CHAPTER Visit of ton; CHAPTER XXXVII. Visits of Presidents Washington and Monroe, and of General Lafayette and President Jackson. - The Phi Beta Kappa Society. - Library of the College. Its Mineralogical Cabinet. Its Finances. - Benefactors to the College. - John Lightfoot; Mary Lindall; Joanna Alford; Thomas Palmer; Thomas Pownall; James Bowdoin; Samuel Shapleigh; Thomas Brand-Hollis; Israel Thorndike; Jonathan Mason; Moses Brown; George Partridge; Samuel Parkman; Francis Parkman; Thomas Cary; George Chapman; Timothy Walker; John Foster; Henry Lienow; Sarah Jackson; Hannah C. Andrews; William Pomeroy; Joshua Clapp; Mary Tufts; William Breed; John Cuming; Esther Sprague; Samuel Livermore; John McLean; Joshua Fisher; James Perkins; Christopher Gore. - Foundation of "Gore Hall.” — Death of Nathaniel Bowditch. - Notice of his Life and Character. SOME events in the history of the College, and several of its eminent benefactors, remain to be noticed. In October, 1790, on the visit of President WashWashing ington to the Northern States, the Corporation, in a formal address, expressed their gratitude for his revolutionary services, and his patriotism in again listening to the voice of his country, and consenting to preside over the establishment of the new government. Reminding him of the "depressed state of the University," when he first took command of the American army, at Cambridge, "its members dispersed, its literary treasures removed, and the Muses fled from the din of arms then heard within its walls," and comparing the dangers with which it was then surrounded, with its present prosperous and peaceful condition, they invoked the blessings of Heaven on him, who had rendered such distinguished services to it and to XXXVII. their country. President Washington, in reply, recip- CHAPTER rocated their affectionate sentiments and kind wishes, expressed satisfaction at the flourishing state of the literary republic," and his hope, that the "Muses might long enjoy a tranquil residence within the walls of this University." 66 dent Mon In July, 1817, when President Monroe visited New of PresiEngland, an invitation was given him by the Corpo- roe; ration "to honor the College with his presence"; which being accepted, he was received according to ancient form. Having been escorted to Harvard Hall by a procession of the undergraduates, and introduced to the several Professors and other College officers, he was addressed by President Kirkland, who, after acknowledging "the dignity and effect our academic functions derive from the countenance of the civil authorities, and the incitements to excellence our pupils find in all the demonstrations of sympathy in their pursuits and destination, given by those who fill exalted stations," welcomed the President of the United States to a University, whose "constant and elevated aim had been, to inspire youth with principles of virtue, manly sentiment, and the pure love of truth and duty; thus preserving in close alliance the interests of religion and learning, of faith and charity, of liberty and order." After presenting the young men of the institution, and bearing testimony to the many pledges they gave of their regard for those attainments on which their future usefulness must depend, Dr. Kirkland congratulated President Monroe on the auspicious circumstances attending the commencement of his administration, expressed his prayers for its happy course and issue, accompanied by the wish, that it might be "our privilege, by fidelity and XXXVII. CHAPTER Zeal in our allotted sphere, to coöperate with him in the work of patriotism, by diffusing the light of knowledge and the saving influence of religion and morals." of General Lafayette; President Monroe having replied in an appropriate address, in which he expressed his interest in the objects of the institution, the regard he entertained for it, and the lively interest he took in its prosperity, Dr. Kirkland conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws; and, after visiting the library, apparatus, and cabinets in Harvard Hall, he partook of a collation at the President's house. In August, 1824, when General Lafayette visited Massachusetts, he attended Commencement, on the invitation of the Corporation; and, being accompanied to Cambridge by the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Council of the Commonwealth, and the Mayor and other municipal officers of the city of Boston, was received by President Kirkland in the portico of University Hall, and welcomed as "the patron, the champion, and benefactor of America." After alluding to the costly pledges General Lafayette had given of devotion to the principles and spirit of American institutions, the President referred to their success and prosperity, as justifying the predilections in our favor, which General Lafayette had indulged in his youth, and which, in his advanced years, he had now an opportunity to witness; and ended with fervent prayers for his prosperity and happiness. General Lafayette, in reply, recognised the striking evidences he witnessed of "the tendency of liberal political institutions to promote the progress of civilization and learning," expressed his thanks for this civility, and his "wishes for the continued prosperity of the University." XXXVII. and of Pres son. In June, 1833, when Andrew Jackson visited Mas- CHAPTER sachusetts, as President of the United States, he was received at the University with the same formal ident Jackcivilities, by the Corporation, Overseers, and Faculty of the seminary, as had been customary, when the Chief Magistrate of the nation honored the University by his official presence; and they were reciprocated by him with like demonstrations of interest and respect. Kappa So In every period of the College history, societies have existed among the undergraduates, having for their object mutual instruction and improvement; and several of them have collected valuable libraries, and have received the countenance and patronage of the government of the College. The Phi Beta Kappa Society, Phi Beta from its long continuance, the number and respectabil- ciety. ity of its members, and the public interest excited by its annual celebrations, deserves a particular notice. It was established in 1781, by Elisha Parmele, a graduate of the year 1778, by virtue of an instrument called a "Charter," formally executed by the President, officers, and members of the original Society, bearing the same name, at William and Mary College, in Virginia, where it had been founded not long before. Its objects were "the promotion of literature and friendly intercourse among scholars ;" and its name and motto indicate, that " philosophy, including therein religion as well as ethics, is worthy of cultivation as the guide of life." This society took an early and a deep root in the University; its exercises became public, and admittance into it an object of ambition; but the "discrimination," which its selection of members made among students, became an early subject of question XXXVII. CHAPTER and discontent. In October, 1789, a committee of the Overseers, of which John Hancock was chairman, reported to that board, "that there is an institution in the University, with the nature of which the Government is not acquainted, which tends to make a discrimination among the students," and submitted to the board "the propriety of inquiring into its nature and design." The subject occasioned considerable debate, and a petition, of the nature of a complaint against the society, by a number of the members of the Senior Class, having been presented, its consideration was postponed, and it was committed; but it does not appear from the records, that any further notice was taken of the petition. The influence of the Society was upon the whole deemed salutary, since literary merit was assumed as the principle on which its members were selected; and, so far, its influence harmonized with the honorable motives to exertion, which have ever been held out to the students by the laws and usages of the College. In process of time, its catalogue included almost every member of the Immediate Government, and fairness in the selection of members has been in a great degree secured by the practice it has adopted, of ascertaining those in every class who stand the highest, in point of conduct and scholarship, according to the estimates of the Faculty of the College, and of generally regarding those estimates. Having gradually increased in numbers, popularity, and importance, the day after Commencement was adopted for its annual celebration. These occasions have uniformly attracted a highly intelligent and cultivated audience, having been marked by a display of learning and eloquence, and having |