University of Minnesota - Gopher Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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iBur Uniuersity with a smile across one of the many tables where the hnngrT minded are regaling: them selves, biit the rule is, as a i ule, obeyed and we feel like lingering: in the hush to read the whole day away, but we must glance at the stories above. The next or third T -e need not examine in detail as it is devoted entirely ' to recitation rooms for literature and the classics. Climb still another lofty flight of stairs and you appreciate the wisdom of the fathers in not restoring the Chapel hall to this fourth story which it occupied until the fatal night last spring. Some enterprising students were giving a little farce for the benefit of the Lawrt Tennis Association. A leak in the gas pipe under the stage, a cry of fire and the Box of Monkeys and our dear old chapel were volatalized together. Fortunately uo (human 1 body was cremated in the blaze, but it was too obvioiis what might have been ' — with anything less than the miraculous coolness of actors and audience at that play — to leave any question as to the keeping of the grand rendezvous of the IT. so far aloft. The young dramatists, at first terrified and disheartened over the brilliant finale of their play, now consider themselves under Providence public benefactors, for plans are already drawn for an elegant new Chapel and Library building, spacious, accessible and with all modern conveniences — Dei (et leP ' is) gratia. The three large rooms 3 ' ou now see occupy the burned district on this floor and are de- voted to Physical Culture and the two Literary Societies. The latter, Hermean and Delta Sigma, each hold weekly meeting and afford excellent and much-prized opportunity for practice in debate extemporaneous speaking and parliamentry procedure. Now let us leave the gray old mother building, for many younger and fairer, if not more dear, are waiting for our attention. The handsome structure of red brick and brown sandstone, seen through the trees to the left yonder as we pass out, is the Law School, where legal lore is imparted through lectures by the ablest jurists of the state. The pretty little brown stone Lodge close by, and complementing the other as de- voted to the higher law, was erected by the Students Christian Association, which holds here its weekly prayer meetings and offers a course of lectures on religious topics not in- cluded in the University Curriculum, The enormous pile, highest of all in its proportions but built of wood alone, looming above the great oaks across the gorge yonder, is the Coliseum. It is closed and has a some vhat dreary, bam-like appearance today and we will forego a nearer view. All win- ter it serves an admirable purpose, as drill hall for the military exercises in which all first year students must and others may participate. Come next June, however, and you may go inside and see the real glory of this architectural elephant, as it was sometimes slightingly nicknamed in the earlier years of its erection. Now that the U. of M. numbers over 1,600 regular matriculates, and its annual com- mencement exercises and their attendant festivities are brilliant enoiigh to attract an au- dience from all over the state. No lesser auditoriiim would at all answer our purpose. And when the electric lamps of its great interior pour down their light upon all the fair women and brave men of a Senior Promenade as they glide over its broad acre of floor space, looking down from the gallery 3 ' ou would pronounce it a bower of beauty rather than a barn. Let us turn in the opposite direction and follow the broad stone walk leading to the right. This first building of red pressed b ick, with a great tower-like chimneyin the rear, belching smoke like a factory all day long is Mechanics Hall. Entering the basement you imagine we are in some factory or great machine shop indeed. Here the modern ideas of Industrial Education are carried out, and in its forge .shop, foundry, machine and till shop, wood-working shop, mechanical labratory. etc., etc., all filled and furnished with tools and machinery as varied and complete as could be found in practical establishments

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of corresponding kinds, may be acquired not only the philosopy of all mechanical work, but some education of the hand and eye in all mechanical manipulations. This two-story sand-stone structure, unpretentious in architecture but lar e, commo- dious and perfectly lighted on every side is devoted entirely to general chemistry, physics and electrical engineering, for the study of which sciences it is admirably adapted in con- strtiction. Beside lecture rooms of ample size and perfect convenience, and the immense chemical working labratory, where each student with separate desk and full equipment can pursue the study in detail and from the practical side, we pass through room after room stored with material and costly apparatus. These are brought out and exhibited in operation by the professors from time to time, and make the lectures in these depart- ments a series of shows that beat a circus. rather than matter of dry study. But the lecture course is not yet on and we must hasten to take a look at the pride and glory of the U. ' Stand a moment in front of this great pile and take in in before we enter. Is it not truly magnficent? You note the name, chisselled in the imperishable brown sandstone be- tween the great arched portals. Pillsbury Hall. No student sees that without a thrill of gratitude toward the good governor and father of the I ' ., through whose wise and princely generosity the building was erected and dedicated to the study of the natural sciences. Science Hall is indeed its alias or everyday name. The only departure from strictly scientific work pursued within its walls is in the . rt School which we enter first, here in the east end of the first story. This department formerly occupied the upper floor of Mechanics hall, but the superior light and air with ampler space offered by rooms here, outweighed the professor ' s objections to a move which deprived him of his favorite joke upon high art.- Of course these quarters are only temporary, for we expect the fine arts will have a temple all their own, the most beautiful of any on the grounds. The work of this department is divided into several stages: Free hand drawing, cast work, studies from life, designing, water-coloring, wood carving and architecture. It is a charming course, but when the warm spring daj-s come and parties are organized for out-door sketching the study becomes a pure delight. This long narrow room is the main studio and will accommodate 4-0 to 50 students. The sketches with which the walls are hung are specimens of the best work by the pupils, and proud indeed is the student whose production wins a place in this gallery. The balance of this basement story contains, beside store-rooms connected with the various labratories above, the assaying department of the School of Mines, just organized. Later in the year the latter is an interesting place to visit, when the young men and wo- men who propose to lead an underground life stand before the glowing furnaces testing ores of iron. lead, copper, silver and gold, and learn to estimate their values. Today, however, we may go at once up stairs, unless you have enough French to delight in the purely horrible and would fancy a call at the Live room. That is where we keep the rats, frogs and other inhuman subjects for zoological study. Xo? Well then, here we are on the second floor, in the spacious and beautifully lighted Mineralogical Laboratory. These rows of studying desks, each with its locked drawer and rack furnished with so many curious implements and bottles, are where the students work out, each for himself, the problems of that delightful science. In the smaller rooms adjoining are models of every form of crystal, instruments for measuring their angles, determining specific gravities, etc , etc. Going down the hall we pass the lecture room where all these mysteries are explained, and where the broader and exclusive study of geology is taught, and enter the great mus- eum illustrative of both these studies. Don ' t be alarmed. These monsters of most hide- Our Uniuersity IS