Washington College - Pegasus Yearbook (Chestertown, MD)

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building, being still uniinished. was in a deplorable state of decay, and the number of students had fallen to 40. About 1800 the idea had become rooted in Maryland, that the public money should be devoted to secondary, and not to advanced education. Against this sentiment, VVashington College. not- withstanding the contract with the State, waged for a long time an unequal War. Although its doors were never closed, yet it de- generated into an academy. In 1832, it had but a single teacher. Its history and prosperity are indissolubly connected with the State appropriation, as it had no other source of revenue, except the .scanty sums received from tuition. From 1805 to 1812, the appro- priation was entirely withdrawn. From 1812-183-1, it received S800 per annum. From 1834--18, it received 5500 per year, .5300 having been taken for an academy at Millington. From 1818--515, 332,000 per annum were given., The principle now commenced to gain ground in the State, that the real welfare of the republic depended upon advanced, as well as secondary education. From 1850--70, S3000 were giveng from 1870--71, 83.375 was appropriated. From 1874 to 1801, the college received 55,375 per annum, but was compelled to educate 15 students from the Eastern Shore counties, free of all expense. In 1801 the number of free students was increased to 18, or two from each county. with a corresponding increase in the appropriation. Other attempts were made to improve the financial condition of the college. In 1825, a lottery scheme was instituted and sanctioned by the Legislature, through which 380,000 were to be raised. From this the college realized 320,000 Unfortunately, in 1827, the college building was destroyed by iire. The college was then removed to the town. and occupied two different houses in succession, neither of which is now stand- ing. In 1844, the present central building was completed. and the ll N

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In 1783. the first commencement in Maryland was held at VVashington College. There were six graduates, who aired their learning in a Latin and a French oration and a Latin disputation. Un the next day. the corner-stone of the college building was laid by Governor Paca with appropriate ceremonies. It was 1450 feet long and three stories high. The central portion was 40 feet Wide and 100 feet deep. with a hall through the centre from north to south. Each Wing was 00 feet by 130 feet. with central halls running north and south. 328,000 were raised for the construction of this building, all of which was contributed by the people of the Eastern Shore, except S1200 raised in the three eastern counties of Virginia, and 50 guineas given by General VVashington. It afforded ample accommodations for 500 students, yet, it Was not completed at' the opening of the nineteenth century. It is doubtful whether it was finished very long before its destruction by fire. General VVashington was present at the second commence- ment in 1784. The students played before him the tragedy of Gustavus Vasa. At the close of the performance, Dr. Smith said : You have just performed a play illustrative of the life and actions of Gustavus Vasa 3 behold here the Gustavus of America Y In 1787, the college conferred upon the Father of His Country the honorary title of L.L. D. The total expenses i11 the new institution, were for board, S1305 for tuition. P5101 room-rent, S81 per annum in all. The standard of scholarship was high. lt embraced algebra, geometry, trigonometry. conic sections, fluxious, navigation, surveying, natural philosophy, chemistry. astronomy, moral philosphy, logic, metaphysics. rhetoric. and extensive reading of Greek and Latin authors. ' Dr. Smith returned in due time to the college of Philadelphia, and the young institution began to lose ground. In 1790 the 10

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college again took possession of Mount VVashington. In 1854, the east and the west hall were completed. These buildings were erected during the presidency of Richard W. Ringgold. Discipline was in old times, administered with a firm hand in VVashington College. Prior to 1823. the crooked morals of refractory students, under 15 years of age, were straightened with a ruler: but at that time a law was passed by the Visitors, by which the ferule could be laid on all students regardless of age or class. At one time, absence from roll-call was punished by a Iine not to exceed 55. and other offenses were punished withqappropriate levies on the students' purse. VVhen the college commenced to board the students in 1819, trouble arose. This culminated in 1821 in the grub riot. The board of Governors and Visitors being peti- tioned, decreed that the students should have fresh meat at least three times a week. VVhen there was no fresh meat, there was to be a light dessert. lt was further enacted, that the boys should have as many cups of coffee as they wanted. Thus peace was restored. In 1889, a preparatory course extending over two years, was put into successful operation. In that year. 70 students were enrolled. In 18011, two residences tone for the principal. the other for the vice-principal. were erected. All the buildings were put in excellent order. The east hall was now made a dormitory for students. In 18511, women were admitted as students of the college, on the same terms as men. In 1892. a handsome gymnasium was erected by the alumni and friends of the college in Chestertown, at a cost of 812011. The Board of Governors and Visitors furnished it with suitable apparatus. at an outlay of about 5500. Each class is required to ha.ve three exercises a week in the gymnasium, under the instruction of the director. Since 1803. a lady has occupied the chair of Modern Languages. Since 1889, the average yearly enrollment has been considerably over one hundred. 12