EEPOKTS OF DEPxVETMENTS. 31 



own collection of standard authors in this field, was placed in the public library 

 for the use of the students. The seventeen students who completed this course, 

 passed a fair examination on June 18th. 



The rhetorical exercises of the Senior and Junior classes, under my charge, 

 have required the oversight in prej^aration and delivery of 144 orations, of which 

 fifteen were for Commencement and nineteen for Junior exhibition. Most of 

 the year the Juniors have had class exercises once in two weeks taken up -with. 

 essays, select readings or declamations, and familiar lectures on oratory, gest- 

 ures, and elocution in general. The amount of time and care involved in these 

 exercises is appreciable by those only whose similar duties have taught them. 

 Every monthly oration has been carefully re\ised (all criticisms being explained 

 to the author in private), and then twice rehearsed to me before final delivery. 

 For public occasions a written analysis of each oration is required before its 

 preparation, and at least four rehearsals precede its delivery. Only the interest 

 and advancement of the students is a real compensation for such work. 



Full reports of standing in all these classes, absences, examinations, and top- 

 ics of examinations, arc already on file with the Secretary of the College. 



A voluntary class in Shakespeare, made up mostly of Juniors, was organized 

 early in the year, and has had an average attendance of about fifteen. Three 

 plays have been read and commented upon : The Merchant of Venice, Taming 

 of a Shrew, and Hamlet. The hour from seven to eight of each Thursday even- 

 ing was taken for this exercise. 



Of the two public lectures that should have fallen to me, one was crowded 

 out by the number of orations required in the early part of the year, the other 

 Avas delivered in the regular routine, as given in the Faculty's report. 



The general oversight of the library and reading room, gives a set of duties 

 somewhat varied, of which a separate report is rendered. 



Other duties in College routine have been of a miscellaneous character, 

 mostly in form of committee work. They embrace general arrangements for 

 Commencement and Junior Exhibition, revision and adjustment of schemes for 

 class exercises, adaptation and promotion of the system of student government, 

 devising and adjusting the new arrangement of studies in three terms, and the 

 Tension and publication of the annual catalogue. This last work grew by one 

 suggestion after another till almost an entirely new form was given to the matter 

 descriptive of the course of study and our facilities for instruction. A chart of 

 the grounds after a drawing by Mr. R. C. Carpenter, added much to the effect 

 of the work. A well and a barn have been constructed near my dwelling witli 

 my plans and supervision. 



Associated intimately with the general welfare is the work of the College 

 Christian Union. Some of my energies have been demanded for this in teaching 

 a large Bible class through the year, giA"ing one of the monthly Sunday evening 

 lectures and two less formal addresses, and rendering some service in the pur- 

 chase of books. I have also given two sermons in the regular Sabbath services 

 at the College. 



Of work outside the College limits little ha? been possible. I have delivered 

 elsewhere two lectures in aid of general education, and two sermons. The office 

 of Township Superintendent of Schools was almost forced upon me, and I have 

 spent in its duties at odd hours and on Saturdays some ten days' time, — so little 

 that I am ashamed to speak of it. My absence from College duties during the 

 year has been limited to seven days, during which provision was made for my 

 classes through the kindness of President Abbot and Mr. Carpenter. 



