UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
N A V I G A T I O N D I G I T A L L I B R A R Y
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Nevins) [PAGE 71]

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58

BEGINNINGS OP THE UNIVERSITY

strengthens the mind, and that their educated representatives should be the peers of the most soundly cultured men in the scope and value of their learning. We have an ambition to send forth to the great industries of the world, not men who are puffed up by some little smatterings of science, but clear-headed, broad-breasted scholars, men of fully developed minds—fit leaders of those great productive arts by which the worlds civilization is fed and furnished.,, Instruction had begun nine days before, with an enrollment of about fifty young men—this number being disappointingly small, by reason of the wide abuse of the University. One-third of a University year was considered to remain, for three twelve-week terms had been fixed, fall, winter, and spring, ending early in December, March, and June respectively. Two model courses, one in agriculture and horticulture, and one of a "general educational" nature, had been adopted, but a wide latitude was allowed in the choice of studies. The arrival of late-comers finally brought the registration to seventy-seven, but of these forty-five were from Champaign County, and most others from the eastern section. During the first weeks instruction was given by three teachers, Dr. Gregory, Prof. Wm. Baker, and Prof. George Atherton, in addition to whom there was the head farmer, Jonathan Periam, who was later, as head of the Prairie Farmer, to become a leading agricultural editor of the Middle West. But Dr. Gregory's time was largely consumed by his administrative work, and by the frequent speeches he felt it his duty to mak$ elsewhere, and he was obliged to seek a new instructor. Consulting a local Trustee, Judge Cunningham, he was informed that the Urbana schools had just closed, and that "perhaps the principal, Mr. Burrill, will take the