has for its base the line of rails lying be- erecting the palace at that spot was abandoned. There was no lack, however, of places, from which to choose; for in answer to their advertisements the committee received no fewer than seventeen offers of land. Among these were two from Wimbledon, (Cottenham-park and Wimbledonpark,) accompanied by very liberal conditions; one from Colney Hatch, equally favorable; one from Woolwich, one from Kensington, and one from Paddington. The owner of the land at Kensington, a place called Portobello farm, tendered at the modest price of $5,000 an acre; and the Bishop of London, who owns the ground at Paddington, was equally modest in his offer, at $500 an acre annual rental. | The directors, laboring then under an embarras de richesses, sent out Mr. Fuller on an exploratory tour through all the offered sites; and that gentleman sent in a report, placing Chiswick as No. 1, Wimbledon as No. 2, and Sydenham as No. 3, in eligibility for the purpose intended. The Duke of Devonshire's decision, of course, | threw Chiswick out of calculation, although some modification in His Grace's views has since been intimated; other reasons weighed against Wimbledon; and ultimately the spirited exertions and liberal offers of co-operation on the part of the Brighton Company turned the scale in favor of Sydenham, after a rather sharp struggle with the South-Western Company, who offered the directors $50,000 a year for five years, and a large proportion of the fares afterward in perpetuity, if they would place the building on the SouthWestern line. The terms by which the Brighton Company have secured the prize are, an arrangement by which the visitors to the Crystal Palace will be able to starting been found that, besides its more elefrom four metropolitan stations, viz.,Vauxhall, Waterloo-road, London-bridge, and New-cross, at three-fourths of the usual fares, until the shareholders in that undertaking receive six per cent. on their investment-the arrangement commencing from the 15th of May in the present year -and a proportionally liberal arrangement after the happy six per cent. consummation shall have been attained. The railway company have, moreover, agreed to construct a line of rail which shall communicate with the other lines, and carry the passengers quite into the palace. The exact spot chosen is far away from the dust and smoke of London, and The ground is at present covered with a dense plantation, much of which must, of course, submit to the ax to make room for the new building; but the handsomest trees will be preserved, and continue to flourish under glass, after the manner of our old friends, the elms, in the transept at Hyde-park. The construction of the new building has been intrusted to the able hands of Messrs. Fox and Henderson. It will be considerably larger than the present building, and will contain great improvements in form and structure; for instance, the roofing throughout will be concave, it hav gant appearance, the transept in Hydepårk was more perfectly impervious to rain. The arrangements with regard to the plants and flowers will be confided to Sir Joseph Paxton; Mr. Owen Jones will superintend the entire decorations; and Digby Wyatt will take office as Director of Works; while Mr. James Fuller and Mr. Scott Russell will bring their knowledge of the late Exhibition to bear on the people's new palace, aided by Mr. George Grove, whose experience in the working of the Royal Commission, and his connection with the Society of Arts, will tend to the harmonious carrying out of all business arrangements. With regard to the nature of the amusements promised, there appears to be some degree of uncertainty; time, however, and circumstances will determine these. The plan of a garden and conservatory, in which will be shown all the plants of the tropics, the stately palm and the embowering banyan, each surrounded by its brethren of the forest,-will be fully carried out under the superintendence of Sir Joseph Paxton; while periodical shows of flowers will tend to give a novel direction to this part of the scheme. In various situations within the building will be placed groups of statuary and single figures, and the different orders of architecture, instructively serialized, will be used in the ornamentation of the park-like grounds surrounding the palace. A great novelty is said to be in contemplation in the shape of numerous fountains, after the manner, though not in imitation, of those at Versailles. Though many have expressed doubts as to the practicability of this part of the plan, it must be remembered that the modern improvements in steam, and the better knowledge of hydraulics possessed by the scientific men of the present day, offer immense advantages as compared with vertical pressure, the only agency adopted to raise water in the fountains at Versailles; besides which, when it is considered that the engineering operations will be conducted by Messrs. Brunel and Robert Stephenson, and that no scarcity of water can arise, as the mains of the Lambeth Waterworks run close to the park palings, no fear of the success of this part of the plan need be felt. It is proposed also to admit within the new Crystal Palace a classified series of machines, which will be worked by steampower, so that various processes in manufactures may be exhibited-not as they were in the old building, where the same class of objects was repeated again and again, but arranged with a view to the education of the eye, and the familiarization of the minds of the people with mechanical operations. Thus "the lesson taught in Hyde-park, where the cotton entered in the berry and emerged in the bale of goods, where linen rags were passed through the paper-mill and issued in broad sheets of instructive literature, will be repeated in the People's Palace, where every great victory of machinery will find its enduring record and safe depository." Beside these, the sciences of geology, mineralogy, and botany, will be illustrated on a far greater scale than has been hitherto attempted; and the student will thus have an opportunity of pursuing his favorite science amid the charms of the country, undisturbed by the changes of the seasons. It would be impossible at this early stage of the undertaking to go sufficiently into detail with regard to these subjects, but it is understood that an instructive and attractive novelty will be offered in a collection of figures of the people and costumes of all nations. These will, it is understood, represent the hundred and twenty varieties of the human race, carefully prepared according to the classification of Mr. Pritchard, and other eminent ethnologists. Each figure will be placed in a characteristic attitude and situation-the Indian in his huntingground, the Kafir amid his thorny bushes, the Hindoo amid the graceful palms of his country, the Russian amid his snows, and so on through every stage of civilization; and there is little doubt that a knowledge of the appearance and dress of various nations and tribes is highly important, the more especially as the tendency of the present age is to blend races together, and to make the Parisian tailor the grand arbiter of costume. Then, again, foreign nations will be invited to send over, as they did to the Great Exhibition, specimens of their arts and manufactures; and inventors and patentees will be allowed to exhibit the fruits of their talent or genius free of all charge, and under the most perfect guarantees of safety. Music of the best kind will constantly form part of the day's entertainment; and though all kinds of refreshments, not intoxicating, will be sold at cheap rates within the building, "the amusements of the tea-garden and the dancing-saloon will be strictly prohibited." From this brief enumeration, our readers will perceive what the proprietors of the Crystal Palace propose for their delectation; and we think we may conscientiously say that we believe all their promises will be rigidly carried out. We understand that the Government, though they could not consent to give any money toward the purchase of the building in Hyde-park, have the best wishes toward its successor in Penge Wood. It is even proposed to open the People's Palace on Sundays; and Lord John Russell-who is always with the progress party, no matter how he may disappoint his friends sometimes-has given it as his opinion that the accessibility of the multitude to a place like this is promised to be, will not only be a great improvement to their habit of frequenting public-houses on the Lord's day, but that it may be made to subserve for higher and more enduring purposes. 1841 31 14 1851 23 1842 33 8 1852 23 Total, 195 77 Total, 229 54 888 90005 From this it appears that the whole As regards the prospect of a large influx of visitors," says the prospectus of the Company, "some of the statistical facts connected with the Great Exhibition are most instructive. During the period of twenty-four weeks for which that Ex-number of graduates, including those of hibition was open, it was visited by upward of six million persons; or, on the average, by upward of two hundred and fifty thousand per week; and the receipts exceeded $2,000,000, leaving a net profit of $1,000,000, after defraying the whole expense of the Exhibition, including the cost of the building. On three consecutive shilling days, the number of visitors exceeded one hundred thousand, and the receipts $25,000 per day." From this it is pretty clear that the Crystal Palace will be a commercial success; let us also hope that it will be a moral and educational one as well. the recent Commencement, is four hundred and twenty-four, of whom, allowing to the last two classes an ordinary average, full one-third are devoted to the Christian ministry. Of these a majority, probably two-thirds, are active laborers in the ministerial field, while many-now confined by the necessities of the Church to posts of instruction in literary institutions—will ultimately swell the ranks of those regularly engaged in proclaiming the gospel of the Son of God. The present classes are as full as usual, and everything up to this moment indicates the steady permanent prosperity of the institution. The annual graduations, which we have taken pains to place before our readers, show that the college has never been subject to violent fluctuations. We say it is doing well; because, as we bepects-Its Faculty-Alumni - Commence- lieve, it is doing annually, and regularly, WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY. MIDDLETOWN, CONN. Its Success-Students-Its Finances-Its Pros ment. Fo POUNDED in 1831, this institution has already sent forth twenty classes of graduates from its halls. In the midst of pecuniary difficulties, the administration of invalid presidents, and frequent interregnums, it has accomplished the work, and doubtless all the work, the Church which sustains it had for it to do. Since it came into being, colleges have sprung up in every section of the denominational field to which it pertains. Nearly every State in the Union, outside of New-England, has one or more institutions, under Methodist direction, of collegiate grade. Notwithstanding this rivalry, and diversion of patronage, the University has steadily held its own. This will be evident from the following tabular view of the results of its labors :— and without any marked variations from the average standard, the collegiate work demanded by the territory on which it relies for patronage. Its finances are gradually assuming a similar basis of permanency and prosperity. Its treasury has never been flush; it has never been hopelessly empty. If the issue of unsuccessful schemes of fund-raising has brought it to the borders of bankruptcy, a thousand liberal hands have been stretched out for its relief, and, with the present economical outlay, its income and expenditures travel hand in hand. Financially, the college is doing well; its growth is that of slow, yet constant accretion. Taking the first twenty years of its history as the basis of calculation, it is easy to predict the period of new buildings, increased libraries, cabinets and ap paratus, beautified grounds, enlarged facul- | Mater. They come to college in their ties, and lengthening catalogues of students and alumni. Colleges are the growth of ages. If each generation would add but a single pile as a monument to its existence and enterprise, a century would exhibit commendable progress in the erection of edifices. Should the benevolence of the present generation be repeated by its successors, at the age of Harvard, or some two hundred years hence, the Wesleyan might exhibit a formidable array of red sandstone barracks, whitewashed pilasters, and towerless chapels; as imposing, doubtless, as Yale's range of crumbling brick-built piles. Perhaps the munificence of living lovers of the Church and education, may yet convert some corner of Chatham into a structure or two, or college, built in the style of the thirteenth, or some one of its fellow architectural centuries. The same quarries that have recently contributed, gratuitously, if we are rightly informed, the materials for a magnificent Romish temple on Middletown soil, might easily make a similar donation for a Protestant College there, and then Protestant funds might be found to secure its erection. The day will come when this will be done. We need not foam because of the delay. Of the existing Faculty it is needless to speak. They are able men, if not brilliant orators. They will educate youth, if they do not convulse conferences. Augustus W. Smith, its recently-elected head, has been nearly thirty years in the educational field. In the van of the battle he has maintained his post, while his compeers have fallen or forsaken the conflict. Identified with the Wesleyan from the beginning, every class has passed under his hands; and it is safe to say that he has left his mark on every graduate, man by man, of the entire number. If the University is properly sustained from without, it cannot fail to do its regular work, under his efficient administration, within. The associated alumni of the college are rapidly becoming numerous and influential. Their annual gatherings increase in interest. Their opinions and advice have come to have weight, but need not be taken without some grains of abatement. In many respects, the alumni of a college will form a fitter estimate of any institution in Christendom than their own Alma | teens and verdancy, looking up, except in cases of early blossoming vanity, to everything. Superior classes are objects of respect, Professors are venerable, the "Prex" is an overshadowing presence, and even the very walls partake of the odor of science and sanctity. Growth destroys these illusions. Grown-up sons fancy that the sire is becoming superannuated. Grown-up daughters come rapidly to the conclusion-" that mother is a good woman," but not overstocked with wit or current intelligence. Grown-up graduates career with similar facility from respect and deference to the borders of contempt. Youth and native veneration taught them to regard their instructors as sublimely superior. Time and study, world-work and expansion of intellect and influence have placed them on a democratic level with, or in positions of insolent superiority to, those whom they once regarded with unqualified veneration. They are Fisks and Olins themselves-at least in their own estimate and regard the institution they once thought an Oxford or a Cambridge, as a clever high-school for the "boys" they see smoking and flourishing ratans on the college campus; and forget that to beardless striplings-pardon the epithet mustachioed sophomores, these same old officers are as learned, as wise, as venerable as those in days of yore. The late Commencement was a gratifying festival, exhibiting the usual amount and variety of talent in the graduating class. The interest of the occasion would have been enhanced by the selection of a dozen of the best speakers, and the abridgment of the exercises at the church to a single morning session. Daniel Curry, of the class of 1837, received the doctorate,a degree which ought to belong to yet a few more veterans of those early days. There are names in the first classes that left the college, by whom the honor has been nobly earned, and by whom it would be worthily worn. Meanwhile, may all due regard from God and man fall to the lot of the numerous and rapidly multiplying progeny of the beloved “ Wesleyan,” and the kindred children of kindred institutions. AVARICE and ambition are more discontented for what they have not, than contented with what they have. 66 of the Royal Academicians has been, ‘not at home!' The first year I painted 'the Smothering of the Princes in the Tower,' -muscular murderers, flabby children, florid coloring; quite in the Rubens' style -turned out! The second year I tried the devotional and severe, 'the Wise and Foolish Virgins;' ten angular women, with a landscape background, painted from the anti-perspective point of view-turned out! The third year I changed to the sentimental and pathetic; it was Sterne's 'Maria,' this time, with her goat;-Maria was crying, the goat was crying, Sterne himself (in the background) was crying, with his face buried in a white cambric pockethandkerchief, wet through with tearsturned out! The fourth year I gave up figures, and threw my whole soul into landscape-classical landscape. I sent in a picture of three ruined columns, five pine trees, a lake, a temple, distant mountains, and a gorgeous sunset, the whole enlivened by a dance of nymphs in Roman togas, in front of the ruined columns, to be sold for the ludicrously small price of fifty guineas "December 7th, 18—.—I have just been one week in Rome, and have determined to keep a journal. Most men in my situation would proceed to execute such a resolution as this, by writing about the antiquities of the Eternal City:' I shall do nothing of the sort; I shall write about a much more interesting subject-myself. "I may be wrong, but my impression is that, as an historical painter, my biography will be written some of these days: personal particulars of me will then be wanted. I have great faith in the affectionate remembrance of any surviving friends I may-turned out! The fifth year I resolved leave behind me; but, upon the whole, I would rather provide these particulars myself. My future biographer shall have P. P., sketched by P. P. I paint my own pictures; why should I not paint my own character? The commencement of a new journal offers the opportunity of doing this -let me take it! "I was destined to be an artist from my cradle; my father was a great connoisseur, and a great collector of pictures; he christened me 'Perugino,' after the name of his favorite master, left me five hundred a-year, and told me with his last breath to be Potts, R. A., or perish in the attempt. I determined to obey him; but, though I have hitherto signally failed in becoming an R. A., I have not the slightest intention even of so much as beginning to perish, in compliance with the alternative suggested to me by my late lamented parent. Let the Royal Academy perish first! I mean to exist for the express purpose of testifying against that miserably managed institution as long as I possibly can. "This may be thought strong language; I will justify it by facts. For seven years I have vainly sought a place at the annual exhibition-for six years has modest genius knocked for admission at the door of the Royal Academy, and invariably the answer VOL. I, No. 3.-R to turn mercenary in self-defense; and, abandoning high art, to take to portraiture. I produced a 'portrait of a lady,' (she was a professional model, who sat at a shilling an hour-but no matter;) I depicted her captivatingly clothed in white satin, and grinning serenely; in the background appeared a red curtain, gorgeously bound books on a round table, and thunder-storm clouds-turned out! The sixth year, I humbly resigned myself to circumstances, and sank at once to 'still life,' represented on the smallest possible scale. A modest canvas, six inches long by four inches broad, containing striking likenesses of a pot of water, a pipe and a plate of bread and cheese, and touchingly entitled, "The Laborer's best Friends,' was my last modest offering; and this-even this-the poor artist's one little ewe lamb of a picture, was turned out! The seventh year was the year when I started in disgust to seek nobler fields for pictorial ambition in the regions of Italian Art! The seventh year has brought me to Rome-here I am!—I, Perugino Potts! vowed to grapple with Raphael and Michael Angelo on their own ground! Grand idea! |