The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-09-01

as grote sque though according To veornae ric.l .
uIs-, certainly . rot squalicd 10 modern taste or
convenience. The stair case Il very narrow s,eer
and badly lighted. The chambers OF the second sforr
are gloomy and isoiaed- the rooms Of fhe frs, 1o,
were not opened to US. Theproportions and finish
OF the hall and parior are adrnirsbls-the f1oors in
laid and polished, whilst the walls are smooth and
symmesi ical The preservation OF the whole seens
tn be quite as good ~ might have been expected
About 100 feet distant from the main building are
long ranges of stalls, about 10 feet high forming
wings at right angles with the front OF the house
connecting the extremities of these with the main
building are covered galleries very much resem-
omng the slbterranean passages In fortiications
WIN tne exception of one or two Insignificant out
ouiaings, which flank the Eastern edge of the lawn
there are no other houses sppertaining the place
On the whole. we left Monticello with very sad
Impressions. The associations which hallow the
spot the diapidated condition of its external paris
tanning to the establishment and grounds, superad.
dea TO the solitude which haunts the place. all tend
10 inspire melancholy feelings and reflections
Inc next object OF interest within reach of Char
Is the University of the State, which has
already attained celebrity throughout the Union.
ainough Claiming no reverence TOR Its ANTIQUITY
III we are rightly informed the early organiza \.
ion and scholastic administration Of this college
was an attempt to solve very difficult problem
an altcmpt TO rule young gentlemen through the
agency OF an esprit du corps" rather than by A
code of laws. Mr.. J.fferson thought the honor Of
young men reared in Virginia would be the best safe
guard to their conduct. His successors, or those
VINO have latterly directed its administration have
promulgated laws enough to fill a small volume.
oul aiter ALL we are inclined to doubt whether the
discipline OF the college is any better now than il
vas IN its earliest state. Laws may be thundered
day alter day into the ears of peone iesnecialiv
young personD without the least avail mnIess The
penaities are Judciousy proportioned and positive
y enforced. 1t is at last the @esprit du cornsn
which is mainly instrumental in the government o,
young gentlemen congregated in such large num-
RI
dents were required to wear a uniform. and we
remember there were penalties for the neglect OF
this law. Now, they wear what they please, and
We Ga" an over grown boy in slippers ascending
the steps by the Rounda, whilst his slovenly figure
was malt concealed by the variegat folds OF cal.
| leo dressing gown.
multiplicity OF laws is perhaps a greater evil
| tnah scarcity OF laws. When not enforced they
are regarded mere FORMS and their infraction as
no breach OF honor. As to the surveillance of the
authorities at such institution as the University
oil Virginia over three or four hundred Young men
we regard 1t as thing next td4snpossiba The at.
tempt even to exercise it will end in failure and il
mas resulted, at least 10 instance in horrible
consequences.
The i'll arranged method of quartering the stu
dents may account tor much ofthe irreguarity thai
exists. Ihelr rooms open directly upon the lawr
or the TANKS OF the enclosure, and with no super
vision or restriction of moment, there is ever,
temptation to ingress or egress
| There is something about the architectural de
signs and arrangements Of the grounds at this es
| tabiishment which suggests military nurpose :
The recent addition to the North side of the Rotun
oa ADDS to this effect few bitches and parapeti
around the Southern part with gun or two en- bar
bette would render it fortife place
=, "ord more as to external appearances. Will
all que deerence to the taste that controls sucf
matters. ls 1t not surprising that the authorities
low the grounds to be approached through the real
and sides Thoroughfsres about college ground:
shGu!d, II practicable, conform to some m mathemat
lea! ilnes why not open broad and direct ave
nue. to the real point and stop the paths run
nlng through the dormtories. Ii is with no spiri
OF cynlclsta that we venture these remarks O,
| the contrary, we regard the University as a tiai
testimonial OF the beraiy of the State, and no
bic monument to Es ilustrious author Long ma,
1t ENJOY the patronage it SO justly deserves T.
From Charlottesville to Leiagtoa-The countru tA-,e
aboItsJIae t"g'"ta Military Enstitute-Ihe Nata
Having consumed the time allotted to our solourr
at charlottesville, we wers upon the rose
and with our faces westward. 1t 10 but few bour
from to the summit of the Blue RIDE
and the McAdamized road, admirably graded spe
through such IN magnificent country, leads you i'm
petceptib to the foot of the mountain The pes
| sure of the drive is however considerable dirnin
ished by the prtNmity of the railroad which crosses
the highway so often that is kept Ia consa
prehensi0n of being impaled by the cow-catc,srs a.
smashed against the side cuts
twas late in the evening when reached s'the
mountain broW, and therefore did not realize the
ul enjoy inent OF the magnificent spectacle SO often
ds'cribed, of a vision from 'the s.pn We had not
the time TO do than peep into the mouth of the
.great tunnel.' The latter part of the ride to
Waynesboro, was envened By the boisterous merri-
ment of the Irish laborers whose huts scattered
along the descent of the mountain and in the vic
of the tunnel 1t was late when we halted for me
night; and although sweet Waynesboro' il not ''ths
loveles village of the plain" inns the most
inviting were fortunate In finding an obliging
landlord and pleasant family.
Notwithstanding the extraordinary heat Of tbs
neon, the transition of temperature from day to night
truly refreshing. Thus iuvigo rated enter ed
the great valley and turning to the South followed
the beautiful road that skirts the mountains the d-
rection of Lexington. If not in fairy land, found
it easy believe it such The people looked robust
and The animals fat; the orchards full, and the fields
out. About % miles from Waynesboro we halted by
the way side to dine at an inn kept by Mr. Saith
OF! that ell the inns had been like this, and that all
the Smiths were like our hest. There found
cleanine and plenty and Cheerful ness all pervsdiug
every department of the establishment. The osteI
understood his business and the animals look ed their
gratitude Reluctantly leaving such good cheer and
with Recommendation to all travellers along the
to stop at this place, struck the plank
road and in few hours reached Lexington. The
situation of this place is not unIi that of Frederick
| town. Maryland. The surrounding country possesses
every element of prosperity, and it requires no seer
to edict the ultimate pre-eminence OF this famed
region. Independent of its agricultural and physical
resources, there is much to interest even transient
eller through this section of the valley. Lexing
ton may boast Of admirably conducted schools
and two colleges; OF which, the Virginia Military
Institute, has been in the full tide of successful expe
i
enterprsing and indefatgable Superintendent and
to some extent the pet OF the State it has already
Indicated its title to the admiration of its friends
and has been the means of disseminating mum.
ber OF useful citizens throughout the
When 1t is considered how difficult it is to INTRODUCES
new system of escip pline and education into CON-
niuuity hose habits and customs for time mnemo-
rial have been entirely at varancce with the re-
straints imp osed by military it s evident that
no ordinary talents have been employed in this truly
noble establishment. Let the most skeptca man d.
rect his observation and particular attention to the
routine ef du les and the gradual adaptation OF the
to the purposes In view and ne cannot
fail be impressed with the excellence Of every
thing Here time Is accurately measured and assigned
to specific purposes There are no iotering gangs OF
| oversrown boys pulling cigars OF splitting iobecco
i,ice; NO "sentlemsns soma idiirg g the precious
hcurs in ball rooms squanderng sheir spare dollars
on gambling tabl .. TLere are no hoydsys. except
for recre aIon-none TO unite in idleness. The
ehinery 10 perfect. Young men acquire habit
of punctuaity and difseEce, else they End them
selves united fer anything the vocation OF
drones o. and in due sent of to farther
trouble II will be evil day when the Virginia
Military institute is overthrown perverted Ii has
ifs enemi.s 4 bat lst the Alumni oox the preserya
From Lexingfon to The Natural Bridge III miles}
the plenk road furnishes delightful drive Whs,ever
difrrence of opinion may exist anongst travellers
ard even pgiEeers TO plank roads and tnrnpik
there can be question to the preference mani
fe.tsa by horses. They will not leave them youn.
trily aud in turning of to pass other vehicles or In
de.canding steep grades, they wou Invariably re-
turn 10 tLe planks unless otherwise prevented