Gate-Lodge. I accompany these suggestions with a draught of such avenue and a sketch of the cottages, which you will please to examine..

Although I may be somewhat deviating from my purpose suggested at the opening of these remarks, I will nevertheless briefly call your attention to one more subject which I regard quite important, and which has occasioned me much thought and anxiety. You remember, gentlemen, that at the commencement of the College enterprise I addressed to you several reasons why I located and selected its site so distant from the city; and one of the reasons I mentioned at the time was, for its retirement and quietude. But this quietude is now likely to be disturbed, unless some action is taken by you soon to prevent it. I refer to the continuation of the new avenue, now in process of opening by other parties through the north side of the college grounds, west of the Filkins road, and which avenue is far advanced, and the parties are only waiting the legal sanction of the Town Commissioners to continue it in a straight line eastward, crossing the Filkins road aforesaid, with the ultimate intention of running it to Manchester. This project would cut off a portion of our lands, and particularly the high hill or rock, bluff, where I purposed making other improvements for the use of the College. Should their road be laid through on the south side of the hill, or rocky bluff, it would defeat this object. However, gentlemen, this is a matter for your consideration, and I leave it in your hands.

I renew, gentlemen, my wishes heretofore intimated and expressed, about the erection of a building upon some convenient part of the college grounds for the purpose of instructing pupils attending College, whose parents or their guardians desire and approve of the same, in a thorough knowledge of domestic economy, and that provisions* be made in the edifice, with all the modern apparatus, for the full instruction of that science, so that the pupils may not only be prepared theoretically, but practically, and thus be qualified to guard against imposition so often practiced upon novice housekeepers by servants in their employ. I consider, gentlemen, this knowledge one of the most important for our pupils to possess, and its usefulness will be so verified and

* At this word the voice of the Founder faltered, the manuscript fell from his hands, ard he sank back in his chair and expired immediately. He had been suffering for some time from a functional derangement of the heart, which was the immediate cause of his death. His age was seventy-six years, one month, and twenty-five days.

regarded in due time. I therefore repeat my earnest wishes, that a suitable structure may be erected, or other arrangements made, as part of the curriculum of the College for such of the pupils whose parents may desire it,

There is one more topic to which I desire to call your attention, and upon which I would offer a few suggestions. That is, to establish a regular system of education for women, peculiarly adapted to the fitness or wants of woman's life, similar to those in the universities for young men. I would suggest the appointment of a committee of ladies, whose duty it should be to organize and define the course of education for women. I have thought the suggestion might be best acted upon by inviting experienced, well-known lady educators, outside of the College, to coöperate with the experience which our Faculty must have attained by this time, and thus establish a regular course for the future, which would be known as having emanated from Vassar College. I do but repeat my wishes, expressed in 1865, that this may be truly a Woman's College. But, gentlemen, I do not pretend to understand much about education, and I only offer these brief remarks as suggestions for your more careful consideration, and hope you will give them such attention as you may think the subject demands for your future, but not present, action; for it is quite certain, that if we only follow on in the old beaten paths, we will make no progress. We do no more than others have done before us. We are only copyists, and not progressionists. My motto is progress.

Lastly, gentlemen, I would suggest for your early consideration the expediency of establishing a more frequent and regular communication to and from the College than at present exists, and with lighter carriages, similar to those running on the Hyde Park road, and to be entirely under your own control. Such an arrangement can be economically made with Baron Von Seldeneck, he having horses and some light conveyances, stabling, etc., already, and would be a great convenience and saving to all visiting or going to the College. The Baron will report to you more particularly about details, etc.

And now, gentlemen, in closing these remarks, I would humbly and solemnly implore the Divine Goodness to continue his smiles and favor on your institution, and bestow upon all hearts connected therewith his love and blessings, having peculiarly protected us by his providence through all our college trials for three con

secutive years, without a single death in our Board or serious illness or death of one of our pupils within its walls. Wishing you, gentlemen, a continuance of health and happiness, I bid you a cordial and final farewell, thanking you kindly for your official attentions and services, not expecting, from my advanced years and increasing infirmities, to meet with you officially again, and imploring the Divine Goodness to guide and direct you aright in all your counsels and social business relations.

Yours truly, etc., etc.,

M. VASSAR.

olemly

And non Gentlemen in closing there rematty I moved humbly. If the implore the Divine Goodney to Contiune his smily Haves on your

Institution and bestownpon all hemt, connected There with his love + blastings, having peentiurly protected is by his Providence through alle Frich Spllige for Three consecutive year without a single denthom Bear or series illness or death it Wall Wishing you

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Gen Hemer a Contmpane of health happines Ibid you Cordial forenell, thautting Pinilly for your Official attention expecting from my advand year! and increasing infirmity to meet with your friends, you againd miploring the Divine goodness to ginde and direct you aright in all your Connelly, and social buimes d'iliberation, Bonn truly or h

Facsimile of the Manuscript of the last Paragraph of Mr. Vassar's last Communication to the Board of Trustees of Vassar College.