Princeton Sketches. By George R. Wallace. (G. P. Patnam's Sons.)—Mr.
West, who is a young graduate of the New Jersey University (" Class of '91 " is his description of himself), tells the "Story of Nassau Hall" from the beginning. The foundation dates back to 1746. The first president was the' Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, who already united the occupations of the minister of a large parish and a practising physician when he added to them the duties of president of a college. It is no wonder that he died within the year. The young foundation was assisted by a lottery which gave the liberal amount of £10,500 for £12,000 worth of tickets; but it was hinted that "prizes not demanded within six months after the drawing to be deemed as generously given to the use of the College." There are some curiosities in the matter of early rules. " Every scholar in College shall keep his hat off about ten rods to the President, and five to the Tutor." One Ellsworth, accused of breaking this rule, excused himself by the argument that, as every hat must have crown and brim, and his had no brim, it was no hat. This ingenious youth afterwards rose to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1758, the famous Jonathan Edwards came to preside over the College ; he died from inoculation after a reign of two months. Various Princeton men distinguished themselves in the War of Inde- pendence, President John Witherspoon chief among them. But the College suffered much, being reduced almost to a ruin. In 1782, there were but forty students. Passing on to a later time, the Secession brought no little trouble. Many students used to come from the South to Princeton. More than ninety withdrew after the Fort Sainte affair. In 1868, Doctor McCost imported to Nassau Hall from Queen's College, Belfast. He held it for twenty years. This is an interesting book, and well written. One cannot but admire Mr. Wallace's honest pride in his alma mater. The illustrations are good.
Previous page
