The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1874-06-19
The Cnixersiay OF Yirginia.

we all naturaliy nave the feelIng that
what is interesting TO Us must have some
interesting features in the eyes Of others,
! and so we are often lead into the descrip-
: tions Of scenes and personages that have
not the slightest interest to our auditors.
J But I trust I can claim the interest Of
the young at any rate, and ! feel sure
there are many who although Time
has left his mark by the streaks of
silver in their hair ahd the prints Of his
. fingers on their checks, yet within whose
bosoms beat young hearts, will surely
feel an interest in the perusal Of a short
sketch of the University of Virginia.
And perhaps they will find pleasure in
comparing the present phases with those
in vogue in their youth.
The University Of Virginia is one Of
the oldest as well as one Of the best in
stitutions for the higher branches Of
learning in our land, and it is especially
dear TO us as it is peculiarly Southern
school. Founded as it was, by a man
whose fame needs no mention at my
hands, in the year 1925, il continued to
rise until at the beginning of what is ia
niiliarly known as the late unpleasant
ness" il had reached almost or quite the
envable position of the first in the land.
by the outbreak of the war it received
blow from which il has not yet fully
recovered. Its professors aud students
were called to defend their country, and
right nobly they obeyed. But once
more its faculty is complete, and il the
Southern States would only extend to it
the patronage it so richly deserves at
their hands, it might in few years take
the lead Of the colleges in the United
States, in point Of numbers as it has
in the mode of instruction and its high
standard Of scholarship. 1t is their col
lcge and it is to their interest to build it
up; and why will they persist in sending
their sons to Northern institutions when
they have at their very doors an institu-
tion second TO none in the United States,
| might almost say In the world? Here
the student is placed upon his honor as a
gentleman and as ii is to his own inter-
est TO observe due decorum in his de-
pertinent, and as there is no stern list
of laws frowning upon him he
is naturally led by the dictates of his
conscience to preserve inviolate the rules
Of civilization, but when he oversteps
these bounds such feeling of scorn is
exhibited by his fellows that not many
suns rise and set ere he takes to himself
the wings of morning and-disappears.
IL is essentially the place for the South
ern gentleman to complete his education.
And as the course is purely eclectic, it
depends entirely upon himself whether
or not he leaves with his honors. The
student must make certain per centage
on a written examination or he never
sees his degree.
The University is situated in very
healthy section of Virginia, about nine
ty miles from Richmond. On either
side mountains are looming up, and on
the summit of one of these is the home
Of Thomas Jefferson its illustrious found
er.
Charlottesville is about mile distant,
picturesquely situated, its church spires
and metal-roofed houses reminding us
somewhat of a acity in the distance; but
on closer inspection we find it retains in
remarkable degree the distinctive char
acteristic of small village, for there is
a surprizing amount of gossip and every
body is made thoroughly acquainted
with what every bely else does.
The elevated position Of the buildings
of the University affords, from the top
of the rotunda, a very extensive view Of
the surrounding country.
The rotunda is the main BODY Of the
College building, containing, besides the
Library, nearly all the lecture rooms aud
the Public Hail. In front of the rotun-
da and sloping downward by easy grada-
tons is the lawn, on either side of which
the dormitories Of the students and the
/ Professors houses are situated The i'm
posing vestibule OF the rotunda is sur
mounted by large pillars, ornamented at
top and bottom by large finely carved
marble blocks, and its floor is made N
marble. The pillows in front of the
Professors houses, supporting the high
ceilings Of the porticoes, are built each
in a separate style of architecture.
On either side of the lawn rows of
shade.trees are situated, beautifully set
ting off the whole. The ranges are next
in Importance to the lawns and are situ-
ated in lines parallel to and distant about
forty yards from them. They are dubbed,
in consequence of the situations in res
pect to the lawns, East and West Range.
Monroe's Hill, Dawson's Row, Cars
Hill, and the different cottages, as being
boarding places in connection with the
grounds, are deserving of mention, but
want of space forbids my entering into
details Of them. So turn 10 the
LIBRARY.
One of ifs distinctive features is the
tact that il is perfect whispering gal
lery, probably, owing to its rotund form.
The iaintest whisper is distintly heard in
distant part of the room. Facing you
as you enter, is a statue Of Jefferson, on