thoughts on the
question proposed. You may send from Boston by the Northfield post,
directed to me at Hanover in this Province. Oh, how glad should I be
to see you in this wilderness!

[26] The modern orthography is Kirkland.

"My dear sir, farewell.

"I am yours in the dear Jesus.
"Eleazar Wheelock.
"Rev. George Whitefield."

There appears to have been no subsequent meeting, on earth, of these
eminent coadjutors in all good works. The one was called to his reward
above, just as the other was beginning to enjoy the fruition of his
labors on earth. Few names deserve more honor, in connection with the
founding of Dartmouth College, than that of

George Whitefield.[27]

[27] Many things, which cannot be specified, illustrating the
history of this period and others, are necessarily placed
in the Appendix.

[Illustration: GROUND PLAN OF THE FIRST COLLEGE EDIFICE:

Erected in 1770, near what is now the Southeast corner of the
Common.]

CHAPTER VIII.

COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.--COURSE OF STUDY.--POLICY OF
ADMINISTRATION.

Instruction at Dartmouth appears to have commenced in December
following the removal, with four classes in attendance.

In writing to Dr. Erskine, December 7, 1770, President Wheelock says:
"I am now removed into the wilderness with my family, and about thirty
students, English and Indians, who are all designed for the Indian
service." After referring to the erection of a house for his family,
and "another" for his students, he says: "I have also built a
school-house, which is convenient. My nearest neighbor in the town is
two and one half miles from me. I can see nothing but the lofty pines
about me. My family and students are in good health, and well pleased
with a solitude so favorable to their studies."

In President Wheelock's account-book, David Huntington, Thomas
Kendall, Ebenezer Gurley, Augustine Hibbard, James Dean, and Joseph
Grover, are charged with tuition from various dates, ranging from
December 7th to December 14th. The rate is _1s. 4d._ per week,
"deducting abscences." In Connecticut, the tuition, for classical
instruction in the school, had been _1s. 6d._ per week.

The following, from President Wheelock to a distant correspondent,
indicates sufficient patronage of the new institution:

"Hanover, December 3, 1770.

"Dear Sir,--Your son, with companion, are safely arrived. I've sent
back part of my student