Dickinson College - Microcosm Yearbook (Carlisle, PA)

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Charles Nisbet r-' f H'- '-'Wh ::'Tf:-7' W 2- f Q U:iLTT'E T'fjAiJE'L2fuU:D 1 G f -- T' 1' E 21 W i , 1 If 'Ax H , 5231 if f X we ' . Y u f 5 E If I XE i 153, 5 Ef' F 'E 1784-1804 5 E f ' :E QBRILLIANT Scilozfw, re- l ij nozwwd feaclzer, Scot- fish sy1npathize1' wifh the ?h Colonial crzfuse,-yirst presi- HJ rlenf of the College. 3 . 25 5 53 xx, :U fx NX . X ,' f i .BIB X X! ..,,,-.,..-.........,...L:q f----F-1' 33- ,,ff1 , fig-A'-wjftg'- 1'3E4f:1QigQ.f 3.11L:,!.1f1f21.iv.,Q f.L.m 'u.i1.mJ2,4j 53---1-1-In-HN-M--N-Mb----ff 2533 I n ri? wi 11 ' A f z ' ' , 5532 Egg gm gx Ewji p ' :F 1E wi 15 1 -' Q L , 1,151 Old West, 1803 Q' l A, SU ii U W K . VW HE zczz b-'ll' 3' Ii 57, Qi T fzesfgjjefz 055396 Lzxtiiliif I 'I i' ' A 3 gozferfnfnzent architectg burned Eg H2 'iw S345 3' Q 'J H amzwbm1m1.1804 gg A wwinmrf M51 Egf ' W ' M fS' 'Fi ' ' 'Ei--' 1 it ' K' 'N fi 3 1 1 3 5 : - , l I ' V. l Jig V, ' 1- L. .J -Q L!' 1 .QQQQ ij 5 Sffifl'

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. gave to the young college an established reputation. The civilization of Pennsylvania flowed from several springs. English, lvclsh, and Scotch-Irish were joined by Europeans of the Rhine Valley from Holland to the Alps of Switzerland. This diversity in population is perpetual evidence that Pennls frame of governmentl, and 'cgreat lawn embodied the broadest conception of political and religious freedom yet given to mankind. Such is the setting in which was reared Dickinson College, placed in Carlisle, a pioneer settlement beau- tifully situated in the heart of the fertile and healthy Cumber- land Valley, surrounded by an intelligent and enterprising population of the stock that lent no little to the first regiment of the army of the united colonies to meet General George XVashington from west of the Hudson. Character came to the new College with its name. The great and important services rendered to his country by his Excellency, John Dickinson, Esquire, were recognized in the State charter when the College was named nforever hereafter,' Dickinson. Forcefnl essayist as The Farmer, staunch and active patriot, member of both Continental Congresses and of the Constitutional Convention, commander of a volunteer regiment of Pennsylvania soldiers, Governor of Pennsylvania and Delaware, John Dickinson by his name identified the new College with the highest ideals in government and learning. From Scotland came Dickinson's first direction of culture, in the presidency of Dr. Charles Nisbet, brilliant scholar and champion of America's cause. Dr. Nisbet, with his remark- able learning and unfailing energy, gave to the young College an established reputation. Wlhen fire destroyed the first building on tl1e new campus, acquired in 1799, the destruction of the College was regarded as a national calamity. Assistance for rebuilding came from all sides and from unexpected sources, seventeen !llClTlbC1'S of Congress and even the President of the country made liberal contributions. In the same year arose the new Old tVest,', designed by Latrobe, government architect at Yvashington. Old,', yet ever new, Old VVest', has brought d0Wl1 through more than a century and a quarter the spirit of America. I1 ' f iff-: .Fitzzu-'rz 5 Ffzlf' 3 Ji-F522 -:ip-1:1 fe iiiibr- 15-gf fr Q.e:s'f,r2i.5 Ji 1, -ii-:r5.:f' ,gi K s e't,'..fg'n5- Jeb, g1,',,-5-...I-A ,- 'wg-:'if '::..-1 .--.3-1.':e:'e 21:3-Q 5. .L:1q-3115 N.:-:,ff :..-,F - 3, T 1. . 1 Q: ti .. Q'-f -1 :'.,'f, ii'

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. . entered on the century that was to show uninterrupted progress. A spirit of liberal education, born at the hour of the birth of the spirit of American democracy and drawing strength from the common ancestry, can stand the test of time. And so Dickinson survived her growing pains. The VVar of 1812 intruded on the movement of progress. A duel with a disastrous ending, in 1815, had a depressing effect. After causing one period of suspension, internal difficulties between faculty and trustees were threatening the life of the institution as Dickin- son passed the half-century mark of her career. 1Vith the 'flll'l1 of this first century came reorganization under the control of the Nlethodist Episcopal Church. The enlightened educa- tional activity of this libe1'al sectarian control fanned anew the spark of the Dickinson genius and pointed the way down the next hundred years. The man under whom the renaissance took place has had few peers as a college administrator. Dr. John P. Durbin brought to Dickinson a superlative reputation as scholar, executive, and orator. His varied interests and talents placed him in harmony with all branches of human learning. Under his leadership the College gained new impetus with its rebirth: from its leaderis attention to revised statutes, new courses of study, new buildings, endowment, and increase of students. In 1835, South College was acquired for grammar school facilities. Burned and rebuilt, it later served as scientific department and library. The following year saw the erection of East College on the accepted plan of college dormitories. Fortified with a strong constitutional background and well nurtured by administration, faculty, student body, and public confidence, Dickinson thus entered on the century that was destined to show uninterrupted progress. Situated midway between the North and South, drawing life and inter- est from both, Dickinson moved on to play a colorful role in another national epoch that was to mark so signally the pass- ing of the midpoint in the first century and a half of Dickinson and identify her again with the spirit of the nation.