under great poverty and unusual disadvantages.  This, however, should serve to strengthen purpose and intensify effort, for it shows the vital necessity of well-trained leaders from among the people themselves.  Professional training without previous course of liberal education cannot provide the men that are required for this day and generation among the colored people of the United States or for missionaries on the Dark Continent.

* * * * *

AN HOUR AT STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY.

BY MRS. A.B.  SHATTUCK.

Two Congregational pilgrims found themselves on the first day of March in New Orleans, prepared to do all the sight-seeing which the daylight of forty-eight consecutive hours permitted.

On our way in the horse-cars to one of the beautiful cemeteries, we approached a group of large buildings on the left, and some one said, “That is the university of the colored people,” and then we saw “Straight University” in bold letters upon the front of the central building.  Now “Straight” was down upon our list of “points,” but we had not looked up its location and supposed it farther from the center, so we were glad to stop on our return and save an extra trip.  Three plain substantial structures occupy a handsome corner lot, leaving space for the additions already so much needed.  The location is very fine, so near the heart of the city, upon that broad, beautiful avenue, whose name is suggestive of anything but breadth and beauty to New York or Chicago people—­Canal street.  Windows and doors were open, and, seeking entrance at the nearest, we found ourselves in the dining-hall, and were ushered across the yard to the central building and up a flight of stairs, at the head of which, in a small, crowded office, was President Hitchcock.

The sight of a tourist at that season, when the city is overrun with them, could hardly have been more welcome than a book agent to that busy man, but there was not a trace of annoyance in his greeting.  He sent away his companions and devoted himself to the duties of a cicerone as cheerfully as though that were the chief end of the president of a university.  We went the rounds of class-rooms, halls and dormitories, our interest and our leader’s enthusiasm continually increasing.

The primaries are in two long, narrow rooms, lighted only on one side and not nearly large enough.  But how the little throats did roll out the music and what time they kept, when called upon for a song!  Another treat was a song from a young lady who was practicing in the music room.  The modest grace with which she complied when asked to sing for us, is almost as pleasant a memory as her beautiful voice.