The Cambridge of eighteen hundred and ninety-six: a picture of the city and its industries fifty years after its incorporation
Arthur Gilman, Ed.

‘ [182] to content themselves with words.’ Professor Byerly (mathematics) said: ‘I have found the spirit, industry, and ability of the girls admirable; indeed, the average has invariably been higher in my classes in the “Annex” than in my classes in the college, in spite of the fact that the college classes, since they are in elective courses in a subject of acknowledged difficulty, have been necessarily formed of picked men.’ Of the classes in philosophy, Professor Palmer wrote: ‘The four classes that I have taught there have in each case shown a scholarship somewhat higher than the parallel class in college. . . . The girls being keener questioners, I have usually found myself obliged to treat my subject more fundamentally with them than when I have discussed it with my college classes.’ Other professors of those early days wrote in equally strong terms with regard to the students, and one of the students said of the advantages of the Annex, ‘I have become convinced, in my own mind at least, that there is no institution for women in our country which affords so finished and so satisfactory an education as is offered in Cambridge. In the first place, the town, pervaded with an atmosphere of study and culture, and rich in its associations, seems to me an important factor in a liberal education, as well as the home and social life which the students enjoy there, a life which is impossible in connection with a dormitory system.’ Thus the teachers appreciated the students, and the students appreciated highly the advantages that were offered then.

In this, the first stage of the work, the seven ladies and their secretary cared for the business affairs of the enterprise, while a body of the professors which had Professor Greenough as chairman looked after the courses of study, and recommended the candidates for the certificates. Degrees were not given to those who had accomplished the work for which degrees were awarded in Harvard College, but certificates, which stated the facts. It may be said by way of anticipation, that these certificates have been exchanged for diplomas since Radcliffe College was created by the legislature. The secretary was the only officer on the ground at that time. He carried out the votes of the Advisory Board of professors and of the lady-managers, besides attending to all the business. To him all applications were addressed, and he wrote all the letters.

As the numbers increased, the quarters at first engaged