192 ■ HISTORY OF PASADENA. 



prise took occasion to express their sentiments in a public recepiion to 

 Father Throop. From the Star's report of this event I make a few ex- 

 tracts of pertinent and historic interest : 



The commodious room set apart for the chapel and assembly hall of 

 Throop University was filled Saturday afternoon by a concourse of ladies 

 and gentlemen who fairly represented the culture and intelligence of the 

 community. Prof. M. M. Parker, vice-president of the University, filled 

 the chair. He stated that the objects of the gathering were to afford the 

 citizens of the city an opportunity of congratulating Father Throop upon 

 the success of his plans thus far, and to express their appreciation of his 

 efforts in behalf of the cause of education. 



A. R. Metcalfe, Esq., said : "The founding of such an institution in 

 Passadena is cause for general congratulation among the people of the com- 

 munity. * * Every home and every citizen will be the better and the 

 happier and the richer for the victories to be won in Throop University ; 

 and in behalf of the people of Pasadena, Mr. Metcalfe said, he thanked Father 

 Throop for his noble work — for what he had done and what he intended 

 to do. To found such an institution was the act of one of the noblest of 

 God's creatures, one whose love for the people dominates all his acts. In 

 their hearts Father Throop has a very warm spot which could be hardly 

 filled by any other (applause)." 



Mrs. Jeanne C. Carr said : " If such an institution had been opened 50 

 years ago, all girls would have been left out in planning for the reception of 

 students, and she desired to thank Father Throop for making no discrimina- 

 tion in the matter of sex in opening the doors of the University. * * 

 Fifty years ago only eleven of the great rancheros who owned the five 

 southern counties of California, could read or sign their names. The 

 nearest boarding school was at Honolulu in the Sandwich Islands. We 

 congratulate ourselves upon the birth of this University ; not only for the 

 obvious advantages it will bring to our city, but because each new institu- 

 tion is another step in advance in the recognition it gives to the value of 

 practical education." 



Rev. C. E. Harris, pastor of the Baptist church, was introduced as a 

 representative of the local ministers. Mr. Harris made one of his happy 

 responses, saying that he wished to adopt as his sentiments everything that 

 had so far been said in commendation of Father Throop, and to add that 

 Mrs. Throop is entitled to share in the praise for the work done in founding 

 this college. Its establishment marks a significant crisis in the history of 

 the city. 



Prof. Parker called upon Father Throop to speak, and the venerable 

 founder of the college came upon the platform amidst loud and long-con- 

 tinued applause. He said that in the course of his long life he had had 

 many happy days, and that this was one of the happiest. After a life of 

 economy and industry he had devoted such means as he had to the endow- 

 ment of the college. He had himself felt the need of such education as it 

 will afford, which perhaps fitted him better to appreciate its needs, and had 

 stimulated his ambition to do something in the cause of higher learning. 

 In all his plans he had the good-will and co-operation of Mrs. Throop, of 

 his daughter, Mrs. Vaughan, of his niece (Miss Waite), and other relatives, 

 many of whom were happily present with him on this happy occasion. 

 Father Throop said it was his ambition to make the college what the times 



