Serious difficulties in classifying such students, and in arranging their desired courses of study, have always been encountered, from the great diversity existing in the undergraduate instruction of the institutions from which they came, and even more from the widely different significance to be attached to identical announcements on the schedules of study in such institutions. Especially has embarrassment been caused by the manner in which the mathematics are taught in many of the colleges of the country. With us the mathematics are taught, not for themselves, but for their uses instructors employ methods directed to give the pupils command of algebra, geometry, analytics, or the calculus, as tools; the pupils, on their part, having early, perhaps immediate, occasion for such applications of their mathematics, give themselves to their work with greater earnestness and directness; while the constant reference to mathematical principles in the drawing-room or laboratory emphasizes these principles in the mind.

THE COURSES OF INSTRUCTION.

For the first time for several years, we have in the fourth year class one or more candidates for the Bachelor's degree in each department of the Institute.

The following table presents the number of students in each of the regular courses. It will be seen that this statement relates to the second, third, and fourth years; choice of courses being made only at the end of the first year.

The following table exhibits the number of persons who have graduated within each of the several courses, at each succeeding year since the first diplomas were conferred in 1868. In this table, the term "General Courses " will be understood to embrace alike the "Science and Literature" Course of the period 1868-1880, and the Elective and General Courses of the period subsequent.

THE WORK OF SPECIAL STUDENTS.

The 195 special students in the School of Industrial Science cannot be classified systematically; but the following table exhibits the number of special students pursuing each particular branch of study, according to the attendance papers filed by them, and approved by the Faculty:

NUMBER OF SPECIAL STUDENTS ATTENDING EXERCISES IN THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS OF STUDY OR PRACTICE.

It may be of interest to note the numbers of students. either regular or special, pursuing certain leading branches. of study, in each of the four years, which are as follows:

791

195

4.I

A still further increase of the instructing staff has been required during the year.

The number of instructors of all grades, excluding those persons who are announced as lecturers for the year only, is 69, against 62 last year. This increase has been in part due to the increasing specialization of work in the departments of mechanical and electrical engineering, and of

* Exclusive of students in the School of Mechanic Arts.

drawing-room and laboratory practice in all departments; in part to the increase in the size of the classes, requiring a greater number of divisions for the purposes of recitation. or field work.

The number of professors in the school is now 12; of associate professors, 7; of assistant professors, 6; of instructors, 27; of assistants, 17.

The following table shows the number of teachers of each recognized grade in each year since the foundation of the school.

The changes of the past year among our professors and other teachers have been many and important. For the first time in the twenty-one years of our history, an active member of the corps of instructors has died in service. Professor Nichols departed this life in Hamburg, on the

14th of July, from the effects of a critical surgical operation, undertaken, though with little expectation of a favorable result, for his relief from the distressing malady against which for many years he had fought with marvellous heroism.

William Ripley Nichols was born in Roxbury, on the 30th of April, 1847. After preparing himself for Harvard College, he entered the Institute of Technology in 1865. Graduating from the chemical course as one of the five members of the class of 1869, after a career in which he was not less remarked for scholarly grace than for scientific strength, he was at once selected as an assistant in chemistry, and in 1872 was made professor of general chemistry, which chair he held until his death. His own strong predilections, rather than any purpose of the government or Faculty, led him to add to his duties a gradually extending course of instruction in sanitary chemistry.

During the year 1881-82, Professor Nichols so far yielded to the entreaties of his colleagues as to relinquish temporarily his duties at the Institute, and to seek, through repose, the restoration of his health, long before deeply undermined by excessive labors. Resuming his work,

with but slight improvement observable in his condition,
he again took up his burden with an extraordinary power
of will, bearing its increasing weight to the end with a
serene courage rarely seen among men.
our race proved the utmost effects of resolution and forti-
If ever one of
tude in contesting the progress of fatal disease, that man
was William Ripley Nichols.

As an investigator, Professor Nichols early attained eminence in that department known as sanitary chemistry, especially as related to the water-supply of cities. Here he had few equals; while his conservatism of temper and his sterling conscientiousness kept him from the errors. and faults into which so many promising students in this field have fallen.

As a teacher, Professor Nichols was a clear expositor,