more clearly marked out and
adhered to, and as the intellectual life responded to the impulse of a
reasonable and steady demand, so was the physical life strengthened. By
the close of the third year we could not but be as much encouraged by
the advance of hygienic sentiment and practice among the students, as we
were by their commendable progress in liberal culture; and both seemed
to us largely and fairly attributable to the systematic methods which,
one by one, had been patiently wrought out from the original confusion,
and as patiently fitted into an efficient working-plan.

So far as I am able to judge, no one thing here has done more to
counteract the hereditary or acquired tendency of many young women, to
disorders peculiar to their age and sex than the opportunity for
pursuing, quietly and continuously, with a definite aim and certain
purpose, well-arranged courses of study.

I can recall numbers of instances of girls who came to us weak,
indifferent, listless, full of morbid whims and uncontrolled caprices of
mind and body, who gained in this bracing atmosphere of happy, sustained
industry, such an impetus toward real health that they forgot aches and
discontents, and went home ready and eager to do their share in the
world's work.

Every one knows that uncongenial, badly-planned, disconnected, or
purposeless effort fatigues, worries, and weakens both body and mind: is
it difficult to believe the converse--that thorough, methodical, and
helpful activity stimulates and strengthens.

To these general statements, I add the following particulars respecting
the last three classes. I have divided each class into three groups,
designated respectively "Good," "Fair," "Delicate," according to the
condition of health in which the individual students entered upon the
college curriculum.

CLASS OF 1871.

Entered in good health 14
" " fair " 5
" " delicate " 2

Of the fourteen "good," thirteen graduated in as good health; one in
much deteriorated health.

Of the five "fair," all left improved, as did also the "two delicate."

CLASS OF 1872.

Entered in good health 18
" " fair " 9
" " delicate " 1

Of the eighteen "good," all left in as good or better health.

Of the nine "fair" all improved, and the one "delicate" had ceased to
make that distinction necessary; she was promoted to "fair."

CLASS OF 1873.

Ent