I cannot do better than quote [the Director] Dr. [Cyrus] Hamblin's own words as to the object and working of the [Robert] College :

"... The chief nationalities are the Bulgarian, Greek and Armenian. The first year the college had no Bulgarian students, the second year it had one, and in the seventh year, 39 out of 72.

The Bulgarians have not only taken the lead in numbers, but, to our great surprise, in scholarship.

In the single department of design (drawing), they do not exhibit any special aptitude or inaptitude. Armenians have always borne off the prizes in that department, but in all others the Bulgarians have excelled. A large portion of them are earnest, persistent scholars. They have a marked social and patriotic character worthy of all praise : they will aid each other, and push forward the lagging, and patiently drill those who are far in the rear, never being satisfied unless all are moving on together. There have been instances of habits unfortunately contracted which could not be allowed, but generally they yield to a correct moral training.

We consider the Bulgarians a race capable of great things."

I would call my reader's attention to the praiseworthy conduct of these Bulgarian students, of "never being satisfied unless all are moving on together". It is here that we arrive at the secret of the cohesion of the nation through the many centuries of trouble and persecution it has endured ; and in this particular point it is infinitely superior to the Greek in nation-making qualities since the latter are in a consistant state of ferment from an excess of individuality. (pp. 36-38)