Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - Illini Years [PAGE 11]

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Eichhcrg's Opera 11.ill, by the Alcthcnai Society of tin- University, assisted hy a happy troupe of young gentlemen, representing all portions of the United States and Greece. 'The Mistletoe Hough' . . . is melancholy in the extreme, but

embraces some scenes that are actually side-splitting and ludicrous. . . . "Old folks who are fond of the horrible, and young ones who delight in spasmodic scenes of love and jollity, have been especially provided for in this pantomime. . . . From the bridal banquet to the cold coffin is but a step, as portrayed in this singularly fascinating production." O n December 11 the sandpaper reported again. " T h e entertainment was well attended both evenings, and we understand that the result, financially, was a startling success. Let the young collegians repeat such entertainments as often as they think proper. Let us encourage home talent." The first real play given by the students was described as ''the by-play from A Midsummer Night's Dream." It was presented as p a r t of the University's seventh anniversary and was given after the evening exercises in the chapel on M a r c h 11, 1875. T h e Champaign County Gazette reporting on the event in the M a r c h 17 issue had this to sav. "[It] . . . was very well played, but the piece selected seemed a singular one to be given in connection with the anniversary exercises of a university. . . . " The giving of degrees wa^ considered an affectation by the L niversity graduation. founders. T h e i r idea was that students be allowed to take any courses the) pleased, and leave when they pleased. Instead of diplomas at certificates were given at entrance. T h e University library began in 1868 with $1,000 worth of books and some government pamphlets. For years every gift was faithfully inventoried in the "Circular and Catalogue of the Officers and S t u d e n t s . " A m o n g the earl) donations listed were Eight yards paper blackboard ()ne peck Polish wheat One large and beautiful colored lithograph of group « f Durham cattle > ()ne hexameter pronged hoc < me set reed mats t me pair elk horns Two bird skeletons

In the thirteen years under Gregory the University mad. real progress M When Gregory resigned, the student bod) had increased to ! Gentlemen nd 112 Ladies." Nearly 1,500 students had registered since the Univr ty*s "in- The facult) numbered twenty-seven nun and three women. On f die. men, Professor Thomas J. Burrill, was to become the first A mam \U (nationally famous n ientists at Illinois 1J " first class in Botany, undei Profcssoi Burrill, went on trips throu

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" larj m tip world S truster presented th< I nivenit) with H 11 '• bratrd i a I ol the most ran and valuahl. fossil* in th< ft

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