When Miss Mary Lyon, the noble-minded founder of Mount Holyoke Seminary and College, selected as a site that picturesque portion of western Massachusetts lying back from the Connecticut River, in the small village of South Hadley, she builded even better than she knew. Mounts Tom and Holyoke, with their thickly wooded sides and grand possibilities for botanical and geological excursions, well guarded to right and left by smaller clusters of hills sloping away to the horizon in gentle declensions, and the smoothly winding "willow-fringed Connecticut" of Dr. Holland's "Kathrina" gliding in and out, around and through, in most unexpected places, as if unwilling to leave a region so favored, unite to form one of the loveliest, most peaceful, and altogether most charming localities in all New England.
It is fitting that in this typical New England region the typical New England character in its highest sense should have been, for fifty years, the lofty ideal toward which the training of Mount Holyoke has been tending. The child of many prayers, this pioneer girls' school of western Massachusetts, preceded in New England only by Mr. Emerson's school at Byfield and Miss Beecher's at Hartford, Mount Holyoke has steadily held her own as an institution famed for thoroughness in scholarship, and fidelity to the highest moral and religious interests of its pupils. Its graduates now number over two thousand; its pupils, not graduates, four thousand more; and notwithstanding the numerous attractions of later and more modern women's colleges, the old halls are as well filled as ever, and there is no diminution in the long line of dazed Juniors, complacent Middlers, and stately Seniors who take their respective places at table and in recitation-room in response to the sharp clang of the new electric bells.
The traveller from New York and Springfield approaches Smith's Ferry, the nearest railroad station to Mount Holyoke, by the Connecticut River Railroad, which makes a graceful crescent curve just before it reaches the little place, and prepares him, or more probably her, for the pretty scenery close at hand. Over the plant walk leading to the ferry how many new-comers have trod with trembling hearts! The river is clear and smooth, and generally in a reflective mood, taking to itself all the graceful outlines of trees and clouds around and above. A drive of two miles along a pleasant country road brings one to the town of South Hadley. The location of the institution is often misapprehended by strangers, from the fact that a mountain four miles away, and a flourishing little city to the South, bear the same name.
The buildings are arranged in the form of a hollow square, the Main Building, with the north and south wings extending back from the street, being balanced in the rear by a spacious gymnasium. The old-fashioned Main Building, such a goodly sight to the hopeful eyes of Mary Lyon, the fruit of her unwearied, often discouraged efforts, has been furbished and polished, added to and subtracted from, until, although still old-fashioned, it is, within, a marvel of comfort and comeliness. The old Seminary Hall, dear to each alumna as the scene of many precious meetings, as well as of the dreaded entrance examinations, is a fine room, with modern furnishings, whose walls are graced by numerous portraits of former principals and other staunch friends of the institution. The old parlors A and B, which were always spelled with large capitals, and into whose solemn recesses the most venturesome student dared not look, save under the admonitory guidance of a member of the faculty, have bloomed out in beautiful modern colors into a bright and attractive gathering-place for students. A handsome library, the gift of Mrs. Durant in pre-Wellesley days, extends northward from the Main Building, and has recently been enlarged to twice its original size. Its cozy alcoves and cushioned window-seats are favorite resorts for the students, who find on the well-filled shelves an unusually carefully selected supply of books for study and reference, and in few colleges are the contents of a library more thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed.
An elevator generously carries weary girls to the heights of the upper stories. The second, third, and fourth floors are occupied by an apparently endless number of students, and an open door here and there gives one delightful glimpses of pretty rooms, decorated and double-decorated, after the happy fashion of school-girls the land over. The flowers of the season, laurel or daisies, roses, lilies, asters, golden-rod, the scarlet berries of the bitter-sweet, or pots of delicate fern, brighten the window-seat. Here a corner of birds' nests, there an odd cluster of branches or the vacated home of a family of yellow-jackets, testify to rambles on the mountain-side. A huge "Reserved" card crowns the picture of some lucky youth, while "Taken" or "For Sale" is perched over another. Mathematics, science, and art hold festive companionship on the crowded bookshelves, and note-books and pencils everywhere abound. A spacious studio occupies the entire width of the fourth floor.
Out on the grounds a concrete walk wends its way, from the North Wing door to the Lyman Williston Hall, which is overshadowed by a magnificent black walnut tree, said to be the finest in the State. This building is devoted to science, and a large addition in the rear has just been completed. On the left of the entrance one may see a fine collection of botanical specimens from all parts of the world, and a sunny recitation-room, where a class of young ladies are ruthlessly destroying al sorts of vegetable products to discover the secret of the family name. Farther on, traces of a dissecting-room and of anatomical and physiological study are displayed. A chemical laboratory, with accommodations for individual work, and a commodious lecture-room for students in chemistry and physics, occupy the rear of the building on the first floor. While above, in the second story, huge plesiosaurs and other grinning remains of geologic time, flanked by cases of pretty songsters from foreign parts, add to the resources of those interested in geology and zoology. The addition to the northeast includes two recitation-rooms, a dissecting-room, and an aqua vivarium of large size, which will furnish unusually good opportunity for the advanced study of animal and plant life. Laboratories for zoology and physiology, and a biological library room, opening into the recitation-rooms, also find place in this pleasant hall.
Other buildings are the spacious Chamberlain House, for the use of students in art and music, an observatory, and a picturesque and very popular little boat-house gleaming out from among the fine old trees, with which the grounds near the river are abundantly supplied.
From a fine site just across the village street an astronomical observatory, fitted up with an eight-inch-glass telescope, a chronograph, sextant, astronomical clock, meridian circle, and lesser appliances, invites the lover of celestial mysteries. The choice beginnings of an art gallery are found in a large hall in the Williston building. Some notable copies of the old masters, choice casts and engravings, and fine specimens of modern schools of painting are well worth the inspection of the most travelled visitor. Very little that is not really excellent finds place here, and some generous friend of the institution will undoubtedly remember its needs at no distant day.
The grounds about the building include fifty acres, all under cultivation, and well stocked with trees, the growth of many decades. Between the grounds immediately connected with the building and the happy hill-side known as Goodnow Park, runs a quiet river, which though on its way to do duty for the miller, does not disdain to bear on its smooth surface numerous boat-loads of laughing girls. From the little bridge charming glimpses of a fairy-like world meet the eye, and lead one to wonder whether a more delightful place could have been chosen for study and retirement. A pavilion crowns the sightly summit of the park, from which may be obtained extended views of the surrounding country, with the Holyoke range to the right, and the broad river on its way to the sea.
The happiest feature of the institution has already been alluded to - its cultivation of a noble womanly character. While not sectarian, Mount Holyoke is decidedly and unequivocally religious in her teaching and practice. The large majority of its graduates are Christian women, and find niches awaiting them in the world of workers. The Bible is taught systematically, and the voice of prayer and the song of praise ascend, as for the past fifty years, at the numerous little "recess meetings" all over the building each evening, attendance being purely voluntary. Sterling character is here built up, and preparation made for all the exigencies of a woman's life.
If this be the happiest feature, perhaps the one most frequently commented on and least understood, by the world that learns of it only through far-away hearsay is the domestic system. Here, as at Wellesley College, each student is required to take some part in the necessary house-work daily, the time so spent varying from seventy minutes to thirty or forty, according to the difficulty of the task assigned. That house-work is not taught by this system, may be readily seen when one reflects that she who assists in preparing the bread, for example, in a family often numbering over three hundred, has very vague conceptions of the requirements of a small family. What she does learn, however, is to be punctual, thorough, and faithful. Shirking rolls the burden, not on a servant, but on a school-mate, possibly a friend. The indolence or carelessness of one interferes, to a greater or less degree, with the comfort of the entire family.
The admirable system by which the work necessary to so large a household is carried on, without confusion or overtaxing, and with extreme neatness and swiftness, is in itself a memory which has its influence for many years in the life of a graduate. One of the most accomplished and intelligent members of the faculty has entire oversight of this department, and to her, instead of to the matrons, the young ladies are always referred. Every portion of the work is so systematized that it is accomplished without friction. The "circle" or group of students to prepare the dinner, for example, is under the immediate supervision of a leader, generally a member of one of the upper classes, whose acquaintance with the daily methods of living for two or three years enables her to apportion the duties with discretion. And so promptly, and with such beautiful economy of time, are the parts arranged, that the occasions are rare when it is necessary to "delay the dinner-bell." No young lady is obliged to retain a task which is too difficult, or even especially distasteful; and no one who has listened to the cheerful sounds of song and laughter in the dining-room or domestic hall, during the busy hours, can imagine for a moment that the young ladies consider their part in this co-operative system degrading or unpleasant.
Among other advantages of this system may be mentioned two which influenced its originator: it obviates the necessity of securing a large number of servants (a few only being employed for the heavier tasks), which, in a remote country town, would be an important consideration; and it materially lessens the expense of the student. Incredible as it may seem, the advantages of a college training, including board and very nearly all necessary expenses, are offered at Mount Holyoke for $200 per year.
Mount Holyoke is now passing through an important and trying period of its existence. A full college charter and power to confer degrees were granted it by the Massachusetts Legislature in March, 1888. For many years the institution upheld a lofty standard among its contemporaries. The long strides taken in all departments of learning, and the increasing interest manifested in the education of women, have given rise to numerous colleges for the sisters and "cousins" of Yale, Harvard, and Amherst men. The impetus which broadening opportunities for study have given to all scholastic learning has proved of great benefit to Mount Holyoke as to all other institutions. For several years opportunity for advanced study in Greek, Latin, the modern languages, science, and art has been afforded those who wished to remain beyond the required for years, and as many as one hundred at a time have been engaged, in this work, which now falls legitimately into the collegiate curriculum. Full classical and scientific courses of four years each, identical with those of colleges for men, have been filled out, and the first class of eighteen students begins its work this year. The requirements for admission to shoe courses are the same as in the colleges for men. Certificates from fitting schools are not, however, accepted in place of examinations. A thoroughly prepared applicant is supposed to be quite willing to have her proficiency tested.
To the responsible position of the first President of Mount Holyoke College Miss Mary A. Brigham has been summoned. Formerly, and for many years, associated with Dr. West in the Brooklyn Heights Seminary, her fame is in all the land. A cultivated, broad-mined, talented woman, Miss Brigham is a worthy successor of the founder of Mount Holyoke and the line of worthy women who came after Mary Lyon. Her genuine good sense, true womanliness, and sincere devotion to the mental and moral culture of those who under her care, combined with the numberless advantages gained by long residence near the metropolis, and acquaintance with its best life and thought, render her an eminently suitable leader in the new departure and anticipated progress in a higher sphere.
Miss Blanchard, for so many years the honored seminary principal, and Miss Edwards, a lineal and worthy descendant of the Puritan divine of that name, have been made full professors in the college. Other excellent names are being considered for new professor ships. Many of the old rules and restrictions have ceased to be college discipline, and freedom will take the place of the more stringent regulations which were necessary so long as the requirements for admission could be compassed by girls of fifteen.
Earnest efforts are being made by alumnae to secure funds for the President's cottage, which shall also become a residence for young ladies of the college department, and large endowments are hoped for from its friends. Of money Mount Holyoke has never had large store, but all her treasures are thoroughly mined, and many older institutions, whose magnificent equipment puts to shame the resources of this younger sister, realize no more from their liberal endowments than does Mount Holyoke. She has worked faithfully for and with her possessions, and now that the crowning desire of Miss Lyon's heart has been realized, and not only the coveted Greek course, but other branches of a liberal education have been added, her friends have a right to be steadfast in the faith that the coming half-century of the college, will be as rich in good works as its first fifty years have been.
Helen Marshall North