TO HON. HENRY BARNARD,

Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin:

In compliance with your request, I submit a brief statement of the administration and condition of the University, during the year ending July, 1859.

The whole number of students in attendance on the instructions of the University, in connection with the several classes in the departments of Science, Literature and the Arts, has been one hundred and fifty-nine.Outside of this number, there have been in the Commercial College, attached to the University, eighty-four pupils, making a total of two hundred and forty-three.

Courses of instruction have been rendered in the following departments, to wit:-in Ethical and Political Science, in Mental Philosophy, Logic, Rhetoric and English Literature; in Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Astronomy; in Physical Science; in Ancient Languages and Literature; in Modern Languages and Literature; and on subjects preparatory to these several University courses. Public Examinations, of all the classes, have been holden at the close of each term; the one at the close of the third term, covering the studies of the year. Those passing this latter examination, will be admitted to the instructions of the year next in advance.

Eight of the whole number, on the fourth year of the University course, just closed, are candidates for appropriate degrees in Science and Arts, to be awarded at the approaching commencement.

The attendance of students on the prescribed exercises has been exemplary, and the standard of scholarship high.

Weekly reports are made by each officer, of the attendance and proficiency of students from whom exercises are due; and at the close of each term, the result is made up, and goes upon the permanent records of the institution.

The deportment of each student is also made a matter of weekly review, at the stated meetings of the Faculty, and of permanent record at the close of the term.

Whenever it is made apparent that the deficiencies of any student, in scholarship or deportment, are such as to unfit him for continued membership, such notice is given to the the parent or guardian, and usually results in the voluntary withdrawal of the member from the University body. This result, however, is not reached, till faithfl admonition has been tried and proved unavailing. And it is not often that more stringent measures are needful to the conservation of the order and the healthful tone of discipline in the institution,

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The boarding establishment, in its present form, was set up to subserve two valuable ends. First, to secure cheap board to the students; and secondly, to make the presence of the families of the Faculty an elevating and a co-operative influence in the administration of the University. It is doubtless true, that the necessity of the establishment, as matter of economy, has in a good degree, passed by. By far the greatest number of the students, not residents of Madison, board themselves, at their rooms, at an expense, varying from 70 cents to $1 per week. Arrangements have been made by them, with the victuallers in town, for fresh supplies of food daily; and most of the objections to the system, which were apprehended in the beginning, have not been realized in practice. It is a feature in our institution, which, under proper regulations, may be preserved and encouraged.

Another fact, tending to obviate the necessity of the boarding establishment, as matter of economy, is the decided fall in the price of board in private houses in Madison, and the increase in the number of families willing to open their houses for the accommodation of students. It is believed by some, who profess to be well informed, that good board, in private families, in the vicinity of the University, may be obtained, currently, from this time onward, at two dollars per week. And that the Common Hall is not needed, to prevent combination for the purpose of raising the charge for board, and securing monopoly prices.

However this may be, I have had occasion to know, that many parents and guardians have extended their patronage to the University, in the confidence, which the residence of the families of the Faculty has inspired, and would regret to see a feature of our system, so conservative of the morals, manners and order of the institution, done away. The entire abandonment of the grounds by the families of the Faculty, would impair confidence, I think justly, in the order and the safety of the institution, as a residence for young men.

It is not, however, necessary, in order to secure the benefits of the residence of the families of the Faculty on the grounds, that the present arrangement should be preserved. The feature of the common hall may be, with advantage, replaced by residences in severalty, either in the wings of the two dormitory buildings, or in separate houses, adjacent to them. The conditions of holding the tenements favoring the admission of students to the tables of the several families of the Faculty.

I think it specially important, that the presiding officer of the University, in actual administration of the institution, should reside on the grounds, either in the buildings, or in close proximity to them. Convenient and spacious apartments, for this purpose, may be fitted up at small

expense, in the south wing of the south dormitory building, after the opening and occupation of the new edifice.

The present boarding establishment went into operation in September, 1855. The stewardship was, for nearly two years, in the hands of a Professor. In the spring of 1857, the Board appropriated $500 per annum, for the support of a Steward, who was to supply, out of that sum, the matron for the establishment, at a salary of $250. And in addition to the immediate duties of provider for the establishment, the Steward was charged with a variety of other duties, as the curator of the property, and the actuary of the institution. The extent of these duties may be understood by referring to the accompanying letter of instructions I sent to Mr. Williams, who was appointed to the office. The Matron has been paid, since the spring of 1857, out of the proceeds of the boarding establishment, and but $250 per annum has been drawn from the income of the University, for the support of the Steward and Actuary.

The employment, permanently, of some intelligent and trustworthy gentleman, to take care of the property of the institution, and look after its temporalities, combining the charge of all these interests which do not pertain to instruction and the general administration of the University, would subserve its economy and good order. Such officer should reside on the grounds, and give his time and thought to the institution.

An order was made by the Board of Regents, during the years 1857-8, for the revision of the By-Laws of the University. A report was made, and the subject was re-committed to the Executive Committee, to perfect the project and make final report. The papers are now in the hands of Professor Sterling, the Secretary of the Faculty, subject to the call of the committee.

The Board, at their meeting, in July, 1858, instructed the Faculty to report two courses of study, occupying four years each, and terminating the one in the degree of A. B., and the other in the equivalent degree in Science. As the Board, at their June meeting, made other disposition of the subject, the Faculty have not executed the order.

In the matter of degrees, I see no good reason for departing from the plan adopted by the Board in 1857, on recommendation of a special committee, set forth on the 41st page, of the 9th annual report. The plan awards the degree of A. B. to those who complete the usual collegiate

course; the degree of Bachelor of Science to those who complete the parallel four years course, and the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy to those who complete both courses. It was contemplated that the B. L. course should be identical with the B. A. course, except in the matter of the Latin and Greek languages; the space occupied by these, to be re

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placed by the Modern Languages, Engineering and the Applications of Science to Agriculture, and the Mechanic Arts. So far as the two courses are identical, the classes in the two should be brought together, in recitation and lecture, for economy of instructional force, and diminution of the expenditures of the institution in that direction. As threefourths of the two courses may be made to occupy the same ground, there will be necessity of doubling the instructional array only for the remaining onefourth, comprising the Classics in the one, and the substitutes for the Classics in the other.

As soon as the High School, as a part of the State system of Education, shall be sufficiently developed to do the preparatory work for the University, the latter should undoubtedly retire from this branch of educational service. This condition will be gradually realized. In the beginning, it was necessary for the University to make its own material; but the Academies and High Schools are beginning to send up young men, some of them fully prepared for the University courses. I am inclined to think, with the present array of permanent officers, with the accession of Dr. Ried and Mr. Coryell, that provision may be made for all necessary preparatory instruction, without the additional expense of the tutorship. If there should remain a class or two unprovided for, worthy and competent young men may be found in our older classes, who would be glad to take the service of holding one or two recitations per day, as matter of support.

Provision has been made for the purchase and sale of furniture and books from and to the students, for their benefit and convenience, as they leave and enter the institution. I consider the arrangement a good one; but great care should be taken that it should occasion no charge against the income of the University, except in the original outlay. This is one of the subjects which should be administered by the Steward or Actuary, having his office on the grounds, and permanently connected with the institution.

Since the valuable donation, by Dr. Castleman, of books and pamphlets, the Library has received no accessions, except through authorized subscriptions for new publications and periodicals, and occasional contributions from national and State Legislatures.

Apparatus and scientific collections have not been substantially enlarged during the past year, but are sufficient for the ordinary purposes of illustration in the departments to which they belong.

The transfer of all these, and the operations of the class rooms, into the new edifice, will be an event of great interest and value to the institution. The erection of this building, and the preparation of it for occu

pation, has trenched upon the current income of the University, and will continue, for a period, to straiten its operations in other directions.After the pressure of this expenditure shall have passed by, permanent appropriations should be made for the increase of the Library especially, and for the other aids of instruction.

On the occupation of the central edifice, the public rooms, hitherto in temporary use, in the two dormitory buildings, will revert to their legiti mate uses, for study and lodging for an increased number of students.Should any portion of the south building continue to be devoted to family occupation, in any form, the large room over the dining room, would be needed for parlor uses.

The necessity of rear structures attached to both dormitory buildings, containing yard for wood, &c., with requisite out-houses, is quite apparent, even if the buildings are occupied wholly by students. To arrange

this without offence, would require the study of an architect. Two sets of drawings, touching this matter, were made some two years ago, and the plans are worthy of consideration.

The attention of Dr. Reid, recently elected to a Professorship of Applied Science, in the University, should be turned to the subject of improving the mode of heating and ventilating the dormitory buildings now in use. I have no doubt the effectiveness and economy of the existing arrangements may be greatly increased.

In the contingency of the frequent absence of the Chancellor, in the prosecution of his specific work, it will greatly concern the order and health of the University, that provision be made for the practical administration of its affairs, as occasion may require. The member of the Faculty on whom this burden shall be imposed, will find it somewhat the heavier from want of the prestige of position. There will be short justice in exacting this class of duties from any Professor, without material increase of salary. I suggest this matter freely, as entirely out of the way of any personal interest in it.

I regret, Mr. Chancellor, the varied and desultory manner in which I have been compelled to respond to your request. As a colleague, I cherish a profound sense of duty and loyalty to the head of the institution. Out of the colleagueship, my sympathies will ever be with you; and my prayer is for the usefulness and distinction of the University, and that the fitting structure to be erected on the good foundation already laid, may be the honor of the wise master builder.

Truly and cordially, your friend,

J. H. LATHROP.

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