Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-27
FOR THE E.vO 5yYEY

est luminaries that ever adorned the page Of his
tory, to enjoy for few days the hospitality of the
old Metropolis. During my stay in Williamsburg.
was invited to attend lectures on chemistry and
Natural philosophy by Mr.. Rogers, and on po,i-
cal economy and metaphysics by Mr.. Dew. sub
sequently, an opportunity was afforded me to cu-
tvate an acquaintance with those dsting uished
young gentlemen--and without attempting any
studied eulogy on their pretensions, feel iustfi-
ed In saying, that for profound erudion, classical
requirements, an intimate knowledge with those
departments of science committed to their care,
and happy manner of communicating their
iieas, they would not, perhaps, suffer by a com
parison with any of the iiterat Of the country.
conceive, that to such men professors Dew and
Rogers, who, by the most indeatigabe exertions,
and unremitted industry in the cause OF science,
have placed themselves almost at its pinnacle, an
enlightened public owes debt not easily paid
The literary world must, and will ere long recog-
nize them as. such; and the Old Dominion ever
ready to sustain her character. cannot, is hoped,
longer withhold her patronage from institution
where such to be found
At this time, il is believed, that the College OF
Vim. and Mary combines more advantages than
any other similar institution south of the Potomac
Her teachers are all known for neral and litera-
ry worth, and some Of them, as have Just said,
pre-eminently so-the eXpences of collegiate
course are reduced 10 the most reasonable sum;
and in proof of the health enjoyed by the Students
it is asserted notorious fact, that in the last II
years bat one young man has died during his at.
tendance at College. From the first Of November
to the first of July (the termination Of the course
Williamsburg is, without doubt as healthy "a any
part of Va, at least such has been the case in the
last 10 years;so that tn young men have ample time
10 escape the Fall fevers the lower country which
do not commence until about the last of July. This
fact is noticed, because of the prevailing opinion
with many persons in regard 10 the unhealthiness
of the climate, and not from any disposition to in
lure in the slightest degree the University at Char
lottesville-Far be il from the writer of these re-
marks to cherish feeling OF that sort
In common with his fellow citizens, he takes
deep interest in the prosperity of the University
and hopes before very long the causes of her re-
cent calamity may be searched out, and the school
again put into successful operation. Would to
God that its Immortal Founder had lived to remove
the difficulty Virginia has expended large sums
Of money in the establishment of the University,
and therefore, every high-mnded and liberal citi-
zen of the Commonwealth must feel strong soli-
citude for its future welfare. That, and the Col
lege Of VIM. and Mary can, however, under pro-
per management, both flourish at one and the same
time-there should he no Jealous rivalship be-
resume her former rank, il not greatly surpass Il
feel entirely satisfied. The number of young men
attending her professors increases annually.-At
this time she has 65 students in the higher branch
es, and about the same number under the profess
sors OF ancient and modern languages. At present
the young gentlemen are remarkable for their hs-
bits Of sobriety & industry riots scenes ofdis-
efpation formerly the ARE nowto be heard
Oh
parent will realise the pleasing anticipation of find.
ing abundant fruit from his well directed efforts
Why, then, ask. should Virginia look abroad for
the education Of her sons? Instead of a long and
expensive trip to Yale, or Princeton, let them be
educated az Virginians; imbibe the wholesome
doctrines in politics so strongly enforced by the
Apostles of Liberty, Jefferson and Henry, lear
when young the true meaning and intent OF
written Constitutions, and grow up with the pure
principles of democracy, * know the legitimate pur-
r,osa~ NJ nt--This can he ohtaned nj
VIM. and Mary. Living, az do not very distant
from the University, and having small share OF
the native pride and independence of Virginia,
cannot be otherwise than altogether friendly to
that Institution. was, however, educated at Old
VIM. and Mary-it was there heard taught, and
learned those great principles in government, ,
which are becoming more valuable every day;
for that venerable institution, therefore. sill have
q strong pa-tiality. MOUNTAINEER.
Williamsburg, March 10, 1929.
COMMUNICATED.
M adams and the Labarum.
The writer has been surprised at the frequent
enquiries made in the newspapers respecting the
meaning Of the word " Labarum,' and at the
awkward criticisms made upon Mr.. Adams use of
Ii in his celebrated letter to the Massachusetts,
Federalists:--He had supposed il 10 have been a
term generally well known, and particularly to all
men of reading and learning. Ii is drawn into
Mr. Adams letter as an eccentric, brilliant, hgu-
ratve flight of fancy in the following words: " It's
beneficial consequenccs-(" the annexation OF
Lousiana'') TO the whole Union were soon felt
and took away all possibility Of holding it up as
the Labarunl ofd political religion of disunion."
Mr.. Adams is celebrated for figuraiive imagery;
and indeed il would seem, il he could not write
upon any subject Of interest, without indulging
in these eccentric flights Of his fervd imagination;
and he appears to he impelled to do so from de-
alre TO hit upon some expression, antic, as to
excite uncommon attention. This continuance
could not but prove successful mode Of writing,
these wonderful, imaginary eccentricities were
invariably applied to some unusually sound prin-
cipie OF morals, dictate OF wisdom, which he
wished to impress with unusual force upon the
mind Of the reader. But Mr.. A. seems to have
been quite unlucky in his applications. He
seems unfortunately to have applied these splen-
did mental efforts to acts Of his greatest folly
This application could only contribute TO render
these acts of folly the more notorious. Witness
&c Labarum" in the present case. Witness, the
fight houses of the skies."-Winess, " Ebony and
Topaz"-&c. &c. &c.--The writer willing how
ever TO help Mr.. A. out in tie Labarum case,
,v;lI first inform the reader, that Labarum' was
o,ionallv used TO define the bloody cross, under
ybicb the meek and owly christians fought the
battles of the first Roman christian Emperor,
Constantine, in one compact solid phalanx alter
his conversion 10 the christian creed, whilst en-
gagged in the civil wars against bis Pagan com
petitors for the empire OF Rome; and then for
further information, Introduces an extract from
Gibbons Rome, taken from Jones series OF the
British Historians, in vols.--voi. LIST, pages 443,
444-from which the reader will be able 20 Judge
how far its Introduction was appropriate to Mr..
fnrentpe letter to his quondam friends, the Mas
sachusetts FedcraIists.
EXTRACT.
"The same symbols Che Labarum) sanctified
the arms Of the soldiers OF Constantine; the cross
ptfttered on their helmet, was engraved on their
fpt0 lIntr