The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-04-27
rros, New York.

Ye,ter frosn New York.
,,o,t,cnce OF the Richmond D'spssEe'j
,..',., n,ssrs OF rHE UNIVERSITY OF
shs ,,rrS1 INTERESTING PRoCsho-
,,ppRas OFFER FOR THs Esco0RA9E'
-, puysrcAI CULTURE AT TRE VN9Neh'
errnxfs OF GENERAL PRYOR AND
IrrrERs From TIE FACuLTy-TAE
SEMI CENTENNIAL.
NEW YORK, April %, 1874,
,,x. cont REPORTS of the local papers 90
-, ,.iyc the particulars Of the rednton OF inc
s,,,Ss,ni Association Of the university VI
x;;.nin;a which will be most interesting 70
49, friands OF the University at rome. 1ne
uaeas;on was the annual dinner OF the hsso'
o;at;nn which took place at Deimon'co
la ,,;"ht. About forty of the Alumni anu
- fnrv sneciallv invited guests we're present.
enc h;Ij of fare and good speeches were
,,resented. and the company attes'ea .nei
en;oyment Of both by remaining AZ tap.e
fronn about 7 o'clock In the evening uni"
nearly O'Clock in the morning. ,r.
AR. Francis K. RiveS, to whose itDefa'i'J'
ENTERPRISE and love for his Alma Adte1,
much of the success of the entertainment Is
<i,,e cat at the head Of the table ana d'rectco
the proceedings, which followed the appear
anca of cirdiai and cigars. Mr.. hifess
o,,nn;no remarks were in exceiient 'asse'
Tie heean by a touching reference 10 the
death Of the late esteemed secretary VI JUG
ASSOCIATION. Mr. John Il. Thompson, re,
marking that bis valued friend auorneu
Int too briefly the literature of the country
NV the exquisite grace Of his verse ana TUG
1rompact yigor OF his prose, WINE ne "o,'
fhe hearts Of all in this Association through
the rentleness of bis Character. he 'heh
passed to some CONSIDERATIONS M"ieh nv
thought tended to show that the Cnltelsits
oC Virginia deserves TO he successful coih-
netitor for share of the large outflow OF
students from the metropolis. The eject OF
.Jefferson's stipulation as to allowing the stu
dent the exercise OF his own discretion IN
attendance upon religious worship had been
70 beset tsuer reverence for religion than
now exists in the colleges and universities,
whether of America or Europe, where at
tendance ut chapel is compulsory. Inc syN'
tenn Of elective studies and cminclif1tlon
from procrustean curriculum, "iiicn nau
from the beginning been characteristic dls-
tinctios of this institution, the kino'y "et
come always extended, as in English UNI
rersities, by the older students 10 tue new
corners, the high standard required 'oa LIZ
degree of Master Of Arts, ana tne aeec
biiity Of the University to Ne" 1ofh' "eie
some of the points adverted TO; n.,, .,,t
It was also remarked by Mr.. hltes lhaI
the governing body of the University, Tue
Board of Visitors, have never oeen cou'
troIled by any narrow views in the selection
If professors. While home talent, enriched
nv the pursuit of studies abroad, fills seVe-
raj chairs, now as before, several eminent
men horn and reared in the TWO foremost
countries of the old world, England ana
Germany, preside over some schools. Inc
sneaker doubted whether any institution on
this side of the water had been III closer con-
tact with the culture of Europe than tue
University of Virginia. ar
The first professor Of classics was Mr.
Long, fellow of Trinity College Cam-
bridge. now O professor in England, whose
works are studied wherever the ancient IAN
prages are learnt. The first professor OF
mathematics was Mr.. Key, fellow OF the
same college, wranger, and at present a
professor in University College. London.
He was succeeded by another EDSlishlpan,
the hereditary mathematician Bonnycastle,
syho, after career Of signal usefulness, died
in the service Of the University. at con-
later period the chair of mathe-
anatics was filled by a second Wrangler, Oh
Cambridge, Mr.. Sylvester, who subsequently,
became professor in the Royal Military Acad-
envy at Woolwich, and member of the Insti-
tute of France. The great State of New
York gave to the University two of her most
men Of science-Dr. Emmett,
and Mr.. Courtenay, previously professor OF
at West Point. l.
After abiding to the unfortunate multi
plication ofpetty Universities" in this
country, and urging that "we want but few
central suns of the highest learning, with
satellites as many as you like, but confined
TO their orbits" Mr.. Rves approached the
concluding portion of his speech-a por-
ton which, as it embodies the conditions OF
most liberal offer, | know the University
students and their friends will desire to read
in full. He said: .-..-.-
"The extent of the dependence of the
mental functions and the moral fibre on the
condition of the body is not generally esti-
mated enough. Herbert Spencer says That
the best foundation for success in life is to be
q good animal. The most brilliant writer on |
the last European war, in which the opposing
nations were so nearly matched in numbers,
ascribes the result to the fact that the Prus-
SLAMS had the better arms and legs as we'll as
the better heads. Physical strength is un-
ioubtedly direct and important element In
determining ones status in every occupa-
ton, whether Of peace or war. NO country
more than ours needs wise combination OF
mental work with salutary sports,' especially
sports which, by their requirements, are at
war with drink and tobacco. The outdoor
games of the stout English race are OF pront
not only to the public physique, but 10 Inc
public virtue. Among them l welcome
none more than rowing. In some
quarters 1t has been pronounced q
a If exercise
athletic or otherwise, were not so to some
extent; but the danger is generally due to
Ignorance. Judicious' training gives extra
ordinary powers of endurance and resist
ance By efectipg condition Of perfect phys-
cal health, a condition acquired not by the
boiling Of bloody beef.steakS-that is BGo-
tian bosh-but by agreeable and nutritious
food, ample exercise, and the practical study
OF the laws of hygiene. Little as we may
know ourselves, all Of us here know that it
would not answer to run horse either
fresh from June pasture, or Immediately
after ten days confinement in q stall. We
would not readily accept the belief that ri.
ding on horseback is danger to be stunned,
except perhaps on the pavement of the Fifth
avenue; nor should we concur in the
opinion OF a celebrated French traveller,
that the most dangerous country he had
ever visited was - Broadway. An over
studious and sedentary life too often leads
to damaged eye-sight, or an impaired stom-
ach, but neither is justification Of positive
Aliteracy.
81 believe that there can be made accessi-
DIE TO the University reach of the Riyanna
river, five feet deep, sixty feet wide, aud two
miles long. AS the riparian owners are
doubtless willing that it be utilized, 1 will,
with the assent Of the Faculty. transfer to