374 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



ducted. An olliptical miiniiig track, constructed with extraordinary 

 care, and which also extends through the front third of the })uilding, 

 is 11 feet broad and 555 feet long." Its ends are slanting with the 

 outer edge 28 inches higher than the inner edge. In a mezzanine 

 story are located rooms for fencing, boxing, and hand ball. There 

 are 32 shower ))aths with marble walls, as well as 1,(500 iron lockers. 

 Half of the room under the gymnasium is occupied by a swinmiing 

 tank in apse form, 100 feet long, 50 feet broad, and 4 to 10 feet 

 deep, with a capacity for nearly 2«)(>,00(> gallons. The water is 

 constantly renewed, twice filtered, heated to 68' F., and then cooled. 

 Electric currents radiate through it from the edge beneath the surface. 

 Around the tank are placed four large dressing and rubl)ing rooms, 

 42 private dressing rooms of thick opaque glass, and 20 plunge baths, 

 shower baths, and tub baths. In spite of its location below ground 

 everything is brilliantly illuminated by light shafts from large win- 

 dows. Each student paj^s $T a year for exercises, baths, and a 

 locker. On entering, he is subjected to a rigid physical examination, 

 receives advice and instructions according to the state of his health, 

 and is afterwards directed in his exercises. The gymnasium is open 

 from 10 a. m. to 7 p. m. One or more men in authority are always 

 present. Instruction is given very systematically, and it is compul- 

 sory for the younger students, in order that everyone may have an 

 opportunity to learn the elements of self-preservation and defense. 

 With this object in view, chiefly boxing, fencing, wrestling, and 

 swimming are practiced. To go further here into the details of the 

 carefully considered methods of exercising would carry me too far. 

 The gymnasium cost about $500,000. 



Upon the lower stories described, an additional stor}- is now being 

 built, which is to contain eating rooms, club rooms, and administrative 

 rooms, as well as a hall, capable of accommodating 1,500 persons, for 

 the religious and social life of the students.* 



Unquestionably Columbia University has a great future before it. 

 It will pursue its victorious career in the foremost ranks of the cham- 

 pions for the dissemination of culture and the advancement of science, 

 and it will the better perform its task if it keeps at its head men of 

 lofty intellectual (qualities, of eminent talent for organization, and of 

 far-reaching personal influence. The presidents of the leading univer- 

 sities of the United States hold a prominent place in the public life of 

 the great country; everybody knows them as everybody knows the 

 ruling statesmen and politicians, and they are respectfully heard on 

 questions affecting the public weal. Thus President Low, of Colum- 

 bia, represented the Government at The Hague Peace Congress of 

 1899. The presidents exert a much greater influence over everything 



'''See also Columbia University Quarterli/, I, 1899, p. 295. 

 ^Thia building is now completed. — 1903. 



