Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-05-20

sns yisi'sys .fiAs Usissrsay n yirss.is.
MY deep sois<isnds fbs che welfare Of the ins,i
'uuon over whieh you Pteside. prompts me to sd
ofess you.' The lamsnted deaths Of Professor Da.
Wis OF the Law School, and Professor Bonnyca,,l,
VI uhe "s'semaueal Department rendered il nece..
AIRY Tor you to select individuals to succeed them.
iou were eompelled to act hastily in making IN.
selections, and you accordingly made only tempo.
nary appointments, to endure for the current ss..
s'on until you could look around you, and have Ar
opportunity Of obtaining the fret abilities in IN,
land In this you acted wisely, and commend
you for il.
You cannot be ignorant that the in,ttution- fror,
some cause or other, has declined somewhat within
the last few years. whe,he, this be owing TO IN,
resignation of the English batch OF Professors or IA
the appointment OF olhers but lit,le known to IN,
literary world, undertake not to affirm. Ibeli.v,
mat both causes may have operated. The resgna.
''on oil Professors generally has bad effect up.
on literary institutions. This may have keen the
case when our English friends resigned although I.
i'r one, rejoieed whenever lheard OF one re,rinr-
not that doubted their learning-but they were
not suited to our atmosphere, aud knew noibipy nj
the management Of American youth-a rco,;.,.
oy the way, as essential to a good Professor as
learning, aud one which an Eoglishman. with nj,
belly stuffed with beef and his head with ,lo,m.
hsm, can never acquire. ! hope the experiment of
English Professors which we have made. will p,ov,
warning TO us in future. II, 10y accident or good
luck one IN all respects superior to all others could
DO procured, we could not indulge the hope that he
would remain for many years. As soon as he shall
nave acquired some reputation, feeling none Of that
devotion to the institution which would bind n yir
g'nian, higher bid will take him ofr-and some RI;
val institution will boast of having won your bright,
est jewel.
will rot canvass the injurious effects of IN. nm.
po'ntmen,S that have been made since the resenn.
ton of the English gentlemen. That would l.. :,
ihankiess' and possibly proftless task. Its sur.
he'ent to know that The Faculty needs a fresh in
fusion OF energy, ability and reputation, which. in
hIins the two vacancies, il will be your duty and
pleasure TO supply. Although many, il not all. of
the present Professors may be gentlemen of sren,
worth and profound and varied acq uirenen,s doub,
II one OF them is in all respects suited to act n,
Chairman Of the Faculty, and understands the man.
asement oil young men. For that post, great tact,
hard common sense and knowledge of the world
are essential. Few book-worms acquire or retain
these qualities. But you should have an eve 10
these qualifications in making the appointments
The future prosperity of the University will greatly
depend upon it.
nave gentlemen in my eye whom deem fitted
Tor the stations which you have to ii-Lut forbear
TO name them. Their names may probably be
brought TO your notice by others. But for the Law
School, | believe you have in your power to pro.
cure the first legal abilities in the Sats an Tor the
Chair OF Mathematics, matured scholar OF fine &c.
mus and widespread reputation, and withal, man
Of the best common sense, learned or unlearned Of
my ncqoain,ance-nnd both virsinans, born and
Bred and devoted heirt and soul To Virginia.
ALUMNUS.