THE AGE OF ELECTRICITY. 161 



town in a sing-ular manner. In 1636 the general court appropriated a 

 sum of 12,000 for the foundation of a college, especially denominational 

 in its character, in a neighboring- place, which soon assumed the name 

 of Cambridge in remembrance of the celebrated university at which 

 most of the colonists had received their education. Two years there- 

 after Eev. John Harvard bequeathed one-half of his property and the 

 whole of his library to the new college. Such was the origin of Har- 

 vard College, which later became the Harvard University. 



That example of private donations has been uninterruptedly followed 

 ever since. The institution, which had very hard beginnings, refused 

 no offerings, however modest. The list includes a lot of sheep, 9 shil- 

 lings' worth of cotton, a pewter i)ot, a fruit dish, a sugar spoon, a pitcher 

 inlaid with silver, etc. The college subsequently received the income 

 of the ferry which crossed the river. 



During many years the history of the college is but a narrative of a 

 succession of financial difficulties; of strife with the city council, that 

 sought to maintain its control over the institution; with the govern- 

 ment of the metropolis, with which the sentiments of the founders 

 found little favor; and, lastly, with the clergy, to the end that teachers 

 and students might preserve their religious independence and that the 

 scope of teaching- be enlarged. Some of the buildings were destroyed 

 by several fires, but in these instances, barring- the regret felt for the 

 loss of the articles destroyed — as, for instance, the library of Harvard, 

 the founder, wliich had theretofore been preserved as a relic — the evil 

 proved a blessing- in the end, for private contribution, under the emo- 

 tion caused by the calamity, supj)Iied means far in excess of the losses 

 sustained by the disaster. 



Even in the midst of the ordeals caused by the Eevolutionary and 

 civil wars, the institution constantly added to its wealth and continued 

 its onward march. It shakes off at last every outside influence and 

 acquires absolute autonomy. Harvard University at the present day 

 constitutes a powerful corporation, which includes faculties of arts, 

 sciences, theology, law, medicine, dental and veterinary surgery, and 

 agriculture. In 1891-92 there were 253 teachers of various grades and 

 2,700 students, who were the recipients of subsidies in various shapes, 

 prizes, or cost of tuition amounting to $85,000. 



In 1891 the aggregate of ordinary receipts, income from various 

 sources, and money paid for instruction, was $966,000. Over and 

 above these sums, there was received during the year $100,000 to add 

 to the capital and $65,000 for immediate use, without taking into ac- 

 count the donations in kind such as scientific collections or implements. 

 The greater portion of the capital comes from gifts without any special 

 application and remains at the disposal of the directors; about one- 

 fifth consists of special funds destined for the erection of buildings, the 

 maintenance of certain chairs, laboratories, gymnasiums, lecture halls, 

 or for special investigations. It is proper to mention at this i^lace the 

 SM 94 11 



