320 Report on a Course of Liberal Education. 



lege, and half academy ; what will induce parents in various 

 and distant parts of the country, to send us their sons, when 

 they have academies enough in their own neighborhood ? 

 There is no magical influence in an act of incorporation, to 

 give celebrity to a literary institution, which does not com- 

 mand respect for itself, by the elevated rank of its education. 

 When the college has lost its hold on the public confidence, 

 by depressing its standard of merit, by substituting a partial, 

 for a thorough education, we may expect that it will be de- 

 serted by that class of persons who have hitherto been drawn 

 here by high expectations and purposes. Even if wo should 

 not immediately suffer in point of numbers^ yet we shall ex- 

 change the best portion of our students, for others of inferior 

 aims and attainments. 



As long as we can maintain an elevated character, we 

 need be under no apprehension with respect to numbers. 

 Without character, it will be in vain to think of retaining 

 them. It is a hazardous experiment, to act upon the plan 

 of gaining numbers first, and character afterwards. 



We are sensible there is great imperfection in the execu- 

 tion of the purpose to give a thorough course of instruction. 

 The observations which we have made on this subject, relate 

 rather to what we would wish to see eflTected, than to what 

 we profess to have actually accomplished. Numerous and 

 formidable difficulties are to be perpetually encountered. 

 One of the principal of these, is the call which is so frequent- 

 ly made upon us, to admit students into the college with de- 

 fective preparation. Parents are little aware to what em- 

 barrassments and injury they are subjecting their sons, by 

 urging them forward to a situation for which they are not 

 properly qualified. Of those who are barely admitted, one 

 and another is, from time to time, dropped off from the class. 

 Here and there one, after making his way, with much per- 

 plexity and mortification, through the four years, just obtains 

 a degree at last ; which is nearly all the benefit that he de- 

 rives from his residence here. Whereas, if he had come to 

 us well prepared, he might have held a respectable rank in 

 his class, and acquired a substantial education. 



Another serious difficulty with which we have to contend, 

 is the impression made on the minds of a portion of our stu- 

 dents, from one quarter and another, that the study of any 

 thing for which they have not an instinctive relish, or which 

 requires vigorous and continued effort, or which is not imme- 



