Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-02-28

With or without incorporation, into that OF Viii
liam and Mary. where every branch ofscience
ussnso useid at this day, should be taught in
'S highcst degree With this view, l have lost
no occasion OF making myself acquainted with
the organization Of the best seninaries in other
countries, and with The opinions of the most en-.
hSh'ened individuals Oh the s,ibiec, OK the scien.
ces, worthy OF apiace in such an institution. In
order to prepare what had promised our trustees.
4 have lately revised these several plans with AZ.
sention, and am struck with the diversity of AZ.
rangement observable in them, no two eng ar
'iks. fet have no doubt that these several ar
engagements have been the subject ofmature re-.
nechon, BY wise and learned men, who con,em
plating local circumstances, have adapt ed them
to the condition ofthc section of society for
which they have been framed am strengthen.
ed m This conclusion by an examination Of each
separately, and a conviction that no ore ofthe,n.
1t adopted without change, would be suited to the.
circumstances and pursuit of our country. Tie
example they have set then, is authority for US to
select from Their different institutions the mate
rails which are good for ms, & with them to erect
a structure, whose arrangement shall CORRESPOND
win our own social condition, and shall admit OF
enlargement IN proportion 10 the announcements
I ma? merit and receive. AS may not be able
10 attend The meetings of The trustees, I will
make you the depository ofmy IDEAS on the sub
Ject winch may be Cor. ected As YOU proceed bx
the better views OF Others, and adapted ( ON time
10 time, to the prospects which open upon us.
and which cannot now be specifically seen and
provided for.
In the FIRST place, we must ASCERTAIN with IRE.
cision the object ofour institution, BY taking a
survey OF the general field of se,ence, and mark.
ing out the portion we msan 10 occupy At frat.
ref,n rfo L
that should We be enabiedt TO render it in the end.
rs comprehensive rs We would wish
T. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
II rs highly interesting 10 our Country. and tits
the duty of It's flmctianaries, to provide that eve
ry citizen in it should receive an education Urn.
portioned to the condition & pursuits of his life.
me mass of our citizens may be divided into
Two classes, the laboring and The learned The
labormg will need tbe first grade of education To
qualify them for their pursuits and duties the
learned Will need it rs foundation for further ac-
quTements. A plan was formerly proposed 10 the
Legislature OF this state for laying off eye,y county
INTO Hundreds or Wards of or 6 miles square.
within each OF which should be school. for the
education ofthe children OF the ward, wherein
'ey should receive three years instruction gratis,
IN reading, writing, arithmetic, as far as fr.ct.
ons, the roots and ratios, and geography. The
Legislature at one time tired an ineffeot,,l
exPedient for introducing this plan, which hay-
ing Ialed, 1t IS hoped they Will some day resume
1t IN more Promising form.
a. SENhHAL SCHOOLS. 81
At the discharging of tie pupils from the e,eL
mentary schools, The two classes sen,r.,e
those destined for labor will eigae e in Inc hue
ness OF agriculture, enter into apprenticeshins
to such handicratt art Us may be Their chmce
their companions destined to the d pursuits rs
science, will proceed to the Cot1ra. which
viii consist LIST. of GESEnLI Schools. and 81
ofPRoFEssIoSGL Schools. The GKyxRAL schools
VIII continue the 2 GRADE OF education
The learned class may still be subdiyided into
two sections: l. Those who are destined far
learned professions, as means oflyeiihood. and
2. The wealthy, who, possessing indeDendent
fortunes, may aspire to share in Conducting the
affairs OF the nation, or TO live with usefulness &
respect IN the private ranks OF life Roth of these
sections will require instruction in ALI the b,oia,.
branches of science, the wealthy to qualify diem,
tor either public private life; the professional
section will need those branches. esnec,.my
which are the basis of their future professsion'
ana general knowledge OF the others, IS auxi.
liary TO that, and necessary % their stand me- ana
associating with the scientific class Al the
branches then OF useful science ough, 10 be
taught IN the General Schools, TO a Competent ex
tteft, IN the first Instance. These sciences may
% arranged INTO three departments, not rigorous.
y scienlihc indeed, nut icisntly so for our
purpose. These are,
4 Language. II -NafhemGHcS. III I'Ifloso6h,.
LANGUAGE. In lie first department, Iwo,Iid
arrange distinct science, 1. Languages and his.
tory, ancient and modern: 2. Grammar: g. Bellies