The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-07-05


University. / wrote something which ap.
peaEed In the Richmond Enquirer, but
have no copy Of f-it.- Mt. Madison on read
Ing what / had written, wrote to me very,
kind letter. Its enough to say that ne was
much, pleased with what / had done, and
with the plain, simple way In which ! had
expressed my meaning. often saw Mr-
Madison afterwards, and think that ne was
one Of the most sensible men that. / ever
spoke to. do not know wbat / should
think OF my youthful work &c i saw 1t DOW
but Mr.. kadison's approbatfon makes me
suppose that 1t contained good sense and
was Of practical nature, aud adapted for
the use OF the young men that WIS going
10 teach. The University opened, think,
March 7, 1925. '-'t','t7t, IL. - >.'2s-..i
I remember one fact well. DR.. Peachy
Harrison, of Rockingham county, brought
his TWO sons, Gessner and another. Iexan.
ined them before admission, and was much
surprised to find that Gessner knew 80 much
and knew it SO well. He became my pupil
and my friend, and when L left the University
and was consulted about my successor con.
fidently recommended Gessner Harrison. It
is a pleasant recollection to me that my judg.
ment was proved to be right; a painful
thought also that this excellent man has left
the world at comparatively early age. ]
believe from what have heard and read that
be discharged bis duties most honorabiy and
with great ability, and that his name will, be
always remembered, In the University, where
he was both student and q professor.
A few wardsabout the early years Of the
University may not be out OF place here. The
discipline of the young men was difficult
matter !; and perhaps it may be iseid that for.
eigners would fail here. / am not OF opinion
that they did fail, a1d believe that they did
as well as native professors would have done,
and even better. There must be some rules
for all places of education, and have always
maintained that you must enforce rules as
long as they exist. Those who know me msy
remember what quiet, harmless young fell
low I seemed to be; but no man was
more resolute in Furnishing by expulsion
violations of the great rules of the UniVer-
ssty, and persistent neglect of academic
duties. if any man Is living who suffered
from this strictness, believe that be will
admit that the professors were just and i'm
partial. | remember one noble young man,
and even his name, who continually broke
all the rules about attendance at lectures,
though | often warned him Of the conse-
quences. He was at last sent away, and
upon my report of bis neglect. Before he
went away, he admitted that he was justly
punished. Such youth may have made an
excellent man, and hope that it was so.
Whatever the people thought Of our disci.
pline, (aud believe that even those excel.
lent men, the visitors, thought that we were
sometimes too severely have not the least
reason to regret anything that did. I did
what thought was best for all.
On the occasion Of one great disturba
the visitors met, and we'll remember Chap
man johnson speaking to me and another
professor whom I do not name. We were
greatly dissatisfied with the state Of things.
| shall never forget that bright, intelligent
face; that slow. deliberate, and persuasive
manner Of this eminent lawyers. conclude
by saying that before left the University
there was great improvement. There was
more work done, better order kept, and [ can
say that during the last year of my residence
I was quite happy. The difficulties OF the
professors at the beginning were such as any
man who knew Virginia ut that time might
have expected. A little training was all that
was wanted. believed, and still believe,
that never had more youths Of good abili.
ties under me, nor youths more capable oil
being made good aud useful men.
ally heard from him, and also from the dear
friend to whom send these lines, and whom
I still hear from. l have information that
the University of Virginia is now success
fol place of education, and [ trust and hope
that it will always be improving. 49,
One of my most pleasant remembrapces of
this country is letter which received from
General Lee, written q very short time be-
fore his death. 1t is a letter in which he
thanks me for a copy of my second edition of
the translation of Mlrcus Autoninus, which
| sent to him. The cause of my sending it is
sufficiently explained in note at the begin
ming fthe book. My admiration Of this no
BILE Nirginian is unbounded. He was a good
man, and soldier such as the world has
rarely seen. The youth Of Virginia can
never find better example for them to imi-
| tate than General Lee, who is one Of the last
of those illustrious men whom EngliShmen
ought to yenerate as much as their own
couutrymen. GEORGE LONG.
II. Tutriler, Esq, Greene Springs, Ala.
The reception given the older al lumni by
their younger brothers was always hearty
and enthusiastic, and Professor William B.
Rogers had a most cordial greeting. In the
course Of the very eloquent speech which
be made be said that the University of Vir.
ginia was really the only University on the
continent. and that Yale aud Harvard are
only now beginning to approximate what
this University was twenty live years ago.
The name Of DR.. GesSner Harrison, when.
ever mentioned, elected the warmest ap.
plause, and many loving words were spoken
of him by his old pupils.
The whole occasion seems to have inspired
the alumni with purpose to ,oork for the
University as they have never done before
and the outlook is brighter than ever.