Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-09-16
THE CITY
UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE.
Extended improvements.



| grounds of the Collegiate Department and
Montgomery Bell Academy of the Uuiver-
sity of Nashville We were struck with
the extensive, elegant aad elaborate in-
provements that have been made since our
last visit, though the time has been brief
A crossing has been laid from the street
through the principal gateway On enter
ing the grounds, embracing a level green
Of sixteen acres, one is impressed with the
beauty and elevation of the location. Stu
ated upon a beautiful spot above the city,
it overlooks the same and vast stretch of
undulating country for many miles Tie
unobstructed view, as far as the horizon,
Is at once inspiring, attractive and pic
turesque. The air is as pure. and fresh
as though blown from some ocean
isle, the location admirable and health
full, and the surroundings beauti-
tul to behold. We know of no
location in all the land so well adapted to
the purposes of an institution of learning
The improvements that have been made
are excellent and of the most substantial
character. The large and extensive bar
racks, somewhat In the rear of the main
building, have been repainted a rich and
beautiful color, and new and excellent
roof has been put upon it. New doors
have been added, and shutters and fssten-
lngs made. The stairways, and halls, and
grounds have been each and all improved.
This part of the institution contains sixty
seven rooms, each adapted to the wants
and comforts of the students The build
ing is heated by furnace and hues of the
most improved quality. The elder DR..
Lindsley's house has been thoroughly
renovated and repaired, and put in excel
lent trim for the Presidents and Facultys
House, with the long and capacious extern
sion fixed up admirably for a diningroom.
Near by is the kitchen and wash house,
provided with furnace, boilers, etc, and
everything in perfect trim. The dining
room arrangements are admirable, and are
fixed up in excellent, neat and convenient
style. The entire premises have under
gone a thorough transmo9riicatiOD and
the work Of enlarged improvements is still
being pushed forward. In the main build
ing the same spirit of improvement is ap-
parent. The large, capacious and airy
ball have been swept and vanished. The
laboratory has been improved. The OBJ
servatory room has been put in order, and
the world-renowned PlaDetarium and vari-
GUS scientific instruments are ready f the
use of the student, and all the
appliances at hand for the professor and
teacher The recitation rooms are in per-
feet order and most admirably arranged.
These we saw well filed with students.
eagerly treading the pathway leading up
the hill of science, their footsteps guided
by practiced and skillful preceptOrs- The
institution opened its session for 1901,
which is the first session in the present
management, and really the first since the
war, on Monday last. The opening is q
most ausplcious and encouraging one.
though the summer season was well nigh
advanced before the arrangement with the
distinguished gentlemen, Gems. E. Kir-
by Smith and Bushrod johnson, presiding
over the institution, had been eonsum-
mated, and the notice was short, We
found yesterday 225 pupils in attendance,
and others are daily arriving. Over forty
of these room in the barracks, two in a
room, every comfort and convenience be-
ing provided. In this department there
will be lear seventy-five students in a short
time. The students in attendance, besides
Tennesseans, are from different Southern
States, most if not all of which will be
represented in a short time. Arrangements
have been made whereby the students are
provided with everything on the grounds.
Books, paper, stationery and everything is
provided, without the pretext or necessity
of coming to town for anything Their
washing is attended to there, and there is
boot and shoe making shop at hand, where
new articles can be procured or old ones
repaired. All the Professors board on the
ground, as we'll as Gems. Smith
and johnson themselves, except one who
boards in the city. All the students who
are fixtures, and who board at the institu-
ton, will be provided with neat and suita-
bic uniforms, and the most excellent dis
cipline is observed. The students are
aroused at an early hour, and superintend
their own rooms and prepare for breakfast,
for which inspectors see that all are ready
by o'clock. The various studies are then
prosecuted till dinner, which is at o'clock
P NJ. After dinner studies are resumed
till P. NJ. when drill and parade exercises
will be had on the broad grounds around
the building. There is also gymnasium
attached to the grounds, In which physical
exercises are seAsonably INDUCED in. The
regulations of discipline are reasonable,
but are punctilliously enforced. The fore
moons, on Saturdays, are devoted TO speak
ing and defamation exercises, and the
literary efforts of the two societies.
aOn Sundays the students come to the
city to Church, the attendance upon which,
without restraint or influence, Is left to
the choice of pupils and parents and pre-
ference and prediction. TheE9 is
varied and extensive library connected
with the institution, which numbers near
forty thousand volumes, and which is one
of the most valuable in the whole country.
There Is In the primary department near
thirty pupils. This department is under
the supervision of Miss SOule, well and
popularity known in the educational circles
of our community. Other improvements
than those mentioned, on an extended
scale, are contemplated and are being
pushed forward to speedy completion, and
still others will be added till the University
will be one of the most perfect, extensive
and complete institutions OF learning IN
the Southwest. The students in attend
ance are a hardy and intellectual SET of
Youths and young men, and many of them
represent the frst families of the country.
We noticed quite number from Louisiana
and Arkansas and other Southern States,
and some from Illinois. Gen. E. Kirby
Smith, as Chancellor, IS, from his ripe
scholarship and vast attainments, eminent
ly fitted for the position Of Chancellor, and
Gen. Bushrod johnson, q splendid scholar,
a fine disciplinarian and practical gentle-
man Of superior and varied accomplish
ments, is the very man for Principal of the
Collegiate Department. The entire corps
of Professors are gentlemen of deep learn
ingand enlarged experience. 1t is a source
of congratulation that the University is in
the hands of such competent gentlemen,
and that the season has opened under such
auspicious circumstances.