Early Editorial Opinions About Smith College
| The scheme which the board of trustees
have adopted is a large one. The study of Greek and Latin is to be pursued
as extensively as in colleges for young men; no less attention will be
paid to modern languages; more time will be devoted to English literature
and to aesthetics; physical sciences will be taught so as to keep pace
with the scientific and material progress of the age; probably less attention
than in other colleges will be given to mathematics; ... and to sum up,
the system of training will be such as to fit young women to become teachers,
not only in our Sabbath schools, Bible classes and mission stations, but
also in our highest institutions of learning; to become writers also, not
only of articles for the daily and weekly press, but also of standard books.
This is a grand scheme.
Anon., Hampshire Gazette and Northampton Courier, 22 October 1872 |
| The founding of Smith College is doubtless the greatest
educational movement of the age. It is a fair and honest attempt to give
our young women advantages, under the most favorable cvircumstances, which
will open every field of scientific and literary honor and usefulness.
When we remember what education does for women, it increases her capabilities
and multiplies her opportunities, and that in Massachusetts alone there
are sixty-five thousand more women and girls than men and boys, it would
seem that every woman in the state would stretch forth a helping hand to
the new college.
Anon., Lowell Daily Courier, 23 October 1872 |
| The college is situated at one end
of the village, on an eminence commanding a fine view of the surrounding
country. The buildings are well constructed, though unpretentious in comparison
to some of the larger American universities. But the whole place is wonderfully
attractive and homelike. It has more the appearance of a group of well
kept private dwellings than that of a seat of learning, a place for work
and study. And they do study, the daughters of "Fair Smith,"
in a manner that would put the average college man to shame.
Douglas Z. Doty, "Life at a Girls' College," Munsey's Magazine, September 1897 |
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