THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY. 179 



But so far as I am aware this is a danger rather than a fact. It should 

 also be remembered that the university professor has responsibilities 

 as well as rights. He should realize that views radically opposed to 

 the sentiment of the community are not proper subjects for under- 

 graduate teaching or for exploitation in the newspapers. On the other 

 hand, there should be of course no inquisition in regard to a professor's 

 private beliefs; there should be as little interference as possible with 

 his graduate teaching and none with the presentation of his work or 

 theories to experts in his own field. 



The university is its men and their work. But certain externals 

 are necessary or at least usual — buildings and equipment, a president 

 and trustees. One of the notable services of the Johns Hopkins was to 

 show that a great university can be lodged in humble quarters. I 

 almost regret the erection of more expensive buildings and the present 

 removal and rebuilding of the university. Yet it is certainly for the 

 interests of the community as a whole that the exterior presence of the 

 university should represent its dignity and influence. As the loving 

 devotion and art of the c ommu nity were once lavished on its cathedral, 

 so they should now go toward making the university stately and beauti- 

 ful. The university, with its affiliated libraries, museums, hospitals, 

 art galleries, theaters and parks, should be the chief pride of the com- 

 munity; and the money that is needed should come freely. We do 

 not, however, want imitation parthenons and pantheons; architects 

 should be found who can plan the buildings that are best adapted to 

 their uses. 



The best scientific work has usually been done with modest equip- 

 ment and inexpensive apparatus — it depends chiefly on the man. But 

 as science becomes more exact and complex, there is undoubtedly in- 

 creasing need of large expenditures. A million dollars or ten million 

 dollars should not be grudged, if this sum is needed for an astronomical 

 observatory or for an experimental farm. The investment is sure 

 on the average, and likely in each individual instance to pay large 

 interest to the public by actual decrease in the cost of production or 

 distribution. But in any case the community can afford to contribute 

 for ideal ends an amount that is insignificant when compared with its 

 total expenditures. Books required by the worker should always be at 

 hand, but it does not seem necessary for each university to maintain 

 a museum of a million volumes. We should have two or three such 

 collections in the country, but it is more economical to move books or 

 even men, than to store and care for books that are used but once in a 

 century. Museums and art galleries can also be limited in size without 

 serious loss. Each should maintain certain typical exhibits and have 

 in addition some well developed special departments. In general it 



