The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-07
UNIVERSITY OF N0RTH-CAROLINA.
CONCORD, n. c., Dec. Gath 1885,

CONCORD, n. c., Dec. Gath 1857.
Hon. W. W. HOLDEN Dear Sir The
University of North Carolina is at length
beginning to attract the public attention.
Being yourself trustee of that institution
and at the same time warm advocate for
the diffusion of knowledge among all class
es of the people, 1 thought l would submit
some of my views on this subject for your
consideration. It is to be regretted that
we have no literary or scientific periodical
to furnish proper medium for such a COM
munication, because the full discussion of
the subject requires array of facts, de-
tails and arguments, which would far eX-
coed the limits allowed newspaper cores
pondence.
But it is not my intention to attempt
complete review. In addition to the incon-
venience referred to- there would be required
means of information and time for investi-
CATION, which few could command. l shall
be content, therefore, with the humble part
of merely sketching the outlines of what
conceive to be a Well-grounded University
system, system not claimed to be the best
that could be devised, but claimed to be an
improvement on that, which has heretofore
existed in North Carolina.
First; would suggest that, there be SIX
distinct and independent departments or
colleges; viz:
l. MATHEMATICS. 1. Pure; 2 Applied
a. II. NATURAL SCIENCE. /. Physics; 2.
Chemistry; 5. Mneralogy; 4. Botany 5.
Zoology: 6. Geology; 7. Astronomy.
III. LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE. l.
Ancient Languages and Literature 2. Mod
ern Languages and Literature.
". PHILOSOPHY. 1. Physiology; @
Psychology 3. Logic; 4. Metaphysics: 5.
History.
V. LAW. 1. Common Law; ?. Civil
Law; 8. Constitutional Law; 4. Interna-
tional Law: 5. Statute Law of North Caro-
lima.
VI GENERAL COLLEGE. 1. Mathemat-
les 2 Natural Science; g. Languages and
Literature; 4. Philosophy; ). Law
am aware of the difficulty of arranging
cursus free from objection. Perhaps it is
an impossibility. No classification of the
sciences themselves has yet been presented
which is proof against criticism. Nor can
such classification be effected until all the
sciences are complete and blen led into ONE
How great, then, the difficulty when to the
classification Of the sciences, is superadded
the classification of departments in colleges
intended to answer IL practical purpose! At
best, we can have but an approximate accu
racy, and l think that, in this respect, the
foregoing scheme is not less perfect than 9th
ers of the same character
l call your your attention to the sixth, or
General College. You perceive that, its
subdivisions are the five preceding collie
ges The object of this college will be to
give the results of the sciences taught in the
other colleges and not the sciences Themselves
Thus the young man. who chooses civil en-
cheering for a profession and enters the
college of Mathematics, may not have the
time or the inclination to take up the addi-
tional burden of the college of Natural
Science; but he may wish to obtain general
view of these sciences and of their connec-
ton. His wish will be sratifed by attend
ing the lectures IN the sixth college. Our
young aspirant for legal distinction, while
devoting his main energies to the college Of
Law, may desire to expand his range of WIS.,
ion by knowing something about the forms
and conditions, of thought or about CLASH
cal literature. He will be Accommodated in
the sixth college. And so on around the
circle The lectures in this college will be
of a popular cast, and one of its advantages
will be, awakening and stimulating dispo-
sition for further investigation. No degree
will be given in this college.
You will observe that there is no special
place assigned to Rhetoric. The laws OF
taste will be illustrated in the college of
Languages and Literature. Political Econ
omy is also missing. why Because it Is
not yet science. AS well have included
Geology in the age, when Voltaire &C
counted for the fossil shells by saying that,
they had been dropped by the Crusaders,
and his opponents attributed them to the
Noachian Deluge.
You will observe further that have Civ
en- no place to a Medical College. My rea-
SONS are that, in reforming the University
we must consult economy and build, as far
as we can, on the old foundation. To insti-
tute Medical College, which would be
creditable to the State, would REQUIRE a
corps of professors at least equal in num-
Der with the number of professors with
which the University could begin it's exer-
cises and fully as expensive. 1t would give
too great preponderance to this depart
lneRt. and it would be long time before it
would become self-sustaining
The College of Agriculture remains to be