Visit to Lane Seminary (continued)—­Dr. Beecher and his Gun—­The College Library—­Dr. Stowe and his Hebrew Class—­History of Lane Seminary—­Qualifications for Admission—­The Curriculum—­Manual Labour—­Expenses of Education—­Results—­Equality of Professors and Students.

The “public declamation” ended, Dr. Beecher asked me to accompany him to his house.  It was about an eighth of a mile from the institution, over a very bad road, or rather over no road at all.  He conducted me into a snug little sitting-room, having no grate; but a wood fire on the floor under the chimney.  It looked primitive and homely.  This style of fire is not uncommon in America.  The logs of wood lie across two horizontal bars of iron, by which they are raised four or six inches from the floor.  The Doctor’s first care was to replenish the fire with a few sturdy pieces of wood.  All through the States, I have observed that the task of feeding the fire generally devolves on the head of the family.  In this little room I was introduced to Mrs. Beecher.  She is, I believe, the third lady on whom the Doctor has conferred his name.  In one corner of this apartment was a gun, and on the sofa a heap of shot.  Thousands of wild pigeons were flying about.  The visit of these birds made the Doctor very uneasy.  He was ever and anon snatching up his gun, and going out to have a pop at them.  Though upwards of seventy years of age, he is an excellent marksman.  It was to me a little odd to see a venerable D.D., a Professor of Theology, handling a fowling-piece!  The Americans, have by circumstances been trained to great skill in the use of fire-arms.  The gun, however, proved a fatal instrument in the hands of one of the Doctor’s sons, a young man of great promise, who was killed by the accidental explosion of one.  Nevertheless, Dr. Beecher has five sons, all (like himself) in the ministry!  He has a maiden daughter, who has distinguished herself by her literary attainments and active benevolence.  The excellent and accomplished wife of Dr. Stowe was also a Miss Beecher.

At 1 o’clock P.M. we dined.  The Professors never dine, or take any other meal, with the assembled students.  This is a disadvantage.  But in America eating, under any circumstances, is not so sociable a matter as in England.

After dinner, I took my leave of Dr. Beecher, and went to see the library of the institution.  This is over the chapel, but so arranged as not at all to detract from the just proportions of the building.  Indeed, no one would suspect that there was a story above.  This library was collected with great care and judgment by Dr. Stowe, in England and on the continent of Europe, and contains 10,000 volumes!  The library-room is capable of receiving 30,000 volumes.  But even now it is the largest library on this side the Allegany Mountains.  It comprises not only the standard works in all the departments of a theological course, but also a very rich variety of authors in general literature and science.  The books are arranged in alcoves according to their character,—­Theology—­Biblical Literature—­Classics—­History—­Philosophy; and so forth.