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.

JACKSON HALL.]

[Illustration: From HARPER'S MAGAZINE Copyright, 1881, by HARPER &
BROTHERS.

THE OLD OBSERVATORY.]

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 o