Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-06-16
To TnE EDIroRs OF rue WpIe.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

he successive losses, by this Institution. of three
oil ITS Professors have strongly attracted public at,
lehtoh 10 H. and Justly excited a powerful interest
as regards the mode in which those losses are 10 Lc
supplied. vi this interest IL is natural that all
alumni ol the institution should most WARMLY mar
take. NO apology, therefore, from me- is required
Tor respectfully naming for the Mathematical chair
a gentleman, OF whom shall speak Tho, do kuo,g {,
i refer to Mr.. Powers, who is n, present dis
charging, temporarily, land, learn, with distiu.
guished credit,l the duties OF that chair
"T. fowers was pupil of Mr.. Bonnycastle,
me tate accomplished professor of the School of
Ma'nenatlGs IN me University; who entertained
high regard for his character abilities and attain
mems, which he avowed, again and again i'm a
manner the most emphatic.
Having graduated in that school in july. 1893
Nr. L. continued Tor year longer to pursue his
mathematical studies under MIR Bonrvc,s,Ie,s ID
rectons; making large advances into the wide field
o mixed mathematics, illustrated i'm the Nicola.
niqus Csies!e OF Lapace. Soon afterwards no was
appointed Professor Of Mathematics IN U,mndcn
sidney College; and has been assduousIy employ.
ell ever since, IN giving instruction in the science
and charging his knowledge of its abstrusest ntri.
cacies. '''
The distinguishing traits Of his intellectual cha,
racier, while at College, were rapid and acute nc
ns'raiion the clcnrest comprehension and a caplci-
| ~ Tor distinct and lucid exposition such M I b,vo
never seen surpassed With these rioh ciCs nj
| mind,-Indocd may say, Of gr,rims,-lor his flncy
also was Oniant,-werc combined modes,y of de
poi tment, and an absence of protcnson, which may
| have led some, who estimate men 10y the apparent
| ceence.
Having seen somewhat, and heard more, of the
! systems OF Mathematical instruction at the other
choi colleges OF this country do not hesitate 10
declare my conviction, that no man educated nj anu
of them is competent to Ill that chair in oar ITni,
versity. Even Cambridge and Wes,-Point. stand.
ing next 10 the University, IN respect of Mathema
tics, are yet vastly its interiors; and not more IN tb.
orient, than IN the mode of study. The system of
Analytical demonstration, whilst il is not unknown
IN those, or IN other Institutions has no where |
believe, IN America, been vigorously pursued. or
carried out so far in the school of the University
ne student OF this efficient system ACQUIRES Ma.
themaiics not as mere ingenious pain, wherewItb
ms faculties are exercised, but as powerful and
indispensable instrument Of scientific resenrcb-
How important an intimate knowledge of Ma'be.
matcaI analysis is, will be perceived when il is re-
collected that before It's invention, Nature and Ma
lures laws, lay hid IN night and that its mario aid
enabled hepor and Newton TO suggest, and At
length TO ascertain and unfold the era nd theory of
the Universe; whilst as It grew up under and was
employed by, Lelbnilz the two Bernon's. Eu'rr.
Lapiicc, anu othc's, u exposed very many Of the
most important truths Of physical science, which
have been since developed
10 TetTogade IN the course Of study, i'm any of
the departments Of the University, Is not to be
thought Of, nor will the public endure IT, II right
\ " csVlnaic the pride OF the Commonwealth i'm lie
laVouHte aud Wanted institution. On the contrlry.
steady ard unrCmited advance 10 expected, in
accuracy, proioundnesS, and usefulness hazard
i.tlc IN declaring this to be impossible, under the
| auspices Of one educated at any other school in
America than tho University. Whether any one
similarly situated with Mr. rOwors in this respect,
viii present himself ! am not informed, but none
can come forward, who can throw him into the
] shade.
10 the recommendation afforded by hi, pure and
bameess character his zeal Tor learning, his abili-
! ~, his maiured scholarship, and his perfect &C.
| g1nlntanee with the course OF Mathematical study
here olore pursued at the University, | have only
70 add That which grows out Of the fact that no Is
yersed IN the characteristics of Vrgni,n and OF
Southern youth, is mbued with the peculiar genius
and spirit Of the institution, and understands and
appreciates its d,ciplino-as none can do, but one
WHO, Ike him, has long witnessed their operation
| and eliects.
cannot doubt that his appointment would re-
dound highly 10 the lasting BOD Of the Institution
ana lls ame-a fame resting on the substantial ia.
soi really superior merit, not on a shadowy, and
perhaps Fictitious reputation, looming through IN,
mlsts Of dlstancej whilst am sure It would he re-
ceivod with pleasure, and as an omen Of good by
more than one AlUusUs.