Kenyon College - Reveille Yearbook (Gambier, OH)

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sive lands of the college have permitted Wide choice in the selection of sites for its various ediiices which are in keeping with this beauty of surroundings. Through the middle of Gambier, connecting the collegiate and 'divin- ity departments of Kenyon College, extends the Middle Path. The visitor usually receives his first impressions of Kenyon as he walks down this through the park. On the left, as one enters the park, stands the college chapel. It is built in the form of a cross, and its tower and nave are covered with English ivy. The chimes, which ring every quarter of an hour, make one of the pleasantest, and, at the same time, one of the most lasting impressions which one receives here. Next seen, also on the left, is Hubbard Hall, the college library, with its adjoining stack-room, which is a recent gift of Mr. James P. Stev- ens, of the class of 1859. Farther on, to the right, is Rosse Hall, the gymnasium and assembly room. It takes its name from the Dovvager Countess' of Rosse, who gave the money for its erection. In it are held all large college gather- ings, including examinations, which are now held entirely under the honor system. Acro-ss the path from Rosse, to the east can be seen a view down and across the Kokosing valley, which has been said to equal any of like nature to be seen in the World. VAS one continues down the path, on the left stands Ascension Hall, 13

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majestic serenity of the place. Perhaps the calm and repose are attrib- utable to the fact that here, as in few other inhabited places, nature reigns, and human habitations are subordinate. It is difficult to speak of the beauty of Kenyon in terms which will not appear at once exag- gerated to a stranger, and inadequate to one who knows and loves the college, for one who has stood in the Kenyon park on a summer even- ing, with the soft music of the chimes in his ear, and surrounded by the delicious fragrance of a thousand trees and vines, who, on the one hand, has looked across the smiling valley and distant hills, and, on the other, has caught glimpses between the trees of the gray old college buildings, and of the gleaming cross of the church above the mass of verdure con- secrating the whole scene, has felt a charm, not wholly sensuous, which no lapse of time or change of scene can obliterate. The natural situation of the college is singularly favorable, com- manding, as it does, a View of the fertile valley of Kokosing, with a gentle undulating back-ground of cultivated hills. As Gambier Hill is a promontory, as it were, projecting into the valley, the college park com- mands a wide prospect on three sides. The natural charm of situation has been enhanced by the rare good taste of the founders and friends of the college. In the park, which comprises seventy-five acres, as many as possible of the old forest trees have been retained, and pains have been taken to combine the effects of lawn and of woodland. The exten- 12

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,- I so named because built by the Church of the Ascension in New York City. In this building are the halls of the literary societies, the recita- tion rooms, the laboratories, and the observatory. Nearly all the students room in Old Kenyon, which is now seen -directly in front, and, to the right, is Hanna Hall. The latter, a recent ,gift of Senator Hanna, is now in process of erection. It is a handsome building of Berea sand-stone, and is equipped with all modern conven- iences. It is hoped that Hanna Hall will be ready for occupancy next fall. The retention of the dormitory is of great advantage in promoting the organic life of the college. Of mediaeval collegiate architecture, Old Kenyon, Ascension and Hanna Hall could never be mistaken for anything but college buildings, for their architects were not actuated by the eco- nomical spirit, which has induced the architects of most American col- leges to provide for possible emergencies in which the college authorities might wish to dispose of their property for commercial or public pur- lposes. All the college buildings are of stone. 14