Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-22
The University of Virginia.

The University of Virginia has No currl-
culum, no regular course through which
one may pass, gong from one class to anOth
or, year by year, as "a matter Of course. and
graduating rs u matter of course ut the end
"f his senior year The student is not made
by the force of circumstances, first freshman,
then sophomore, then junior, then senior,
then 4. b., and then after remaining away
from cnllc.e two years and paying five dol
lars) a. Nj.
The University is divided into number
OF departments or schools viz: the schools
of Latin, of Greek, of modern languages.
(embracing French. German. Italian, Span
ish, and AnglJ-Snxon,) of Mathematics, Of
Natural Philosophy, OF Chemistry, Of Moral
Philosophy, Of History and Literature, OF
Physical Geography and Agriculture, OF LAW
and Of Medicine. These departments are
under the charge of fourteen professors and
seven assistants. and Il student. OH matrcu-
lntny. cutters any TWO or three Of these that
he may choose. In each ono TWO written ex-
aminuti,ns are held annually. one about the
middle and one near the close Of the session.
These are OF the most searching character.
We will take the examinations IN the school
first mcntiumed--thr school or Latln-as eX-
ampes. AT the final examination in thus
school the student is required, first, To write
truIlslutonS from two OF the classic authors.
The selections tor translation are not taken
from those portions which he has been re-
uuired IT, read during the session. or which
have been explained in tho lecture room,
but generally from those authors whose
writings are most vuluminuus, 80 that the
chances of tue students ever having seen
them before are very small, and OF course
the only way in which he can prepare him
self to make the translation is by reading
Latin privately in his room until he has ac-
cured the requisite facility. lie is requir-
ed, secondly, to take al English extract sc-
lcctcd by the professor, and translate it into
good Latin; thirdly, to write full and salts
factory answers to IL list of questions on the
philosophy of the language not merely to
give mechanical rule, taken from sJmc
grammar, when called upon to explain II con
struc,Ion, but 10 give rational explanation
of it; iourthly, to answer questions upon the
genealogical relations of words; filthy, to
stand an oral examination on the Latin me
tres; and, sX,hy, 10 stand II written exaini-
nation on the history of the people who spoke
the language in question If "a student pas
SEES this examination, after having gained II
distinction ut the intermediate examination.
he receives II diploma tcstilying his prof.
cheney in that particular school. Last year
from II class Of about two hundred III the
Latin school, thrty-sevcn were successiul i'll
obtaining diplomas.
In order to become Il graduate IF the Uni
yrrsity, and to receive the degree of Mas
ter Of Arts of the University Of Virginia.
the student must remain ut college until he
has passed examinations analogous To- that
described above in the following schools:
Latin Greek. Modern Languages, Mathe-
matics, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry. and
Moral Philosophy. lie must then stand re-
view examinations ON the whole course. and
submit to tho Faculty an essay exhibiting II
due degree Of literary ability.
The conditions being surh, and rs stu
dents often strive for several successive
years for diplomas III the same schools. it
will be readily seen that taking the degree
4. W. L. Va. is not mere matter oi time.
- Sat. Int.