Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-11

ness OF education were begun IN good tnc, and
pursued regularly under able teachers, a youth
Of tolerable parts, might easily 60 through the
prescribed course; and then spend two or three
years at an Institution prepared To give him still
higher Instruction, previously to his engaging in
purely professional studies. a plan of this kind
would produce the most happy effects on the
literature and science of this country. On the
other hand, should all, who wish to obtain lib-
eral education in Virginia, be assembled at one
place, US seems 10 be the plan ofsonc, that place
W ud present a scene OF confusion, disorder and
riot unparalleled in the ae,o world. Six hundred
or a thousand Students, half disciplined accus-
toned to great indulgence at home, with no
great love Of study, and a strong passion for
pleasure, could not be governed. No man,
who understands the true character of Virgini-
ans, and the actual stale Fittings among us, can
wish to see tins experiment tried.
Before we conclude, we must beg permission
TO ofer,a few general remarks on the whole sub
ject here presented to view. The course Of
studies Just reviewed, is part of a code Of laws
prepared for tine College, copy "f which now
lies before And in the fest place, we can
not but advert to a statute intinatcl, connected
with the efficiency of this course. 1t is not res
Menre but proficiency, which entities Stu1cnt
to n Deplona. The candidate for 4 degree is
required to stand an approved examination on
the studies of the Junior and Senior Years: and
is liable to an examination Oh all the studies oi
the course.
This certainly is as it should be. An idle
fellow, who has squandcred his fathers money,
and done little else for four years, ought not tn
return home decorated with College lonors.
Now, when parents require their sons to go
through the course, and stand for degree: ami
when they know that their examination must be
an hn "A md tl,a
ry of the disgrace be perpetuated as long as the
College shall stand, they will be under power
full stimulus 20 make great eXer!ions.
Our second remark Is, that the same effect
will in some degree be produced by placing be-
fore the Student the prescribed course of study.
When he begins, he can see to the end. He
knows that. by diligence and industry, he can
in four years arrive at the goal, and receive the
wished for plauit. He knows too, that def
cheney at the annual examination, will ensure
his being put back for year. These things,
with the expectation of testimonial at last,
which will give assurance TO his friends, that he
had been critically examined on all the studies
Of the course, and that liis examination has been
approved, greatly excite the minds of ingenious
youth. The bestowing of these College honors
every year, in presence of large concourse of
citizens, among whom are the wise, the learned,
and the fair, adds not little to the power of
those motives, which rouse the youthful mind to
its most vigorous cSertions.
Again, there is an immense advantage gained
by adopting a regular system of study When
young is permitted TO take UP, first this and
then that course of study, caprice or tedium
prompts, lie is wasting time and money, and ac-
qniring intellectual habits which greatly iuure
him. But when the mind j, carried on step by
step in an orderly manner, the Student sees that
I,n ,n.,iy To
proyement. This inspires courage-It awakens
ardor-diflicul the NEST formidable are en-
countered with the confidence of success. And
tins confidence in the success of ones own eX-
ertons, has happy effect the mind ever af-
forwards, and prepares 1t for great undertakings.
Ii may be well TO notice too, the advantage gain
ed by the circumstance, that every class is en-
ulousy pursuing that which is Immediately be-
fore it. FRESHMEN know that the SoDhon,ores
have Just done what they are required TO do
Sophomores know that their task is no harder
imam that which Juniors performed the year be-
fore. And when the Juniors see Seniors come
forward to deliver their b atan;eate Oration,,
and receive their College honours, they are
reused by the expectation that in one year more
they themselves will be personal actors in the
same deeply interesting scene. Thus one class
operates OF another, and the success of one is
powerful stimulus to all the rest.
Once more; In the arrangement of studies,
two things ought TO be particularly regarded.
One is tins fact, that the mind of diligent
Student is much relieved by change of subjects;
while too great variety creates distraction. In
the course of study which has Just been consid-
cred, very prudent attention has been paid to
this important truth. The classes, we observe,
have ttco studies, ard recitation in each euerv.
dag. This is right There is a very pleasant
change OF the 6riery paths of algebra, for in
stance, for the smooth and howery walks Of
classical literature. The Student puts down
Euler and takes up Herohotus, and changes L.
geadre for Xenophon. The other things to be
a,tendedIto are the affinity of the scienccs-the;r
mutual relations, and dependencies OH each
other. This is deeply interesting subject. but
too copious for examination here. We can on
iy observe, that in drawing up the course of sin
DIV for Hampden Sidney College, sufficient at
tention seems to have been paid 10 this mpor
tant subject, and quite an advantageous ar
rangetnent TO have been made. The members
of the Institution, no doubt, profit bv it.
We cannot conclude without mentioning that
it was our privilege on one occasion to attend
tinal examination at this institution, and twice
to be present al commencement. 1t is our dutv
- state that the examination was perfectly i'm.
partial, and we thought in some degree rigid
The parts of the text book selected for the pur
pose, were Emarked on slips of paper, which
were drawn by the young men. And to men,
ton particular instance for illustration of the
whole manner of the thing, the Student was
required TO give complete ANALYSIS of the
chapter or section, which fell to his lot. The
exercises at Commencement were in hipi, de-
gree gratifying. The Orations prepared for the
occasion indicated a maturity of intellect and
a philosophical turn of thinking very cred;fablo