168 MY LIFE 



Senator Stanford had a very high opinion of his adopted 

 state. California, as being the richest part of the Union. He 



dilated on its million inhabitants producing corn enough for 

 ten million, of its illimitable possibilities of fruit production, 

 and on the general well-being of the people, lie expressed 

 surprise that rcr do not federate all our English-speaking 

 colonies, and thus form a " union " comparahlc in strength 

 and extent with their own ; and it is no doubt the great and 

 fatal mistake of our Governments not to have seen this before 

 it has become too late, and the absurd and useless tariffs in 



mens of natural history. But ornament has been most lavishly be- 

 stowed upon the church, which is cruciform, one hundred and ninety 

 feet long by one hundred and sixty feet wide, with a central tower, 

 one hundred and ninety feet high. It is decorated with costly mosaic 

 work both inside and out, and must be one of the most magnificent 

 of modern churches. 



At the present time there are more than fifteen hundred students, 

 and nearly one hundred and fifty professors and teachers. The entire 

 education is free for residents in California, with very moderate fees 

 for those from other States. The entire cost of board and lodging, 

 with incidental expenses, is about £60 a year; but it is stated that a 

 very considerable number of the students are able to support them- 

 selves by about three hours' daily work, either in or outside the 

 university, more especially those who are bookbinders, printers, car- 

 penters, or mechanics ; while many others, who can perform any 

 domestic or manual labor thoroughly, can do the same. There are 

 also several scholarships, which give free education and board. 



The university has been endowed by Senator and Mrs. Stanford 

 with about eighty thousand acres of land, besides the estate of Palo 

 Alto in which it is situated (about nine thousand acres) and the 

 Stanford mansion in San Francisco, amounting in all to about six 

 millions sterling. It only remains to state the purpose for which the 

 university was established by its founders. 



'The object of the university is to qualify students for personal 

 success and direct usefulness in life ; it purposes to promote the public 

 welfare by exercising an influence in behalf of humanity and civiliza- 

 tion, teaching the blessings of liberty regulated by law, and inculcating 

 love and reverence for the great principles of government as derived 

 from the inalienable rights of man to life, liberty, and the pursuit of 

 happiness." 



It is to be hoped that this last clause will be taught in its spirit as 

 well as in its letter. Never, surely, has a grander memorial been 

 raised by parents to a beloved son. 



