Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-11-01
- FOR TIE E-NQUIRER

GENTLEMEN: Reading over the advertising columns
Of the Enquirer OF the 18th inst, struck with Pc
cuiiAr modesy OF the public notice relative this valuable
school Brevity is the soul OF Wit: but il me
fit to be trusted in public advertisement II is true
pompous statement, in public notice may offend
moral sense and to plain and republican community
look like putting But the worthy OF this excel
lent school have orgoiten that theirs establish
msnt, it regards their Presidency the Rum
ford Academy. Modesy' when the companion OF real
merit is charming, whit self praise always sounds like
tnkling cymbaI. Yet cannot but think these gentle
have in this subjected themselves the charge
OF false modesty, (auraise hOnfe the French say)-
The Rumford Academy has recently become the property
OF Mr.. Henry Robinson, who has been engaged per-
haps wears in the care and instruction of you,
with great He is assisted by Mr.. Heath Chris
,ian, from he University OF Virginia The academy
aed in Of the saubrious parts of the county of
King William, and is proverbis Tor its health. The sys
OF instruction has caught the attention the
this article, well worthy of general patronage To
peence than he pretend to nevertheless his
admiration OF the genius and enlightened skill displayed
by these gentlemen, was powerfully excited by the diff
denee with which they have solicited the patronage OF the
public Improvements have been made in other countries
in the whole system Of Education, embracing the systems
applicable 10 Academies, Coli ges and Univ erses. Our
own University is splendid monument The of
peace and civilization But is TO be regretted that the
State has yet acknowledged hat object foster
ing power The University is indeed the offspring of
enlightened and generous policy and will no doubt
vey the sweet and perennial streams OF knowledge through
every portion OF the State. But is there nothing else
be done? Do not the laws OF equality and the principles
OF social justice require that legislative patronage should
he extended to the intermediate interests Of society? The
two extremes have been embraced by the policy OF the
Legislature, and cdsus omissus Ieit-whch compre-
hends the middle classes, such reap the
fruits Of the generous endowmens made TO the Univers
ty In republic, Il speak OF our own native Virginia
State nation, holding her equal rank, with the ia
miiy States and nations and lending portion Of her
ennobing political conederacy which is truly the chef
FIGURE Of political science and human philosophy, called
the United Sdtes:) say that in republic, the prn-
cple OF disbuive justice is the soul OF the body polite
IL preserves and gives immortality to the unity of the
wholeand something seems to be required TO clear the
Legislative conscience of the sin of injustice II is
designed in this brief article the sumbers Of
eaous peoplsDor 10 impUgD the lofty virtue which plan
ed and executed the UDverstybut to assert the right,
well ielrue policy, OF bestowing legislative endow
the academic institutions OF the Ststc-As TO
the policy, who will question the public utility Of
applying adequate IUnds class OF these institutions for
the purpose Of giving them the aPpend'ges and apparatus
necessary their success! selection might be made,
distribute justice, through judcious location Of
the selected objects. Why should these institutions
main without libraries and other sppendages necessary
the objects OF good education! II cannot be- to
monopoly elsewhere since those who possess the
of supporting the expense of University education will
go In pursuit Of IT, The principle OF securing TO them
selves the eclat Of such OF InstructoDwhilst 40
the matter stands such as have not the means, are
forced by crcumsnces TO enter on the acve business
and professions OF life with limited course Of instruction,
and TO contend in this way with growing arsocrscy oil
learning The expense OF doing justice is now not de-
the maxim OF justice applies, and puts h0rs de
combat every objection founded in money calculations
These remarks have been ELECTED by the spirit Of sym
p,tby Tor general system OF Education, and the desire
see than radiant point Of light ami intelligence.
have been led, however, iDtoa depression, and on re-
sunng my subject must say that eeI incompetent TO
10 Justice The merit would bring into public
tice. on tlIe Improvements heretofore made in the
system Of instruction in Europe; I only give an
idea. II Is well known, however, that the German
Schools stand foremost in the rank; and their celebrity
/ is ba'ed the exegetical mode OF instruction. To
carry on this plan, the teacher possess high at
taninenls. I do not know that the plan OF instruction
adopted al The Rumord Academy has been akeDUp ~ an
initiative system borrowed from any other source; ou II
ed system practced in the German schoosnor can say
TO what extent has been adopted in this Schools perhaps
IL is limited only by the impossbily Of embracing The
whole range Of explanatory instruction In Institution
which is designed only for the business OF laying the
foundation Of University Educston. The natural
quence Of this plan OF instruction s the rearing
Of the main pillars Of The supeTsructure with much Of THAI