320 y\liat Made the Institute Possible. 



western prairies — a log hut here and there, a few patches of land 



resources through three or four generations, not bv anv means at the 

 best approximating to that degree of wealth which might invite a 

 higher mental culture; and at the end of fifty rears or so, a railroad, 

 a city hall and a common school, as the sole evidences of progress. 

 Albany was settled by men who brought brain and energy and. a deter- 

 mined purpose with them. In many cases they were the cadets of well- 

 established families of the old world, and came hither animated by 

 unfading knowledge and recollection of the more prosperous social 



literature distinctively its own in original force and tone of thought : ' it 

 had originated, perhaps, the common school system, and made its uni- 

 versities celebrated among the .-eats of learning throughout all Europe. 

 Added to this, of course came the zeal for discovery and colonization; 



h .Id tlnuwh.- m am ■ ,n-., i i . 1! - u.ll a- Kmiland 



tended as a transient post, to be abandoned as soon as the profits of 

 the fur trade might slacken; almost at once the attractiveness of the 

 location led to Beverwvck growing up about the fort, and it became 

 fully realized that here might be one of the seats of future dominion. 

 To determine upon remaining was to begin improvement, and among 

 the earliest improvements were the church and school. Under the par- 

 tial military government of that day these were the true educators of 

 the people, and as instruments for that purpose they were not allowed 



