318           WISCONiSI.N LEGISLATIVE M3ANUAL.

  Historical Society-numbering over 35,000 volumes, is also accessible at
all
  times. The young men of the Northwest can find no better facilities for
fit-
  ting themselves for the profession of the law.
                     III.-THE FEMALE COLLEGE.
   The course of study in this College is intended to be fully equal to that
in
 the others, requiring the same time for its completion, and conferring the
 same degrees upon graduation. Provision is also made for ample instruction
 in Music, Drawing and Painting, and a wide range of optional studies is
al- -
 lowed. The Legislature of 1870 appropriated $50,000 for the erection of
a
 building especially designed for this College.. It is already under contract
 and will be completed and ready for occupancy in the fall of 1871. The buila-
 ing will afford ample accommodations for 100 pupils, furnishing them with
 large, well-ventilated private study rooms, spacious music and recitation
 rooms, chapel and society rooms and a commodious refectory.

                             CONCLUSION.
   The great need of the University is an Observatory. Without the proper
in-
 struments it is Impossible to teach practical astronomy. It is to be hoped
 that the Legislature will continue the liberal policy which it has lately
inau-
 gurated and place our State Univcrsity in the van of all similar institutions.







            THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOLS.
                 [BY J. B. PRADT, ASSISTANT STATE SUPERINTENDENT.]


                               History.
  Among the provisions for education in the constitution of the State, as
adopted in 1848, it was provided-
  "That the revenues ol the School Fund should be exclusively applied
to
the following objects:
  "1st. To the suppcrt and maintenance of common schools in each school
district, and the purchase of ouitable libraries and appurtenances therefor.
  "2d. That the residue of the income of the School Fund should be appro-
priated to the support of Academies and Normal Schools, and suitable libra-
ries and appurtenances therefor."
  Thus early was the need of Normal Schools recognized, but nothing was
done to make any provision for them until 1857, when an act was passed, pro-
viding, "That the income of twenty-five per cent. of the proceeds arising
from the sale of swamp and overflowed lands, should be appropriated to
Normal Institutes and Academies, under the supervision and direction of a
Board of Regents of Normal Schools," who were to be appointed in pursu-
ance of the provisions of that act.