Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-18
The Honorable The SPEAKER
g the House Of Delegates.
To the President and Directors
nE m,

To the President and Directors
81 the Literary Find:-
In obedience to the lazy, requiring that the
Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
should make a Report, annually, to the Presiien,
and Directors OF The Literary Fund, Ito be laid
before the Legislature a, their next succeeding
ineeting,) embracing a full account OF the dis
; onFsemehts, the funds hand, and a general
statement ot the condition of the said University
the Rector and Visitors make the following
REPORT:
the provision, which requires that the Rector
and Visitors should annually visit ,'ie University,
Tor the purpose OF enquring into the proceedin IS
and practices thereat, and OF examining into tn.
progress Of the Students, was complied with by
the stated yearly meeting, commencing on the
10th OF July, the period of the Summer public
examination. The Board continued their session
until the 9th of the same month; a portion O:
their time being employed in attending, as had
been desired by many OF their fellow citizens the
Convention at that time held in Charlottesville TO
take into consideration the Internal Improvement
OF the State. The demand on them as members
OF this body, was incompatible with the degree OF
attention which would otherwise have been be-
slowed on the examination of the students then
going on. SO Tar, however, as this could be done
1t served to confirm the high estimation in which
the attainments and talents of the Professors have
ever been held by them. They take pleasure in
repeating the observations made in their Report
oil last year, concerning the Improvement in the
economy oil the Institution, and the habits of the
Students: points, in relation to which, they be-
lieve the University would not suffer from com
parison with any similar establishment in the
country. The a1icipatious expressed in the same
Report, have been agreeably realized, by there
Oeing THIS year, In portion OF the schools, sevc-
raj successful aspirans TO the special certificates
oil proficiency which have been substituted 10. the
Degrees" usually conferred: in the Department
oil medicine, where particular reasons caused the
title OF Doctor 10 be retained, that degree has been
acquired by several young gentlemen.
Inc Board have to regret this year, again, the
loss OF one of the very able Professors, for the
nappy selection OF whom, the University in
debted TO the late Mr.. Gilrner. Mr. Long, Pro
lessor OF Antient Languages, while performing
the duties OF his station here received The fatier-
ing testimonials Of The reputation he had left be
hind him, in call 10 the Chair of Greek Litera-
ture, i'll the University of London Under the
contract subsisting between him and the Univer-
sity, he might have been retained one session lon
ger: but, independently of the courtesy due to
kindred Institution, which promises ordinary
usefulness in the great work OF instructng the
rising generation, aud extending the limits OF hu.
man knowledge, Mr.. Long had, by the very able
and exemplary discharge of his duties, well "a
by the perfect candor and propriciy OF his con-
duct, on the occasion, established claims Which
however avcrse the Board might be to sacrifice
the interests Of the University, would not allow
them 10 insist vigorously on the contract with him.
10 fill the vacated Chair, during the approaching
session, the Board have authorised The appointment
by the Rector, Of Doctor Gesner Harrison, distin
gnished as pupil OF Mr. Long aud graduate in
The Medical School
Another duty. tie discharge Of which had been
unavoidabIy delayed liil this meeting, wls to pro-
vide for the Chair Of Natural Philosophy, vacated
by the translation of Professor Bonnycasne 10 the
School Of Mathematics The Board feel much
qualification in having il in their power 10 state.
that they have secured the services Of DR.. Ro-
bert NJ. Patterson. late Professor Of Natural
Philosophy III the University Of Pennsylvania
His very high Standing whore he was best
known, both as Professor and an accomplished
member of society, leaves doubt that he will
prove, in every respect, Il valuable acquisition TO
the UniverHty IN addition TO the immediate Iu
ties OF this school, those specially pertaining to the
observatory, have been assigned 10 Doctor Pa.tes-