Page:LA2-NSRW-1-0348.jpg





Burroughs (bŭr ' rōz), John, American naturalist, essayist and man-of-letters, was born at Roxbury, N. Y., April 3, 1837, and received an academic education. For a time he taught school, was a treasury clerk at Washington, D. C., and afterwards examiner of national banks. Since 1874 he has lived on a farm, devoting himself to literary work and to fruit-culture and the observation of nature, of which he is an ardent lover and keen and kindly observer. His studies of birds and of field-life have been close and intimate; and his books on these and other theme's make delightful reading. Among his publications are Wake-Robin; Signs and Seasons; Pepacton; Riverby; Birds and Poets; Winter Sunshine; Locusts and Wild Honey; Fresh Fields; Indoor Studies; and a monograph on Walt Whitman.

Burwash, Rev'd Nathaniel, born at St. Andrews, Quebec in 1839. A graduate of Victoria University, ordained 1864. Later studied at Yale. In 1867 appointed professor of natural history and geology at Victoria University. In 1887 he became president of the University. A member of each general conference of the Methodist Church from 1874 to 1894. In 1889 president of the conference, contributed largely to bringing about the federation of the universities which was effected in 1885. The author of a treatise on Wesley's Doctrinal Standards. Has been most influential in every branch of educational reform in the province (Ontario). A leader of Methodism for a whole generation.

Image: CHANCELLOR BURWASH

Business College. The business or commercial college is, properly speaking, a trade school for the purpose of teaching those desirous of securing an elementary position in business, such as that of clerk or bookkeeper, the things of immediate use to them for that work. It is a private institution usually, without endowment or government inspection.

Conditions of admission are very lenient, and pupils may enter at any time. As pupils differ widely in age, preliminary training, etc., much of the instruction is given individually rather than in classes. The length of the course varies from three months up to 15 months or more, and tuition fees range from five dollars   per month up to about twenty dollars. Evening classes have been largely taken advantage of by those who were obliged to pursue their usual occupation during the day.

Owing to the introduction of commercial courses into the public schools and to competition among themselves, the business college has developed from the type of 50 years ago with one or two teachers giving elementary instruction in arithmetic, keeping of accounts and ornamental penmanship, to the thoroughly equipped business college of to-day, with trained teachers offering first-class courses in a wide range of subjects, such as stenography, typewriting, commercial law and geography, history of commerce, business practice and office methods, advanced bookkeeping, etc. Present tendencies are towards longer courses, with more instruction both in the broader general studies, such as English composition, and in the more specialized technical lines.

The business college has been of immense value in giving to thousands of persons in a short time the necessary equipment for a business position, and in securing suitable situations for them.

Butcher=Bird. See SHRIKE.

But'ler, Benjamin Franklin, American lawyer, soldier and statesman, was born at Deerfield, N. H., November 5, 1818. He entered on the practice of law in Lowell, Mass., in 1840, where he gained a high reputation. He served in the state legislature, both in the house and in the senate (1853-59). He served as major-general in the Civil War; was in command at Fortress Monroe in 1861; at New Orleans in 1862; and of the department of Virginia and North Carolina in 1863. He was returned to Congress by the Republicans in 1866, where he served until 1879, except the term of 1875-77. In 1882 he was elected governor of Massachusetts by the Democrats. In 1884 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the presidency in the Greenback interest. He died at Washington, D. C., January 11, 1893.

But'ler, Nicholas Murray, Ph.D., LL. D. Born in Elizabeth, N. J., April 2, 1862; graduated from Columbia College in 1882; and studied in the Universities of Berlin and Paris. In 1885 Dr. Butler became an instructor in Columbia College, and since that time he has been associated continuously with Columbia College and University. He was president of Teachers' College from 1886 to 1891, and in 1902 became president of Columbia University. Dr. Butler has been connected with the administration of numerous important boards and associations, and has received several honorary degrees from both American and foreign universities. He is the editor of The Educational Review, the author of The Meaning of Education, and has made other valuable contributions to the literature of education.

But'ler, Pa., the chief town of Butler County, western Pennsylvania, 27 miles north of Pittsburg. It has a number of