Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Powell) [PAGE 431]

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890

Hi$tory University of Illinois

to create, at this lata hour, a proper practical literature, and series of text books for the industrial CIUHHOS, As regards the PROFESSORS, they should, of course, not only be men of the most eminent, practical ability in their several departments, but their connexion with the institution should be rendered so fixed and stable, as to enable them to carry through such designs as they may form, or all the peculiar benefits of the system would be lost. Instruction, by lectures and otherwise, should be given mostly in the colder months of the year; leaving the professors to prosecute their investigations, and the students their necessary labor, either at home or on the premises, during the warmer months. The institution should be open to all classes of students above a fixed a&e, and for any length of time, whether three months or seven years, and each taught in those particular branches of art which he wishes to pursue, and to any extent, more or less. And all should pay their tuition and board bills, in whole or in part, either in money or necessary work on the premises—regard being had to the ability of each. Among those who labor, medals and testimonials of merit should be given to those who perform their tasks with most promptitude, energy, care, and skill; and all who prove indolent or ungovernable, excluded at first from all part in labor, and speedily, if not thoroughly reformed, from the institution itself; and here again let the law of nature instead of the law of rakes and dandies be regarded, and the true impression ever made on the mind of all around, that WORK ALONE IS HONORABLE, and indolence certain disgrace if not ruin. fSLt some convenient season of the year, the Commencement, or ^LNNUAL PAIR of the University, should be holden through a succession of days. On this occasion the doors of the institution, with all its treasures of art and resources of knowledge, should be thrown open to all classes, and as many other objects of agricultural or mechanical skill, gathered from the whole state, as possible, and presented by the people for inspection and premium on the best of each kind; judgment being rendered, in all cases, by a committee wholly disconnected with the insti-