Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-30

sity, but numerous dlfnCuitles, "hich nv olhe!
man but Mr.. who is so much esteemed, could
have surmounted, have opposed this Establish
ment in its progress; but fortunately, 1t is now
so firmly based on the rock Of public opinion,
1.-THE only power recognized in this country,)
that it must flourish Messrs. Jefferson, Ma
Olson, and Monroe, have promised to leave, at
their decease, such philosophical instruments
and books as they possess, and which the In
stitution may not already have.
So much for material, now for. moral All
branches Of science are TO be taught In the Uni
versity, except theology, for which no profess
sorship will be founded, because IN our coun-
try there being no predominant sect or establish
ed church, the whole community would not u
mite in supporting any particular set OF doc
trines, or religious tenets But Mr.. Jefferson
told me that such inducements would be offer
ed to respectable Episcopal, Presbyterian, and
other clergymen to settle there, that he had no
doubt the Young men inclined to become theo-
loeians, would in the course of time have as
good on opportunity to prepare themselves Tor
the pulpit, as at most seminaries OF the United
States This is certainly as liberal as could ne
expected Mr.. ]. thinks il important that some
thing of the Fellenberg system be engratted on
this Institution, and proposes that scientific
and experienced farmer should cultivate the
land belonging to it, which amounts to 200 a.
ores; so that the sons OF the planters may have
an opportunity oflearning the mode OF culture
best adapted 10 the soil and climate ofthat dis
trict II is also intended 10 have blacksmiths,
carpenters, and other shops for handicrafts on
the premises, on condition that the workmen
will teach the students the use Of their TOOLS
The system of police will be something SINH
lar TO that of civil community; certain OF the
most regular and discreet students will be COM
missioned to keep the peace, to hold courts Tor
the trial Of offenders, and to exercise such o.
Their functions within the precincts of the Uni
yersity as are allowed to civil officers through.
out our country.
MIR. Jefferson says, that $500 per annum,
and a house, will be secured to each professor
now; and when the students are as numerous as
he thinks there is a prospect they will become,
that the fees for tuition will increase the sala-
laries to $4,000 each; which he thinks sufficient
~ ample 10 command professors OF the best Ia
Tents Of Scotland, the Continent, and the Unit
ed States. Living in Charlottesville is incom-
parably cheaper than in any village Of the same
size in England or Ireland. There are several
professors already appointed; two OF them came
from Oxford, one from Cambridge, one from
Woolwich, and three from Glasgow and Edin-
burgh, and the remainder will be supplied from
the northern states of this country. The Insti-
tuition has commenced most favorably; and
there is every prospect of its being successful.
So much for University of Virginia, with
which fear, if you have read all the above,
YOU are quite tired; will therefore not trouble
you any more, but to give you an amusing an
ecdote in connection with it, which will be
some COM ensation for the dizziness Of my de-
tails.
Mr.. Jefferson told me he teased the Legisla-
turc for six or seven successive sessions for aid
for the University, which, each time, gave him
part or all that he asked for; at length, one
of the members, Z friend of his, asked him why
he did not apply for as much at once as was re-
ouired, SO as to give the government no further
trouble Mr.. ]. told him, in reply, that when
he was President of the United States, Capt.
O'Brien, the American Consul at Tripoli, on
his return home presented accounts, to great
amount, at the Treasury Department, which,
after considerable delay and cavilling, the Sc
cretary paid the next year. Pat presented adj
ditional accounts for services of the same ma
ture, and when asked why he had not given in
all his demands at the same time, answered.
"Do you think am such fool as to cram two
hot potatoes down the Secretary's throat at
once!"
There is occasionally at our parties in this
city, philadelphia very curious assemblage
of individuals, from most parts OF the world,
many of whom have taken a distinguished part
in the revolutions which have afflicted the two
hemspheres for the last thirty years. We
have Joseph Bonaparte, the ex king of Spain,
and his two daughters, Charles Bona2arte, the
son of Lucien Bonaparte; two sons OF Murat,
ex-king Of Naples; many distinguished Cen
erals Of Napoleon; republican refugees from
Ireland, Italy, Spain, Portugal. Brazil, Sc roy
alist refugees from Mexico, Peru, Colombia,
SC. Lafayette, the apostle of our liberties; be-
sides the European and American Ambassa-
doris, and numerous travellers from most ofthe
civilized countries of the world You would
suppose that society composed Of such het-
erogeneous materials would not be very har-
monous, but it is as much SO, to appearance, as
if all the individuals were of the same nation,
and of the same way of thinking. All are re-
ceiyed well who behave in decorous manner.
1t is true, however, we treat suffering republic
cans with more friendship than we do violent
royalisls. 1t is pleasing to see men who were
such restless agitators in their own countries
become as tranquil as if they had always been
the most peaceable citizens.