the President of the Board of Trustees.
" WASHINGTON, March 24, 1821.
"SIR: I avail myself of this mode of assuring you of my earnest desire that the College, which was incorporated by an act of Congress, at the last session, by the title of "The Co- lumbian College in the District of Columbia," may aucun- plish all the useful purposes for which it was instituted; and I add, with great satisfaction, that there is good reason to be- lieve that the hopes of those who have so patriotically contri- buted to advance it to its present stage will not be disappointed.
" Its commencement will be under circumstances very fa- vorable to its success.
" Jis position, on the high ground north of the city, is re- markably healthy. The act of incorporation is well digested, looks to the proper objects, and grants the powers well ad- apted to their attainment. The establishment of the institu- tien within the federal district, in the presence of Congress, ard of all the departments of the government, will secure to the young men who may be educated iu it many important ad- vantages; anung which the opportunity which it will afford them of hearing the debates in Congress, and in the Supreme Court, on important subjects, must be obvious to all. With these peculmir advantages, this institution, if it receives here- after the proper encouragement, cannot fail to be eminently useful to the nation. Under this impression, I trust that such encouragement will not be withheld from it.
" I am, sir, with great respect, your very ob't serv't, "JAMES MONROE."
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Medical College.
THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE COLUM- BIAN COLLEGE.
A charter was granted by the Congress of the United States, to the Columbian College, in the year 1821. In the summer of 1824, the Medical department was organized, and in March, 1825, a course of lectures was commenced, on the dif- ferent branches of Medicine. Since that period, full courses have been given during the winter season, commencing on the first Monday in No- vember, and continuing to the last of February.
The Medical Professors are-
Thomas Sewall, M. D. Professor of Anatomy and Physiology. James M. Staughton, M. D. Professor of Surgery.
Thomas Henderson, M. D. Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine.
N. W. Worthington, M. D. Professor of Materia Medica. Frederick May, 31. D Professor of Obstetrics.
Thomas P. Jones, M. D. Professor of Chemistry.
The only change which has taken place in ci- ther of the Medical Professorships, has been in that of Chemistry. Edward Cutbush, M. D. was originally appointed to that chair; upon the re- signation of that gentleman, in 1897, Richard Randall M. D. was elected, and fulfilled the du- ties during the season which commenced in the winter of that year. The connexion of Dr. Ran- dall with the Institution was dissolved by his appointment as agent of the Colonization Society.
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Medical College.
His colleagues sincerely regretted the removal of so able a coadjutor, and have partaken largely of that sorrow which was occasioned by the death of one, upon whose enlarged benevolence and devotion to the cause of science and humanity, were founded the hopes of his future usefulness and honorable distinction.
The first courses of lectures were delivered in a building hired for the purpose; but in the year 1827, the Faculty, at their own expence, pur- chased a lot, and erected a suitable Hall, at the N. W. corner of E and 10th streets. This build- ing is large and commodious, consisting of three elevated stories, with a roof peculiarly construct- ed for the admission of light into all the apart- ments appropriated to anatomical purposes.
On the ground floor is the Lecture Room, La- boratory, &c. of the Professor of Chemistry.
The second story contains the rooms, public and private, of the Professors of the Theory and Practice of Medicine and of Materia Medica, and of the Institutes of Medicine and Medical Jurisprudence.
In the third is the Anatomical Theatre, together with rooms occupied by the Professors of Anato- my, Surgery, and Obstetrics.
The theatre is designed from the most approved plans, and is conveniently connected with the
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rooms situated in the superior part of the build- ing, which are intended for the purpose of Prac- tical Anatomy. In relation to this particular department of the school, care has been taken to provide space, light, and security, together with every other specific convenience that may afford to the Student facility in prosecuting to advan- tage this necessary part of his collegiate studies.
The Professor of Anatomy has furnished him- self with all the Anatomical preparations which are necessary to his course, and with a large col- lection of valuable drawings, by which the struc- ture of those minute parts which cannot be fully displayed within the recent or proposed subject, are exhibited to view on a magnified scale.
The Professor of Chemistry is in possession of an extensive apparatus, by the aid of which, all the important, experimental illustrations, be- longing to his department, are presented to the class.
The ticket of each Professor is fifteen dollars; aud all persons who have attended two full Cour- ses, at this School, are entitled to attend suc- ceeding Courses free of expense.
The requisites for graduation are similar to those required in the most respectable Institu- tions in the country. The candidate must have studied three years under the direction of some
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Medical College.
regular physician. He must have attended each Professor two full Courses, or he shall have at- tended one full Course in this School, and one in some other respectable Medical Institution .- He must have entered his name with the Dean as a candidate for graduation, and delivered to him an inaugural dissertation on some medical subject, thirty days before the close of the ses- 'sion. Dr. Jones is the present Dean.
The liberal views of the Faculty are manifested by the following circular, issued by them on the 24th of January, 1829.
"The Professors of the Medical Department of the Columbian College, in the District of Co- lumbia, anxious to extend the benefits of regular Medical education to Students, whose pecuniary means will not enable them to attend courses of public lectures, have adopted the following reso- lutions:
Resolved, That this School be open to the admission of one student of the character contemplated in the foregoing pream- ble, from each of the United States and one from each of the Territories, to attend all the Lectures, without charge.
Resolved, That the Senators of Congress are hereby au- thorized to select one such studient from their respective Statee, and the Delegates of Congress one such student from their respective Territories, who shall be admitted to gratuitous at- tendance on the Lectures, by exhibiting a certificate of selec- tion from the Senators or Delegate, to the Dean of this Depart- ment. It is to be understood, that said students shall pay five dollars on entering the School, as a Matriculating fre, and should he graduate in this Institution a fee of twenty dollars will be required,"
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Georgetown College.
The number of matriculated students has, generally, been about thirty, and we are gratified to learn, that although there has this year been a considerable diminution in the classes, of most of the other medical colleges in the Union, such is not the case with our own.
We are informed that the Professors are devis- ing a plan for the establishment of an Hospital, in the District. Every friend of humanity must wish the most perfect success to an enterprize. the accomplishment of which, will at the same time administer to the relief of the afflicted, and promote the advancement of medical science.
GEORGETOWN COLLEGE.
The College is situated on the northern bank of the Potomac, and commands a full view of Georgetown, Washington, the Potomac, and a great part of the District of Columbia. Its situa- tion is peculiarly healthy. The distance between the College and the Capitol being only an ordina- ry walk, the students have an opportunity of hear- ing occasionally the debates of Congress and the pleadings of the Supreme Court-always, how- ever, attended by their Prefect.
On the first of May, 1815, the College was rais- ed by Congress to the rank of a University, 80
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Georgetown College.
that the course of studies is calculated to fit the scholars, if they remain long enough in the Col- lege, for the usual academic honours. During their whole stay in the College the strictest atten- tion is paid to the morals of the students, and they are always under the eye of one or more of the prefects-even in their ordinary walks and recre- ations.
The course of ordinary studies is completed in seven years; at the completion of which, if the scholar has made sufficient proficiency, he may receive the degree of Bachelor of Arts. When a scholar presents himself to be received into the College, he is examined by the-prefect of studies, and placed in that class for which his prior ac- quirements may have fitted him. He then pas- ses on in regular succesion to the end of Logic and Moral Philosophy. If he remain longer, and study the higher branches of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, he may take the degree of Master of Arts. The Academic year commences on the 15th of September and ends on the 31st of July.
1st. In the lowest school or class of Rudiments, the schol- ars study the English and French Grammars, Caligraphy Arithmetic, &c. - and at the conclusion of this year (for each class, umdess some student by their particular application and talents, should merit promotion, occupies one year they are supposed to be able to read and write English correctly.
2. During the next year, (third class of Humanities, ) the scholars continue to study the English and French Grammat",
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Georgetown College.
and begin to compose in those languages-Arithmetic is con- tinued and towards the end of the year they commence the Latin Grammar.
Sd. In the second class of Humanities, they continue En- glish and French composition, (these studies are continued till the end of Rhetoric, ) and Arithmetic : they begin Latin exer- cises and read some easy Latin authors-as Nepos, Cæsar, &c. During this year a course of Geography is studied, and Greek is begun.
4th. In the first class of Humanities, they read portions of Sallust, Cicero's mmor works, and some of Ovid's Elegies, Prosody -- and commence History. They study portions of the Greek Scripture, Xenophon, and Lucian's dialogues. Al- gebra is begun.
5th. In Poetry, Cicero's minor works, Virgil, Horace, LI- vy, and Homer, are read History is continued and a treatise of Mythology learned. Mathematics continued.
6th. In Rhetoric-The scholars study Rhetoric, Cicero's Orations, Homer, Virgil, Horace, History and Mathematics.
7th. This year a course of Logic and Moral Philosophy is studied-Mathematics continued.
During the whole course, great attention is paid to Com- position, particularly English. There will always be a class of Book-keeping for the convenience of those who wish to learn it. The Italian, Spanish and German languages will be also taught if required. Music, Drawing, Dancing, &c. wil! form additional charges.
The College possesses a select Library of about ten thous- and volumes, the use of which is granted to the senior students without any additional charge.
There are two examinations in the year. The minor one in February or March, and the other immediately before the commencement, which will always be a day of public exercis- es, towards the end of July.
No student is admitted, who cannot read and has not & good moral character. !
As the members of the College profess the Catholic Relig- ion, the exercises of Religious worship are Catholic, but mem- bers of other Religious denominations are received, of whom it is only required, that they respectfully assist at the public duties of religion with their companions. Were not this en- forced, no proper order, such as should be found in large lit- erary institutions, could exist in the College.
No student will be permitted to leave the College on visits of any length oftener than once a year, viz; at the great vaca
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tion. If his parents live in the District, he will be allowed to visit them once a month, but not oftener-and he must then always return to the College before night.
TERMS.
Every student shall pay, on entering the College, ten dol- lars. He shall bring a mattress. a pillow, two pillow cases, two pair of sheets, four blankets and a counterpane, or pay $6 per annum for the use of bed and bedding. He must also bring with him one suit of clothes, as a uniform-which is in winter, a blue cloth coat and pantaloons with a black velvet waistcoat; in summer, white pantaloons with a black silk waistcoat are used.
. He must likewise bring with him two suits for daily wear, for which no particular colour is prescribed; six shirts, six pair of stockings, six pocket handkerchiefs, three pair of shoes a hat and a cloak or great coat, also a silver spoon. These articles if not brought by the student will be furnished by the College and included in the first bill.
The pension for board, washing, mending and mending materials-use of books, (philosophical and mathematical ex- cepted,) pens, ink, and writing paper, states and pencils, is $150. Medical aid and medicine, unless parents choose to run the risk of a Doctor's bill in case of sickness, $3 per ann. All charges must be paid half yearly in advance.
For the convenience of parents, particularly those at a dis- tance, the College will undertake to supply the students with clothing. The annual expense cannot be specified, as it de- pends upon the age and wearing of the student: all that can be said, is the strictest economy and simplicity will be obser- ved. If parents wish the College to supply their children with clothes, a deposit is required by the College equivalent to the probable expense of clothing for six months.
With regard to pocket money, it is desired that all the stu- dents should be placed on an equality, and that it should not exceed 123 cents per week; and whatever is allowed must be deposited in the hands of the directors of the College. Half- boarders are received on the usual terms, viz. $5 entrance, and $65 for board per antun.
Day scholars, $5 for fuel and servants, as no charge is made for tuition.
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Georgetown College.
The walls of the College are ornamented with a variety of paintings, and engravings-the works of some of the ablest masters adorn the altar~ the CHANCEL is furnished with a fine toned organ. 'The LIBRARY contains about seven thousand vc- lumes, many rare and curious-a polyglot bible -all the Fathers, a folio Chinese Dictionary, presented by the Baron de Neuville-in statuary, Apollo and the Muses, in beautiful marble, and fine workmanship. The Chapel is a fine build- ing, highly finished, and ornamented with a va- riety of paintings. Near the entrance, and im- mediately over the holy water, is a splendid print, presented to the sisters of the Visitation, by M. Hyde de Neuville. On the front of the Altar is a painting, which is well executed, but the device is novel. It is an illustration
of a passage in one of the Evangelists-' where- soever the carcase is, there shall the eagles be gathered together.' Two eagles, volant, sup- port a fillet, bearing the foregoing words. Be- low are two other spread cagles, and, in the cen- tre, a figure, probably intended to be emblematic of the mystical body. Over the altar is a paint- ing which represents Christianity trampling upon the crescent -- an image perfectly prophetic now, so far as it regards Greece. Above this is the representation of a bleeding heart, surrounded 17
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Georgetown Convent ..
with a wreath of thorns, which is the most pro- minent figure in the church, being delineated on a sky light of pale blue. On the right of the al- tar is a wooden grate communication with the Nunnery, to which the sisterhood approach for the purpose of uniting in public devotion.
CONVENT.
In these deep solitudes and awful cells, Where heavenly-pensive contemplation dwells, And ever-musing melancholy reigns.
The CONVENT of the Sisters of Visitation, is a plain, substantial, but gloomy-looking, monas- tic institution, which must recall, amidst its soti- tudes, to the recollection of the contemplative mind, the touching story of Abelard and Eloisa. The solemnity of the scene is in strict keeping with the objects of the edifice, and naturally again refer us to the pathetic lines of the poet-
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