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Dr. Manning, with his undergraduates, re- terior, Dr. Manning possessed in no common moved hither. measure. His person was graceful and com

bly expressive of sensibility, dignity and cheerfulness." In his youth, he was noted for bodily strength and activity. These qualities he was accustomed to display in the athletic exercises common among the young men of his day, and in his mature years, in some of the severer labors of husbandry. Unpoetical as the occupation may seem, he sometimes made his own stone wall; and in the use of the scythe, he acknowledged no superior among the best trained laborers in the meadow. To his habits of vigorous muscular exercise may be attributed, in part, his excellent constitution, and the sound health, which, till within a few years of his death, he uninterruptedly enjoyed.

The work of instruction went on with reg-manding, and his countenance was remarkaularity till the Revolution, when a gap occurs in the catalogue of Commencements, from 1777 to 1782. The College edifice recently completed, was occupied at this time by the State militia, and as a French hospital for the troops of Rochambeau. In 1786 the President was elected to Congress, where he gave his influence to the establishment of the Constitution, still retaining the College office. His appointment to this place of responsibility, which was spontaneously and unanimously conferred upon him by the General Assembly, upon his casual appearance among them, was, says Judge Pitman in his address to the Alumni, as honorable to themselves as to him. His death occurred on Friday morning, July 29th, 1791, in the 53d year of his age. His remains were carried into the College Hall, where prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Hitchcock, after which they were deposited in the North Burial Place. "The funeral," says the United States Chronicle, published in Providence at that time by Bennett Wheeler, "is thought to have been the most num erous and respectable ever attended in this town." Dr. Manning may be regarded in one sense as the Founder of the College, for although the plan of it originally emanated from the Philadelphia Association, as stated in the commencement of this account, it was nevertheless owing to his personal influence and exertions, that it was happily matured, and from a state of infancy and trial, nurtured and developed, until it attained, before the termination of his labors, a position of comparative affluence and respectability.

"The voice of Dr. Manning was not among the least of his attractions. To its extraordinary compass and harmony may, in no small degree be ascribed the vivid impression which he made upon minds. How potent is the fascination of a musical and expressive voice! How sad to think, that, in these days of almost universal accomplishment, this mighty instrument for touching the heart of man should be comparatively neglected! When in connection with a more careful culture of our moral being, the voice shall be trained to a more perfect manifestation of its powers, a charm, hitherto unfelt, will be lent to the graceful pleasures of life, and an influence of almost untried efficacy to its serious occasions.

"The manners of Dr. Manning were not less preposessing than his personal appearance. They seemed to be the expression of that dignity and grace for which he was so The following particulars relating to his per- remarkable, and of which he appeared to be sonal appearance, habits and manners, from entirely unconscious-a dignity and grace, the graceful pen of his biographer, Professor not artificial or studied in the least, but the Goddard, are appropriate in this connection: gift of pure nature. He was easy without "The advantages of a most attractive ex-negligence, and polite without affectation.

Unlike many of the distinguished men in our longest, in proportion to his years, of any percountry, he was too well bred to adopt an air son in the United States. In 1802 he succeedof patronage and condescension towards his ed Dr. Edwards in the Presidency of Union inferiors either in talent or in station. As a College, New York. Here he officiated with Christian, also, he felt the importance of cul- increasing reputation until 1804, when he was tivated manners, and he acknowledged no ne- called to another sphere of action. In that cessary connection between the sternest fideli-year, upon the establishment of the South ty to principle and the precision and austerity Carolina College, he received the appointment with which it is sometimes found associated. of President, and accepted it with the fond Like the venerable Wheclock, the founder of Dartmouth College, he abhored all religious profession which was not marked with good

manners."

anticipation of finding a warmer clime more congenial to his constitution. Over this institution he presided until his death, which occurred in 1820, in his 53d year. His Col"In the discipline and instruction of the legiate Addresses have been recently publishCollege, Dr. Manning was eminently success-ed, in a small duodecimo form, in London. ful. He secured the obedience of his pupils, From the biographical introduction to these rather by the gentleness of parental persua- Addresses, by Prof. Romeo Elton, the followsion than by the sternnesss of official author-ing extracts are made: ity. His instructions, which were always oral, never failed to command their attention, and to leave upon their minds a distinct impression. Classical learning was his forte, and to the classics and their cognate branches, he principally confined himself."

"In his person he was rather small of stature, yet of a fine and well proportioned figure. His features were regular and manly, indicating intelligence and benevolence; and, especially in conversation and public speaking, they were strongly expressive. Grace and dignity

were also combined in his movements."

"As a scholar, Dr. Maxey held a very high rank. His stores of knowledge were varied and profound, and he had at all times the command over them. Like the celebrated Robert Hall, he appears to have evinced an early taste for metaphysical studies, and to have thoroughly understood the various systems of philosophy. To this circumstance was probably owing much of that clearness, precision and facility, which enabled him at once to separate truth from error, and to wield his arguments with irresistable effect."

"On the Christian character of Dr. Manning his life is the best eulogy. His religion was wrought into the texture of his moral being. It exerted a pervading and habitual control, regulating his principles, tastes, habits and opinions. It exhibited no disproportions, it delighted in no bustle; it was reflected in no strong lights. In life it was his animating spirit-in death it was his sustaining hope." In 1792 he was succeeded in the Presidency by the Rev. Jonathan Maxcy, who, the year before, upon the death of Manning, had been chosen Professor of Divinity, He was born "As an instructor Dr. Maxcy possessed unin Attleborough, Massachusetts, in 1767. usual ability, and, perhaps, no President of When only 33 years of age the honorary de- any college in the United States ever enjoyed gree of Doctor in Divinity was conferred upon a higher reputation. The precision and perhim by Harvard University. He was, it is spicuity with which he could develope his believed, appointed to the office of a college ideas in the most appropriate language, renderPresident the youngest, and officiated the ed him peculiarly qualified for this office. His

but he was a good classical scholar, and was well versed in the mathematics, and the several branches of natural philosophy. In moral science, also, we have known few better reasoners or more successful teachers. In fine,

numerous pupils all unite in pronouncing him, lite literature he had no particular fondness, as a teacher, one of the most perfect models." "As a preacher, Dr. Maxcy's reputation did not depend so much on any one striking excellence, as on the union of many. These were so happily combined, that it would be difficult to say which was the most prominent. Dr. Messer was remarkable, rather for the His conceptions were vigorous, and were ex-vigor than the versatility of his powers; rathpressed in a pure, terse and eloquent style. er, for solid acquirement, than for captivating A profound and breathless silence, and intense embellishments; rather for wisdom than for feeling, and a spirit of holy elevation, were wit; rather for grave processes of ratiocinathe almost invariable attendants of his preach- tion, than for the airy frolics of fancy." ing."

"In the character of Dr. Maxcy, mental and moral worth were happily combined. And so long as genius, hallowed and sublimed by piety, shall command veneration, he will be remembered in his country as a star of the first magnitude."

The Rev. Asa Messer, a graduate of the College in 1790, succeeded Dr. Maxcy, and occupied the Presidency twenty-four years, until 1826, when he retired from office. Possessing a handsome competence, the fruit, in part, of his habitual frugality, he was enabled to pass the remainder of his life in the enjoyment of independent leisure. His fellow-citizens, of Providence, elected him for several years to responsible municipal trusts, which he discharged with characteristic punctuality and uprightness. He died, after a short illness, in 1836, aged 65 years.

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It was soon after the commencement of his administration, in September, 1804, that the College received the name of Brown University, in honor of Nicholas Brown, its most distinguished benefactor. He was the son of Nicholas Brown, one of the "four brothers,” (Nicholas, Joseph, John and Moses) whose comprehensive views, mercantile energy, and enlarged philanthropy, contributed so much to the prosperity of their native town, and to the growth and success of the College in the days of its infancy. Mr. Brown was born in Providence, on the fourth of April, 1769. He graduated in 1786, under the presidency of Dr. Manning, and in 1791, at the carly age of twenty-two, he became a member of the Corporation. In 1796, he was elected Treasurer of the Corporation, which office he held until September, 1825, when, having been elected to the Board of Fellows, he was suc

the office until his death, August 7, 1857. During a period of nearly thirty-two years, we may remark in this connection, Mr. Ives thus superintended the financial affairs of the institution, giving to the promotion of its highest interests, his valuable time, his wise

"His religious opinions," says Prof. God-ceed by the late Moses B. Ives, who retained dard, "especially for the last twenty years of his life, corresponded nearly to those of the General Baptists of England. He was strenuous advocate for the supremacy of the scriptures, and for their entire sufficiency in matters of faith and practice. As a preacher, he wanted the attractive graces of elocution; counsels, and his liberal benefactions. His but he never failed to address to the under-death has occasioned a vacancy which will standing and the conscience, the most clear not soon be filled.

and cogent exhibitions of the great practical Mr. Brown, as Treasurer, had a full knowltruths of the Bible. For what is termed po- 'edge of the wants of the College, and prompt

ly came forward, with unexampled liberality, have received his instructions, will bear testito its relief. In 1804 he founded a professor-mony to the power of his teachings, and the ship of Oratory and Belles Lettres. In 1822, thoroughness of his discipline. he erected, at his own expense, Hope College,

Dr. Wayland was born in New York, of and in 1834, Manning Hall. His recorded ben-English parentage, in 1796. He graduated at efactions to the University, during a period of Union College in 1813, at which institution he was afterwards tutor, for a period of five years, during the latter part of which time he preached to a congregation at Burnt Hills. He has recently been engaged in supplying the pulpit of the First Baptist Church and Society in Providence.

more than forty years, including land and buildings, at their estimated value when given, and also bequests, amount in round numbers to one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. He died full of honors and years, surrounded by those who venerated and loved him, on the 27th of September, 1841, in the 73d year of He was succeeded in the Presidency by the his age. His son, Mr. John Carter Brown, it Rev. Barnas Sears, who was unanimously should be added, continues the same gener-elected to this high office at a special meeting ous interest in the welfare and progress of of the Corporation held on the 21st of Authe University, which characterized his fath-gust, 1855. Dr. Sears was born in Sandiser's life from early manhood throughout.

His

field, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in Mr. Messer was succeeded in the Presidency 1802, and graduated at the University in 1825, by the Rev. Francis Wayland, in 1827. under President Messer. In 1829 he was apadministration has been distinguished by pointed to a Professorship in the Hamilton many important reforms in the government of Literary and Theological Institution, New the College, and in the distribution of its York, now Madison University, where he restudies. He resigned his office in 1855, hav-mained until 1833, when he left for Europe, ing been the executive head of the University and spent several years in the study of Thetwenty eight years, during which period he ology, Classical Literature, and Philosophy, administered its affairs with consumate ability, at the Universities of Halle, Leipsic, and Berand by his personal character, and the geni- lin. Upon his return he was appointed to a us and spirit of his writings, greatly extend- Professorship in the Theological Seminary at ed the reputation of the College, until for Newton, Massachusetts, where he remained sound learning and morals, it has come to be twelve years. In 1848 he was called to the regarded as second to no institution in the post, made vacant by the resignation of the land. The external monuments of his presi- Hon. Horace Mann, of Secretary and Execudency, the halls and mansion which have been tive Agent of the Massachusetts Board of Edadded to the University buildings, the noble ucation, which place he filled with distingushLibrary and the fund that secures its perpet-ed usefulness and honor, for a period of sevual growth, the recent munificent endowment en years. In these several situations, all of of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, and the increased pravisions for the highest education, have all been reared, either directly or indirectly, by his untiring energy and zeal; and they will perpetuate to coming generations the priceless services to education which he has thus rendered, while those who fitted to become the successor of Wayland

them connected with the interests of education and learning, Dr. Sears has become widely known to the public, and by his professional labors and published writings has acquired a high reputation for superior talents and varied scholarship. He was thus preeminently

and Messer, Maxcy and Manning. His ad-raries present, in addition, an aggregate of ministration as the President of the Universi-6000 volumes. The last triennial catalogue, ty has thus far been highly successful, while published in 1856, gives the entire number of his unvarying courtesy and kind genial spirit graduates as 1809, of whom 1212 are now livhave won for him the esteem of his fellow cit-ing. Of this number of graduates 506 have zens, and the universal love of the students. been ordained as ministers, of whom 334 are now living.

The Three Callers.

The University at present has four college buildings or halls, and a mansion house for The present number of undergraduates is the President, as follows: University Hall, 225. The officers of instruction are the Presbuilt in 1770-1, of brick, four stories high, ident, eight professors and an assistant pro150 feet long and 46 wide, with a projection fessor, besides the librarian, whose duties are in the centre on the east and west sides, of 10 confined to his particular department. There by 32, containing 58 rooms for officers and are two vacations, one commencing about the students; Hope College, built in 1821-2, of last week in January, of three weeks; and brick, four stories high, 120 feet long and 40 another, commencing about the second week wide, containing 48 rooms for officers and stu- in July, of eight weeks. Besides these there dents, including two halls for the Philermen-are two recesses of one week each. The ian and United Brothers Societies; Manning Annual Commencement exercises occur on Hall, built in 1834, of stone covered with ce- the first Wednesday in September, during ment, 90 feet in length, including the portico, which week candidates for admission to the by 42 in width, two stories high, containing College are examined. upon the first floor the Library room, and upon the second the Chapel; Rhode Island Hall, built in 1839-40, of stone covered with ce-Morn calleth fondly to a fair boy straying ment, 70 feet long by 42 wide, with a projection on the west side of 12 by 26, two stories high, containing on the first floor two lecture rooms for the Professors of Chemistry and of Natural Philosophy, on the second floor an ample hall for the Cabinet of Mineralogy and Geology, Portraits, &c., and in the basement a Chemical Labratory suitable for conducting chemical analysis, and the various processes of chemistry applied to the Arts. Its enclos-One ures are graded and adorned with stately elms, comprising, with its adjoining grounds, upwards of 14 acres of land, situated in the eastern section of the city, between Waterman, Brown, George and Prospect streets. Its invested funds, including the Library Fund, amount to two hundred thousand dollars.

The College Library contains 28,000 carefully selected bound volumes, besides a large collection of unbound pamphlets. The Society Lib

Mid golden meadows, rich with clover dew;
She calls, but he still thinks of naught, save

playing:

And so she smiles, and waves him an adieu !
Whilst he, still merry with his flowery store
Deems not that Morn, sweet Morn, returns no

more.

Noon cometh--but the boy to manhood growing,
Heeds not the time-he sees but one sweet form,

young, fair face, from bower of jasmine
glowing,

And all his loving heart with bliss is warm.
So Noon, unnoticed, seeks the western shore,
And man forgets that Noon returns no more.
Night tappeth at a casement gleaming
With the thin fire-light flickering faint and low,
By which a gray-haired man is sadly dreaming
O'er pleasures gone-as all life's pleasures go;
Night calls him to her-and he leaves his door,

Silent and dark,-and he returns no more!

CHARLES SWAIN.

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