The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-11-10
FOR THE ABBEvILLE BANNER.)
INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL.
LETTER ~


LETTER W.
The Virginia Military institute is another
object Of interest in Lexington. As yet,
this IS in its incipicn, existence, la wing been
established only eight years The circum-
stances which led to It's organization are
the following For the protection Of Wes-
'cin Virginia against serviIc instructions,
State Arsenal of 10000 stand of arms.
&c, was located here; and guarded by a
captain and so men, who were not only a
great expense TO the State, but also great
or nuisance to society. At the solicitation
Of certain influential individuals, this mini
ature standing army was dsbandcd, and
the Arsenal transformed into a military
school regulated agrceably to the principles
of the United States Academy at Wes,
Point There arc now four Professors i'm
ahc Institute; and the modus operandi, in
several respects, resembles the pcculiari,ies
OF the Virg ina University, which YOU know
differs from all other literary institutions
Alter the elementary course, Latin and
French are taught; then, perhaps, more
extensive course in Mathematics than is
usual in Colleges. The cadets are par,ic.
ulaEiy disciplined in drill and camp exer-
.cises, and the applica ion of Mathematics
TO The various preparations for offensive and
defensive warfare. The Institute is under
most thorough and complex system of re-
guations, and yet they are most rigid and
technically enforced. 1t is almost para
gon o. perfection in discipline. Here gra
tjtude compels me to acknowledge my nu.
merous and wcighty obligations to Major
Preston and Capt. Williamson for their
kindness and trouble in pointing out and
explaining all the minutia of their compIi-
Gated system. Maj. Preston is cousin to
South Cardinals distinguished adopted son.
The library is small, but contains many in
tcrestlng and valuable works The cadets
have only one Literary Society, and this
accounts, in part, for Il want Of full devel lop-
ment, in some instances, Of the oratorical
organs We should never contemn and
disrespect that silver voice and perennial
stream of transparent, pure and enwraptur-
ing eloquence, Of which, Cicero makes
such frequent and honorable mention The
Institute is handsomely situated on com.
manding eminence, and is, of course, the
Acropolis of this Athens Of the Virginia
valley.
The Professors are entitled to great cred
it for the ability and fidelity with which
they have discharged the various and la
borious duties the board Of Visitors has i'm
oosed; but when we contemplate the ten
denotes Of such institutions, do we not per-
ceive some cause of alarm lest these may
become engines that will operate deleteri.
ousIy to the health and perpetuity of our
civil liberty. The reasonable presumption
is, the peculiar education Of these young
men will inspire them with restless ar.
dent thirst for military glory; for no man
can become an adept in the principles of his
favorite science without an incessant and
indomtabIe desire to reduce these theories
topractical experiment, so that some reward
may accrue from his arduous and prolonged
labors. individuals, then, may leave this
nursery of martial ambition, with their
minds thoroughly imbued with the science
and their imagination revelling in all the