The College of St. Francis Xavier, incorporated with the privileges of a University by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, is conducted by the Fathers of the Society of Jesus. It is a Day College, situated in West Fifteenth street, New York City, affording the two-fold advantages of a complete Classical and Catholic education.

The course of studies is divided into five distinct departments, the Post Graduate, Under Graduate, Grammar, Commercial, and the Preparatory. It embraces the Greek, Latin, English, and French Languages, Rhetoric, Poetry, Elocution, History, Geography, Mythology, a complete course of Mathematics, Chemistry, and Natural, Intellectual, and Moral Philosophy.

The Commercial Course, which is completed in three years, comprises the English and French Languages, English Literature, Elocution, History, Geography, Mythology, the use of Globes, Book-keeping, Arithmetic, Mathematics, and Natural Philosophy.

There are four Preparatory Classes for younger students, in which they are carefully taught Spelling, Reading, Writing, English Grammar, Geography, History, and Arithmetic, so as to fit them for the higher branches of study. There are two examinations, one in February, the other for promotion at the close of the Collegiate Year. During the course of the year any student found fit for a higher class may be promoted thereto, and this promotion is equivalent to the honors of the class from which he passed.

Candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts must stand an examination in Natural, Intellectual, and Moral Philosophy, and in Mathematics. When a student presents himself for admission, he is examined and placed in the class for which his previous acquirements have prepared him. A daily exercise in Latin, Greek, French, Mathematics, etc., according to the degree of the class and the branches taught therein, is required of each student. A weekly exercise in English composition is given in all the classes above the Preparatory Course; the subject-matter is marked out by the Professor.

Every second week a composition on the subject-matter of the class is given throughout all the classes. The result of these compositions determines the progress of the student, and decides the annual prize of proficiency. Once every month an account is given before the Faculty and all the students of each pupil's behavior and application, and a report thereof is sent to the parents or guardians. To insure success, private study at home is much insisted upon, for the space of two hours and a half in the evening and half an hour in the morning.

Punctual attendance, is earnestly recommended; hence, in case of absence, a note is required from the parents or guardians, who shall be informed of the non-attendance of their children or wards. The hours of class are from nine o'clock in the morning until a quarter before three in the afternoon. The younger students of the Preparatory Course are allowed home at half-past two o'clock. The doors are opened in the morning for the reception of the students at half-past eight o'clock. The professors and prefects are then in attendance.

Within the precincts of the College, two court-yards, entirely cut off from the street, are reserved for recreation, so that the students are entirely secluded and continually under the eyes of their prefects and professors, from the time of their arrival, at nine o'clock in the morning, until that of their departure, at a quarter before three in the afternoon. The Collegiate Year commences on the first Monday in September, and ends about the beginning of July. It is divided into quarters of about ten weeks each.