Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-10-07
From the Church IntelIigencer.
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UNIVERSITY PLACE, Tenn, Sept 18th, 1860.
Editors Church Inteligencr Much has been said
and written concerning the eligibility of the location
chosen for the University of the South A residence
of three months at this place has afforded me the
means of forming correct Judgment to its value
as the site of this great Institution, and am more
and more impressed every day with the wisdom of
the selection. Perfectly healthy with dry and po-
rOus soil, and undulating surface there seem to
ist no cause of disease.
1t has two advantages not shared that am aware
of by any other similar locality; these are accessi-
bility and abundance of the means of living AT
this day railroads means of water carriage are
essential to convenience and comfort. A first class
railroad connects this point with the whole railroad
system of the country, making it as accessible as
any of our principal cities, and it may be said that
it is even more accessible it is in the centre of
large number of diverging lines extending to New
Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Savannah, Charleston
Richmond, &C., and the present time Of transit to
any one of these points does not exceed thirty-sX
hours.
Situated in the richest portion of Middle Tennes-
see. the means of living are in the greatest abund-
ance Cotton, corn, wheat and other field products
grow side by side, while the peach. the plum, the
apple and pear seem TO thrive alike. Two of the
Trustees Of the University have built. and passed
the entire summer here and they are decided in the
expression of their satisfaction with its superior
advantages a summer residence for the people of
the South. They say thar they have experienced as
as anywhere in the sea-board towns and have yet
discovered drawback to their feelings of salts
faction with the locality and all its adjuncts.
The Executive Committee are engaged with great
assduity in making their preparations for laying the
corner stone A distinguished son of South CarolI-
ma Col John s. Preston has accepted the invitation
to deliver the Grafton that OCCASION and it is
derstOod that addresses may be expected from other
prominent literary and scientific gentlemen. Am
pie though necessarily very plain provision will be
made for the accommodation of the large number of
guests who expected to attend and it is antcipa-
ted that very numerous assemblage will be pres
ent from the surrounding country.
very large temporary structure, capable of
holding three thousand people, is being erected and
also Dining Hall of ample proportions, so that in
case of unpleasant weather there will be a comfor-
table shelter for all 1t is expected that arrange
ments will be perfected with the Railroad Comps-
MES to run extra trains hours to suit the conven-
fence of those who attend. The corner stone itself
is already the ground, and is immense block of
variegated Tennessee Marble, weighing upwards of
1000 pounds.
The site selected for the principal building is one
of remarkable beauty gentle eleYatipnof resent
from caps the centre of the domain being the high
est point and the slopes descend in all directions
having more than the appearance of an improved
park than the native forest Four Springs of free
stone water rise within short distance affording
supply of 1000 gallons per hour Some of the finest
views on the mountains lie within an easy walk and
points of interest present themselves in every direc-
ton. 1t Is hoped that there will large attendance
of gentlemen from distance, that may have an
opportunity of seeing the advantages of this Oca-
ton upon so interesting an occasion.
The route is to COwan Station on the Nashville
and Chattanooga Railroad, and thence by Sewanee
Railroad to University Station, within mile of
the University.