Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-23
IDAY MORNING, MAY 23. 1856.
THE UNIvERslTY.-GEssNER HARRIsoN

THE UNlNEkSlTf-GESSNER HARRISON.
Nothing that affects the fortunes Of the University
can be regarded with indifference by the people Of
Virginia The reputation of Gessner Harrison is 30
intimately associated with the interests of that Iusti
tuition, that the bare possibility of the loss of his SER
vices has awakened very general and sincere so
citude in the State.
reliable rumor prevails that DIR. Harrison lns
determined to retire from the Faculty and while we
deeply depOred the resolution, did not feel at lib.
erty to demonstrate against atep to which sup
posed he was impelled by motives of no concern to
the public. We are Informed for the first time, by
the communication Of AlumMus in another column,
that DIR. Harrison obliged to resign his Professor.
ship from the nadequacy of its salary the support
OF his family. Now this is matter upon which the
public are entitled to pronounce their opinion.
The people have been liberal, if not extravagant,
in their appropriations for the embellishments of the
University tits absurd therefore, to assume that they
would srudge any expenditure which the Board of
Visitors may make with an exclusive regard to the
essential interests Of the Institution.
If any one man has contributed more than another
to the reputation OF the University, it ia Gessner Iar
rison. For twenty-five years he ha. filled the most
important function in it's faculty with what accu-
racy and amplitude Of erudition, with what labo
rious diligence, and with what unapproachabe skill
in stimulating aud gratifying appetite for insruc
ton, will be gratefully attested by multitude of the
ab'est and most learned Of the country. Through
all the vcisstudes of its fortunes he has adhered to
the Institution; struggling to raise it from mo-
nentary depression. and now exulting in lis splendid
success. 1t happens at the very time that the Uni
vers,y enjoys its highest prosperity it is about to lose
the services Of the who has most contributed to
its repuaton-and to lose them, too, in consequence
Of its own ngratitude.
Ii may be said that DR.. Harrison's place can be
supplied. We doubt it. In his particular depart
ment, DR.. Harrison is the foremost scholar in this
country. There are men Of greater preteusion, but
not one Of 30 much genuine and solid merit. He
possesses fund Of learning that would make the for
tune of dozen Authons. But, il there be another
such scholar, with equal taeut for teaching, his SER
vices cannot be secured without adequate compen.
sa;ion.
Perhaps there few vain young gentlemen who
fancy they succeed Gessner Harrison. This con.
cet alone convicts them Of un6ness for the place to
which they aspire. He taught them all they know;
and when their little cup full, his capacous foun
tain was not diminished by drop.
The University is not q shop where learning is re-.
tailed by Professors who act merely as hucksers. In
original conception, If not in actual operation the
University is something above high school, and its
Professors are more than simple teachers. 1t is
meant to be source of light in ITSELF the brain in
which reposes creative energy Of original
! thoughti and its Faculty are expected to achieve
fresh conquests over error and ignorance, in
the fields of science and literature. young
man, with Last years diploma in his pocket,
by the help of quick parts and indefatigable indus
try, may contrive to meet his daily obligations and
so not be protested for bankrupt. But it is abso.
lutely impossible for him to carry independent
system of study, and to pursue any research in
science, that will not help him through the days
work. He must live from hand to mouth, and can
accumulate capital. Now DR.. Harrison Ess served
this apprenticeship. He il master Of his business
He has travelled the routine of text books and lee.
ture beyond this beaten path and explore all COLA
teral branches Of learning. That he is capable Of
constructing a monument Of his erudiiion hst will
illustrate the University and HE rGtve State is at
tested by the study and ability displayed in the wr
tiGss which he hns ventured to submit to the world
We trust the Board Of Visitors will not expose the
University to the reproach Of deprecatng the merits
and services of its best friends, or tie State to the
shame of submitting to the exile of a scholar, Of
whose Accomplishments any other Institution in the
country would be only too glad to avail itself.