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now required have sifted out the candidates of this class, and
while we have by this means somewhat diminished our numbers,
the result has been, in every other respect, an unqualified gain.
We have been endeavoring also to bring our term examinations
to greater efficiency. They are more extensive, and are conducted
by better methods than those of former years. Most of them are
conducted in writing, and it will afford the faculty great pleasure
to have the Board, or, a Committee chosen from your number, inspect
the papers prepared by the students in their various examinations.
I deem it a matter of great importance to have the Board
of Trustees in more intimate connection with us, and I am sure
that it would be of no slight advantage to the interests of the
institution to receive more frequent visits from its members.
The appointment of a committee from your own body to be present
at all the examinations, or at least to visit the institution, inspect
its condition and progress and to examine the papers previously
written out by the students in their examinations, would put you
in possession of a knowledge and an interest respecting the
university and the manner in which it is fulfilling its purposes,
which it is impossible, I believe, to acquire in any other way.
I am by no means satisfied with what we have done. There
is still room for much improvement. More intelligent methods
of teaching, greater energy and zeal on the part of instructors, and
the power to excite a more enthusiastic devotion to study on the
part of students, would doubtless achieve far more satisfactory
results. The government of the institution has been attended
with little, I might almost say, with no difficulty.
One student was refused re-admission at the beginning of
the Winter term, on account of intemperate habits, another
was expelled during the last term, and a few others were
allowed to continue their connection with the University
under a pledge to refrain from misconduct hereafter.
The wanton use of fire-arms on the occasion last alluded to
led the faculty to re-enact an old rule forbidding students
to keep fire-arms in their possession. I have felt a
growing conviction that I ought to maintain a closer and
more constant association with the students. For the sake of
a stricter surveillance and control and for many of the most
important ends of education, this nearer connection is
eminently desirable. I could visit them frequently at their
rooms, be among them during their hours of recreation, keep
up a more intimate acquaintance with their habits of study
and conduct, direct them in their work, and in a hundred
ways now impracticable to me, exercise an influence in
favor of a healthy mental growth and the formation
of good character. Some of the recommendations of my