Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-10-26
Hampden Sidney College.

For the assistance of those OF our readers
who are discussing the question where shall
we have our sons educated p and who still be-
leve that the College, is an institution whose
functions cannot be assumed by the "Univer-
sity" with advantage to the student, we desire
TO present few considerations concerning the
venerable institution above-named. 1t may
we'll be called venerable, having been
founded during the revolution of 1776, and Is
therefore, among the Oldest institutions OF learn
ing In this country. And to-day, after having
passed through many changes, at times with
its halls thronged with students, and at other
times so depressed as to be almost in morl-
bund condition, it seems, under It's present au-
spices, to have started anew in the race OF gen
erous rivalry with the other educational lnstl-
buttons of the South.
In regard to The course of study at Hampden
Sidney, many are disposed to urge an objection
based on the retention of the time-honored
"curricuum," and insist that this so-called
s'close SYSTEM" is behind the spirit of the age,
whatever that may mean. In point of fact,
the students of this college are as free to select
their studies, as those of any other institution
while the sturdy conservatism which makes the
honors of graduation depend upon the students
successful pursuit Of all the studies embraced
in the curriculum, brings to bear strong infu-
ence 10 favor of sound learning, which is felt
especially by the younger students, and in
less degree by those whose limited time COM
pels the adoption Of special courses of study.
1t is true that the opportunities for the success
full pursuit of special branches of study are
much inferior to those offered by some institu-
tons. as for example by the University or by
Washington College but it may be observed
that student OF Engineering may obtain at
Hampden Sidney good deal of sound instruc-
ton in applied Mathematics and the want of
q Protessorship of Modern Languages is fully
met by the fact that a member of the present
Faculty, accomplished linguist, long resi-
dent on the continent of Europe, is willing to
teach the Modern Languages to any who desire
it.
Another matter worthy Of attention is, that
the students are not, as some suppose, congre-
gated in the college building, and also required
to take their meals together at a Stewards
Hall but are pretty equally distributed among
some dozen private boarding houses in the i'm
mediate vicinity Of the college.
The buildings of the Theological Seminary
occupy grounds Immediately contiguous to the
college, and the students of either institution
have access to the libraries and lecture-room
of the other, free of charge. Many of the
Theological students avail themselves of this
provision, to attend the instructive lectures of
the President Of the College On Logic, Moral
Philosophy, &C., and many also attend the lee
lures in the department of Natural Philosophy,
in order to keep themselves thoroughly ac-
quainted with the most advanced Physical The
cries of the present day. The excellent infu-
ence exerted on the College students by this
constant, intimate intercourse with body of
men-many of them but little their seniors in
years-devoted to preparation for that highest
of human Offices, the Gospel Ministry, could
scarcely be over-estimated.
For these reasons and for others which we
will not now cite, and without in the least de-
string to undervalue the advantages offered by
other institutions Of our State, We desire to
commend the claims Of Hampden Sidney to
the favorable consideration of all who have
sons to be educated.