Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-09-29
CITE CONSTITUTIONS 9glbtg.


ETOAl Utc jtCStera "a.
We have been ob%ingy furnished, by friend, with
copies of the follow ing letters which take great
pleasure III lay ng before our readers. Livery thing
coming from the pen OF the illus,rous Jefferson cannot
fail TO excite deep Interest, and particularly every
suggestion Of his profound and phOscpic mi"d upon
the subject of education, ought To he read and treasured
up by the youths % oar country The cHcu"5'ances
winch gave rise o the letters as io.Ts; In Tue year
1922 Society was formed BY oi the Students of
WashingiOu College, in this State, and NAMED 1.-The
Jefferson Society,"" and tercupon committee was APP
poinieI apprze the venerable sage OF this mark of
their aj,nrat and esteem and 20 request of him the
favor Of such advice. with regard to objects
tenlaed ny the institution, as his wisdom might sug
Eest The following letter enclosing tho hereyv ith
accompanying 1T, were in consequence Iecciy Cd
Their authenticity IS urlucstionabc They were fur
nis!ci for publication by member of the committee
20 whom they were addressed, and who is resi-
dent OF this county.
s'AToNTicEIIo Feb. 81, 1929.
CcRi'rmP2: have received YOUR favor of the OH,
and am diy sensible of the honor done my by
association with the institutions formed vcur college,
for Improvement in the art of speaking The efforts
the menhers viii, trust give Just reputation the
society, and reflect on its name the honor which
not derive from 1T. In country and government like
ours, eoquence is powerful Instrument, well worthy
al the speca, pursuit OF our youth. Models, indeed
oi ciaste ani classical oratory truly with
rs nor do | reculect remarkable in England
Among the ancients, the most perfect specimens are
perhaps to be found in Lvy, Sa!!us and Tacus.--
heir plt and brevty constitute perfection itself for
an audience OF sagCs whom ffoth and fancy would
he lost II air. But in ordinary cases, and with rar
ticu'ariy, more development is necessary. For SEN
atoria eoqucnce, Dcnosthenes is the finest model! for
the bar, Cicero. The former had logic, the latter
more Imagination OF the eo1Eencc OF the pen wc
have fine samples in England Robertson, Sternc, hd
olson of the FIRST merit III teir different characters
Of composition Hume, in the circumstance of STYLE
IS equa! to but his tory principles spread cloud
over his many and great e;ccIencics The charms of
his style AMI matter have made tories Of all England
and doubtful republicans here
You say that any advice which could civc YOU
would be accepahie but for this You cannot be in bet
ter hands than o'tc worthy professors of your college
lhelr c2ulse would: am sure embrace every thing
couli Offer. II will not, however, be wo. Il Ct
sunererroatiou, f il will CRAFTY you, and will furnish
stronger proof of my desire to encourage YOU in your
laudablc dispositions. Some 81 or 81 wears ago had
nephew, the late Peter Carr whose education direc-
ted and hal mach at heart his future fortunes Resi-
ding abroad at the time in public service, nv counsel.
10 bin necessarily communica led TO him by letter
Searching among my paper / find n letter written To
hn and conveying such advice as thought suitable 10
The particular period OF his age and education. He
was then about fifteen, and had made some irogrees in
Classical reading. Is your prescnt situation may be
somewhat similar, you may lind in tat letter. some
things worthy OF remembering. | therefore enclose
You copy. Ii was written in haste, under the pres
sure OF official lahcurs, and with no view Of bcino
ever seen bat hy hir!se. Il might otherwise have been
made more correct in style and matter. Bat such
49, place at your service, and prar Won 10 receive
1T merely compliance with own request and
as proof Of my good vii and of ny>hest wishes for
your success III the OF life, for which YOU are so
worth!iy aud iauda6iy preparing yourselves
I'll; JEFFERSON