DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, at Hanover, N. H., had its origin in Moor's charity school, an institution for the education of Indian children, organized at Lebanon, Conn., iu 1754, by Eleazar Wheelock, D.D. Dartmouth college received its charter in 1769 from George III., at the hands of John Wentworth, royal governor of New Hampshire. Dr. Wheelock became the first president, and the name given it was in honor of lord Dart mouth, one of its chief benefactors. Hanover, on the Connecticut river, on the western border of New Hampshire, was selected as a suitable location for the college, and grants of about 44,000 acres of land were made. Au independent charter was obtained soon afterward for Moor's school, which was continued as a separate department until 1849. When Dr. Wheelock removed his school in 1770 from Lebanon to Hanover, the students consisted of 18 whites and 6 Indians, and the first class of four students grad uated in 1771. Dr. Wheelock died in 1779, and was succeeded by his son John Whee lock, who after a presidency extending over 36 years, was removed from his office by the trustees in 1815. A religious controversy had caused a disagreement which led to a con. flirt with the legislature of the state. The legislature favored Dr. Wheelock, and passed an act to amend the charter, to change the title to "Dartmouth university," and to increase the number of trustees from twelve to twenty-one, a majority of whom should constitute a quorum. A second act, passed Dec. 18, 1816, gave the governor and coun cil power to fill all vacancies that might happen in the board of trustees previous to the next meeting. The cause of the college was argued in the state court by Daniel Web ster, Jeremiah Smith, and Jeremiah Mason, who were opposed, in behalf of the state, by Ichabod Bartlett and George Sullivan. At the Nov. term of the court, 1817, chief justice William M. Richardson rendered a decision which was adverse to the college. The case was at once carried to the supreme court of the United States, and was argued at Washington in that powerful speech which first gave Mr. Webster his national fame. Opposed to him were John Holmes, of Maine, and the attorney-general, William Wirt. In Feb., 1819, chief-justice Marshall gave a decision in favor of the college. The "uni versity " organization was dissolved, and the old college board of trustees sustained. The question in this conflict was of vital importance not only to Dartmouth college, but to many other institutions, and the decision secured the sacredness of private trusts. Dr.
Wheelock, who had been elected president by the new board of the university in Feb., 1817, died within two months, and was succeeded by William Allen, D.D , who held the office until the decision of chief-justice Marshall in 1819. Francis Brown, D. D., who had been elected president of the college by the old board in 1815, held the office until his death in 1820. His successors were: Daniel Dana, D. D., 1821; Bennet Tyler, D. D., 1821-28; Nathan Lord, D. D., 1828-63; Asa Dodge Smith; D. D., LL.D., 1863-76; and Samuel C. Bartlett, D.D., , who entered upon his duties, 1877.
The college comprises five departments, the academical, medical, scientific, agricul tural, and engineering, so associated that each shares in some measure the advantages of the others. The buildings of the college are: Dartmouth hall, the oldest, of wood, 150 by 50 ft., and three stories high, contains the chapel, recitation rooms, and rooms for students; Wentworth and Thornton halls, dormitories, built in 1830, of brick, 70 by 50 ft.; Reed hall, built of brick in 1840, 100 by 50 ft., containing the libraries, the read ing room, the rooms of the physical department, and the collection of pictures belonging to the college; Bissell hall, the gymnasium, built in 1867, of brick, 90 by 47 ft.; the building of the scientific department, entirely rebuilt in 1870, 56 by 36 ft.; Culver hall, built in 1870, a handsome structure, 100 by 60 ft., four stories high, containing labora tories, lecture-rooms, and rooms for the various .cabinets and museums; the medical building, 72 by 32 ft., built in 1812; the observatory, 60 by 18 ft., in 1853; and Conant hall, erected in 1874. Except Conant and Bissell halls, the buildings of the college arc situated in the college park, a tract of about 40 acres, in the eastern part of the village; the chief eminence commands a view of great beauty, and the grounds are shaded with large and beautiful elms. The academic year begins about the 1st of Sept., and commence ment is on the last Thursday of June; the year is divided into two terms of 20 weeks each. The regular course occupies four years; with very few exceptions all its studies are required, to entitle the student, upon the completion of the course, to the degree of bachelor of arts. The degree of master of arts is conferred, in course, on any bachelor of three or more years' standing.