Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-05-13

casualties. which would have produced similar
results under faultless system oil collegiate ols
cipline. Lei us enquire into these disasters anu
consider the merits Of the institution anu tne coh-
sequences OF its decline.
The murder OF Professor DAVIS was, perhaps
the most stunning blow which the University ie-
ceiyed previous 10 the riot Of the present year
The affair rang through the Union IN Every one
of exaeeeration The horrible deed was gene
rally considered fruit oilhe shocking immoIaii-
~ and reckless Insubordination which character
lied the body OF the students le their voice
was unanimous against Simms. Not one sloo.
mn 10 defend or pallaie the murder. An homes,
;ndigpation filled every breast. They denounced
him in their meetings. They searched ior nun
when he He'd Their active efforts 10 orinS inc
criminal 10 justice, and their generous syniPa'hy
with The sufferers, are honorable testimonies ~
The strength of their public spirit and the nobeness
of their impulses. No place can be always Sc
cnre against such casual ernptions OF human ae-
nrayity. They have occurred in the Sanctuaries
of Religion and the halls OF Justice. 10 condemn
an institution OF learning, because II has Deeh
stained by solitary deed OF blood is not less tn-
inst than 10 condemn the Christian Religion. be-
cause hypocriteS have embraced il, or The EpISco-
ma Church because Onderdonks have been amo-
rous and Incorporate.
Davis and Bonnycasile died in The same year.
MIR. sylvester was appointed 10 MI the place OF
the latter No man OF his age ever came 10 inns
country with SO high reputation Tor MathemalI,
cal ability The profound research and original
genius displayed in his works had assigned him
high rank among The first Mathematician OF
Great Britain and The world. Civil disability (for
he was Jewl impeded his rise in England, and
he accepted the offer OF Proiessorshp in orr
University. But Mr.. Sylvester, mighty with his
pen, great in his closet, seemed 10 be demenled IN
his intercourse with men. His whole life had
been devoted 10 abstract study and speculation,
and the slaring absurdities OF his behaviour IN
society showed that The closet was his only the
alre of action. Received with corda welcome
and unusual honor-sreeled, on the night OF ms
arrival with bontires and illuminations-a lew
weeks sulliced To destroy the good impressions
which his fame, running ahead of him, had pro-
duced in his favor Sensitive and irritable TO
painful degree, lie could live on terms OF harmo-
nv with neither Professor nor Student, and soon
involved himself in difficulties which compelled
him 10 resign. False accounts OF these difficult
cullies were dfiused throughout the State. Their
nature and causes were generally misunderstood.
Some censured the Students some censured the
Faculty, some censured the Visitors But could
il be expected that the hgh-spiriled youths OF Viz
einia were lamey 10 submit TO The language oi
contumely, even from 4 Professor! Were the
The University 10 continue Intercourse with one.
who returned peulance and insnl, for civily and
kindness? Were the Visers censnrable for the
appointment OF 4 man highly recommended by
Herschell and his associates-an appointment,
hailed, at the time, with the unqualified approval
0, The public?
MIR. SylycsieG's unfortunate career was not
the least, in that series OF disasters which
il has been The hard iale Of The University
10 encounter. Al the commencement of The
nresent session, il had recovered from these dis
iressing shocks. In The Two preceding years,
there had been an increase ot about seventy in
the number of its malrculates; and il would be
difficult, in the history OF any Institution, 10 find
Two consecutive sessions characterized by such
updisluTbed harmony and good order. With the
circumstances OF the lale riot, the public is aml-
liar. II is Obvious, that the disorders should be
attributed 10 errors OF individuals, and not 10 de-
ectS OF organization.
Bnt the mischief is over. Quiet Is restored,
and less cause never existed 10 apprehend It's in
erruption. The Simeon puries as il destroys,
and a wholesome atmosphere follows in the track
of the most terrible explosions. So It is with
:, College riot. The more fresh their recollection,
The more Saluiary is their warning-the more re-
cent their occurrence the more potent is their in
\ fuence on The department OF Student and proles-
sor Let parents send their sons tot the University
the ensuing session. il they wish them 10 ENJOY
! every advantage which the Institution can afford.
I What are its peculiar advantages Shall
refer to,he able Faculty VINO shed such llistre on
/ It's character Need mention The names OF The
| Two fuckers. the distinguished urist, and The
able metaphyscian Virginia has good cause
10 know The high ability Of the one, and is grale-
iul for The distinguished services which he has
rendered her in her Academic Halls, in her CouD-
! ellis OF Legislation, and her Courts OF Justice
! while the valuable writings OF The other have, IN
/ the world VI science, given him widespread
| and durable reputation for profound research and
! extensive requirements, Tor acuenesS OF penera-
lion, originality OF conception, and classic purify
oil taste ;? Shall remind The public Of the elegant
| scholarship OF DR.. Harrison, and The unquestion-
able genius and splendid at,ainments Of Mr..
William p. Rogers, or notice The rapidly increa*.
ing reputation OF The high-minied Cabell, and
! the eminent talents and gentle bearing OF the be-
| loved CuurtenaY, against whom, since he took his
| post al the University, not n harsh word seems 10
/ have been uttered, and whose course oil maihe-
NAUTICAL instruction has been pronounced BY many
10 be more comprehensive and useful Than The
celebrated course otthe distinguished Bonnycastlt!
The University has system OF instruction Pc
cuiar 10 itself II could not escape the penelra-
ting mind of its founder, that impertections exist
ed in the collegiate system of the United States.
| It had been introduced into the country about the
middle of the seventeenth century Since that
limc new sciences had arisen old had been
changed into new in every direction The do
main OF knowledge had extended IFS limits
Such change in all The departments OF learning
requires, thought Mr.. Jefferson, some change IN
the system Of instruction. II is not 10 be expect
ed that the student now can digest in the same
| time, mass Of information So greatly enlarged.
The attempt renders him SUPERFICIAL; The diffusion
/ n ;rcf 10Th
II is better, in our Republic, where practical utility
is The aim in all things, that every one should be
free 10 devote himself 10 those studies only, which
| are suited 10 his capacity, taste, and future puf-
suits. Onr colleges should be designed, he thought,
| rs well for farmers, merchants, mechanics anu
manufacturers, rs tor lawyers, doctors and clergy
men. With these views, Mr.. Jefferson was the
first 10 establish in This country, in place OF the
regular touryears course, the open system OF IN
srucion pursued at some OF the best universities
in Germany. The limits OF a newspaper article
forbid Inc TO mention The admirable regulations oy
which il is supported al the University OF Vlr-
einia. They will be found fully detailed in The
Interesting report submttedto the last Legislature
by the Committee on Schools and Colleges It's
success has, however, attcsted the wisdom OF the
system. 1t has drawn commentator from The
saraus OF England il has exlorled acKnowedg-
ments OF is merits, rs well from Southern indil-
ference as Northern prejudice. The high stand
ing which the graduates of the University have
ever assumed in society," is its noblest vindicalion.
Ill has existed bu, twenty years, and in that time
what numbers of distinguished men has il usher
ed forth into brilliant career of usefulness :
Young as are its Alumni, we see their force an.
nually increasing in The Halls OF National and
STATE Legislation We see them everywhere scat
tered through Virginia, rising with rapidly m Inc
esteem of the public we see them occupying
prominent and useful positions, wherever they are
10 be found, fromthe banks of The Potomac TO the
mouth of the Del None.
Suppose The institution be now permitted &c
sink from withdrawal of public patronage, OF
Stale suppori-would its fall help the interior col
leges OF Virginia. Would il not rather strength
en- the prevaen, opinion in regard 10 The feeble
discipline Of Southern colleges? Yale and Cam,
bridge would receive many Of those who would