Since the accession of President Carter to his place at the head of the
college, while attention to other studies has not been lessened, more
attention has been given to the study of the modern languages and to our
own native tongue, formerly so sadly neglected in most of our colleges.
The belles-lettres studies have been given a larger place than they had
before. Other changes have also been made in the curriculum and in the
arrangements and management of the college calculated to adapt it in all
respects to the wants of the time, and the present condition and needs
of the country. The list of elective studies has been increased. For
some years the senior class have had a wide liberty of choice as to the
studies in which they should be engaged. A similar liberty is now given
to the juniors. As to the lower classes, the managers of the college are
not disposed to think that a boy on coming to college is the best judge
as to the studies to be pursued by him. At the same time they recognize
the fact that the average age of students is greater by several years
than it was twenty-five or fifty years ago, and that this may well be
taken into account and, coupled with the effect of two years of college
training, may make it safe and even desirable to throw students in the
latter half of their course partly upon their own responsibility as well
as privilege of choice. They are not disposed to regard their pupils as
boys when they are men, or to use compulsory requisitions when free
choice will accomplish as good results.
[Illustration: GYMNASIUM WILLIAMS COLLEGE MASS]
During President Carter's incumbency of office, or in recent years,
large additions have been made also to what may be called the furniture
of the college. Its funds have been sensibly augmented, and its
equipment of buildings largely increased. A new observatory has been
erected to supplement the uses of the old one, which was distinguished
as being the first observatory for astronomical purposes erected in this
country. The new one has mounted in it a meridian circle of the latest
and best construction. Other instruments in both observatories in the
hands of one so eminent as Professor Safford, furnish unusual means for
the prosecution of astronomical studies. Clark Hall, a fine new
building, contains the Wilder Mineralogical Cabinet and the college
archives. A new dormitory has been erected by the liberality of the late
Ex-Governor Morgan, of New York, and during the present year a spacious
building of stone has been erected for gymnastic purposes. As new
buildings have been constructed, old ones have been rearranged and
better adapted for the various uses of the college, and so it has been
provided with the means of enlarging and improving its work, and it is
believed that few, if any, of our colleges are better equipped in this
respect than Williams.
[Illustration: From HARPER'S MAGAZINE Copyright, 1881, by HARPER &
BROTHERS.