CHAPTER XXIV 



BOCKS, STORMS, AND PERIL 1868-1874 



THUS far I have dwelt especially upon the steady de- 

 velopment of the university in its general system of 

 instruction, its faculty, its equipment, and its daily life; 

 but it must not be supposed that all was plain sailing. On 

 the contrary, there were many difficulties, some discour- 

 agements, and at times we passed through very deep 

 waters. There were periods when ruin stared us in the 

 face when I feared that my next move must be to close 

 our doors and announce the suspension of instruction. 

 The most serious of these difficulties were financial. Mr. 

 Cornell had indeed endowed the institution munificently, 

 and others followed his example: the number of men 

 and women who came forward to do something for it 

 was astonishing. In addition to the great endowments 

 made by Mr. Cornell, Mr. Sage, Mr. McGraw, Mr. Sibley, 

 and others, which aggregated millions, there were smaller 

 gifts no less encouraging: Goldwin Smith's gift of his 

 services, of his library, and of various sums to increase 

 it, rejoiced us all; and many other evidences of confidence, 

 in the shape of large collections of books and material, 

 cheered us in that darkest period; and from that day to 

 this such gifts have continued. 



Some of the minor gifts were especially inspiring, 

 as showing the breadth of interest in our work. One of 

 them warmed my heart when it was made, and for many 

 years afterward cheered me amid many cares. As Mr. Sage 

 and myself were one day looking over matters upon the 



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