The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-09-04


sould certainly be very bad economy 20 90 so, as
vel as very unjust % such as already establish
sd and doing good service. Sadly have our people
already erred IN the undue multiplication OF col
leges' If our funds can be applied in proyid-
ing forms Of education different from any provided
in our existing institutions, 1t would seem mani
festly wise so to employ them. The review which
has been made In this report OF industrial educa-
ton In other States and countries taken In connee-
ton, seems plainly TO show that there is not only
room, but a crying demand for different school
from any we now possess.
Again they say on page 25:
If these views be correct, the proper sphere
for the proposed college is that of a middle grade
agricultural and mechanical schoOl-One which
teaches chiefly results and practical methods, and
only so much of mathematical aud physical science
as may be necessary to render results and methods
fully Ineligible. The proposed farmer and me-
chanic should 60 there simply, or chiefly to learn
what there Is In science and IN improved methods
and machinery 70 make him better farmer or
mechanic. And the spirit and tendency of the
Institution should be, not to educate its students
diCdy from their vOcationS, but tR aud for them
not 70 send them home with diStaste for manual
labor, and craving for some more literary or less
tOilSOme pursuit but TO send them back with fresh
zest for their work and higher sense of its dig
nifty and Its capabilities, and with their own powers
so strengthened that they may command degree
of success which they could otherwise never have
attained. Any agricultural and mechanical school
OF the kind We are now considering, which does
not have this effect upon the mind Of Its students
Is failure regards ITS proper object, whatever
success il might have as to numbers Therefore
all the studies and arrangements Of the school
should be carefully disposed so as to develope in
the young farmer and mechanic higher apprecia-
ton of his vocation, and more resolute determi-
nation 10 excel In it.
But while making the design Of the school spe-
cial, they very properly maintain that,
There Is certain degree Of general intelligence
and Of mental culture, which is essential in order
to enable the student TO profit by the special
studies, and to them effectively after they have
been acquired. Hence some liberal studies are
needed for their training and hberaizing effect,
well as for the light they directly cast upon the
path Of the student. The difficult task which now
devOyes upon this board is so to select among the
many branches of study, and so TO c0mmlngle the
general and the special, to produce the best pos
Slble result upon the student, and through HIM
upon the material interests of the State.
Our space does not allow more extended no.
tice, especially Of the plan of instruction. Indeed
these details must Of necessity be regulated under
the light of experience. The extracts given indi-
cate one thing clearly, which is very gratifying;
the Board Of Visitors in adopting this report have
committed themselves against the idea Of building
up at Blaeksburg another literary college, or a
University. There is a constant tendency, arising
from sectional ambition and other causes, to swell
every thing that can be so inflated, into the pro-
portions, or at least the name of a literary and
scientific college. We are comfOrted to think that
the good sense of this Board of Visitors may be
depended on to keep this agricultural and Ne
ebanieal College to the practical line on which it
is now set, and on which, without conflicting with
any existing institutions of the State, it may be-
come one Of the most useful among them all.