Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Powell) [PAGE 640]

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History University of Illinois

to the mechanic arts, on the principle of establishing distinct institutions for those branches and for agricultural science. The undersigned felt deeply their incompetence for the task imposed upon them/ The subject was novel, it was interesting; great interests depended upon the execution of the work consigned to their hands, and as their work should be well or ill done, might generations to come have cause to thank, or condemn them. Under these circumstances, it was both natural and reasonable that the undersigned should seek elsewhere that information which they did not themselves possess. Acting, therefore, upon what they deemed their duty under the circumstances, they caused a letter of inquiry and suggestion to be prepared, some thirty or more copies of which were sent to persons chiefly distinguished for the interest they had taken in the cause of education in general, and especially in that relating to agricultural and mechanical science. Among these were included the names of some of our first statesmen, scientists, theoretical and practical mechanics. The length of this letter alone precludes its insertion in this place, but so much of it as is directly interrogatory, will here be given. After propounding the general question, whether, under the act of Congress, the branches of agriculture and mechanics might both be taught in one and the same institution, and under a single corps of instructors, or whether they were so far dissimilar in character as to be best pursued in distinct institutions, organized and conducted with express reference to giving instruction in the one or the other branch of study, as the case might be, the letter proceeded as follows, viz.: "FIRST—How extensive ought to be the course of instruction in an institution, the design of which is to turn out scientific, practical mechanics? In other words, what studies, whether principal or subsidiary, should be embraced in such a course of instruction? "SECOND—How much time should be allotted to the pupil to complete a full course of mechanical study! "THIRD—Under what limitation, as regards age and educational qualifications, should pupils be received into the institution?