Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-09-22

pieased 10 INFORM me pubic oil the state and con
diton OF the College. This they no doubt have
done, because they were satisfied that public opi
Mon must control all subordinate Institutions as
eHectualy as il controls the polite machinery of
our counuy,-and they seem to acknowledge
that Literary Institution can no more set public
opinion at defiance and flourish although inirench.
ed with charter, than the Representative can set
the instructions of his constituents defiance and
retain his Office This course of the Faculty can
not tail, 1t perseyered in, to produce favorable
result. Moreover the government OF the College
has been placed in the hands of the Faculty, where
1t always ought to have been-and the expenses OF
Students at College much reduced, that the most
| numerous and important class in society can now
avail themselves of the benefits of collegiate ed
ucation, Independent farmers possessed of
fortunes; whereas before, none could enjoy these
benefits but the wealthy, without involving them |
selves and their families in great embarrassment if
not in ruin. The wealthy may send their sons TO
the University if they prefer TO do so, to the North,
to the East, to Europe, but the mddling class
eS, especially Of the whole lower country, will
send their sons 10 William s. Mary. Among this |
important and numerous class, excite a litera-
ry spirit and not only will the halls of William s
Mary be filled, but tue whole country from the
head OF tide water 10 the sesbosrd will be nvigo-
rated, and state of things will arise. Agri
culture will improve, and with it the health OF the
lower country. The farmer will add TO his wealth,
and population will be increased in proportion to
the Improvement of the country, In health and in
the means OF subsistence.
The idle notion that Williamsburg is unhealthy
during the collegiate course is absolutely without
foundation that it is impossible that it can keep
Students from the College. Either special Pro-
whence watches over the youth who come to the
Institution, or the place is peculiarly healthy
Only one young man has, in more than 20 years,
died during the collegiate course of any disease
whatever. This fact was published on the au,hori |
~ of the Visitors and il denied, could be verified
by hundreds. If the Office of President be Judi |
cously filed; if the duties of the Moral Chair be
divided suggested, and fit professors appointed,
and the Faculty, and every member thereof, will |
zealously discharge his Duty and unite in doing all
that may be proper in resusctang the College, it
will again flourish TO extent that will satisfy en-
iirely the expectation of the public, and render the
Institution highly serviceabe the State, to the
Union, and indeed TO the of humanity
throughout the civilized world. And ii this stat
of things should arise, who would be unwilling TO
come into the College, or to remain there when
once connected with ii? The prosperity CT the
College, with the fees added to the salaries would
place the professors in envsble situation, and
the only fear would be, that the abundance with
which they were sun ounded would induce them TO
| relax in their efforts. Already they have been
publicly charged with reposing on their fat endow-
ments, without making proper efforts promote
the OF the Institution, and this charge might
possibly hereafter apply and require reduction
of the salaries, to stimulate them to Industry
and exeriion, tina, they might make up by fees what
they might lose in salary. If then proper profess
| sors al can be had for the pToiessorships
| why should not the duties of the Moral Chain be
divided? No good reason is perceived to induce
rejection OF this plan; and many ads ses si.ich
must suggest themselves to every one, will be
gained by placing Clergyman at the head of the
College One OF the greatest magnitude viii be
mentioned. William 81 Mary would ge I'D of the
charge OF nurturIng principles OF inEdeliiy as Me-
tsphysicks and Ethics ~ ould be assigned Cler
gyman for j, has been said, that In teaching lhos4
sciences sufficient care had not been taken 10 pre-
vent the students from concluding thar the Chris
tan Religion formed part OF the creed OF
Metsthyscian and that, in consequence, many OF
the students were tainted more or less with deisni.
| But when the sciences are assigned TO Clergy
man, no danger need be apprehended fIomithai
quarter. Upon this subject parents and guardians
| are extremely sensitive, TOR even it they them
| selves scepticks, they would not have their sons
and wards brought up infidels BY making an
| additional professor all possible objection 10 a
Clergyman would be removed; he would be con-
fined 10 subjects proper for him 10 teach Coz and
politics would be turned over TO a Laynan We
cannot suppose that the Visitors would be so in
ljudicious, to place at the head OF the ollege
| Clergyman who more intent propagating
sectaran principles than promoting true religion
to pupils entrusted to his care. Ii has been sug
gested that Doci. Ducachet Of Norfolk, or Mr.
Meade of Frederick, would fill the Office of
Pr esdent and Professor of Moral Philosophy
with great benefit to the Institution, aud with
credit TO themselves OF his there lie not the slight
| est disposition 10 raise a doubt but there is The
best reason TO believe, that Doct. Wilmer viii
gill the Offices with equal propriety and ith as
much dignity and benefit to the institutions; more
over he is willing to accept; whereas after it was
known TO the other gentlemen that Doctr Wilmer
had intimated his willingness to accept, il ought
not Tor a moment to be believed that ihey would
stand in his way, unless they knew that he was
not suited to the situation, and that il is supposed
| could not be the case Indeed it is not believed
by any one acquainted well with Mr.. Meade, that
he would under any circumstances accept; and
nothing is known with regard TO Doct. Ducachet,
who, after the meeting of the 4lh was published,
left Norfolk, having made no enquiry nor signified
| any desire TO change his situation Had the Vis-
tors formed board on the 4th instant, it is appfe
heDded, from what has been said on the subject
that the duties OF the PToessorship OF Moral PHI
losophy would have been divided, and thar Doct.
] Wilmer would have been appointed President and
/ Professor OF Moral Philosophy. Indeed strong
was the impression, tina, not the least doubf is
now entertained that IL will be done at tie next
meeting; and although the Convoca,ion will meet
not until The 10Th (c) October, and the College
opens on the goth, is pretty confidently expect,
ed that Doc. Wilmer will at once be able to
come and enter the duties ofhis Office Tha
his situation, should he be appointed, will be an
| agreeable one TO him, that he will be kindly and
affectonately received by those with nom he IS
10 associate and especially by his colleagues, Is