Chap. 8. 



EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. 



169 



NORWICH UNIVERSITY. 



STUDIES. 



ADMISSION. — GOVERNMENT. 



of the AmericanLiterary, Scientific «fe Mil- 

 itary Academy, and a commodious build- 

 ing was erected for its accommodation. It 

 was placed under the superintendence of 

 Capt. Alden Partridge, and continued for 

 a number of years in a very flourishing 

 condition, with pupils, or cadets, from 

 nearly all the states in the Union. Sub- 

 sequently the principal part of the school 

 was removed, by Capt. Partridge, to Mid- 

 dletown. Con necticut ; but it was at length 

 discontinued there, and Capt. P. returned 

 to Norwich, where, in the mean time, a 

 small school had been kept up in the 

 original building at that place. In con- 

 sequence of the application of those in- 

 terested in the school at Norwich, an act 

 was passed on the 6th of November, 1834, 

 incorporating an institution by the name 

 of the JVorwich University, and giving it 

 power to confer " all such diplomas, de- 

 grees, honors, or licenses, as are usually 

 conferred by colleges, or universities." 

 The corporation consists of 25 persons 

 besides the presid.^nt of the University, 

 who is ex officio member and president of 

 the board of trustees. The trustees are 

 empowered to fill their own vacancies, are 

 required to provide for a constant course 

 of instruction in military science and civil 

 engineering, and are prohibited from es- 

 tablishing any regulations of a sectarian 

 character, either in religion or politics. 

 The University went into operation under 

 its charter in May, 1835, and held its first 

 commencement in August, 1836. 



The plan and principles of this institu- 

 tion are very unlike those of our colleges 

 and universities generally. There is no 

 definite period in which the regular course 

 of studies is to be completed, and conse- 

 quently there is no general division of the 

 pupils into classes, denoting by years the 

 several stages of the course. Each stu- 

 dent is permitted to advance as rapidly as 

 possible in his studies, due regard beino- 

 had to a thorough understanding of the 

 same, and when he has completed the 

 full course, he is admitted to an examina- 

 tion and to the honors of the institution, 

 if found qualified, without reference to 

 the time he has been pursuing his stu- 

 dies. 



Course of Studies. The regular course 

 of instruction in the university embraces 

 the following branches, viz : the Latin, 

 Greek, French, Spanish and English lan- 

 guages. Arithmetic, the construction and 

 use of Logarithms, Algebra, Geometry, 

 Planonietry, Stereometry, Trigonometry, 

 Mensuration of heights and distances, ap- 

 plication of Algebra to Geometry, Isoper- 

 imetry. Conic Sections, Mechanics, Hy- 

 drostatics, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Op- 

 Pt. u. 22 



tics. Electricity, Magnetism, Elements of 

 Chemistry, Astronomy, the use of the 

 Barometer, Surveying, including Level- 

 ing, Topographical and Military Draw- 

 ing, Civil and Military Engineering, Per- 

 manent and Field Fortifications, National 

 Defence, Military Tactics, &c.. Geogra- 

 phy, History, Ethics, Logic, Rhetoric, 

 Natural and Political Law, the Laws of 

 Nations, Mental Philosophy, Political 

 Economy, the Constitution of the United 

 States, Music, Fencing, the theory of Pro- 

 jectiles and its application to Gunnery. 

 These constitute the regular course, but 

 the Latin and Greek languages, though 

 taught to those who wish to study them, 

 are not required for obtaining a diploma. 



For the accommodation of students who 

 have not the time or means to complete 

 the full course, the following partial 

 course is adopted, which will well qualify 

 a young man to become an instructor in 

 an English institution, a practical sur- 

 veyor, or assistant engineer, and for the 

 ordinary practical duties of the citizen 

 and citizen-soldier, viz : the English lan- 

 guage. Arithmetic, Logarithms, Algebra, 

 Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration of 

 heights and distances, Planometry, Stere- 

 ometry, Practical Surveying, including 

 Leveling, Topographical and Military 

 Drawing, the Elements of Natural Phi- 

 losophy and Astronomy, Geography, His- 

 tory, Ethics, Rhetoric, Logic, the Consti- 

 tution of the United States, and the Sci- 

 ence of Government generally, and prac- 

 tical Military Science. The completion 

 of this course does not entitle the student 

 to a diploma, but he may have an honor- 

 able discharge and recommendation sign- 

 ed by the president. 



Jidmission. For admission into the 

 university the candidate must be at least 

 twelve years old, of good moral charac- 

 ter ; must be well versed in the elements 

 of Arithmetic, English Grammar and 

 Geograpliy, and able to write a fair legi- 

 ble hand. Those who have made further 

 advancements on joining the university, 

 are allowed to take the station to which 

 their qualifications entitle them, without 

 any charge for back tuition. None are 

 admitted for a less term than six months ; 

 and the pupils, or cadets, are required to 

 dress in the uniform of the institution. 



Government. TJie immediate govern- 

 ment of the institution is vested in the 

 president. The discipline is strict, being 

 in principle military, and in practice pa- 

 rental. Military crercises are attended to 

 at such hours as not to interfere with the 

 regular studies, but occupy such portions 

 of the time as are generally spent in idle- 

 ness, or useless amuseruents, for which 



