Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-05-04
COLLEGE OF WIN. AND MARY.


sent state of that venerable Institution. II
invites their attention To The melancholy fact
that since the year 1917, IL has gradually de-
chned, until but few more than 80 students,
Including those who attend the law lectures,
have matriculated for the session of 1923 and
"a of this small number. by recent occur.
rences, some six or seven have been suspend
ed or expelled" This dscension is not ow-
ing to the want OF pecuniary resources for he
estimates the whole funds of the College at
100000 /; and her annual means at $500; of
which, $4,000 is annually expended in sala-
RES to the President, and three Professors
Supposing the number of students TO be IS,
he estimates each one to " cost the public. al
least Sl85 for instruction" alone Pile ASSERTS
that NO meeting Of the board of Visitors has
been held" for two years come July" He
enquiries whether this state of things ought TO
contlnue-whether the "present location of
the College is the most judicious" whether
It will Z" not be wanton and uniustiiable
waste of public money, producing no import
ant good, longer TO retain the college where
1t now IS ?"-lf they should determine TO re.
move 1t, he contends that "upon the Kappa
| hammock, James or Appomatox rivers, healthy
and pleasant sites might readily be obtained,
and each with its peculiar advantages"-but
that every thing considered, the capital of
The state combines the most advantages" Its
healthy climate, its dense populations furnish
ing large number Of pupis-the funds which
it might derive from the Richmond Academy
the various sources of contribution TO the
amount of o or Is 900 dollars for the erection
of buildiDgs-is great accessibility TO the other
| large towns of the lower cuuntry-are recon-
mepdations which Publius enforces with great
zeal and ability.
| Surely these statements are entitled 10 the
public attention. Virginia is falling rapidly in
the scale of the Uni5n. Nothing can save
her from decided inferiorty but the moral
force of her citizens. Nothing SO efectually
| contributes To her moral force as the ednca-
ton of her sons. The means appropriated
to education ought TO be economical, and
turned to the very best account. In this ven.
cradle institution how dsproportionate the
benefit and the expense The EIachinery is
too costly for the work it performs. The
same money which Is concentrated upon the
education of thirty minds, might be spre d
over larger surface, and extend its farillizing
influence to more than one hundred.
This state of things must excite the public
attention. The question must be made,
whether the college ought not to be removed
whether 1t can be removed whether with
the endowment gifts movable property, Gifts
professors, lis apparatus, and its library, it
| should not be removed-w whether they cannot
be better located elsewhere and where is the
site which combines the greatest variety OF
benefits?
We leave it TO our sister citizens TO press
their respective claims but we may respect
fully enquire, what situation is better calcu-
lated for its establishment than this city p
| Boarding is as cheap here as il is at Williams
burg. The situation is as healthy as any be-
low the mountains. The town swarms with
| lis infant population 1t would itselfcouiribute
| from eighty To one hundred students. The po-
| lice OF the institution would be considerably
improved, both by the moral and physical co
operation of more numerous people. The
funds of the Richmond Academy might be
incorporated with the college from 2 10 500
dollars, the privilege of drawing two lotteries,
The most beautiful situation in our suburbs with
fifteen acres of ground already belonging to
| the Academy. The citizens of Richmond
| could not be so blind to their own interests as
not To be willing to subscribe at least 1 1900.
| and the Common Hall would not be SO in
sensible to tseir public obligations as not to
| contribute AT least 8 900 TO the erection of
its buildings.
| 1t is the best situation in Virginia for Lane
| Schoot-the best for an anatomical and medi-
cal school. Along with these, let us attach an
admirable classical school, and French
school to the college, and what a train of no.
BILE consequences at once arises to our view
Ina young men who cannot subsequently,
attend the University, would, Notwithstanding
| be endued with the soundest elements of know
| ledge. Those, again, who are in situation
j to visit the University, would be admirably
trained and prepared for the higher scene
which 1t spreads before them.
But the first great question is, can the re-
moval be lawfully effected? Can it be done
with the consent fthe Legislature, the Facul-
ty, and the Visitors? This question is now
submitted 10 the Visitors of the College.
We throw out these ideas for serious con-
s'deration. We wish no change of this des-
crptl"n to be made hastily, and preCipitately.
IL is an important question, like that of the
Convention. 1t ought to be well weighed,
generally discussed, seriously deIiberated, and
cautiously decided. There is time for all
things. There is time TO act-but there is
also time to deliberate.
Prudence might perhaps dictate, that these
suggestions should come from any other quar-
ter. 1t will he said that Richmond has An in
terest IN the remOVal--that zoe partake OF this
interest.
i IL IS certainly so. Perhaps too this interest
may blind our judgment. But let impartial
persons weigh the subject and decide for them
selves. As for the citizens of Williamsburg we
entertain every respect for them which is due
To our couDtrymen and neighbours, Ia the
| members of a society so remarkable for it's in
telliSeBce and its refinement We would be
the last to Djure that venerable netropolis.
and ITS respectable citizens but the college is
dwlndling away go rapidly that their own
interest IN its detention is every momen, d.
diminishing. We think ve see great public
benefit 10 the cbange. Let us Northumberland
then let us act.