74 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1838, 



We ascended into the cupola which crowns the build- 

 ing, where we have a most beautiful view of the town 

 and region round about, the roads all diverging from 

 the centre, the noble river, which we could trace from 

 its commencement in Lake St. Clair. The people 

 are evidently very proud of the prospect. By the 

 way, I hear that the doctor's protege Dr. Fischer has 

 been here, and has gone on to Indiana to astonish 

 the people with his new fashion of blowing up rocks. 

 He has performed wonders in this way between this 

 place and New York. Whipple thinks they will have 

 some place for him next winter. The university 

 branch in this place has a vacation soon, and a public 

 examination is now going on ; thither we next directed 

 our steps. I was introduced to the principal, Mr. 

 Fitch, to whom they give a salary of $1500 per annum. 

 I am informed that they employ 110 teachers or princi- 

 pals in any of the branches without first submitting 

 them to a thorough examination. We stayed until 

 the examination suspended for dinner, when I returned 

 to my room, and here you see me engaged. Sunset. 

 After dinner Mr. Whipple called for me, and we went 

 to see Governor Mason at his house. We were intro- 

 duced to his sisters. . . . They live in a very good 

 house, quite elegantly furnished. We stayed only a 

 few minutes, all going to Whipple's office, where a 

 meeting of the board of regents was appointed to be 

 held. It was known that there would be no quorum, 

 so they adjourned until Thursday, when Mr. Mundy is 

 expected back from New York, and a meeting of con- 

 sequence will be held. I was introduced to Chancel- 

 lor Farnsworth (who wrote me from the committee), 

 Major Kearsley, Judge Brooks (Whipple's father-in- 

 law) and others. We all went to the examination, 



