college was broken up, the building converted into an hospital, and the only classical school, to which young men could repair in the pursuit of knowledge, was the Academy at Kingston. Having thus taken a distant view of this institution, the orator proceeded to sketch its late history-a task gratifying at once to the pride and filial affection of the alumni. The war of independence over, the attention of our statesmen and patriots was directed to the revival of letters, and the establishment of the temple of freedom upon the foundation of knowledge. In 1784, the board of " Regents of the University" was established, clothed with a superintending power over Columbia College, and all future colleges and academies. This board was composed of the principal officers of the government, and of distinguished citizens. On the 17th of May of that year, the first student was admitted into the college under the new order of things. The board of regents personally attended at the examination of the candidates for admission; and, the speaker said, he might, perhaps, without the imputation of vanity, be permitted to remark, that he was the first student, so examined, and among the first graduates. Instructors were appointed, and apartments for the accommodation of the college were furnished in the old City Hall, until the college building was refitted for use. No president was appointed for some years afterwards, and it was deemed expedient to resort to Europe for teachers. William Cochran, a native of Ireland, and an alumnus of Trinity College, Dublin, was appointed Professor of the Latin and Greek languages; and John Kemp, graduate of Marischal College, Aberdeen, Professor of Mathematics, and afterwards of Natural Philosophy.-The Rev. Dr. Moore, afterwards Bishop, was appointed Professor of Rhetoric and Logic; Dr. J. D. Gros, a German by birth and education, Professor of the German Language and Geography, and afterwards of Moral Philosophy. Dr. Samuel Bard, who had been professor of the theory and practice of medicine under the royal charter, undertook to fill, temporarily, the office of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy. The speaker took a rapid sketch of the character and attainments of each of the professors, and his notices of Dr. Gros and Dr. Bard were highly interesting. The former had emigrated to this country before the war, and resided upon the frontier, where in those times of peril and alarm, he stood forth with the bible in one hand and the sword in the other, in the united character of patriot and christian, vindicating the liberties of mankind. An exalted tribute of praise was bestowed upon the memory of Dr. Bard, of whom it was said- as long as literature has a friend, and science an advocate, the name of Samuel Bard will be identified with some of the best and wisest measures to spread the benefits of the healing art, to diffuse the lights of knowledge, and subserve the essential interests of our country." Glancing along in reference to the new and prosperous career of the college, the names of Peter Wilson, and Dr. Henry Moyes, were introduced: the former, eminent for his learning, was appointed Professor of Latin and Greek, and the latter of Natural History and Chemistry. Dr. Moyes was blind, yet his lectures were popular, and he had the merit of sowing the first seeds of this science in our country, redeemed from the follies of Alchemy, the visions of elixirs and transmutations, and founded on the experimental science of Bacon. In 1787, the regents were divested of the immediate government of the colleges and academies, and the same was intrusted to boards of trustees. In 1786, the first commencement was held, and the first degrees conferred. The population of the city was then 24,000 -it is now 180,000. The population of the whole state has multiplied in the same ratio, which, by a singular coincidence, is the fact with regard to the cities of London and Philadelphia. After reviewing the career of the college, and speaking of its increasing numbers and extending usefulness, notwithstanding the many difficulties it has had to encounter from preestablished colleges, on each side (Yale and Nassau Hall)—from rival institutions, and from sectarian jealousy-the speaker remarked that it is since the college has been under professors of native growth, that it has experienced its present fulness of prosperity. And although he expressed his perfect contempt of unworthy prejudices against foreigners, yet he gave his strong and decided preference for native teachers: not from any defects of their character, or education, but because they do not understand the American character-nay, reside here for years, and yet remain as ignorant of it as when they first landed on our shores. The sturdy spirit of liberty which distinguishes our youth, will not tolerate the stern infliction of exotic discipline. The president, and all the professors of the college, are now indigenous plants, and their talents and powers of instruction, are felt in the flourishing state of the institution. Never did it stand on higher ground, and never were its prospects more brilliant. And he argued that from the numerous advantages of its location; the facilities of access to the city from every direction; its rapid growth, and the prospect that it will within a century, extend over the whole island and the adjacent shores, the institution must continue to grow and flourish-unless some extraordinary calamity should derange the natural course of events, and blight its fairest prospects-until Columbia College shall stand upon an equal footing with the most celebrated universities of the old world. The speaker next adverted to the means of education now in successful operation in this state. We have four colleges, containing 437 students; thirty-three incorporated academies, containing 2,440 students; 8144 common schools, in which 431,601 persons are receiving instruction: and the pupils in private institutions it is computed will swell this number to at least 460,000. From the apex to the base of this glorious pyramid of intellectual improvement, we perceive an intimacy of connexion, an identity of interest, a unanimity of action and re-action, a system of reciprocated benefits, that cannot but fill us with joy, and make us proud of our country. The National School Society of Great Britain, educates but 300,000 children annually; and while it is cause of exultation that there is no state or country that can vie with our common school establishment, the orator expressed his regret that as much could not be said of the merits of its teachers. Upon this part of his subject, the Governor made a number of valuable suggestions in regard to our want of a corps of educated instructors, of gratuitous instruction in our colleges and academies, &c. Some of the considerations here presented, have repeatedly been pressed upon the attention of the Legislature, but unfortunately with very little effect. The conclusion of this part of the theme was so happy, that we will quote the passage entire :-" The dii minorum of learning, ought to be elevated in the scale of public estimation and intellectual endowment; for from their hands the rude materials of the mind must receive their first polish of usefulness and improvement; and their depots of instruction, like the speaking bird of Asiatic fiction, which gathers around it all the singing birds of the land, ought to contain all the youth of our country who are fit for improvement. Like the indicator of ornithology, that leads the way to the collected honey of the forest, they must and will conduct us to the highest enjoyment of knowledge. They will act to us as pioneers to delights, which nothing but intellectual pursuits can communicate." From this branch of his theme, the orator returned to his Alma Mater, and spoke with approbation of its course of studies; the exact sciences, and political economy being sedulously attended to, as well as classical literature. Dwelling for a moment upon the value of college acquisitions in after life, though not called into immediate or frequent use in the every-day pursuits of man, and illustrating his premises by striking instances in point, he proceeded to pronounce a severe and merited sentence of condemnation upon that class of society, which explodes all kinds of knowledge not founded on personal experience-who believe that the less one reads, the more he thinks; and that the less he understands, the better he can act; that education beyond the precincts of common schools is aristocratical, and incompatible with our principles of equality, &c.; and that, above all things, the true statesman ought to be like the genuine empiric, and rely exclusively upon his own experience and observation for his chart and compass. Our readers will probably read this with amazement; not dreaming that we have any in the land who entertain such views. But they are mistaken. More than once have we heard these doctrines advanced in our legislative halls, when attempts were making to endow a college or an academy, and generally such arguments were successful. For the honour of our country, however, as the orator truly remarked, their numbers are diminishing, and as our country advances in her career of light, they will be extinguished in the lustre of her radiated and reflected glory. The benefits of education have been gradually rising in human estimation, from those dark days when kings could not write their own names, and when those who could write their names were exempted from the punishment of death, until the present time. Those vampires of the mind, who derived their aliment from human ignorance, are now viewed in their true colours; and as a refulgent light maintains the same splendour when it illumines a wider space, so does intellectual improvement, the fountain of national greatness, enlarge and extend itself without being displaced; and contrary to the general laws of nature, the wider it spreads the stronger it grows. The peroration of this admirable discourse, of which we are conscious we have given but a very imperfect outline, was appropriate and happy; and when it is published, it will be found to reflect equal credit upon the head and heart of the distinguished writer. It was listened to with unmingled satisfaction; and those who heard it will hardly credit the assertion, that it was commenced on Monday, and written during the odds and ends of time at the Governor's disposal, between the forenoon of that day and Wednesday. The general subject, however, was one upon which the author delights to dwell, and every word came warm from the heart. Proceedings of the Alumni of Columbia College upon the death of Governor Clinton. The association of the Alumni of Columbia College, having heard with deep sorrow, of the death of their illustrious associate De Witt Clinton, late Governor of the state, deem it proper for them to make a public declaration of their sentiments and feelings on this mournful event. Therefore, Resolved unanimously, at a general meeting held at the College Hall on Tuesday, February 19th, That the Alumni of Columbia College, while they mingle their sorrow with that of their fellow-citizens for the loss of their Chief Magistrate, whose elevated policy has eminently contributed to raise the glory, and promote the prosperity of the state, do yet feel themselves especially called upon to deplore his loss, as the enlightened and liberal patron of education and science; as the zealous and steady friend of the college, and its earliest alumnus after the termination of the war of independence. Resolved, That in testimony of Mr. Clinton's eminent talents and virtues, and of their sincere sorrow for his death, the alumni will wear crape on the left arm for thirty days. Resolved, That a copy of Mr. Clinton's last year's address to the alumni be procured for publication, and that the same be forthwith put to press. Resolved, That the standing committee be empowered to carry the above resolution into effect, and also to adopt such further measures as may best express the sentiments of respect entertained by the alumni for the memory of their highly distinguished associate. Resolved, That the chairman transmit to the family of Mr. Clinton a copy of the proceedings of this meeting, together with the expression of the sincere condolence of the alumni, for the severe bereavement which the family have suffered. By order of the meeting, ROBERT TROUP, Chairman. JAMES T. WATSON, Secretary. NOTE LL.-p. 131. Believing that the reader will feel an interest in knowing all the circumstances attending the last moments of Governor Clinton, the author is induced to give a place to the following communications, which were addressed to him immediately after the decease of his friend. While those letters convey many particulars connected with his death, they serve to show the deep and acute feeling which pervaded every member of the community, and that all political differences were merged in the great respect, universally entertained, for the value of the life and services of the deceased. Letter from John James, M. D. the family physician of Governor Clinton. DEAR SIR, Your apprehensions have been too soon realized. The Governor expired at half past six o'clock this evening. During the morning he rode several miles in a carriage, and had been apparently as well as usual until a few moments before he expired. While the Governor was engaged in his study, Mr. Charles Clinton observed him to lean backward in his chair, as if distressed for breath, and before he could cross the room to his assistance, he expired without a struggle. Your early friend and associate, Being present a very few minutes The pride and ornament of our country is no more! Governor Clinton, died this evening about 7 o'clock. after his dissolution, I will briefly state the facts that fell under my own observation, and such as I have learned from the family. At 11 o'clock, he rode out with Mrs. Clinton and others of the family; returned at one, dined at his usual hour, and retired to his study: took tea at a quarter past six, again retired to his room, and, a few minutes after, while sitting in his chair and conversing with his sons, he complained of an oppression about the |