Poughkeepsie January 19tJl 1864,
Prof: M.B. Anderson LLD
My dear friend
It is told of one just from Emerald
Is^, that some dock sharper sold him an Owl for a parrot, in passing to
his Boarding house a gentleman inquired of Pat what he had there, a
parrot your honor, Well, can he talk much, not yet your honor but he
will shortly be after it, for he keeps up a good deal of thinking. Now I
am much in the same predicament as the Irishmans Parrot with large
glossy eyes waiting for twilight to set in so that I can see for I have been
so long Surrounded with the brillancy of professional acuraen, that I have
almost lost all my common Sense, Now that our College Edifice is
drawing near to completion, and Outbuildings & ornamental grounds
finished up or at least will be by the ensuing fall; The subject of fur-
nishing & opening the College begins to engross our attention. We
and physical
possibly could by strong pressure of our mental muscles get prepared
to fix the day on the Is*' September next, but this must be accomplished
by stirring & active efforts and at the sacrifice of 30 to 40 per Cent
advance for war prices on all its interior equipments, beds & bedding,
furnitures, Kitchen & Culinary appendages; the question therefore to
determine is shall we go on regardless of difference in values between
peace & war times or wait quietly a year or two for the suppression of
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Jan. 19, 1864 - 2
the rebellion & return of Specie Currency. True our assets (some of
them) are inflated by this paper currency & will go down on the return
of peace but not equal to the amount of other kind of values. Our Col-
lege assets will now average an interest of 7 pc. Pr annum, would it
last
be wise therefore to take the eggs out of their nest & put them into
Brickf Stone & Mortar. Prof Jewett is rather a "Young America11, he
is for going ahead, our Executive Committee with myself are for going
looking forward
slow, sure & Strong, not for one day only but for generations after us,
that is lay our foundation so deep that it will endure for ages, not Kill
the Goose for the sake of her golden egg. I suppose you have been
informed by Prof. Jewett of our contemplated meeting next month, with
its business objects, the chief of which will be the adoption of his plan
of Organization, and perhaps there may be some attempts at Official
appointments. Well, are you prepared to meet these questions. I shall
oppose all appointment that involves Out=goes too early, and I am not so
sure but some other system can be adopted whereby fixed emoluments to
a
Professors & others may be substituted for working sliding scale, it is
much more easy to follow in the wake of old Customs, than to strike out
new ones. The present age has unfolded if not new things a new way of
doing old ones. Once the old Stage Coach had its rule of fares regulated
according to the distance travelled, now the modern nOmnibussesn regards
not space but fix the fares long or short at one price. The modern hotels
s:i
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Jan. 19, 1864 - 3
the
charges for what you order not for what you eat, and house is furnished
by the owner with all its equipments to the Landlord, and he sails the
ship, how would some such plan work for our College, the Trustees
furnish & rent the buildings & appurtenances to one, two or more Pro-
fessors or Educators at a certain percentage on each pupil over a
minimum number. I have not fixed the Rule but it should necessarily be
on a Sliding scale; on this principal also the Educational department may
be based, similar to the present ''University" plan, impart to the pupils
what learning they are able to pay for & give them Diplomas for what
they have learnt. The truth is this age are rapidly throwing aside old
forms & Customs and adopting systems more in harmony with the genius
of the american people; but I have wrote enough to tire you I fear, allow
me just to say that I have read your articles in the Examiner on the con-
dition of english Society &c with much interest, and shall preserve them
to read over again at another day.
Hoping to see you at or before the February meeting
I remain
Truly yours
M. Vassar
PS. I have thrown out the above hints on the College
Organization, Professors &c at random, because I
know you to be well posted on these subjects, and
132

Jan. 19, 1864 - 4
may have learnt something during yourlate
tour in Europe M.V.
turn over
When you come to the february meeting, please to make my
domicil your quarters for the time being.
If you take the Hudson River Cars on Monday I will meet you
at the depot at any hour you name to arrive
r *
I expect or at least shall invite D.. Magoon to be our guest on
that occasion.
Yours &c
M V
193
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