244 [Assembly 



farmer, manufacturer, engineer or chemist when he obtains his 

 diploma upon graduation, finds himself but just set out upon the 

 journey, all his work is yet to do. 



It is not meant by this to disparage collegiate education, but 

 only to say that it does not supply the wants of a thorough practical, 

 or of a scienti 1c man. The wonderful advancement of modern sci- 

 ence has not been confined to the laboratory, but is made manifest in 

 every department of life. Its results are seen and felt every where, 

 we almost live and breathe by its aid ; no one is of more advantage 

 to a community than the close, investigating student. He will 

 assuredly bring forth something of value to the world. True sci- 

 ence is always useful, always noble, always elevating. It is there- 

 fore the interest of every people to encourage its advancement. We 

 have thus far failed to do so to the highest extent. Our youth are 

 compelled to cross the Atlantic, to seek the old world, to find the 

 advantages they wish. There is no school among us, where they 

 can go and find the facilities for prosecuting a more thorough and 

 extensive education which are atforded by the schools on the 

 continent. To furnish such an Institution, is one object in view 

 in the establishment of this university. 



And there is another, which is none the less important. It 

 proposes to supply the demand not only for a i borough and ex- 

 tensive education, but also for a practi I one .There is now no. 

 place where a mechanic, a manufacturer or farmer can go to pre- 

 pare himself for his business. There is no school where an ed- 

 ucation for particular departments in life, can be obtained. We 

 may have fine professional scholars, excellent theorists, but we 

 want practical men. We want them educated with special reference 

 to their various callings. We as a people are living and breath- 

 ing on a world we know but little about. We are as men in the 

 dark, groping our way with many a stumble and fall, where we 

 might be guided by the clear light of science ; and to aid us in 

 this respect, to give us that practical knowledge so much desired, 

 and so absolutely necessary, is the second object in view in the 

 establishment of this Institution. Is it not a noble one? One 

 worthy the fullest encouragement 1 



