Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-10
To the Editors Of the Enquirer.

4
To the Editors IF the ENQUIRER.
GENTLEMEN The affective disps nsa,ion,
which has so recently desolated the Halls of our
University, excites universal interest throu ghout
the State All mourn it asa public calamity. 1t
IS not alone the deep anguish of those, who num-
Der among the victims Of the DIRE adful disease Sc,
winch prevails there, 2 Son, a Brother, or a
FRIEND, upon whose promise of future usefulness,
many fond hope was founded. II is not aiops
tue melancholy reflections, which the premature
late OF the interesting youths, who have fallen so
naturally, excites, that awaken this universal in
terest 1t is the apprehension, which is enter
tanned, that an Institution. to which Virginia look
ed forward with well founded confidence for
the materials OF her future greatness for tie able
advocates, and jealous apostles of her great prip-
cipis' OF religious and political Freedom should
be doomed by this visitation to sink into neglect.
or at least, to encounter serious interruption in
its career Of usefulness. Enquiries are made
conJectures are haZarded and every sugge stiou is
caught at with avidity, which may tend to eluci-
date the cause Of calamity, SO unexpected.-
These enquiries resolve themselve; into the follow
ing heads:
Ist Is there any thng IN the location OF the u
hiVersiy, to which the existing malady is Justly
ascribable: End. Has there been any neglect Of
the medical police of the Institution which nav
account for it, 3dly. Is there any defect i'm the
original plan and structure of the buildings favor
ing the concentration of miasmata and the pro.
ducton OF disease.
erty oil replying separately His means of infor-
nation are ample on each head tho his iudymen,
may prove very fallacious. He is not connected
in any way with the University, and has only
common interest in its prosperity; and his sole
view in making any remarks on this subject is to
set ADLER heads to thnkng-that, if any remedial
ole cause oil disease exist, il may he investigated
and removed. As to the first point of enquiry,
nothing could be more delicious, than the loca-
ZION. Situated on pleasing elevation, lin beautiful
valley, formed by an undulatibg chain of hills, on
the South and South East, and by the Blue Ridge
| on the North and West, it would seem 10 combine.
In peculiar degree, the advantages of the two
extremes OF our country, while il promises an ex-
| emption from the evils of either. In this valley,
until you approach the summit Of the Blue Ridge
the peculiar productions Of the Northern & South
ern divisions OF the State, hour,h abundantly; the
diiferen species OF Peach, so luxuriant in South
ern Virginia, are here fully matured.
The Fig yields a double CROP and the Sweet
Potatoe rivals in richness and rmness that of the
Carolinas. While the Irish Potatoe, so degene.
rate in the South. yields not in mealy consistence,
10 mat production the most elevated point of the
Blue Ridge. To the South West of the Universe
ty, the hills sink almost out of view so as TO admit
Tree currents OF air from that quarter. But there
Is not stagnant pool, sluggish stream, within
many miles in that direction. The water-courses
OF the valley are generally small, hurryipg on
Ihei sprighuy courses, in narrow beds formed at
the bases OF small but abrupt declivities From all
other points, due West, the free access of air
l. uninterrupted. Directly West, within short
distance, are few detached links of the Southern
chain OF hills, upon one of which stands the OBJ
servatory recently erected. The Village of Char
lottesville, rapidly growing in population, in the
number and neatness of its buildings and Welding
to no Town, of its extent in the intelligence and
orderly naoits oil ITS citizens-lies mile and a
halt to the East-beyo nd which is seen the hill of
Monticello, generally serene and cloudless, as the
pure intelligence, that dwell upon its summit
Underneath flows the Rivanna, forcing its hurried
course, In despite OF opposing hills. where slug
gsh, and at its nearest point of approach two and
half miles distant from the University. Inter
mlttent and remtent fevers, edom occur i'm the
valley; and when they met with, among the
residents, am informed, by more than one intelli-
gent Physician of Charlottesville, that they may
be almost uniformly traced to casual ILL., timed Wis
its to the lower counties. Where such diseases
are endemic, they also sometimes occur in the in
habitants OF those counties who induced 10 seek
the GENIAL air OF our hills, AND bring with them
me seeds OF these diseases. Cases of Typhus
fever, do occur occasionally; but they arr seldom
so numerous as to be considered epidemic: and
rarely so severe, as to excite peculiar alarm
rom these, ii is well known, the most decidedly
healthy situations are not wholly exempt The
Town oil Charlottesville has BEEN more than once
visited by diseases, chiefly confined to children.
winch, In some cases, put the appearance Of
epldemics; but, from what can learn re latiye 10
them, am inclined to believe, that the alarm
created, may be attributed to the previous general
IS true, that accumulatons Of filth have been al
lowed, and, as in most places, emerging from the
condition of Village, into the consequence of
Iown, the population is becoming too large not to
require an attentive police and is vet too small TO
support one But, whatever may be the condition
OF the Town, and it is certainly improving, the
heathiness OF the University cannot be much az
fected byit. 1t il obvious, then, that there is
nothing IN the location of the University, which
could lead US to expect the prevalence of any en-
disease. all cir a.,
combine in favor Of total exemption
The second enquiry, must result in an entire
acquittal OF those, TO whom the immediate police
OF the Institution is committed. At no period.
since the establishment OF The University were
the regulations of the Visitors more riyidlv en-
forced; at none, was more attention pad to diete-
tics, to the cleanliness and general order of the
Piace ana certainly, at no former period, did the
habits and assiduity of the Students, give more
satisfaction and promise, 10 those interested in
their welfare, than during the present Sc ssion =
All who have any knowledge Of the gentlemen.
composing the Faculty of the Unversity-aII who
have had opportunities Of seeing them i'm the oc
casioha' exercise OF their duties, must do them
great njdstice,i If they do not admit, that for ca
pacity and energy, they are not surpassed by the
ohcers OF any similar Institution in the u s. n
Is butJus;ice, 10 the very able and Accomplished
Chairman OF that body, who has been rudeIy drag
ged before the public, and made the subject of dis
Ingenious insinuatiops, to say, that his ndeatiga
bic zeal, and UDcompromising 6rmness, in the die
charge OF the duties specially assigned to him =,
the last meeting Of the Visitors have added largo.
W 10 the claims, which his high professional en-
dowments, and urbane manners, had previously
given him, in the respect of all who knew him
"7 cannot, then, for a moment believe, that we
are authorized in tracing the existing disease IN
any neglect OF the medical police of the Univer-
sity.
The last enquiry, alone remains TO be consider