Page:The History of the University of Pennsylvania, Wood.djvu/97

Rh reputation of inferiority, which had been attached to it from the period of the revolution.

The trustees, however, becoming sensible of these disadvantages, have recently made alterations, which, so far as regards the organization of the department of arts, leave little further to be desired. The grammar school has been removed from the building in Ninth Street, and located in the old academy; so that the collegians no longer incur the risk of being confounded with the inferior pupils, and are allowed to enjoy unalloyed the natural and salutary sense of importance belonging to their station. That other unsatisfactory regulation relative to the time of their attendance has also been altered; and in this respect they are now placed on a footing with the students of the highest and most respectable seminaries. The term of study has been extended to four years; another class has been added to the three previously existing; and the faculty has been augmented by the appointment of a tutor, and the institution of a fourth professorship.

Time has not been allowed, since the adoption of these regulations, for the full development of those good effects which may reasonably be expected from them; but the result of the changes which were made at an earlier period has been highly favourable. Since the year 1810, the university has certainly taken a higher standing than it had previously enjoyed. Its operations have been conducted with greater regularity; the courses of instruction have been more complete and efficient; and the annual number of graduates, varying from seven to thirty-four, has exhibited an increase of reputation and popularity, which though by no means equal to the wishes of its friends, or to its just claims, gives us a cheering assurance that the later improvements, which are but just beginning to be carried into effect, will not be fruitless in the end.

In the same spirit which originated the measures above