A Day at Vassar Sixty Years Ago
VASSAK FEMALE COLLEGE is pleasantly located on the eastern bank of the Hudson, two miles north of Poughkeepsie, and is justly regarded as the crowning glory of the "city of schools." Like some rambling old feudal castle, its gloomy walls and dark'turrets loomed up before our rustic vision in stately grandeur. As we passed the Lodge House, we glanced nervously around, half expecting to hear the quick challenge of the sentinel, and clang of hostile steel. The grounds are very spacious and laid out with Quaker-like regularity. The soil is of wondrous fertility, being without doubt closely allied to the rich loam of Nevada, where brogans are planted like potatoes, and luxurious harvests of satin slippers and patent leather boots are reaped. To this terrene fecundity is unquestionably owing the rapid growth of evergreens and shrubs which are scattered about in almost endless profusion. Many will learn with surprise that the ambitious development of this diminutive forest meets with little encouragement from the faculty. The parental mind entertains grave suspicions that its leafy branches have lovingly screened incipient flirtations. Rumor declares that the star chamber has listened with holy horror to tales that would fire with jealous rage the hearts of decadescent virgins. Youthful Philanderers of romantic aspirations are said to have disappeared mysteriously within its mazy labyrinths, but the evil grew apace. Misses of "sweet sixteen" and upwards were reported to have disappeared likewise. These heart-rending catastrophes occurring with remarkable simultaneity, the Faculty was compelled to adopt precautionary measures, and now all gentlemen, particularly collegians, manifesting any desire to take moonlight strolls or quote poetry are positively refused admittance to these worse than Cretan labyrinths. Having passed the required ordeal, and being utterly incapable of repeating a single line of poetry, we were allowed to enter. A quiet, lady-like little Miss of about fourteen summers answered the door-bell and took up our cards. During the forty-one minutes that elapsed, while we were waiting for our friends, we observed that the room in which we sat was furnished with simple elegance, and this, upon farther inspection, we found to be a general characteristic of Vassar. The warm welcome, which we received from our fair friends, was duly appreciated; being the more gratifying, indeed, when we reflected that they had manifested no unbecominghaste in presenting themselves. To their suggestion that we should make a tour of observation and realize our abstract ideas of beauty, we offered no serious objections. The corridors through which we passed were not frescoed, but, in lieu thereof, were ornamented with well-dressed young ladies, arranged in classic groups on either side and revealing rather more of beauty than Phideas ever saw in chiseled marble, or was extant when Raphael gained a precarious living with his pencil by doing odd jobs for Julius 11.
The very atmosphere seemed laden with exquisite perfume. Balmy zephyrs were wafted about promiscuously; and, as we inhaled the aroma, a dreamy, delicious sensation crept over us, such as the Olympian gods of tippling notoriety must have experienced after tapping a fresh cask of their best double refined nectar. Things were getting decidedly mixed; objects were growing less and less distinct; masses of golden hair, from which flashed celestial orbs, shining rows of pearls, gleaming forth from lips distractedly rosy, were waltzing through our imagination, keeping time to slow music. With a great effort we shook off this sensation and wondered whether Ulysses, who listened waxless to the music of the spheres and enjoyed Calypsonian hospitality, would not have left this natural gallery of fine arts breathing regretful sighs. Upon inquiry we learned that these charming creatures voluntarily placed themselves on exhibition, without any compulsion on the part of the Faculty, thus manifesting a truly philanthropic spirit worthy of all commendation. We longed for the tongue of a Chesterfield with which to express our gratitude for this unexpected mark of interest in our welfare; but recollecting that once in a similar case "vox faucibus haesit," we mutely looked our thanks and passed on. The collection of minerals and geological specimens is certainly remarkable when we consider how quickly it has been brought together. The different classes were arranged in excellent order and presented a fine appearance. The general ornamentation of the room, however, is greatly inferior to that of the corridors more rocks and fewer angles.
BEAUTIES OP ART
Following our conductress, we next entered the art gallery. There are some things on this terrestrial orb quite beyond our powers of description; a circumstance attributable in part to a defective education. We refer to the early neglect and subsequent total extermination of a heaven-born genius. No one who witnessed our boyish attempts to embellish the wall-paper with original charcoal sketches could have denied to us the possession of rare native powers. Mankind will learn with regret that, in these childish designs, our "fond parents" failed to discover those heavenly endowments, which, under more auspicious circumstances, might have thrilled the world. It is not the first time that aspiring Genius has been nipped in the bud. History is filled with these sad mentos of an age most distressingly practical. It is needless to remark that we have never been in Rome. We never stood spellbound, day after day, before the masterpieces of the old world, drinking in their beauties with enraptured gaze, and devouring the tinted canvass. For these and similar reasons, we shall not attempt a detailed description of the artistic merits of the Art Gallery.
A full-length portrait of Matthew Vassar, Esq., seemed to be the chief attraction. With arm extended he was pointing to some architectural representation in the distance which we first mistook for his bowery, but a nearer view revealed the outline of Vassar College.
A fine cabinet of curiosities occupied one end of the gallery, the rare beauties of which were pointed out by our fair guide and our countenances eagerly scanned for any traces of intense arrangement. We regret that our cool indifference and fanciful recollections of the almost magical treasures of "Old Dartmouth," should have dampened their enthusiasm or crowded their brows with discontent. Should propitious fates and Uncle Sam's mail bags drop "The Dartmouth" within that charming temple for the perusal of eyes Vassarian, it may be some consolation to know that our nonchalance was forced, and that we longed to take one good honest stare.
We believe the future will justify us in saying that the opening of Vassar College marks an era in the intellectual culture of American women. Whatever theories may be held respecting female education, very few will attempt to eulogize the modern superficial system that has filled the ranks of society with mere drawing-room ornaments, the greenhouse flowers of fashionable life. A girl is not educated when she has obtained a smattering of French, and can sing a few songs on a fearful scale. It is idle to assert that the female intellect is incapable of profound scientific investigation. A slight acquaintance with history will refute this statement. And the very fact that women, with extremely limited resources, have possessed the perseverance and energy necessary for self education proves that with proper advantages they might attain an intellectual excellence of the highest order. With the subjects taught we have no fault to find, but we do protest against that narrow-minded policy that would restrict the course of instruction to the most ordinary branches, and say, "Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther." It is nothing unusual for girls to study Astronomy, but, with the exception of Vassar, where will you find a ladies' college able to give its pupils practical instruction in this science, with the aid of a well-appointed astronomical observatory, equal, if not superior, to the one Dartmouth possesses? Many examples of this character might be cited in proof of the injustice which attends the present system. Though Vassar has done much to introduce a broader and more complete standard for the mental training of females, there is still room for improvement. What plausible reason can be assigned for excluding the fair sex from our colleges, as though they were to be punished for the possession of so many natural graces? What an affection we might have conceived for the Latin poets from hearing them rendered in the same musical tones with which Dido charmed Aeneas' ear! How very euphonic the changes in Greek roots would have sounded falling from rosy lips! Domestic bliss, we opine, will have reached its acme when one may discuss the classics with his better half over the breakfast table.
We trust the day is not far distant when our own Alma Mater shall welcome to her halls the fair daughters of Eve, and "sweet girl graduates, with their golden hair," shall grace the bema on commencement day. Meantime let us thank God and Matthew Vassar that the dry bones of reformation have at last left their century-beaten tracks.
Times have changed; then again they haven't.When Student Willard went pee-rading f rom,Hanover more than a half century ago, this iswhat he found.
LEFT ENTRANCE TO VASSAR 60 YEARS AGO BELOW ENTRANCE TODAY
COLLEGE GROUNDS IN 1867
THE ART GALLERY
