Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-12-24
ron the srAvNroS SPECTATOR.
WASHINGTON COLLEGE, LEXINGTON. Va

NO.
Mr.. EDiroR,-We have po,v ,;s,os,a - III
that we nave to communicate toucbipsr The ,,,o,,t
ana ie''gious influences which pervade and surr.nd
'ns 'hs'i'utioh; let us now impar what informa-
ton we may concerning the Buildings, Chemical
ana rhiiosophical Apparatus, Societies and Libr..
RES 'N A'''"
HE BUILDINGs.-The College bu;l.,;nc. -.
situated on beautiful and commanding cn;n.n.s
to the NORTHEAST of the town of Lex3ngtor, 90
Just beyond the corporate limits of the town. n
they do not present to the view Of the beholder
Uothic and venerable appearance, they are not
wanting in beauty and grandeur They are h..
what is termed. the Classic style Of architecture.
modiiled IN some particulars to adapt it TO tho
peculiar location and wants Of the College Tho
whole range OF buildings, including the houses of
the President and Professors which are in the Same
style with the College buildings proper, present q
beautiful front of about 100 feet
The President and Professors houses arc f,,, =,
number, TWO at either end Of the College buildings
proper. ana little I'm advance. The College con-
sis's oi seven erecions which form one tastefullv
designed aud harmonious whole. combining convc
n,ence with classic beauty and imposing effec,
These buildings all entirely new. with tho ~.
ception Of the large centre erection known as r..
binson Hall, and 1t is Of comparatively recent orr
gn, having been built about tw enty four wears ao,
Within the last few years the Trustees have ex-
pended about S25,OUO in buildings. In tho con-
s"uc,ioh Oh these necessary and beautiful erections
they have manifested wise, liberal. and enl;oht,
ehed policy by contributing TO the increase and diff
fusion OF literature and knowledge among men.
And 1t is gratifying to know that the institution in
already beginning to reap and realize, in the in
creased number of students, the first fruits of this
enlightened expenditure.
Inc College buildings proper contain Chapel
capable OF holding oUO persons 3 Lecture rooms
capable OF seating so persons EACH the one used
ioi me lectures on Chemistry having Laboratory
attached to il 9 Recitation rooms. and ~ st,,,
dents. NV ''1
SocIETIEs.-Besides these apartments ,bere 49,.
spacious and richly furnished Society Halls Sr
the accommodation of the respective Societies
f-ach mas Library room and good Iibrary At
tached to it. The Graham p. Society Owls = II
brary which contains 1000 volumes The Wash.
ihgton L. Society is in possession Of a Library con-
tanning nearly the same number of volumes Thee
are god Libraries and are continually incre,e;nr
Ihese Societies meet in their respective Halls once
week to discuss literary and political Questions
ms Is an invaluable part Of the educational training
which this institution affords Here the student
enjoys The high privilege Of engaging with his peers
In solid and learned debate; here he rcans the hn.
III OF The industry of others, and of particpa,inu in
thorough discussion and here he has an opportuni
~ oi reducing to practice what he learns for if he
De In possession OF genius here it is sure to be dis
closed. From these Halls statesmen and orators
nave gone lorth who have reflected great credit on
the!r cherished and venerable alma mater
The College possesses Chemical and Philoso.
Phlcai apparatus which has cost about s. 900. and
a Cabinet OF minerals containing nearly 1000 spe
cimens; these afford great facilities in the illustr,
ton OF science. Such apparatus is necessary in the
illustration OF natural science, in order that the prn.
ciple be fully comprehended and so impressed un
on The memory that 1t may be retained. Illustra-
tive experiments make acquainted with import
ant iacts, and exhibit, In wonderful and pleasing
manner, the phenomena in the world around us.
Nearly every branch of human industry, particu-
larry agriculture and manufactures are more or lea.
Intimately connected with the natural sciences and
that apparatus, and those experiments, which show
the properties and composition of bodies, must be
highly useful
LiBRARIGs.-The College also possesses Lii
orary, small, indeed, as yet, but continually in
creas;ng, containing about | 500 volumes This.
together with the two Society Libraries. places a.
bout $1,000 volumes within the reach of the s,u
dent.
10 the writer, however, it has long been a mat
ter OF regret that the Library of Washington Col
iege Is So small. and that little has been done to
increase increase 1t, compared with the interest involved.
1T there be poin, at which this institution 10 a.
fault, this is that point. We are somewhat apnre-
henslve that this matter has not received that con-
sderatlcn to which II is justly entitled The con-
sequence is that the institution has suffered and
suffered more from this single cause than most Of
those In authority would be willing to believe No
literary institution can hope to rise high in public
estimation winch does not possess good Library.
An extensive Library, which contains all the stores
OF learning, ancient and modern, and in all lanpus
ges, Will induce students to crowd TO an institution
when other inducements fail. Such Libraries are
not only Pierian Springs, but fountains of varied
knowledge. variety of adventurous circnmstan
ces may attract students TO literary institution,
such as the salubrity Of the locality the moral and
relIgous influences, the beauty and convenience of
the buildings, the celebrity Of distinguished and elo
quent professors; but an extensive Library win
give 1t higher ectat, and more permanent pre-
einlnence than any other consideration This
would be a standing recommendation TO all literary
men and students. This is one of the secrets Of
success attendant upon the European Universities
and this is, perhaps, the chief reason why SO ma
ny scholars from our own country are found in To-
reign Colleges. The truth is we have very few
good Libraries in the United States. The largest.
perhaps, is the Library of Congress and although
1t contains more than 10000 volumes Of generally
valuable and well chosen works vet, there is M
one branch Of liberal study in which it is not mise
rably deficient. The great Libraries of Europe
range from 100000 to 900 volumes. The g.
nlyersry OF Gottingen contains about 100000
which is more than six times many volumes as
the largest American collections. Cambridge and
oxford Universities possess immense L;bTaries4.
here are boundless stores of literary wealth. eT
haustess fountains of knowledge in all the depart
ments OF science languages and literature and vet
they are not complete, and the scholars who resort
TO them are often obliged TO seek elsewhere infor-
nation, which they do moi afford The Bodlein
ana Radcliffe Libraries at Oxford are great centres
OF attraction This University in 1884 had in it's
several Colleges and Halls 300 students.
II all VINO are deeply interested in the prosperity
OF Washington College were TO turn their attention
increase n me-