Of course every one who knows anything of the college knows that the
study of mental and moral science has had as prominent place as that of
the natural sciences. It could not be otherwise with such a man as
Ex-President Hopkins in the chair of instruction. Dr. Hopkins has had,
in a remarkable degree, the faculty of making these studies, usually
regarded as abstruse and repulsive to the majority of students, both
intelligible and attractive. It has been his conviction that we may
know and ought to know what is nearest to us--ourselves; that we are
capable of ascertaining the laws and movements of our own being. This is
properly the science of Man. This, in his apt, clear way, he has taught
year after year. He has sought to lead the young men of his classes to
look within, to study and know themselves. For text-book he has used now
one and now another. The book has been of secondary importance. The
familiar, free discussions of the class-room have been the most
effective means of instruction, and many are the graduates of Williams
who look back upon their studies in philosophy as the most interesting
and valuable of their college course.
[Illustration: From HARPER'S MAGAZINE. Copyright, 1881, by HARPER &
BROTHERS.