Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-02-13
g OId VuIiam and 1Tnrv.,,

The recent destruction Of this venerable seat ci
learning by FIRE, will give melancholy interest to
the following historical "reminiscences from a cor
respondent of the New York Post.
My few hours of lessure we're mostly devoted ic
the college now hundred aud sixty years old,
from whose portals lave matTiculated many son
of old Virginia, whose fame has spread far and
vide 10 countries where Ihe existence Of the Alma
Rqtsr is unknown The college buildings are in an
enclosure at The extreme end of the town; cOmprs-
ing three edifces The c0l6g proper, the PresS
deuPs house and tie Indian House, nov the resi-
denee of the Rev Dr. Totten. Ia the centre Of the
square upo1 which these buildings are erected is
the statue, in marble, of Lord BoletOurt, formerly
Governor of the Province of Virginia, and great
benefactor of the William and Mary
The large building, with its two wings, is said to
have been constructed from design by Sir Chris
topher Wren; if so, that distinguished architect
must have been eOnlpOs at the time. II is Of
style architecture and has no merit, except in its
durability. The chapel, forming of its wings,
is very curiously studded inside with tablets 10
cient worthless among whom may be PANIED Sir
Johu Randolph, PaytOn Randolph, President of the
First American Congress, Bishop Madison and Chan
cellor Nelson.
The Blue Room, so called from its walls being of
that ethereal hue, is of great interest. In it sat
many a learned council, devisng ways and means
for the Instruction. not cnly Of the adopted sons Of
Virginia, but also of the native Indians for whose
proper education monies we're donated by the "HOn.
Robert Boyle, ESQ >" whose portrait graces the
chamber. We have here, also, the true Z" gies"
of the Very Rev. Dr. Blsir, President of the College
in 1892, the light Of whose countensDce has often
gladdened the Council with its presence. There is
much TO interest the antiquary in this room
Through the kindness of Professor Morrison, had
the pleasure of inspecting the ancient 90 Book of
Minutes, frcm which 1 extract the following as of
interest:
''June 28lh, 1732.-The College Chapel was
opened. Mr. President Che Rev Mr. Blair )preach>
ed on Proverbs, 22-6. July 3lst, 1882 The fOun-
dstion OF the Presidents House at the College was
laid. The Pre- ident Mr.. Dawson, Mr.. Fry, Mr..
Sith, Historian Of Virginia, and Mr. Fox laying
the first five bricks il ORDER one after the other At
a meeting of yePresidents and Masters Of William
and Mary College, September ye l4th 1852, present
ye Rev. Mr.. Sith, President, Mr.. Dawson, Mr.. Ro-
bins IN, Mr.. Preston and Mr.. Graham. Ye following
orders were unanimously agreed to:
al Order, Vt no scholar belonging to any school
IN the College, of what age, rank quality sOever,
do keep any horse at ye college in ye town,
any where in ye neight Itthey be any way
concerned in mskingraees CT in backing or abettDg
those made by others and vt all race horses kept in
ye neighborhOod Of ye college, and belonging to any
of ye scholars be Immediately dispatched aud sent
off and never again brought back and all this under
pain of ye seVerest animadversion and punish
ment.
80 Order, Vt scholar belonging to ye college,
Of what age rank or quality sOever or wheresOever
residing within or without ye college, dopresume 10
appear playing abetting at ye billiards other
gaming tables or be any way concerned in keeping
or fighting cocks, under pains of ye like severe
animadverson or punishment.
"Sgned, WILLIAM SMITH
"Janaary We "A. I754-Resolued, Vt. person be
appointed to hear such boys shall be recommend
ed by their parents or guardians chapter in Il .
Bible every school Gay at twelve O'Clock, and vt he
have ye yearly salary of one pisole for each boy
recommended.
''June &C. l76l.-ResoJusd, That Mrs. Foster be
appointed stocking mender in the College, and that
she be paid annually the sum of twelve pounds,
provided she furnishes herself with lodging diet,
FIRE aud candles
"Alay 3d. l77l -ResOlUed, unanimously, That q
negroe woman belonging to his late EXeellency 3
lord Boeteuri) estate, be purchased for the Of
the College, if to be had at a moderate
price"
The College long exercised the duties of the Office
of Surveyor General Of the Colony Of Virginia and
among the surveyors appointed by it was George
Washington. There is mine of Ofinteresing matter
contained in this volume OF minutes, exemplifying
the manners and customs Of the age. The library
of William and Mary College is of great interest.
Although at present in sad condition, arrange
ments win be made to restore the old volumes
and trust als1, to increase the collection with much
new matter In a cursOry glance at its contents
found many Elizerins and AlldiDes rare collections
of patriotic theology early editions Of the writings
Of New England divines, which would make glad
the heart of many bibHOpole Of the 'modern Athens
Many Of these volumes we're donations. fine Ri
be folio. ? yols, from George Ill; set Of Buttons
Histoire Natuele, from Louis XVI aso the entire
library of DR.. Blair and large selection from Gov
ernor Spyttswoode
But encroaching too much upon your limits,
and before closing Only refer to the Indian House.
q quaint old pile, erected from the donation Of Sir
Robert Boyle as a residence and "study-house" for
the Indians. This building is now inhabited by Dr.
TotLea and is in fine preserYaton The noble stair