Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-02-20

4 apout iuo young men have an opportunity of studv-
10y ther profession IN the walls Of an University
1os no0tcEm OF allowance has been made i1r air-
ding the means OF sound instructionto th, rt mass
cepton of the community. Aud learninr WI i lie ex-
OF the ornaments about her head and the rour, san
.'s winch hang loosely about her eet, exists AZ before
Ia rags and poverty. We cannot expect 20 up.e any
progress IN intellectual Improvement rnt some pla,
{of education Is adopted which shall be a,lrute 10
me wants OF the people. \ the hurrlor,v ,nl soil
dty OF building only De secured b. Strict at
iteoh 70 every part or the structure SO also in edu-
cat.ni II any part Wla.cyer, be either omitted or
niS.>cci, tao eE-ct OF the whole viii be DESTROYED,
II we begin ut Tie wrung end III executing our
tP!ai OF instruction. atI pay particular regard - th4
hgAcr, and orsnenta, ~ the manifest nerlect of the
lover, yet more Important parts, the soIitity and
iseiu!icas OF tile whole Will be materially affected.
. A perfect system of education, / wcud Lken to a
building dedicated to the 2ta,iic sy which resembles
more t!an any other the exquisite art Vt unlolinr the
powers oil ine mind ana displaying c!n in their man
~ '!Sor' ihs 1uIldhg, Fused on solid foundation
Is perfect III Its structure and proportion. The eXte
ror displays al tie beauty and graeur OF archtec-
cure; wnie tine arrangements within are completely
adaPted To- the purposes for which the efce was g.
rected. There are three apartments. upper. lower
ard nidd.e, occupied by wurkmcn accordii TO their
degree OF skill and proficiency iii sculpture The o-
er one Is supaivted into Infinite number o sim iicr
sections IN which are 10 be found one. some lines
TWO ana three artists employed upon the marble III it.;
rude state The business OF the apprentices IS to cut
away the irregularities OF the block, polish it to
smooth surface, and then with g few heavy strokes
reduce to something Resembling the human shape
hiie in ti;' imperfect state, 1t is taken mp to the
next order OF workInen; who give some shape 10 what
was oetore mere outline. IN this dcpartnont oreat
attention IS pad to the division Of labor Each one
has LIS own particular part assigned him, in the
execution OF winch ne displays great deStetv. The
hads feet, arms, the nice tuIlji!,s OF The head
and }cc are wrought III the finest manner; hut thu
proNorQr and apt adjustment OF tia Mole : ef> Il,
The Siiii Oi tlu uVSters III the art. These with i. pen
Grating eye, scan every part, and BY icw delicate
touches give the ir ana attitude of BODY ami the cH
pressoa OF counteancc, peculiar Tho peTsonae In
tendedto be represented. The same kind OF excel
!ece, hoWeI CT, IS not found even III The most sl
of their professions each has ideal peri ,c;iCn
ever before ls mOd, to the attainment OF which n,
directs ms undlvdea attention. Hence some acquire
the power q ;hrcWpm INTO their statues siy oil
attitude and 2odneSs OF countCuanca pcctiariv be-
coming to the statesman and warrior. Others yive
!ech9ess to the eye ana c'npaciicss t. tic limb
which indicates that activity and oeicfy yf motion
50 characteristic ofthe and advocate. A f,r
by toA andInuch study acquire the rarctaent of inn
TO th+ir pieces deep outline and Il lofty eNprGs-
sion That marks the philosopher of profound thought,
anu The poet CT sublime contemplation.
As the rude marble, by the tatuarvs art is 1aAo-
rated through various apartments until it i, finally
polished MO the most exquisite specimen of the hui
man Inquire; SO ought youth 10 lie trained and dis
Glpllned by The plastic hand o. education that when
the age OF manhood Is attained, thew Iony be ah!c to
perform justly and mGgnaanously ali tie offices both
puGuc and private, nf peace and of war.
row nave we made our plan OF education TO rre-
serve the s!miitude) after The mode uf the h,l.0r
JUS! described? Has the foundation beer! Eyt laid y
a'soHd basis and the supcraLTuctro made afer he
exact rules OF proportion, been -. I'D into proDcc
apartments, and stored with Gcyv : aborsreo Or
nave we not pursued contrarv Sc ana erected
= great oTcrshadowing top, that ,gessing down Il
wc"k and itaneless shell already tnt2rg Oh rotte;,
foundation? And have we not discovers! tie same
oversight in policy by ir~ the upper par % Tins
hulling with suitable men, when ut the same time
We have entirely overlooked the Gner apartments; on
the right ordering and furnishing cf which ma inv de-
pGnGs The success Of the other
J.! the lower departments BE t;cJ with anv in5erio-
per that may AtTude hiInseil--witi men who are
ig"osant of the are they profess, and careless Of
Improvement their wo.k Us q natural consequence.
VIII he most sIlamefuily neglected.
and when thei: specimens are brought IN 20 The
master Worh!nen 20 receive their final pcs,, these
last will be mortified to ind, that instead OF reaIrina-
Few slight touches,-sOne must be shaped entirely
anew, others account OF their unnatural istor-
ticus, be laid aside a. useless Willie MANY f., he
made any thing OF, must be taken dc noro-fr0,n lh,
very block itself. To speak plainly, It is notorious
Tact which cannot be disguised, ard which We a., de-
piore, that our University, with the exception Of
ow III the professions, is flied with YOUNG men in
the clements of science, and the first rudneuts of
language. The Professor instead CT mentiDc The
youth, 1t the hill of science cl.If ii
with the smoothnCss and grceEncSs Of Che spot the
meiodous sounds every side; errapured with die
BEAUTY OF the prospect and eager 20 pursue wlIrcso-
ever his pleasure may be heightened, end his views
enlarged--irstead OF meeting him here. the Guide
must 90 down to The bottom and dras him along al d
Int finn over the numerOus obstacles Which are be
met with III every step of The palh tina. iaads to
knowledge. Whose fault is ii, that University is
thus compelled to take tho grade Of common col
lego? Is it the fault Of the Professors in that l,,st-
/ tuticn'-by no means. they are loaned mon, and
for aught know. well qualified TO discharge tire
arGuous duties of their respective Offices. Is it the
fault of the young who frequent hat Institution
Mol iondly cherish the hope, tlat some ofthc choice
flowers OF our state arc nurturing there. The guilt
falls upon us; we have neglected to alord the youth
four country the means Of pursuing on reasonable
terms, IN their own neigHborhCods under the eve of
their parents good elementary course oinstructio,
Hence they are compelled, even unledccd BOYS in
their accidents are compelled to fly to the COLLEGES
or the University, the only places fit TO bssia their