102 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



In tlie words of a distinguished man of science who has devoted 

 much thought to this subject, " The best plan for founding a Uni- 

 versity is that which concentrates the interests of the largest com- 

 munity, and combines the greatest variety of intellect, with the 

 smallest pecuniary outlay and the least provocation of opposition. 

 The most feasible plan is that which is most elastic, and which 

 may be the smallest in its germ, while it is most comprehensive 

 In its full development. Its professors must be the ablest men in 

 their respective departments j it must be connected with a fine 

 library, a well equipped observatory, and complete collections and 

 laboratories for the elucidation, illustration and investigation of 

 every species of knowledge. But it is expedient that the library, 

 the observatory, the cabinets, and the laboratories should be under 

 the especial control and fostering care of their respective boards of 

 administration, whose local residence and peculiar habits of mind 

 should adapt them to these duties. The general board of over- 

 seers should unite all that is necessary to command the universal 

 confidence of the country, and their principal duty should be to 

 secure, by consultation with the professors, the ablest body of 

 officers." 



The development of this scheme contains as a cardinal principle 

 the establishment of professorships or lectureships, the remunera- 

 tion for each of which shall not exceed one thousand dollars a 

 year, so that an income of forty thousand dollars would secure 

 forty courses of lectures, several by the same professor, or all by 

 different ones, as might be determined upon. These professor- 

 ships to be vacated every five years, and to require no residence 

 at the University, unless where the same professor is called upon 

 for several courses, in which case he would constitute one of the 

 governing heads of the University. Each professor to be required 

 to deliver a course of at least twelve lectures during the year. 

 The foundation of such professorships (to take the name of the 

 founders,) would be within the reach of moderate means. The 

 professors in the various colleges of the country would lecture in 

 the University, deriving additional income by so doing, and im- 

 provement from association with their colleagues of the University. 

 The institution can be organized step by step as professorships are 



