Autobiography of Andrew Dickson White, vol 1 | Page 9

Hopkins trustees as to their freedom from oppressive supervision and
control; my envy of them. Large expenditure demanded. Mr. Cornell's
burdens. Installation of a ``Business Manager.'' My suspicion as to our
finances. Mr. Cornell's optimism. Discovery of a large debt; Mr.
Cornell's noble proposal; the debt cleared in fifteen minutes by four
men. Ultimate result of this subscription; worst calamities to Cornell its
greatest blessings; example of this in the founding of fellowships and
scholarships. Successful financial management ever since. Financial
difficulties arising from the burden of the University lands on Mr.
Cornell, and from his promotion of local railways; his good reasons for
undertaking these. Entanglement of the University affairs with those of
the State and of Mr. Cornell. Narrow escape of the institution from a
fatal result. Judge Finch as an adviser; his extrication of the University
and of Mr. Cornell's family; interwoven interests disentangled. Death
of Mr. Cornell, December, 1875. My depression at this period; refuge
in historical work. Another calamity. Munificence of John McGraw;
interest shown in the institution by his daughter; her relations to the
University; her death; her bequest; my misgivings as to our Charter;
personal complications between the McGraw heirs and some of our
trustees; efforts to bring about a settlement thwarted; ill success of the
University in the ensuing litigation. Disappointment at this prodigious
loss. Compensations for it. Splendid gifts from Mr. Henry W. Sage,
Messrs. Dean and Wm. H. Sage, and others. Continuance of sectarian

attacks; virulent outbursts; we stand on the defensive. I finally take the
offensive in a lecture on ``The Battle-fields of Science''; its purpose, its
reception when repeated and when published; kindness of President
Woolsey in the matter. Gradual expansion of the lecture into a history
of ``The Warfare of Science with Theology''; filtration of the ideas it
represents into public opinion; effect of this in smoothing the way for
the University.
CHAPTER XXV
. CONCLUDING YEARS--1881-1885
Evolution of the University administration. The Trustees; new method
of selecting them; Alumni trustees. The Executive Committee. The
Faculty method of its selection; its harmony. The Students; system of
taking them into our confidence. Alumni associations. Engrossing
nature of the administration. Collateral duties. Addresses to the
Legislature, to associations, to other institutions of learning. Duties as
Professor. Delegation of sundry administrative details. Inaccessibility
of the University in those days; difficulties in winter. Am appointed
Commissioner to Santo Domingo in 1870; to a commissionership at the
Paris Exposition in 1877, and as Minister to Germany in 1879-1881.
Test of the University organization during these absences; opportunity
thus given the University Faculty to take responsibility in University
government. Ill results, in sundry other institutions, of holding the
President alone responsible. General good results of our system.
Difficulties finally arising. My return. The four years of my presidency
afterward. Resignation in 1885. Kindness of trustees and students. Am
requested to name my successor, and I nominate Charles Kendall
Adams. Transfer of my historical library to the University. Two visits
to Europe; reasons for them. Lectures at various universities after my
return. Resumption of diplomatic duties. Continued relations to the
University. My feelings toward it on nearing the end of life.
PART V--IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE
CHAPTER XXVI
. AS ATTACH AT ST. PETERSBURG--1854-1855
My first studies in History and International Law. Am appointed
attach at St. Petersburg. Stay in London. Mr. Buchanan's

reminiscences. Arrival in St. Petersburg. Duty of an attach. Effects
of the Crimean War on the position of the American Minister and his
suite. Good feeling established between Russia and the United States.
The Emperor Nicholas; his death; his funeral. Reception of the
Diplomatic Corps at the Winter Palace by Alexander II; his speech;
feeling shown by him toward Austria. Count Nesselrode; his kindness
to me. Visits of sundry Americans to St. Petersburg. Curious discovery
at the Winter Palace among the machines left by Peter the Great.
American sympathizers with Russia in the Crimean War. Difficulties
thus caused for the Minister. Examples of very original Americans; the
Kentucky Colonel; the New York Election Manager; performance of
the latter at a dinner party and display at the Post House. Feeling of the
Government toward the United States; example of this at the Kazan
Cathedral. Household troubles of the Minister. Baird the Ironmaster;
his yacht race with the Grand Duke Alexander; interesting scenes at his
table. The traveler Atkinson and Siberia.
CHAPTER XXVII
. AS ATTACH AND BEARER OF DESPATCHES IN
WAR-TIME--1855
Blockade of the Neva by the allied fleet. A great opportunity lost.
Russian caricatures during the Crimean War. Visit to Moscow. Curious
features in the Kremlin, the statue of Napoleon; the Crown, Sceptre,
and Constitution of Poland. Evidences of official stupidity. Journey
from St. Petersburg to Warsaw. Contest with the officials at the frontier;
my victory. Journey across the continent; scene in a