Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/299

 THE FIRST YEAR 261 nature. An observer could not fail to be impressed with the per- fectly natural, unconstrained way in which the young men and women mingled. They acted as though it was the most natural thing in the world that they were in the University together. All went about their daily business in a simple, straightforward manner, and the life on the campus was as natural as in any village community. Through the Christian Union, the two Christian Associations, the missionary societies, and the churches of the city the religious life of the University found expression and was vigorous and active. There was no University chaplain the first year, and the pastors of the city were freely drawn upon for chapel addresses. Eminent preachers, not only from Chicago but from other parts of the country, spoke at the Sunday evening services of the Christian Union. Music came in to help the social life and gratify artistic tastes. At least two series of "chamber concerts" were given in Cobb. Mr. Williams, the "reader" in music, brought his grand piano into the assembly room and here the Glee Club, the Chorus, and the Choir were trained. As the second quarter wore on, the first of the new dormitories, Snell Hall, approached completion. It was built for men, but the women of the University were given the right of way, and they left the Beatrice and moved into Snell on April 15, 1893. The very last number of the University News told the story of their flitting from the one to the other. The World's Fair was opened in the spring of 1893 and the the famous Ferris Wheel went round just over the fence from the new women's dormitories. The Fair and the Wheel brought moving remembrances to the author of "1893": Oh, there were more profs than students, but then we didn't care; They spent their days in research work, their evenings at the Fair. And life upon the campus was one continual swing; We watched the Ferris Wheel go round, and didn't do a thing.