The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1860-01-19
Number 3.
UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH.

| WV CllNNIoltS VI lHc ioOuIIl, lUCHJCu AZ
Sewanee, in this county, wo take from
the New Orleans Picayune. Wo invite
careful attention to it.
Correspondence of the N. D. Picayunc.]
SAVANNAH, Ga, Dec. Il, 1859.
! .AeSsfs. Editors: Your readers will be
pleased to hear, in these times especial.
", something ofthe progress oftho Uni
vcrsity Of the South,
They may remember that at the meet.
ings held in August last, tho committee
to whom had been entrusted tho duty
OF preparing n constitution and statutes
prescribing tho plan of organization,
and system and range Of instruction,
reported and asked leave to sit again.
In their report they stated, they had
been collecting materials for the per.
iormance Of their work, but were not
yet in possession Of all they deemed
necessary. They had access to q largo
number Of European publications, in
the public and other libraries of the
country, and through u correspond.
cncc they had opened with the Gov.
crnment at Washington, they had OBJ.
tanned the latest eXpositions of work.
inG details Of principal universities, col
lcgcs and other institutions Of learning
Of France and the German States, and
were now collecting those Of Great
Britain and our own country. They
! desired also to have the advantage of
personal examination of the leading
colleges, universities and other schools
Of the United States. All of which they
hoped to accomplish in time for meet.
ing they proposed TO hold in this city
/ in the last Of November.
The request Of the committee was
granted by the Board, and all they de-
sired they have been able to effect to
the extent Of their wishes.
Through the American Ambassador
in England, and other sources, they
have obtained Il large amount of the
most valuable publications, embracing
the "Rcports Of Her Majesty's Com
mission"rs, appointed to inquire into
the state, discipline, studies and reve-
Mites orthc Universities and Colleges of
OXIord and Cambridge" the "Report of
the Commissioners" Of the same Gov
crnmcnt "appointcd to consider tho
best mode oIrccognzing the system for
training officers forth scientific corps"
the "RcportS on, and Calendars OF, the
/ Quccn'. University, lreland;' "King's
College, London" 1.-THE London Uni.
vrrsity;' together with reports on
number Of schools of law, medicine,
theology, agricultural colleges, schools
of appucd science, Oft art, &c. AS many
principles embraced in the programmes
Of these various institutions in Great
Britain and ON the continent Of Europe
have been introduced to n greater or
less extent into the universities, cole
| G. and other schools of our own coun-
try, it were desirable to make personal
observation Of their working on Amer
| lean soil. Members Of the committee
have been occupied therefore, in visiting
and examining all the principal educa-
| tjonal establishments Of the United
| Slutcs~-thO>cO of the Curoliuas, the Uni
vcrsity oI'Nirgiuia, Harvard, &c--and
in communication, by letters or other
wise, with such minds elsewhere, as
might aid them in the solution of the
problem assigned them. While their
task was one Of great labor and respon-
slhility, it was csscned by the largo
amount OF material at their command,
An amount, indeed comprising the re.
suits OF the experience Of mankind in
the higher walks Of human learning.
Their work was not so much one Of
invention rs of selection, elimination
and arrangement. Being indisposed to
embark on the sea Of untried expert.
meut they have deemed it wiser to ac-
ccpt the conclusions of the past, and to
conhne themselves mainly to digesting
such Of these Us were entitled to tho
greatest considerations and to work them
up into system applicable to our pecu-
liar social and political condition. This
work the committee, now in session,
have been occupied with for some days
past. 1t isundcrStood they have agreed
. ON the principles which shall constitute
the basis Of their plan, and have made
such progress i'll the details as to enable
them 10 determine the character of its
organization. 1t will follow closely no
! one system, but will be elcctic. 1t will
= embrace features from the English
! German and French; such rs have stood
the test OF experience, and combined
> harmoniouslv. When embodied they
will, it is believed, present to the coun.
try all that the most earnest and san
guinc friends Of the enterprise could de.
size We may thus have ut our own
doors university in the largest sense,
, combining ali the best provisions and
= appointments ever offered by the lead.
me institutions of the most cultivated
States OF Europe.
The report of this committee is to bt
:, presented Tor the consideration of thu
BOard Of Trustees ut n meeting to b,
! held iii New Orleans, on the secon'
Wednesday of February next. In tn
mean season, the large domain of tn
corporation, which is to be the iutur
scat af its operations, is being laid out
with u special reference to the object:
for which it has been secured. Not on
> ly tor the reception and appropriate
disposition Of the University buildings,
y = which may from time to time be erect
ed. but also for the accommodation OF
y. that large number Of Southern families
u already designing to make it the place
j. of their future residence, the seat OF So
1t ciol refinement Us well rs ofletters and
- science.
Arrangements are also in progress
for LAYING the cornerstone Of the Gen.
J. tire building some time during the en-
- suing summer The vigor with which
the whole work will be pressed forwarC
: to completion, must depend on tn,