Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-07-13
RICHMOND, July IS. 1924.
WILLIAM & M.aRY college,.

experiment Is tried Should Il fail the question of
movai in all probability will be taken up the Board
Of visorst be summoned for the 26h November
BY this arrangement there is time lost the inerpo
son Of the Legislature necessary The Removal-and
sufficient time will be allowed making the experiment
continue Il at Williamsburg This course, the whole
characterized by wisdom and moderation. If removal
to take place, let many, may be- be convinced Of its
necessiy-and let 1t bring with il many hearts posi-
BILE. Could any Expose operate in favor of remaining
its ancient Site the very eloquent and animated
per which is ushered to the public Whatever be
,he opinions and calculations OF the citizens Richmond,
let determine TO have this experiment fairly riedand
therefore let us for the present lay upon
The Committee appointed to enquire into
the state and condition ef the College, and to
propose such measures as in their estimation
would be calculated to advance its prosperity,
beg leave respectfully TO report. That they
have witnessed with deep concern the change
which in the last two years has been produced
in the affairs of the College, by the dminu-
ton Of the number of young men who have
resorted 10 il for Instruction. But shor time
since, and this institution, so renowned for
having given intellectual birth to some Of the
brightest geniuses and purest patriots of the
age, was in Il fourshing condition. All its
classes were well attended, and its benefits
we're not only extensively dispensed to the
youth Of Vrginia, but also to the youth of
other states. Some of the causes which have
led to the present state Of things must beap
parent To all, others are conlectnrai, while
others are founded rs your COMMITTEES are led
10 believe, ON mistaken Impressions and err
roneous views the part of the public. Nor
is your COMMITTEES wholly without hope, that
candid aud impartial review of the actual con-
dition of the College, will have tendency to
relieve The public mind from tire anxiety which
.E.yf.
some measure To quiet the fears of its friends.
When your committee enquiries whether the
visitors have selected for the different profess
sorships gentlemen, qualified by their talents
and eruditiOp To fill them adyautageousy, il
answers without hesitation, that in this respect
the visitors defy censure. Ii is believed that
the various professUrships are filed with those,
no, in the departments of science commit
ted to their charge, would do honor to any lit
erary institution in the Union. Do they per-
form their various and arduons duties with
diligence and attention? On this subject, no
complaint even Of the most trivial character
is believed to exist.
In addition to this, your committee cannot
withhold the expression OF the belief, that
falrer opportunity is not offered at any other
literary institution in this country, than al
William aud Mary, for the acquisition of use
ful knowledge. Most that is calculated To en-
large and strengthen the mind, To liz and give
value to the character, aud at the same time
to polish and adorn is here Taught. Mathe-
mates IN all It's branches, Politics, io an en-
largcd sense, Law aud Police, Natural Philoso
ply, Rhetoric aud Bellies Letires, the Phi
iosophy Of the human mind, Moral Philosu-
ply properly So called, and Chemistry, consli-
tute The branches of science taught at this in
stilulion and, il is believed, that young
man coming tn the College with the determi-
nation TO prosecute with zeal, his studies, would
carry home with him IA usetu! aud extensive
stock ofpro6tabie knowledge. The philosophi-
Cal apparatus is esteemed 10 be in as g@od, i'll
not better condition., than for some years past
and the Library, heretofore extensive, has
bnen annually augmeltIng. fonr committee
therefore, while they contemplate this picture,
caunut believe that The affairs of the instilu.
lion are desperate: but, comparing the past
with the present, they indulge the hope, tina,
it wiIi again experience the public patronage,
and still! maintain that reputation which il has
80 long etjoyed. They are encouraged in this
hope by the Tact That III other times, its for
tunes appear To have been equally, ifnot more
uDpropitlous than at present and, yet, that
it has risen above its difficulties and attained
a lofty standing. Some OF the causes which
have led 10 its present state of depression,
your committee have been at no loss 10 ascer
tain. Tie pecuniary enbarrassments of the
times have unqueslionably had more or less in
iluence in lessenng The number fits students 4;
in addition 10 which, The fact Of new literary
institutions having sprung up in the country,
has contribnted TO increase that effect. For
merly the Western country, Kentucky partic-
ulatly, and the South extensively, supplied
many pupils.
The establishment Of PENNSYLVANIA College.
Cbapel-H,ii Academy, and similar institutions
else where, had no doubt drawn from this Col
lFge, many who probably would otherwise
have come here. Rivalry among literary in
silintons is as much to be expected as amung
individuals 10 society and long established
dealer would have as much cause 10 despair of
further success in trade, because Il new sign
was set up in his neighbOurhood, and his sales
for the time diminished as IA long and well
established school, because the number of lis
students was lrssened, from, as to il. similar
operative causes.
The public will as readily derive benefit
from competition among colleges as among
traders. All, however, that The man establish
ed in his line ofbusiness, and the College fix
ed 10 IFS reputation have to do, is to perseveIe
IN their course until the spirit or novelty ceases
To- rule, and prosperity will in the end return
to both, il they continue to deserve il. Inas-
signing the reasons which have contributed to
bring about the present state Of things, this
eVmmittee cannot forbear saying, that in its
estimation the College has sustained much ia
Jury Nv reason OF the enactment and enforce
ment Of certain statutes, rules or regulations of
the College, which are believed to be unpala-
table TO the public and obnoxious to many
whose feelings would otherwise be enlisted
in its behalf-The statute or regulation which