She conquered mathematics, stood well in Latin, and was
enthusiastic in the study of psychology, the science of mind, which
teaches the intimate relation of mental phenomena to the physical
organism. German was an elective study with Gertrude, which she had
studied at the high school, but at Vassar she learned to write and talk
the language with accuracy and freedom, which is not usual, unless one
lives in a German family.
Gertrude was already planning to study history and some of the sciences
in original German text-books, if occasion offered. She cared little
for music, though she was extremely fond of poetry and now and then
contributed verses for publication. Her essay on architecture at the
close of the second year elicited applause from the students and praise
in red ink across the first page of the composition.
Self-government of the Vassar girls develops self-respect and
self-control. A Vassar girl is bound on her honor to retire every night
at ten o'clock, with three exceptions a month, to exercise in the
gymnasium three hours a week, and to take at least one hour of outdoor
exercise daily. Regular exercise, regular meals, nine hours of sleep, and
plenty of mental work were rapidly preparing Gertrude to fill some noble
position in the world.
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