The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-04-07
orrespo ndence of the Observer and Commonwealth
HAMPDEN SYDNEY COLLEGE.

Correspondence of the Observer and Commonwealth. /
HAMPDEN SYDNEY COLLEGE.
from Correspondent in Tennessee. !
We re-publish, with pleasure the follow
ing letter. in regard to one of our Oldest Va
colleges. We understand it is from the pen
of distinguished ex member of Congress,
who has a son at Hampden Sydney lie had
occasion, recently, to visit his son at college,
and this letter gives his impressions of the
merits of the school, and of the delightful
society by which it is surrounded. We COM
mend it to the attention of parents who have
sons to educate-especially of those who
wish to have regard to economy, and the
moral, social and religious influences by which
their sons are to be surrounded. while they
are pursuing their studies Ed. Virginian
-tcssrs. Editors:
/ have lately returned from a trip to Vir-,
GINA. While there spent several days at
Hampden Sydney CoAegc, one of the best
seats Of learning 10 the odd Dominion. I
found the people 50 kind and hospitablc, the
advantages for securing an education SO nu-
merous, the morals so, good, the arrange
nents for the comfort Of the bodily man so
abundant, that | must through your excellent
paper call the attention OF our people. to a
place possessing SO many attractions for those
having sons to educate 5- -lr. r.
The College is, situated in Prince Edward
county, near Farmvi!le It is strictly rural.
though accessible enough BY railroad. There
is no town nearer than seven miles. The
"Co]lege HILL" with its charming society,
and its little cluster Of church, halls, and
dwellings, is bright oasis amidst the dssola7
ton left by Grants huge army and the more
ruthless ,laa(i Of DEMONSTRATION. Such is
the conutry peoples need for a little money
that found all the articles OF food cheap and
plentiful, where the poverty Of the land indi-
Gated scarcity. 45i <u5t W
The College buildings are plain, but sub
stantial and comfortable The professors are
gentlemen Of the highest personal bearing
with literary acquiremnts as good as the best
universities in America and Europe could con-
fer on them, abreast with the most profound
scholarship; and the most thorough modes Of
instruction known to osr day, teaching with
honesty caricu7uns as good as the best in
the land, embracing a thorough course Of Lat
in, Greek, mathematics, physical sciences
psychology, logic and ethics, with the usual
outline of natural and revealed religion =
There are excelant means, for those who
wish it, for studying French and German
Such students as ere fitting themselves for
business life, are allowed to pursue an cleo
tive course.
I learned, that the examination for literary
honors are held with great impartiality and
fairness; and the degrees represent grade
OF scholarship which is highly respected at
the great University Of Virginia
| was much pleased with the general ar
rangcments fer the students They are not
boarded in s'Commons" Hall, but distributed
in the families Of the professors, and the cul-
tivatcd and virtuous society around them
They learn to be gentlemen as well as scho)-
ars; maintaining as they do, the most cordial
social relations with their seniors. Disorders,
and the consequent discipline are nearly un-
knowb. Despite the plain look of the place,
the students are surrounded with abundant
solid material comforts, in the shape Of good
eating, good lodging, good fires. and good
servants. These old Virginiaps, whatever
their condition, will have substantial comforts,
and will feed we'll. They prefer to be "poor
in the parlor ond rich in the Kitchen" rath-
er than the contrary.
The students appeared to me to live under
the happiest religious influences These ad-
vantages are due primarially to the wise zeal
Of Rev. DR. Atkinson, a Presbyterian clergy
man of high standing, and his colleagues all
Christian men and then to the proximity OF
the faculty and students of the Presbyterian
Theological Seminary near by, and to the
healthy religious tone Of the society around.
Innovations seem to find no favor here,
unless there is reason for them. The whole
tone of opinion, sentiment and scholarship, is
conservative, solid: orthodox, and Southern.
heard of nobody who believed in spiriulism,
or aboltionism, or Boomerism. or Mormon
ism, or Mesmerism, OF Radiealism, Or who
was the least excited or concerned about
these or any other 'isms." ~
Another feature ofthe place is its cheap
ness. The whole necessary expenses Of a
scholastic year are but 1926, exclusive Of
clothing and books The cost Of education
may BIZ reduced even below This, by arrange
ments offered by the corporation, which
strikes me exceedingly ingenious and ben.
Efficient. The Ian, already in partial opera
ton is this Any 'ody parent, firm, {
church society, al Odd Fellows or Masonic
Lodge, phlanthro ,ie man of wealth, car
purchase for $500 ca>I' perpetual scholar
ship, which entities him to send one pupi
forever, Or a perpetual series I. ;ogle puppile
whether his kindred or not, ,cith;.at ppyinas
any tuition. subject to the other ruks Of thu
college. The corporation issues regular scrip
for this literary stock, which. by Virgini;
law, il as good personal estate as any othe
stock Or bonds, and can be hequeathcd rent
ed, sold, or transferred. The College is bount
legally to invest the cash SIS paid in. in ths
most sold public securities for permanent
endowment, for the purpose of hiring compe
tent professors to teach the benefcaries.
The advantage OF this plan is Obvious. 4
gentleman having Two or three sons for col
lege, would lay an asgrcate OF $500 i'll few