The origin of the university was philanthropic. In 1829 seven prominent New Yorkers—bankers, merchants, and professional men—met to consider the establishing of a liberal university, designed to comprise a graduate division for the pursuit of advanced studies, and an undergraduate division devoted to classical and scientific courses. Calls for subscriptions met a liberal response, and the college was speedily launched. The building, which was erected in 1835, is now occupied by the Department of Arts and Sciences, the Schools of Law and Pedagogy, besides the chairs of several post graduate courses in line with the intentions of the founders. A medical department of high rank dates from 1841; it is situated in an ample building in East Twenty Sixth Street, opposite Bellevue Hospital, where practical instruction is obtained by the students. Among its noteworthy features is the Loomis laboratory, occupying a five story wing, which was erected at a cost of $100,000. This money was received from an unknown donor, through Dr. Alfred L. Loomis, one of its best known professors; and among the conditions of the gift was the strange proviso that the name of the giver should be kept secret. Some of the branches of the university are liberally endowed; others are supported by the fees of the students. Among the latter is one whose recent establishment is indicative of the breadth of plan contemplated by the governors. This is the School of Pedagogy, ably presided over by Dr. Jerome Allen. The Chancellor of the University is Dr. John Hall, who succeeded Dr. Howard Crosby in the office. The institution does efficient work in all its branches, and has been eminently successful in the achievement of the founders’ design—“to diffuse knowledge.” [Illustration: THE UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, ON WASHINGTON SQUARE.] III.—THE COLLEGE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. The third of the great general educational institutions of the metropolis is entirely distinct from the one last described, in spite of the confusion between them that exists in the minds of many New Yorkers who should be better informed. The similarity of name is certainly misleading, and for that reason a little unfortunate. [Illustration: THE COLLEGE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AT TWENTY THIRD STREET AND LEXINGTON AVENUE.]