Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-08-08


towards that Institution, The welfare OF WHICH
have deeply al heart; and, although he Addless
il no, worth preserving in Il literary poin' OF
yirw. yet i you consider lis circulation among
lie absent Students and Alumni OF The College
may do any good 10 the Institution, IL Is quhe AZ
your service, and | send a copy accordingly;
am, gentlemen with much respect ana es-
TEEN. and with best thanks for your good wishes,
your faithful friend and instructor,
- JOHN WELLINGTON,
Prof. Of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy,
In WIN. & Mary College, Va.
To Mcssrs. A. Fl. McLaws, t. G. Jones, >,
Harris, jun'r, Ro. Armslead and >. b. Hlaiye'
committee, &c.
ADDRESS.
Students Of Iitlinm end Mo'R College:
Gentlemen: The business Of our session IS no"
closed, with The exception OF The pubic meeting
Tomorrow when we shall have The gratihcalion
of distributing, 10 such as have earned them, The
several Degrees and Certificates OF proficiency
or literary honor, which our College, under lis
charter and bylaws, has The power OF con!erfins.
That done, we shall separate from each other,
and break up the endearing tie OF Preceplor and
Pupil Tia, has existed with SO much cordially
between US during the last nine months with
some, lorever-with others, but for The fleeing
period of few short months.
On tie occasion Of thus parting, il has become
custom in our College for one OF The Faculty
10 offer Il few valedictoGy remarks and, by way
Of fixing upon the member who shall pefioiin
this duty, il has been ass gned 10 The Secretary,
which, being an Office Of annual rotation, places
il, III turn, upon each Of The members OF The Ia
Guilty, with the exception OF our President. II IS
on this account that iise 10 address you; and,
ior one reason, | cannot help lamening that the
hoe f,l1
conviction that, il tie task had been in The bands
Of any Of my esteemed colleagues il would have
been better and more satisfactorily fulfilled In
an annual address like the present, aIlsing out
of similar causes and circumstances, lille oil no.
yelty OF variety can be expected; for what was
said in The past year will, in 4 great measure,
apply 10 The present as well as 10 those Ia come
Sill, however, ihele are constantly certain Incl
denis and occurrences arising, perhaps out oil
each particular session, that may be deserving oil
and nav elicit certain thoughts and observations.
The session Just now ended, for example, is one
that should mol be passed over in silence; for, il
is one that, By your orderly conduct, has closed
in a manner that reflects The highest honor and
credit among yourselves. Not single Student
has been expelled, dismissed, or even suspended.
The present session has mol, however, differed
materially iiom the few preceding ones; which
have afforded The most gratifying assurances 10
The Faculty oil. The onward march oil order, So
briefly and improvement in The moral character
OF The students have had The honor OF filling
one OF The chairs in this institution very nearly 10
years, and the change that has occurred, gradual
", within that period, in The manners and habits
oi lis inmates, has been most encouraging and
delightful The carrying OF deadly weapcns--
Tie frequency ofdInkins parties, leading 10 quar-
rels and dues--lhe removal or destruction Of the
property Of citizens, (noi, it is tue, carried on
with any malicious Intention, but merely rs
sources Of lrolic or amusement, are events which
for several years past, have been ulhcaId oi
here and the advancement Of HE Temperance
cause, and the formation Of Temperance Socie
ties among The Students have, 10 great extent
removed The only cause nicomplaint no remain
ing, though comparatively 10 4 Sigh, extent
mean a want OF due attention 10 habits Of tempe
rance. This. as you are well aware, is the onl.
fault the Faculty has had 10 lind with any OF you,
during the present session. But even here,
the cases were very few, and The fault was
no sooner mentioned than it was redressed,
wiihou, giving rise 10 The slightest nnkird feeling
on either side. Among other changes no, 10 h.
forgotten, | cannot refrain from mentioning The
numerous and Steady attention that Is now, and
has, Tor some years past, been given 10 The duties
ofdivinc worsl.ip-and the prasewonhy respect
and attention which is now universally manifest,
whilst attending the sacred temples of Gcd.-
These things show decided progressive i'm
provemert in the social and moral conduct of
the Students Of William and Mary, and il is 10
such conduct that we may attribute and trace that
mutual feeling OF confidence, friendship and
even love, that feel authorized in saying, exists
between the Students their felow-czens and
The Professors; for, verify believe, the extent Of
mutual kind feeling that we enjoy here, exceeds
that which is known in any other large insliiu-
tion Tor teaching, perhaps, in The whole world
Now, as these Improvements and amelioraions,
with their delightful consequences, before stat
ed, have arisen spontaneously, without the form
ing or exercise Of any rigorous laws, or perelnp-
tory order, OF the Faculty, and without that strict
vigilance, or close prying INTO the dr'nr;uct Of
those 70 have 10 govern, which more frequently
irri,ates than commands obedience; We may lie
well assured Of the value Of the constitution and
regulations BY which our institution is governed;
for, the longer il is led, and the more strictly il
is adhered 10 and administered the more does
il contribute to the satisfaction both Of professor
and student, By daily strengthening the ties BY
which they are united together
With such advantages in our possession, is il
not astonishing, that our College should mol rise
higher in the estimation of the public, with each
new coming year, instead OF falling off in its
numbers, as il has done in The present session =
Such however, being the case, cannot, perhaps,
make any observations that will be more inter-
esting to you, than insituting a brief inquiry in
10 some of the causes which generally tend 10
elevate or depress collegiate schools, and cs,ab.
lishments for learning, in the public estimation,
and enquirins how far these apply 10 our own
particular case, and whether William e. Mary
isan institution that ought 10 be neglected or de-
serted.
The causes which generally tend to elevate
College, or great school, in public opinion, are:
ISL Il convenient, accessible and healthy loca.
lion, with every facility and means of study
and of preserving the health and comforts Of its
inmates.
ID The wholesome discipline OF the establish
ment which, while on the one hand i, should
proven. or crush idleness, dissipation. drunken
ness, gambling, and all the evils they produce,
should, on the other encourage all the social vir-
tues, and all a,nusements and recrealions not in
compatible with due attention To study.
Sd. The number extent and utility of The sub
jects taught-the length OF time devoted 10 each
OF them, and The ability, industry and energy Of
the Professors or Teachers TO impart full know
ledge of them in such manner as shall make the
deepest and most lasting impressions on The
minds of The learners.
4thly. The moral conduct of the professors and
officers OF The inslitution-lhe coed examples
tney NAV sci DSIole Inc youln entrusted 10 lnelT
care-and their vigilance in watching over their
honor, and reciIude OF conduct.
5,hly. The establishment being wholly secta
rian, both as 10 religious and political opinions;
or, on the contrary, being wholly oren, or devoid
Of attachment 10 particular secls or opinions; TO-
lerating all, but being inimcal to mono.
There are, however two other points, which
are perhaps more important than any YET named
lst. The moral character and mental acquire
want. az tboca ,vho are senf f:,rth with academic