Repository: UIHistories Project: Course Catalog - 1867 [PAGE 22]

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I had fifty sous," said a farmer who had reluctantly perm itted h eldest boy to take a course at an agricultural college, and now brought his youngest to the same college, "If I had fifty sons they should all go to this college, for my boy, who graduated here, farms so much better than I ever did, skillful as I thought myself, that he is getting rich from his half of the crops he raises on my land, and I live like a prince on the remainder." And the light of high and classic learning will be found as beautiful and becoming when it shines in an educated farmer's home, as when it gilds the residence of the graduated lawyer or physician. Rich libraries are already seen in the houses of some of our leading agriculturists, and no one has found that they hinder the growth of harvests, or unfit the hand of the reaper. When our Industrial University shall have come fully into its work, these libraries will be increased in number, and there will gather around the firesides in our farm houses, and in the homes of our master mechanics, groups of cultivated and intelligent people, the peers in knowledge, refinement and power of the best and bravest in the land. And what richer growths shall yet start from these magnificent prairies to repay the farmer's toil, and what more splendid achievements shall yet spring from our myriad-handed mechanic art—what more beautiful bloom in our gardens, and more delicious fruits from our orchards— what more tasteful and convenient homes from our architecture, and what grander and more abundant products from our multiplying manufactories—what nobler forms of civilization to grace our free institution, and what better types of manhood to tell of the blessings of liberty and learning, when education shall have fully achieved this last triumph, and carried her victorious banner of light down into the fields where the toiling millions of mankind must still, by the stern but beneficent ordination of Heaven, <;eat their bread in the sweat of their brows." J. M. GEEGOEY, ] NEWTON BATEMAN, | MASON BEAYMAN, V Committee. S. S. HAYES, WILLAED C. FLAGG, NOTE.—For circulars, or information concerning the University, apply to J. M. GEEGOEY,

Champ ahjn, Champaign county, fflhioU.