Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-12-03
For The E'1lqni,cr'
Ayys
TIE. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.

noble University IN proper ightbe.ure The ceun-
inv. Il has been the misfortune OF this institution
10 undergo Trials sufficient 10 shake almost any
other 10 It's foundation, and 10 withsla nd the VIC
lence OF preJudices unnecessarily excited IN the
bosoms OF many intelligent and influential ci'izens
of this Stale, as we'll as others. Thus, While other
institutions, within whose walls the discordant
sounds Of discomfort and strife were raised, have
moved on smoothly when The storm had ccasetih
being in its foundation rs well as in lis operation,
nursing Of the State the newspa pers OF The Com
monweahh have ever icemcd with animadvef-
sion upon any sccmirs dclea, Of arrangement and
with publications giving exaggerated accounts
OF every College lroic. These have, IN almost
every instance, been magniiicd into uncon'!olla-
bic acts OF rebellion. The truth Of this will b.
manifest 10 all who read The newspapers OF our
State during the session Of lS4i.5. But Eotwith-
standing The difficulties that have constantly be-
set lis path, having in lis foundation The great
mind of a Jefferson to mould and regulate is
machinery and in its operation governed BY a
Board Of Visitors. distinguished alike BY high 10
leleclual and mora | endownenls, and adorned oy
a Faculty eninen, TOR their literary Attachments
and hsh-ioned moral sentiment, The University
OF Virginia, since lis foundation, has been scat
ering its seeds throughout our Southern coun-
try, which, falling pom itch soil, have been loi'
lowed by an abundant harvest. We have seen
its fruits in lhe glowing eloGuence that has 50
frequently electrified our national Legislature ;
we have seen its gems sparkling in The editorial
columns of our literary and political journals; We
have seen the neiects trained within is halls
become The subjects OF State pride and exuitalion
in all paris Of our Southern country. The HAL
ierins success OF The University is but a natural
consequence Of lis intrinsic excellence Tor has
fully answered the end OF those Eho 10 tended i;
in lis foundation Tor g.eai University. And
whai opinion shall we entertain OF The patriotism
and State prize Of those who deny themselves I'll
the advantages which our home INSTITUTIONS al
ford and send their sons ana wards 10 The various
institutions oil The North, 10 have their minds fill
ed with whole routine ci sciences, Superficial
anu undieesIed, and poisoned with those despIca.
bic principles, which have for their object &C.
slructon 10 the social institutions q The South,
10 say nothing oil the multitude oil ismS with which
that region abounds2 Who that has been Tor an;
considerable period student 0! our Southern
Colleges has no. seen IN Illustration VI this fact!
Students who have been through iull course Il
study allhe Norih, enIcr The Academic depart
menIs OF The University OF Virginia, or anyofher
institution conducted upon a similar plan, and
they almost invariably iail 10 receive any ho-
nors; the surface is decorated but The foundation
is rotten. Besides, in most II not all The NurIh~
ern institutions, The qualification Of the student is
MEASURED not By his scientific a,iainmeGts, but
by The time he devotes, or pfetends 10 devote, to
the studies embraced 10 The College COURSE
Thus every one knows. almost viii Certainty
when he enters The freshman class, that Jour years
from thai lime he will have finished the senior
and receive his diploma. Now, during this time,
there may be some students VITO have made lau-
dable efforts and have acquired Il store OF useful
knowledge; but there are others who have tecn
moved along with their class and know but iille
more than the names OF the subjects they have
studied. Nor is this merely speculative: ior
reference might be made TO instances Illustrating
the TACT Ii is very much 10 be regretted, that
some Of our Virginia institutions are liable T.
the same objection. Not So with the University
however. There no lcugih Of lime is made the
ties! oil qualification there j. m distinction u
freshman, sophomore, &c, casses-Ro regular
graduation By which Inc siIirht Is sue Ia acquire
honors; tu, il acquitted al al, ii must Be by iii-
gent and laborious application in The study, and
careful attention 10 The duties Of The lecture
room. The sliaInmenis q. the student are tested.
in he hrsl instance, by The most rigid daily exa-
limitations; by an Intermediate examination, re-
viewing the course Of study up 10 that period; but,
more particularly BY a final, graduating exami-
nation al the end u each session, embracing The
subjects studied in each Department; and until lhs
examination can b. successfully passed, no h.
nors are received, whatever may be the length Or
diligence of The Students application Here then
is al inducemcn! 10 the most energetic efforts IN
addition 10 tn TACT, tina, his s,anung is trans
United monthly TO his parcDt or guardian. The
s,uden; may remain there for any numhrr .! ses~
sons, and in no instance can he receive tiplo-
ma, unless able 10 stand the thorough, search
ing examination given al The end Of each >es.
sion. Instances have been known Of yourc
men, graduates Of other institutions, remain
ing several sessions az The University With
out graduating 10 single department. This
TACT speaks FOR itself and needs no explanation
Now The advantages Of Ibis system are ob9ious.
the parent OF guardian IS assured that his son Or
ward, il he lakes honors al all has obtained them
by the most laborious efforts, and possesses some.
Thing more than The emptiness Of name. He
knows also By The monthly report, or timely
warning Of The Faculty, before large sum 81
money shall have been usciessly expended. v h..
Their any, and what degree Of advancement is
made-and all may rest assured that il in consc-
qucncc Of indoleuce, dissipation or incapacy
the student does no. make satisfactory progress
he cannot remain Tor long peroi a, The Uni
versily-so that all who are permitted TO remain
must necessarily be more or less benefited.
Upon an examination Of The several Depart
menls OF the University, this excellence will bc
seen 10 run through The whole, that they both ed.
ucale-iha; is, train The faculties OF The mind
and store and adorn il with the various branches
oil scientific and useful knowledge. In every de-
partment the student al once learns The luEda.
mental or first principles. and upon ihese, in The
progress ~ the course, he builds The foundation
at least Of extensive knowledge. Nor j, this al
all Inconsistent, as might al frs, be supposed,
hot f,dt
be necessary 10 enter University for il is COM
mon remark by those who know, that The gradu.
a,es Of some oher institutions are not prepared
10 enter the junior classes Al the University. II
is not so much he chjecl Of education, or ctuca-
lional Institutions, 10 supply knowledge, or lie
means thereof as 10 III The mind Of the student Tor
rapid acquisition in future lie. lie who expects
10 become eminent in The literary circ.es Of his
country hy his efforts al college, will be sadly
mistaken; bui he may expect 10 prepare himself
10 become eminent BY subsequent application
Now Tor This, the course oil sIudyat the Universe
ty is eminenly fed; while al the same time tie
student receives the germs Of knowledge which
will soop, by proper culture, bring forth The most
luxuriant branches, he has al least entered the
ppr,ico that leads 10 The hall OF science. ! need
scarcely make The application OF these remarks
by reference 10 the Academic and Professional
departments OF This favored institution. 10 one
al all acquainted with The literary and Scientific
ai,airmenis Of the Professors OF Tie Academic
department., can douD FIR moment that il Affords
every advantage possessed by any other insiiiu-
lion in he country, and perhaps some possessed by
no o'her The bss, eulegy is reference 10 the lile-
rary circles OF our Southern and Western county,
for 10 each and all il has cobiribulrd lis lu share
OF ability. As Linguis Or. Harrison is de-
scrvetly eminent, and Or. Schele de We're needs
bur lime TO build his own high reputation. As
Mathematician, DR.. CouIlenay, coming as he
does from that national school Of sterling merit,
The West Point Academy, has lev supeiiefs in
This or any other couniry. Tie almost magic
power Of analysis possessed by DR.. McGufiey,
which has been exhibited not only in his lecture
room and The pulpit, but in his various ADDRESSES
delivered in different paris OF The Stale, ami his
acknowledged superior altainmen!s in all The
branches OF knowledge knownm our age, give
The assurance that, in The department OF Mea-
physics, Morals and Political Economy, The Uni
versi,y is unsurpassed. The extensive scientific
aiialnmenis Of Professor William b. Rogers are