January 17, 1881, witnessed the opening of this institution. It was christened "Tillotson Institute." The age of "romance" in the education of the negro was well-nigh passed. The matter-of-fact brain of the late Rev. George J. Tillotson, of Wethersfield, Conn., formulated the plan, and his generous heart enabled him, with the aid of individual contributors and the American Missionary Association, to carry his plan into execution. His purpose was to give the negroes of this far-away Southwest opportunities for securing an education equal to those of any other portion of our fair land. With this end in view he visited Austin and secured an ideal site for the coming college, destined to become the "Yale of the Southwest." Austin contains the magnificent Capitol, the State University, St. Edward's College and other schools, public and private, besides the state institutions for the insane, the blind, the deaf, the aged soldier and the orphan. Within the limits of the city, and yet removed from its din and dust, commanding views of many of these buildings, and of the far-reaching valley of the Colorado and the wooded hills beyond, our campus of twenty acres is a delight to the eye. Undulating, well suited for drainage, well stocked with shade trees and a profusion of wild flowers in their season, it is at once beautiful, healthful and inspiring. [Illustration: CARPENTER SHOP, TILLOTSON COLLEGE.] The first building erected on this lot was Allen Hall. It stands on a hill of easy ascent, and is a substantial structure of stone and brick, five stories in height. While it was approaching completion, as story after story was added, the ambitious and intelligent young colored people watched its growth, eagerly anticipating the time when they would "enter its basement and ascend story by story, till they should step out upon the roof full-fledged college graduates." Money for the purchase of the lot came mostly from Mr. Tillotson's own purse. His efforts in soliciting funds were largely instrumental in securing the means for erecting and furnishing the building. The list of contributors to this part of the undertaking included the names of men well known for their literary works, philanthropy, patriotism and fidelity to the Saviour of Men. Most of those early donors have passed from earth, but they are still an inspiration to all engaged in the work, and we of this generation can clasp hands with them in the purpose and effort to make real their intentions. Though dead "their works do follow them." For fourteen years Allen Hall afforded all the space available for dormitories for teachers and students of both sexes, dining-room, study-room, recitation rooms, chapel and church services. A series of partitions divided each floor, from basement to attic, into east and west halls. A small addition in the rear served for kitchen. [Illustration: BOYS IN CARPENTER SHOP, TILLOTSON COLLEGE.]