The U. Of M.'s Christmas

The University of Michigan was the recipiënt of a handsome present froni Recent Levi L. Barboiir a few days ago, says Friday's Detroit Freo Press. During li is six yenrs on the board he bas display ed uncommon interest in the affairs of the University and bis efforts have been largely devoted towards obtaining a proper recognition of its needs. Some years 'ago Mr. Barbour gave a block of property in this city to be used as a nucleus for a fund for the erection of an art building. At that time the pressing need of the woman's building, uow built, was apparent, and he very readily cousented to turn over the property for the benefit of that project. The importance of an art building did not drop l'rom his mind, however, and to signalize his retirement from the board of regente, which will take place on January 1, he has given the board another block of property on Warren avenue to be used in erecting such a building. The property is block No. 7, of the Fyfe-Barbour-AVarren subdivisión, near the corner of Warren avenue and Twenty-seeond street. Itcomprises 46 lots and is valued at about $15,000. Mr. Barbour believes that $100,000 could be well expended on an art building and bis gift stijuilat.es that the balance of tlie $86,000 shall be raised in five years and ttie building erected in six. On Wednesday the board of regenta held an executive session at Ann Arbor, when the gift was formally accepted. In token of Mr. Barbour's generosity, the board also decided to cali the woman's building the "Barbour Gymnasium." In the evening they came to this city and attended a diuner given in Mr. Barbour's honor, at the residence of Regent Frank W. Fletcher, 807 Jefferson avenue, when the guest of the evening was presented with a gold and silver loving cup, suitably inscribed, and on which were engraved Michigan's coat of anus, and also the coat of artns ol the University. "The needs of the University," saic Mr. Barbour lastnight, " are uotunderstood, nor is its importance to the state fully reeognized. It is the greatest investinent that the state has, and there are many things required to round i out. For iustancft, this year it has been overrun with law students, and the old chapel, which is in another build ing and ill-suited for the purpose, has to be used. The University has no ar building, and I think that such a struc ture should not cost less than $100, 000 They have a very fair collection of stat uary, which is stacked together in two rooms, and also an excellent Chinese collection , with no place to display it The pictures have to be hung with a view to saving as nmch space as possible. Such a building will einpliasize the fact tbat the University expects suitable donations from tlie ciüzens of Michigan. I stipulated that it should be built in six years, but, of course, if not practicable the time can be extended. If there is ueed for another building, such as the biological building, I am willing that it shouid be attended to first-" " ______ Ii" j-ou ba-re ajitrthingl Ho do here at holme, and can make a decent living at it, you wfll ba wise to sbay away frtxm frozea up IClondike,. Ir you bavie amy money to invest and do not waat td losa ib, b&ep it out of the Kloindüke companies, Neairly all suoh. atffaiirs or campamies are but the old silver nniaio BChemes over again. Tbey ge youir nnoeey and you get - nothimg.