Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-10-28

The degree Of A. b. was conferred on eight young
gentlemen OF the Senior Class, and that OF a. NJ on
nine graduates Of former year.
The day after commencement, an Grafton was oe-
vered before the Union Society, by Richard l. Cooke,
Esq of Flnvannn another before the PhilanthroPie
Society, by the Rev ). J. Cassells, of Norolk-and
third before the S"ciety Of the Alumni, by Isaac Read
Esq, of Prince Edward-all which viii be given TO
the press, that tho public may participate IN the satis
faction which the audience enjoyed.
II will be gratifying the friends of EducatIon and
particularly 10 the friends Of this venerable Seminary
of learning, to learn that it has prospects OF an m
creased number Of Students during the next Collegiate
year While patronage is desired most heartily TO
each, and eoery OF our State Institutions, il IS
cause of regret that heretofore Hampton Sidney has
not received the patronage which il merits. 1t has
most able officers, and the accomplished Orator at tho
head OF the Institution is pattern worthy OF imitation,
by the youth of the country. The expenses OF tile
Institution, (hereofnre barrier 10 its success have
been reduced TO the lowest scale. Let lis Alumni, and
the citizens Of the Appomattox region OF Virginia,
particularly rally around old Hampden Sidney and il
will continue TO be the mother OF race of Virginia
gentlemen and scholars. b L. >.
TO THE kDIT0K of TIE ENQUIRER.
During the past Summer, | have had some oppor-
tunities Of examining and admng the noble lnsttu-
ton erected by the magnanImy OF The State, and To-
Gated at Stamton-I mean the "Western Lunatic
Hospital, for the maintenance and cure OF persons OF
unsound mind" and the s'Asyum for the Deaf and
proud that our State after lingering long and nglo.
ronsly in the back ground Of benevolent enerprze,
has prepared herself Tor honorable competition IN the
good work of mInstering 10 The wants OF suffering hu
manity in lis forms Of deepest anguish and helpless.
address you, Sir, because you have taken an az
tive interest IN these evidences IF advancing civza
ton, and Of Virginia glory. You will indulge ne,
therefore, IN some suggssiions running through fe"
numbers letters land they shall not be ong,) having
f,rt her fEia add NJ he
contemplated by the benev Violence Of the State.
1t rxpermentaIly true in the progress of human
things, that they tend to deterioration unless foster
ing hand sustans and chershes The sources of improve
mcnt No less true is II, that ,igilant eye should
watch the progress of causes, aud The development OF
cons qnencfs as they tend TO good or TO evil; afordng
encouragement in the one case, and applying correc-
tives in the other Had these plain dictates of prac-
teal wisdom been early attended TO- The present condi.
ton of our banking institutions might have been very
.itren,-ard internal improvements need not hive
Ggonzed in long and lahore travail The same prnci-
pies applied 10 the grea. aud absorbing subject al gene
raj education would have elevated The grade OF our be.
loved State in scencr, literature ard The useful arts, TO
the level Of many OF the bonored ssterhood who now
surpass her Virginia generous, hut too conhding-
enulous in what praiscworhy, ard and noble, hut
not wakefu enough TO the progress OF her own nstitu
lion, and the details Of their operations.
Upon looking INTO these benevolent institutions, one
at loss which of them most 10 admire. The sub
jects OF each the comforts afforded hem and the prog
poets of relief mitigation OF suffering, afford the
creria of their importance. In the one, we behold
reason, the great guide 10 man tor the regulation of
his actions, dethroned and the unfortunate sufferer
the sport Of demson, aad the slave Of his fancy or
passions. In the other, the nlets to many OF
pleasuabe closed up, and he most happy
Of socal intercourse granted by Heaven 10 man
cut off Literally, they have cars, but they hear not
eyes have they, but they no;-.he silence or the
darkness Of the grave rests upon them. And can rea.
be restored Can the active mind be SO trained as
TO rise Superior to the p-iva,'ons OF sense: Expe-
rience answers in the affirmative. The Institutions
which effect these objects, the compliments
paid by TO his nature, i'll double sense, and
the glory Of any community.
In future number, Will proceed 10 The sugges
tons Which prompted me 10 take up my pen, bu, which
could not approach until the enthusiasm of my feel
ngs had found ven; in general reflections. For
the present, remain, yours, HOWARD.