Word: original
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Dates: during 1880-1889
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...down as an Americanism except upon probability and opinion; whereas the contrary is shown, if shown at all, upon fact-proof that cannot be gainsaid. The citation of a word from English literature at or before the time of Dryden shows that it cannot possibly be "American" in origin; evidence of its continued use by British writers during the last century and the present proves the impossibility of its being an Americanism in any sense of that term. Indeed, evidence and proof should hardly be mentioned in relation to this showing. Of words and phrases which have such origin...
...European universities of the Middle Age had their origin as free private unions of their students, who came together under the influence of celebrated teachers, and themselves arranged their own affairs. In recognition of the public advantage of these unions they soon obtained from the state privileges and honorable rights, especially that of an independent jurisdiction, and the right of granting academic degrees. The students of that time were mostly men of mature years, who frequented the university more immediately for their own instruction, and without any direct practical object; but younger men soon began to be sent...
...taught were brought together by no other interest than that of love and science; some by the desire of discovering the treasure of mental culture which antiquity had bequeathed, others endeavoring to kindle in a new generation the ideal enthusiasm which had animated their lives. Such was the origin of universities, based, in the conception, and in the plan of their organization, upon the most perfect freedom. But we must not thin here of freedom of teaching in the modern sense. The majority was usually very intolerant of divergent opinions. Not unfrequently the adherents of the minority were compelled...
...more or less in the same line, as it has always been taken for granted that New York would be the seat of the national university. The writer in the Cynic opposes the idea of a national university in very positive language. "Hundreds of colleges in America owe their origin to certain wants that a national university could not supply. The small colleges are usually less expensive than the large. Men whose means are limited discover in these institutions the facilities which are suited to their needs; while those who shun excitement find in the same places the calm...
...than this one. The visit to the observatory may be regarded as the very crowning of the four-years' monument of study erected by every student of the college-as the final "finishing off," to use the phrase of the young ladies' seminary, of his college life. If the origin of the custom were investigated we have no doubt it would be found to have arisen at the time when a knowledge of astronomy was considered necessary for every educated gentleman, and when the good old system of prescribed courses sedulously guarded and maintained this as well as many other...