Seventy Years Of The Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Page 77

week to instruction in English during the previous year. In April a committee of the trustees had advised, and the trustees had voted to establish, a department of English and Modern Languages that would have equal importance with previously established departments, and to appoint a professor to direct it. This action pleased Mr. Salisbury, and he announced his gift one month later, basing it on his belief that:

The culture of language and the culture of thought must go on together, whether the learner prepares himself for acting on the properties of matter, or for direct address to the intellects and hearts of men. Language is the instrument in constant use in the analysis and combination of the principles of material science, as well as in the studies to which the epithet learned is commonly applied; and for the workman at the bench, as for every citizen, there are many duties and associations in life in which the ready and accurate expression of thought by the tongue and the pen is essential for success, respectability, and happiness,

The Modern Language fund was originally composed of securities, accrued interest and cash, amounting to $25,800, and real estate valued by Mr. Salisbury at $14,200. The real estate was three large lots of land at the corner of Boynton St. and Jo Bill Road, on the middle lot of which stood the house occupied by Principal Thompson. In 1873 the trustees increased the salary of the Principal by the amount of the rent of the house. Since then the Institute has provided quarters for its presidents.

Additions to funds of the Institute during the decade from 1872 to 1882 were neither numerous nor large. The first installment of the $30,000 Washburn legacy came to the treasurer in October, 1872, the final one in June, 1873. W. H. Jourdan, local dealer in coal, made two gifts for current uses, totalling $150. Joseph H. Walker, leather manufacturer, former president of the Worcester common council, and later to become a prominent member of Congress, contributed $2,000 for current uses in 1874. Two years later William Knowlton gave a similar amount, and in the words of Mr. Salisbury, "he kindly added his assurance that his good will

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Last Modified: Fri Jul 30 11:15:25 EDT 1999