previous year. Of this number 517 were in the Department of Literature, Science, and the Arts; 354 in the Department of Medicine, and 353 in the Department of Law. The total attendance is thought to be greater than at any other American College or University. The number of women registered in the different departments in 1871 was 34, and in 1872-64.

It should not be forgotten that the University of Michigan, governed by a Board of Regents elected by the people, is a State institution, and the crowning work of its educational system. It furnishes, without charge for tuition, to all persons of either sex having proper qualifications and seeking admission, the most "ample facilities for liberal education in literature, science and the arts, and for thorough and extended professional study of medicine and law."

It should also be remembered that by reason of its being a State institution, free to all, it has neither large revenues from tuition, nor liberal individual endowments for the support of its Faculty; its only Fund being the proceeds of lands donated by Congress while Michigan was a territory, all of which lands, excepting 116,07 acres, have been sold. The amount is as follows:

Trust Fund in the hands of the State at 7 per

cent interest..

$427,728 72

Due from purchasers of land at 7 per cent interest 115,565 77

The annual receipts of the University are nearly as follows:

From a somewhat careful examination of these estimates, and from inquiries made relative to the cost of other similar institutions, I am quite satisfied that the University cannot maintain its present high character and position, with a less expenditure. It necessarily follows that the number of its students, and the number and efficiency of its Faculty must diminish, the standard of its education fall, and its present enviable reputation suffer, unless the State, by providing sufficient aid, places and establishes the institution upon reliable and firm foundations. I am sure that the University has done too much to elevate the standard and to advance the cause of education-too much in behalf of the good name of our State, and has become too securely established in the confidence of the people to be permitted to make a retrograde movement.

At the regular Session of 1871, an appropriation of $75,000 was made for a new Hall to be used for recitation, lecture rooms and other purposes. The building has been erected and is now occupied, though unfinished. It is estimated that when completed the entire cost will have amounted to $100,000.

The Board of Regents solicit an appropriation of $25,000 to complete the new building, and $13,000 to cover the deficit in revenue for the academical year ending June 30, 1873; also to have Act Number 14, Session Laws of 1869, so amended as to restore the form of taxation incorporated in the original Act of 1867, the rate then fixed having been one-twentieth of a mill on the dollar of the taxable property of the State. On the present valuation this tax will produce $31,500 until 1876, when a new equalization will be made. I believe these several amounts to be necessary, and therefore cheerfully recommend that the appropriations and the amendment be made.

THE DEAF, DUMB, AND THE BLIND.

The buildings for the accommodation of the deaf, dumb, and the blind, at Flint, are now essentially completed, the portico for the front of the main edifice only being wanting.

No one of the educational institutions of the State should receive more cheerful support than that which, in the spirit of the Divine Master, strives, as it were, to unstop the deaf ear, open the eyes of the blind, and loosen the tongue of the dumb. A great deficiency that hitherto existed in this Asylum has happily, to some extent, been supplied by the introduction of mechanical instruction, a feature having now a fully recognized place in the institution, and already proved decidedly successful. The pupils enter upon the trades very earnestly; forty of the deaf and dumb, are now learning cabinet and shoe manufacturing, the only trades yet introduced. I respectfully call your attention to the importance of extending the facilities for teaching these industries, and for adding others of a suitable character, to such an extent as will enable every pupil, male or female, deaf and dumb or blind, to qualify themselves while in the institution, to become self-supporting after leaving it. The manufacture of brooms, baskets, and mats, might well be introduced, and furnish employment to the blind as well as to the deaf and dumb.

The school term closed in June, 1871, with 148 pupils, and in 1872 with 159; at the present time there are 164, of whom 137 are deaf and dumb, and 27 blind.

The Board of Trustees ask appropriations amounting to $100,000 for 1873 and 1874, as follows:

For current expenses ($37,500 for each year).......

$75,000

For stone portico to main building....

10,000

For repairs on buildings, for fences, improving grounds

and making roads..

7,000

For foremen, assistants, and for stock in cabinet and

shoe shops--

4,000

For stock, foreman and assistants to teach the blind to

make baskets, brooms, mats and chair-seats... For tools, foreman and assistants to teach the blind

2,000

type-setting and printing.

2,000

I am of the opinion that the construction of the portico

may be wisely deferred; that the introduction of printing and type-setting is not now expedient, and that the sum asked for repairs and for current expenses may be judiciously reduced. I recommend appropriations as follows:

To meet current expenses for the two years.

$70,000

For repairs on buildings, for fences, improving grounds

and making roads.

4,500

For cabinet and shoe shops

4,000

For stock, foreman and assistants to teach the blind to

make baskets, brooms and mats..

2,000

Total.

$80,500

Or so much thereof as may be necessary for the several purposes named.

The amount appropriated should be added to the State tax for 1873 and 1874.

ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

No one of the public institutions of the State, appeals more strongly to the sympathies of every human heart than the Asylum for the Insane. A debt of gratitude is due from the people of the State, to Doctor Van Deusen, its Medical Superintendent, for his unselfish and untiring devotion to the interests of this most unfortunate class of our citizens, under whose care and direction this Asylum has been constructed and maintained, and under whose administration it has attained a most enviable reputation for its complete arrangements, excellence of management, and gratifying success. It has few equals and no superiors.

The number of patients Nov. 30, 1870, was 305; during the twenty-two months ending Sept. 30, 1872, 155 were admitted; the whole number treated during the same period was 460; discharged recovered, 56; improved, 32; unimproved 40; died, 27; remaining, 305. It will be observed that the number remaining at the close of the last biennial period. was the same as at its commencement; this is accounted for

in the fact that no part of the new building had then been opened, and the old one being full, the admissions could only equal the number discharged. Since the date of the report a portion of the new edifice has been completed and is now occupied; a still larger portion will be in use during the winter, and the whole late in the present year; when completed it will furnish accommodations for 250 male patients, and the old structure, with a capacity for 300, will be devoted entirely to females.

Appropriations are asked by the Board of Trustees, for the next two years, amounting in the aggregate to $116,238 95, of which $28,000 are for anticipated deficiencies on account of current expenses for the two years; $8,600 for a new steam engine, steam pump, enlarging steam and water mains, and for repairs of old buildings; $7,500 for three stone porches; $3,444 62 for over-draft on old construction account; $2,000 or gardener's house and out-buildings, and $900 for improving grounds. For heating and ventilating apparatus, furnishing steam cooking and kitchen apparatus, cisterns and supply of water, and for gas connections for the new building, $65,794 33. Nothing for which these appropriations are requested can be deferred without detriment to the best interests of the Asylum, unless it be the porches and the improvement of the grounds; these items, however, are not large, and with them all will be complete. I recommend that appropriations be made for the whole amount, and that the Treasurer be authorized to draw the funds as the needs of the Asylum may require. One-half of the gross sum should be added to the State tax for each of the years 1873 and 1874.

With the capacity of the Asylum, and the number of its patients nearly doubled, it is obvious that the number of its officers must necessarily be somewhat increased. This, however, cannot be done within the limits now fixed by law, as the aggregate amount which can be paid for salaries and allowances cannot exceed $5,800 per annum. The salary of the