St Johns College - Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

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View of Campug

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J' t. john's College St. John's College, at Annapolis, the Alma Mater of so many of Maryland's most noted and honored sons, is charmingly situated on the banks of the Severn River, a few miles from the Chesapeake Bay. Nothing in the country surpasses the picturesque beauty of its situation. .Facing College Avenue are McDowell Hall, the central building , with Pinkney Hall named after William Pinkney, a distinguished alumnus, and the residence of the Presi- dent on the left. At right angles to these stands Woodward Hall, built in 1899, and named in honor of Mr. James T. Woodward, through whose aid the building was made possible. To the left of McDowell are Humphreys Hall and the homes of the different professors. Just back of the open square between McDowell and Pinkney Halls is situated the new dining-hall, built in 1903, with the money appropriated by the Legislature of 1902. The campus,which slopes towards the Avenue, embraces about twenty acres. The front lawn is shaded by large, handsome maples, lindens, poplars, and other trees. Nearly in front of Pinkney Hall is a gigantic poplar tree, looking fresh and green, with ivy climbing up around its old boughs, which is supposed to be older than even the ancient city of Anna- polis. The first treaty with the Indians is said to have been signed under its shade. Nearly every side of Pinkney Hall is covered with ivy, and the same vine is making its way over the other builidngs, giving them a venerable and dignified appearance. McDowell Hall, the central building, is four stories high, and in it are recitation rooms and offices. On the Hrst floor is a large Chapel and graduation on hall, with a gallery above, upon which are hung shields with Latin and other inscriptions giving the names of each graduating class since 1871. A curious old belfry surmounts the structure. Everything about the old house carries one back to days long past. Even after this lapse of time can be seen places in the old hall filled in with bricks where pillars were to be put out and from which porches where to project. On the south side, the places left for the pillars were never filled in. Near the eaves are blocks of wood inserted in the bricks, where corniees were to be placed. In 1824 this old hall was the scene of extraordinary festivities. Our government had sent a national ship to bring over General Lafayette to our country as the guest of the nation. Lafayette, escorted by two companies of cavalry, as he ap- proached Annapolis was met by a deputation from the city,-Judge J. Townley Chase, Chancellor Bland, and other gentlemen. Judge Chase greeted him with welcome-the friend of our country, the friend of Washington, the defender of the rights of man-and invoked for him the choicest blessings of Heaven, here and hereafter. Lafayette said: The welcome I receive from you, gentlemen, in the name of the citizens of Annapolis g the pleasure to meet you again, my dear and venerated sirg and the remembrance of one of my earliest friends and co-patriots in the cause of America, your excellent brother, are sentiments which I am happy to express. I thank you for the testimonies of your esteem and friendship. I rejoice with you in the admirable results of our glorious revolution, and feel an affectionate eagerness to re-enter the metropolis where I am so kindly invited and where so many old obligations have been conferred upon me. 15 2

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At his entrance into the city, Lafayette was received by a large array of military and citizens, and by them was escorted to the State House. Little maidens with banners waving, bearing the inscription, Lafayette, the friend of our fathers, will always be dear to the hearts of their children, strewed flowers in his path. As he entered the Senate Chamber, Mayor Boyle made him an address of welcome, referring in tones of deep feeling to his service to our country in the revolutionary struggle, and expressive of the admiration and sympathy of our countrymen for him in the events of his glorious career. Lafayette responded with an expression of his joy in the blessed results of the great struggle, and his gratification in the manifestations of the respect and kindness of our people for him. While here he was entertained by our citizens and public officers, among them Governor Stevens and Judge Jeremiah Townley Chase. By invitation of Governor Stevens, he made the Governor's mansion his home during his stay among us. At night the city was illuminated, and General Lafayette was escorted to the ball- room, the Hall of St. J ohn's College, where the grace and beauty and sterling manhood of the region around were assembled, all eager to show their respect for our illustrious guest. A gay company, dazzling lights, brilliant flowers, music and song and rejoicing hearts made it lively times in old St. J ohn's. Next day on the college green there was a review of the military of the United States and the Maryland Volunteers, and a contest in rifle-shooting. The prize won was pre- sented by General Lafayette to a member of the company of Captain Lewis Neth. General Lafayette was then conducted to the Citizens' Banquet in the Hall of St. John's College. On Sunday General Lafayette attended divine service in the Methodist Church. Cn Monday he was entertained with a banquet in the Hall of St. John's College, by the Maryland Legislature, after which he left for the city of Washington, escorted by a com- pany of cavalry. Humphreys Hall is used for the accommodation of the Preparatory boys and Pinkney Hall is occupied by the three lower classes of college students. The Seniors have rooms in the new building. Woodward Hall contains the college library. In the library there are about eight thousand volumes, among them many valuable reference books relating to our early Colonial history. This building contains, also, the Chemical, Physical, and Biological laboratories. The view from the halls is attractive. The Severn River is on the left and in the rear of the grounds, the Naval Academy further along on the left, and the town, with the old State House and Governor's mansion in front and on the right. Such is St. John's College, whose history forms one of the most interesting chapters in the annals of Mary- land. IT