By the REV. J. M. BUCKLEY, D.D.
Among the monuments and illustrations of the spirit of philanthropy—the
noblest distinction between ancient and modern civilization—the Cooper
Institute has stood for a quarter of a century, an object of interest
proportionate to the intellectual and moral elevation of those who behold
it.
The early struggles, great success and marked mental progress of its
founder, no less than a liberality as beautiful as it was then rare,
invest his life with a peculiar charm. Nor did he retain his possessions
until death loosened his grasp, employing in beneficence only that which
he could no longer retain. Thus he became the ancestor of many who are
their own executors. “May their tribe increase!” To these qualities was
added a simplicity which made it impossible not to feel that Peter Cooper
was a kind of universal “Uncle.” It pleased Almighty God in a providence,
which was no strain upon faith, as it seemed preëminently in harmony with
the sense of fitness, to allow him to live until he had seen the desire
of his heart, and could not doubt either the perpetuity, the wisdom or
the success of his plans for promoting the welfare of the people. To
comparatively few philanthropists on so large a scale, has this privilege
been vouchsafed; for most of them are old before their accumulations
justify large responsibilities.
The death of Peter Cooper gave to New York the opportunity, which was
itself a blessing, of showing by spontaneous tributes whose reflex
influence strengthens every spring of virtue, counteracting the
barbarizing tendencies of the struggle for bread or riches or honors, and
the weakening effects of mere idleness and the prevailing distrust of
human goodness, its estimate of disinterestedness. The opportunity was
improved, for never within the memory of the oldest inhabitant has the
death of a private citizen evoked more tender exhibitions of respect and
affection than that of the patriarchal Peter Cooper.
It is my purpose to describe this institution; to tell all about it, so
that those who read and have not seen may know what those who have seen
are pleased to recall.
On the 29th of April, 1859, Peter Cooper executed a deed in fee simple of
the property known as the Cooper Institute without any reservation, to
six trustees, upon the conditions specified in the act of the legislature
authorizing the gift to be made, “that the above mentioned and desirable
premises, together with the appurtenances and the rents, issues, income,
and profits thereof shall be forever devoted to the instruction and
improvement of the inhabitants of the United States in practical science
and art.”
The location of the property and its dimensions are thus described by the
founder in his letter to the trustees accompanying the trust deed:
“GENTLEMEN:—It is to me a source of inexpressible pleasure, after
so many years of continued effort, to place in your hands the
title of all that piece and parcel of land bounded on the west
by Fourth Avenue, and on the north by Astor Place, on the east
by Third Avenue, and on the south by Seventh Street, with all
the furniture, rents and income of every name and nature, to be
forever devoted to the advancement of science and art in their
application to the varied and useful purposes of life.”
That the spirit of Peter Cooper and the purposes which he had in this
munificent gift may be the more fully understood, and the reader may
judge how near the trustees have come to fulfilling the same, I shall
quote some salient passages from that unique letter. “The great object I
desire to accomplish by the establishment of an institution devoted to
the advancement of science and art is to open the volume of nature by
the light of truth—so unveiling the laws and methods of Deity that the
young may see the beauties of creation, enjoy its blessings, and learn
to love the Being ‘from whom cometh every good and perfect gift.’ My
heart’s desire is, that the rising generation may become so thoroughly
acquainted with the laws of nature _and the great mystery of their
own being that they may see, feel, understand and know that there are
immutable laws designed in infinite wisdom, constantly operating for our
good—so governing the destiny of worlds and men that it is our highest
wisdom to live in strict conformity to these laws_.”
The italics are his. Mr. Cooper felt a special interest in the
advancement of women; nor did this interest take a mere sentimental, much
less an unpractical, form. It did not effervesce in honeyed compliments
or futile denunciation of the existing state. It was thus expressed: “To
manifest the deep interest and sympathy I feel in all that can advance
the happiness and better the condition of the female portion of the
community, and especially of those who are dependent upon honest labor
for support, I desire the trustees to appropriate two hundred and fifty
dollars yearly to assist such pupils of the Female School of Design as
shall, in their careful judgment, by their efforts and sacrifices in the
performance of duty to parents, or to those that Providence has made
dependent on them for support, merit and require such aid. My reason for
this requirement is, not so much to reward, as to encourage the exercise
of heroic virtues that often shine in the midst of the greatest suffering
and obscurity, without so much as being noticed by the passing throng.”
In prescribing rules for the practice of debate, and the facilities
for the hearing of lectures, he says: “To aid the speakers, and those
that hear, to profit by these lectures and debates, I hereby direct to
have placed in the lecture room, in a suitable position, full-length
likenesses of Washington, Franklin and Lafayette, with an expression of
my sincere and anxious desire that all that behold them may remember that
notwithstanding they are dead they yet speak the language of truth and
soberness.”
Here follows a provision far in advance of his time, but now becoming
common, if not popular: “Desiring as I do that the students of this
institution may become preëminent examples in the practice of all the
virtues, I have determined to give them an opportunity to distinguish
themselves for their good judgment by annually recommending to the
trustees for their adoption such rules and regulations as they, on mature
reflection, shall believe to be necessary and proper to preserve good
morals and good order throughout their connection with this institution.”
The letter contains an account of the religious opinions which had taken
an “irresistible possession” of his mind. These—which may be inferred
from the extracts made—and the offer of ten thousand dollars additional,
to the board of trustees, for which they were to draw at their pleasure,
as fast as the same could “be wisely used to advance the interests of the
institution,” conclude this remarkable letter.
Mr. Cooper continued to assist the Institute in every possible way until
his death. In his will he bequeathed to it $100,000. Soon after his death
his children notified the trustees that “in accordance with what they
understood to be Mr. Cooper’s final wishes, they would in a few months
contribute the sum of $100,000 in addition to the bequest of $100,000
contained in his will.”
The trustees—of whom not one has died in the long period of their
service, the only death being that of the President, Peter Cooper—give
the following succinct statement of the principles upon which they
proceeded in the execution of so weighty a trust. They say that they
laid down as the fundamental basis of their operations the following
principles:
First, that the details of the institution in all the departments should
be arranged with especial reference to the intellectual wants and
improvement of the working classes. And, second, that as far as might be
consistent with the first principle, all interference with the plans or
objects of other existing institutions in the city should be avoided.
Guided by these principles the trustees arrived at the following broad
scheme, as best calculated to instruct, elevate, and improve the working
classes of the city:
1. Instruction in the branches of knowledge which are practically applied
in their daily occupations, by which they support themselves and their
families.
2. Instruction in the laws by which health is preserved and the sanitary
condition of families improved; in other words, in personal hygiene.
3. Instruction in social and political science, by virtue of which
communities maintain themselves, and nations progress in virtue, wealth
and power.
4. Instruction addressed to the eye, the ear, and the imagination, with
a view to furnish a reasonable and healthy recreation to the working
classes after the labors of the day.
In pursuance of these objects and in harmony with the above comprehensive
principles the following departments are maintained at the present time
in most effective operation:
1. Free Reading Room and Library. Here between 430 and 440 periodicals
are kept on file, and upward of 17,000 volumes are upon the shelves. In
1883 the number of books used was 194,963, the number of patent office
reports examined 8,324, and the number of visitors to the patent office
room 1,487. In all 559,707 persons visited the Free Reading Room and
Library during 1883.
2. Free Art School for Women. There were no less than 1,450 applications
for admission during the year, a number far in excess of the
accommodations; 275 were admitted to the morning classes, of whom 202
remained at the close of the term, and 160 received certificates. There
are also a “pay class” for pottery painting in this department, and a pay
class for drawing in the afternoon; 43 were in the pottery class, and 221
in the drawing class.
3. Free School for Women in Wood Engraving. Thirty-two students were
received during the year 1882, of whom 28 continued to the close of the
term.
4. Free School of Telegraphy for Women. The number of applicants was 160,
of whom 55 were admitted.
5. Free Night School of Science. In this important department are classes
in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytical geometry, descriptive
geometry, differential and integral calculus, elementary mechanics,
natural philosophy, engineering, astronomy, elementary chemistry,
analytical chemistry, geology, mechanical drawing, oratory and debate.
One thousand one hundred and sixty-nine were admitted into the School
of Science, 705 remained till the close of the year, and 405 obtained
certificates.
6. The Free Night School of Art. Here is taught perspective drawing,
mechanical drawing, architectural drawing, drawing from cast, form
drawing, industrial drawing, ornamental free hand, rudimental free hand,
modeling in clay. In this school were 1,797 pupils.
In addition to these departments a course of ten free lectures is given
in the great hall on successive Saturday evenings for ten weeks. The
lecturers are men of considerable eminence and generally specialists.
Probably the most interesting ever delivered was the course by the
famous naturalist, the Rev. J. G. Wood, of London, England. This course
crowded the hall, and was concluded January 19th of the present year by a
lecture, with illustrations, on “The Ant.”
The term begins in the free Night Schools for Science and Art on the 1st
of October, and closes term work in April. Applications for admission
must be made during the month of September on Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, and Friday evenings, and on Thursday evenings afterward.
Each applicant must be at least fifteen years old, and bring a letter
of recommendation from his employer. Ladies are admitted to any of the
classes in the School of Science for which they are fitted, but not to
the School of Art. The regular course of study requires five terms, and
to those who successfully complete it the Cooper medal and diploma are
awarded.
The annual term in the Woman’s Art School begins October 1st and ends May
30th. Ladies desiring admission must apply in person or writing, and give
a written responsible reference as to character, fitness, and inability
to pay for instruction. The ages are from sixteen to thirty-five years.
Pupils who do not exhibit proficiency after two months’ trial will be
dropped. The morning classes are reserved for those who do not pay.
But to meet the wants of those who wish to study as an accomplishment,
“paying classes” are organized for the afternoon. Lessons are given
in elementary drawing from objects, cast drawing, life drawing, oil
painting, engraving. Lessons of two hours in length are given three times
a week. Terms, $15 for thirty lessons.
The rules of admission to the Free School in Telegraphy for Women are
that the candidates shall present themselves for examination on the first
Tuesday in October. They will be examined in reading poor manuscript,
writing from dictation, penmanship and spelling. They must be at least
sixteen years old, and _positively_ not over _twenty-four_.
In the report for 1882, published in May, 1883, Mrs. Carter the Principal
of the Woman’s Art School, says: “One hundred and twenty-six present
pupils are learning. Of these fifty-four are in the photograph classes,
and eighteen in the engraving class. Twenty-six now in the school are
teaching drawing, and three of these are in nineteen public schools in
this city. One young woman who left the art school in the winter teaches
twenty-five hours a week in eight public schools here at two dollars an
hour.”
The form of application to the Cooper Union includes name of applicant,
residence, age, occupation, name of employer, place of business.
Parents or guardians, in the case of minors, fill out the blanks, but
applications must be made in person. It only remains to say that the
applications are in advance of the capacity of the Institute, but that
the democratic principle of “first come first served” is rigorously
applied. Applications do not hold over from one year to another, but must
be renewed. It is possible for persons from any part of the country to
avail themselves of the facilities here afforded. Board for gentlemen can
be obtained at very reasonable rates, not far from the Union. Two rooming
together and lunching at restaurants can live well at a low rate. Ladies
also can procure board in Brooklyn, or in the suburban towns, or even in
the city itself, at a rate far below what is generally supposed possible.
Passing the Cooper Institute, as the writer does nearly every day, he
looks with undiminished interest upon the young men and young women who
go in and out of the building; while to attend one of the lectures is a
pleasure far greater than that of merely listening. If it were possible
to assemble in one place all who have been helped upward and onward here,
among them would be found men and women now in the most influential
positions, and the intelligence visible in the countenances of those who,
though still earning their bread by the sweat of the brow, are filled
with elevating thoughts, and are consciously members of the aristocracy
of intellect, would be an ample reward to founder, trustees and teachers,
for all their work and labor of love. Nor is this all; these pupils will
transmit influences through their posterity to the end of time. Peter
Cooper, like Washington, Lafayette, and Franklin, still speaks “words
of truth and soberness.” He shakes hands with every aspiring young man,
saying: “My son, I will help you;” with every young woman who cherishes
a high ambition: “My daughter, I have a deep sympathy with you.” It is
useless to say, “Long may his memory endure!” It can not die.
In concluding this paper the writer must be permitted to express his
satisfaction that the sketch is to appear in a magazine called into being
by an institution which on another principle, equally efficient and
much more widely diffused in the sphere of its influence, promotes the
advancement of Science and Art by bringing them within the reach of all
aspirants, without distinction of race, sex, age, or previous condition
of servitude.