Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/270

236 A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO Laboratory, however, cost two hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars, and so the Physical Laboratory, when finished, will cost its donor two hundred and thirty thousand dollars. With such provision for the Departments of Physics and Chemistry, it followed naturally that Astronomy, when the subject was taken up, should be treated in a manner equally magnificent, and a sum even greater has been provided by another friend of the University for this, the oldest of sciences And now, representing the Trustees and faculties of the University, I accept from Mr. Kent this magnificent gift for the promotion of the cause of science, and I pledge him that every effort will be put forth to fulfil his wishes and to advance the interests of the cause to which he has made so noble a contribution. The Convocation address was delivered by Professor, after- ward President, Remsen of Johns Hopkins University the follow- ing evening on "The Chemical Laboratory." In this address and in the quarterly convocation statement of President Harper which followed, repeated references were made to Mr. Kent and the service he had rendered to the University and to science. Mr. Kent was present, and the recognition of him was warmly applauded. At the close of the President's statement Mr. Kent sent to him the following note which the President read to the audience : If in any small measure the work of my life can contribute to the advance- ment of knowledge and the greater happiness of men; if this can be done hi this city where my busy days have been spent and where my heart is; and if, as I believe, we who have aided in the work of erecting this great University, have helped to lay the foundations of what can never be destroyed, I feel in this work a pride and a happiness that have never been equaled in my life. Mr. Kent crowned his beneficence by providing in his will a fund of fifty thousand dollars for the care of the laboratory. When the raising of the million dollars in ninety days was begun Martin A. Ryerson was abroad. He was, however, kept informed of the progress of the undertaking. He was very deeply inter- ested in its success and on June 13 sent the following cablegram from Paris: Harper, University of Chicago, Chicago: If the million is raised will contribute hundred and fifty thousand dollars for purpose I will designate. RYERSON