vitality and practical utility to the old didactic systems; in other words, boys coming out of that school can apply what they have learned and turn it to greater advantage than we could, even after we had supplemented our training with years of experience. Then consider, if you will, the great desideratum in having so many extensive libraries, a long list of distinguished and eminent professors, chiefly through the influence of Dr. Benjamin Franklin and Dr. William Smith. Dr. Smith was the the first provost, and he is conspicuous in American college history as having established here, in 1757, the curriculum of study which was adopted substantially by all the colleges of later foundation, until scientific departments were attached to them. The college of Philadelphia was of having medicine and law, a department of arts and a department of science as practically applied, all together on the same ground; in other words, a university, the money spent in which does more than ten times the amount of good than that frittered away on a hundred minor schools. And are you aware of the fact that it is also the oldest college in the United States?" "Oh, yes. I can tell you all about it," replied my friend, the reporter, as he drew forth a voluminous note-book, from which he proceeded to give me the following facts: "The University of Pennsylvania is the outgrowth and successor of the College of Philadelphia, which was founded Deny - West- chartered in 1755, and is therefore the sixth in "True; but I can tell you some things which probably you have not noted there. If not, you had better make a mem. now. There is not a trust in the United States, or in the world, which has been more judiciously administered. There is not one which can show greater results or better fruit, to put it familiarly, for the amount of seed sown. For these reasons it is a gratification to give money to this institution, for one is sure it will be strictly applied to the purposes intended. It is a matter of surprise to me that there are but four endowed professorships among a list of some forty or fifty that ought to be. One of these was endowed by the late Colonel Thomas A. Scott, and the others by Hon. John Welsh, Asa Whitney, and Mrs. J. Rhea Barton, and I trust that the example of these liberal-hearted individuals will soon be followed by others, and by their generosity identify their names with the progress of the institution." Passing Fernwood, Morton, and other stations in their order, we were delightfully charmed with the lovely aspect presented by the country upon all sides. The clustering villas, hid amid green foliage, and vine embowered, together with the lovely expanse of interlying country, formed some most delightfully charming and picturesque views to the passing traveler. Emerging from the depth of a dark-green woods, my friend, the reporter, observed that we were now approaching Swarthmore. Looking to the right, as directed by him, we beheld the college capping the brow of the swelling hill, the building "A stranger, to hear you, would surely think that you were one of its alumni," retorted my friend. The University buildings having passed out of view, our attention was drawn away from the subject to that of another-the hotel Blockley. This establishment, we were informed, meets greater success as a winter quarters than as a summer resort; and as its accommodations are said to be somewhat circumscribed, it cannot become a very popular resort with summer travelers. Just after passing the picturesque Woodlands Cemetery, and Cobb's Creek beyond, we had our attention directed to a modest little institution, and of which we had never heard before. This was the "Home for Friendless Colored Children," a charity, certainly, which should commend itself to our kindly consideration. | quite commanding in its prominence, and crowning a site that is unexcelled anywhere. Our train had been crowded with expectant fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, and friends from all parts of the country, both far and near, going to witness the commencement exercises of this excellent institution. Throughout our brief journey I had not failed, either, in eyeing askance the imposing array of white dresses, flowers, and spring bonnets; inwardly enjoying all the appreciable happiness which prevailed, while pretending to listen to the prosy talk of my companion. At this juncture my eyes wandered to the rear end of our car and alighted upon a lady friend. "Excuse me," said I, "I am going to join a lady." "Come, now, that is not fair," was the energetic reply, as my companion drew me back into 102 the seat. "I have bought you and intend to through the commencement, if you will make me one of the party." hold you fast.' "I acknowledge the force of your last argument," said he, "but Swarthmore is not to be the end of our sight-seeing." "Of course not." "There is the birthplace of Benjamin West." "Then, further up the road, we will inspect how the famous Delaware and Chester County gilt-edged butter is made." "Yes." It would have been bad taste to disagree with this proposition, so we all left the cars together and sauntered across the green lawn to where the celebrated painter, West, was born and reared. Here the newspaper man began to air his knowledge of the subject, and told us how Benjamin was born upon the spot before us in 1738, and how he grew up under the careful training customary among the Friends. "The place was called Springfield in those days," he continued, "and the surroundings of this little dwelling were not so peacefully picturesque one hundred and forty years ago as at present. Large forests abounded on every hand, and for many years afterward the forest of the noted thousand acres,' through which the Strasburg road passed leading from the city westward, "And visit the farm where the fine Jersey loomed up to the north of the hamlet. cattle are." "Very good." "Then we will go on to the charming little city of West Chester, where we will dine." "Better still-the dining part." "Then, there is the battlefield of Brandywine, with its historic old Meeting House, the centre of the fight; and there are many other things I will tell you about as we proceed. Meanwhile, I shall have no objection to your escorting this lady Over this thoroughfare wagoners pursued their way with loaded muskets, and it was considered very unsafe for single travelers to venture through the sombre shadows of these woodlands in the daytime, even if well armed. Thence, stretching away to the Delaware River, the dense forests along the King's highway to Chester and Wilmington afforded ample protection to brigands, who had their secret rendezvous within the darkest recesses. In speaking of West's early life, a recent writer says: 'The early life of West was not cast in a bed of roses without plenty of thorns. His genius must therefore be regarded as purely native and original; for, with this state of the country and society, he could have no other advantages, no teachers of note, and but very few rude pictures for a study. Nature was his guide, and this he adhered to in all his after-life and fame. "West's talent manifested itself in very early life. It is recorded that at the age of seven years he astonished his friends at the accuracy of his pencil drawings; that at nine years he produced a painting in colors that was deemed worthy of preservation, and which, we understand, is now in excellent keeping at the Kirkbride Institution, Philadelphia. In referring to these facts, and to the first crude specimen, we must not lose sight of the difficulties of the times in comparison with the present period, when the art of drawing, painting, etc., forms a noted branch in our popular schools. "Young West passed his college life at a log school-house in the adjoining township of Newtown, where A B C's were conveyed to the understanding at the end of a hickory switch, rather than by experienced teachers; but he was equal to all the tasks imposed except arithmetic. This he got over by the exercise of his native talent. While a school-mate did his sums for him, he returned the compliment by drawing birds, animals, and landscapes in his copy-book." " "We know all the rest," I remarked, taking my lady friend's arm and turning toward the college. "At any rate, we can get the book when we go home." The college as we approached was alive with visitors, and on entering the hall, which was handsomely decorated with evergreens and flowers, we found it crowded, but succeeded in securir.g fairly good seats. The exercises embraced the able treatment of many subjects, with a valedictory address by the daughter of the President; and after conferring the degrees on fourteen or fifteen graduates, President Magill read an address of the venerable Samuel Willets, of New York, President of the Board of Managers, who was present. At the close of this, a bountiful lunch was provided for all assembled, and to those of us who were hungry it was a pleasing feature of the entertainment. Swarthmore College was erected by the Hicksite branch of the Society of Friends some twelve or thirteen years ago, since which time it has steadily increased its facilities, and offers to students practical as well as classical courses of study. It is very liberally endowed and ranks with the first institutions of the kind in this country or in Europe, while its corps of professors are men of well-known abilities. The admission of both sexes to a participation of its privileges is a special feature of this institution. The situation of the college is beautiful beyond conception, and the view from the front porch, or higher up, from the windows of the museum, is very fine. To the right and left a broad and smiling plain extends, rich in a luxuriant growth of green and bounded through a deep and rocky glen to the southward of the college, furnishing both swimming and fishing for the boys, and on our way to Media. Here we concluded to make a short stop to look about the charming little town which has many attractions that make it a summer resort for Philadelphians. The streets, houses, schools, institutions, and social features are evidences of neatness, education, and thrift. Indeed, Media, as well as many other pleasant places along the line of this road, is an agreeable place to live in at any time only by the circular sweep of the Jersey hills, a of the year. Of course it is more pleasant for the hazy wall of background full fifty miles away. "What did you think of the commencement ?" inquired the reporter of my lady friend, as we were en route for the cars. "All that I am afraid of, sir," she replied, "is that those dear girls do not realize the great advantages they possess in such an education at such an institution, so greatly superior to those of even twenty years ago. Perhaps I should call it privilege, for a gracious privilege it certainly is." And then we bade her a reluctant farewell and she left us on her homeward trip, while we continued our excursion. There was no uncomfortable crowding on board the train, as the railroad company had furnished extra cars for the occasion, and we were soon whirled away across Crum Creek, which winds six warmer months, and transportation to and fro is but little more than fares on the street cars; while in colder and more disagreeable weather the difference is between a comfortable steam-car and a comfortless street-car, with a warm and cozy shelter in which to wait for trains on the one hand, and a bleak corner with no shelter to wait for a street-car on the other hand. For those who wish to select a country home convenient to the city, and who would make a choice with good judgment, it would be well to seek along the lines of the West Chester and Philadelphia, and Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroads, running through magnificent stretches of country fair and beautiful to look upon. At Media my companion received a dispatch |