Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876 [PAGE 127]

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127

I have been gratified with the increased attention and interest shown in some of the classes. The class just completed in Mechanics has been practically satisfactory. During this spring term classes have been taught in "Stone Cutting," "Analytical Mechanics (Dynamics)," Practical Astronomy (Latitude)," "Topographical Surveying," "Architectural and Farm Surveying," "Descriptive Astronomy." The nuu.ber in each class has already been reported, and, as far as they have been examined, the results are satisfactory. Special circumstances and arrangements, and your kindness, has made it possible for me tc* start on my European trip at this time (May 22d) without interfering with the work due to the classes under'my instruction, and I desire to thank you for the privilege of so doing, feeling t h a t the information which I shall collect on subjects connected with every departmeut will be of advantage to my future classes. To make it possible for me to leave before the end of the term, 1 told my classes that I wanted them to work hard and get through before Wednesday last (May 12> if possible. The work in "Dynamics" does not usually require the whole term, and the students finish with a short course in Descriptive Astronomy, and the seniors are always expected to finish a week or two before the end of the term, so that it was quite possible for the classes to get through as I wished. The students worked well, and the class in Dynamics (Mechanics) got through with the subject, which is more than any previous class has accomplished. The classes finished their work and were examined Friday, May 14 1875. I also arranged that Mr. Swartz, Assistant in Architecture, who was anxious to take the class, should teach the Architectural and Farm Surveying, which relieved Mr. Baker, so that he will not be overtasked with the extra work put upon him by my absence. Mr. Baker will therefore complete the class in Descriptive Astronomy which I should otherwise have taught personally. I have to thank you also for the appropriations made for the School of Civil Engineering, at your last meeting. On arrival in London, I expect to make final arrangements for the University instrument, and hope to get it completed in time for October use. Mr. Kicker has engaged to make the case for the amount appropriated, b u t the counter will cost from $10 to $15 more, for which some provision will be needed. The observatory is in its new position, and the brick and stone pier ready for mounting the instrument next fall, when the mortar and grout will be hard enough to do further work upon it. The pier and foundation, with removal of building, will probably come inside of appropriation of $50, but owing to the position selected for it, there being no suitable high ground on which tc* place it, more embankment will be needed than was expected, for which $50 will not pay. Respectfully, J. B. WEBB. March 21, 1875. To the President and Board of Trustees: GENTLEMEN -.—There are several things needed for our department which I can best secure by personal selection in Europe. Among them are : a high power eye piece for equatorial telescope? a part set of models in plaster, etc., of arches and bridges ; a French surveying chain, and standard metre such as are ordinarily in use in France ; a set of small topographical plates; one copy of Vegas' 10 figure logarithmic table, etc., etc. I respectfully request that if the above meets your approval, that I be authorized to expend for the department an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars. Respectfully, J. B. WEBB.

LIBRARY. LIBRARY, June 3,1875. HON. J. M. GREGORY, Regent : There have been added to the Library since my report in March seventy-three volumes, making the total for the college year one hundred and ninety-two volumes. I have but one book to ask for in addition to the list already presented to the Trustees—that is a Bible. It is needed frequently for reference, and I would suggest that one should be bought before any other books, and that it contain the Apocrypha and a Concordance. I have found that more than two hundred books in the Library have no labels, and the stock has been exhausted ; so I would ask that that a supply of labels may be printed. There are in the Library unbound periodicals of several years, enough to make about two hundred bound volumes. Some of these are made use of frequently for study and reference, and need to be bound that they may be preserved. The periodicals of each year would make about eighty volumes, which ought to be bound, if the means were available. Some repairing is necessary every year on account of the wear of books by ordinary use. I mention these points more particularly that I may call the attention of the Trustees to the subject of establishing a book bindery at the University, in connection with the printing office, a matter which has been agitated somewhat already. I would call attention again to the suggestion made in my report in March, as to the need of more tables and chairs in the Library. There is enough room for Seven more tables of the size of those already in use, and I think as many as that will be needed. During the fall and winter terms of this year there were more students in the Library e » r y day than could be accommodated with the chairs and tables now here, and it is not possible to preserve the order and quiet necessary to the Library, under such circumstances. I think 200 chairs, at least, are needed, and it might be well if they were all of the same pattern, and so marked that they would be known to belong to the Library. The casings of all the windows need repairing. When the wind blows from the south and west in winter it is not possible to keep the Library warm, since there are cracks in every casing. In the summer the dust comes in in such quantities as to cover the floor, and more injury is done to the books in this way than by all the wear of ordinary use.