The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-06
communicated
RICHMOND, VA, August 90, 1875.
To The Editors Of the Dispatch:

other places. VIII you 90 us tue safOF W
publish this letter touching something OF in.
terest to old Williamsburg?
The Southern Association for the relief OF
widows and orphans Of Confederate soldiers
VINO died in service have just made an IN
creased appropriation to maintain ana eau.
cate matriculates in the college of William
and Mary of such sons Of deceased heroes
and martyrs 10 our cause as are prepared to
enter college. Last year they appropriated
81 900 and maintained and educated i've,
and the local association at Williamsburg ap-
nropriated for two more. Thus secen were
given one years tuition.
One Of the noble bepcfciarics was worth
the whole appropriations. They were all
we'll worthy OF the bounty they received,
hut one was developed by training and pol
;shinp. even 50 short time, jewel of the
frat water. Seeing such good results, the
president and directors of the Association
have not only renewed the appropriation,
hut increased It to 81, 400 for the next year.
with resolve TO increase that sum 10 g 900 if
the funds will permit. Six of the seven Of
the past ear will continue, and 1t is thought
safe 10 say that from four TO five new bene-
ticiaries can par,ake OF William and Mary's
fountain OF knowledge the next collegiate
wear. So the old nursing mother Of nearly
all our greatness still cares for the sons OF
heroes, and scholars, and statesmen just az
aforetime she made heroes, and scholars, and
statesmen Of their fathers.
And here permit US to add that there are
four cardinal reasons at least why William
and Mary should be selected Is the college
best fitted to prepare youths either for life or
for the University:
lat. Williamsburg, during tine seasons OF
the collegiate year, is more healthy than the
site of any other college in The State.
ID. William and Mary has never in her
whole time of operation averaged more tnan
about sixty mairiculates per aDnum. Last
session the number Of matriculatcs was hity-
seven. and the Maltic School had some
twenty-five poyiciates. The students, III
point Of ages, progress, manners, morals, ana
studious habits, were tar above Inc coniuoh
average. They have each become an lpliu.
ence and the matriculates will be Increased
fnr the next session, but it Is not to be ex.
npcted that they will exceed some seventy or
seycpty.tiye in number. This Of itself.
fhouoh raeaqre for the Institution. IS best for
The student. Her comparatively small mum
be- affords Opportunity IF access TO The pro
fcssors at all times and undcr all Clrcttm.
stances.
3ru. The location affords the best fields
of manly sport and exercise hunthg. tSh1n9
and ridinG; and the student, 50 he cGnc'
IN to the high standard set before him, Is
not " orad-w0und" by any rules which con-
fine ard weary bin with the lcc.ure-rooD,
or which torture him with continuous tasks
of Dorin~ over his wolk. a, William and
Mary, with rife, gun. or iisbiug-luc, or sad
de AID bride, he may refresh anu re-
jnyeclate himself. and every day shoot his
arrow from an unhent or not Oycr-Dcnt bow.
II is a field. and forest. and creek, and river,
OF glorious N,mrcd sports.
Deer, turkeys. Guck, and pover, part
ridge, re bbits, and cDon>, are more abundant
than in the mountains. And have the Ale
ghanies and Blue Ridge any sheepShead, hog.
fish, oysters, buttertisb, and clans like the
sail waters Of the James and the York:
Ridc-ride swift 20 your ss'ff at creek OF
river. or to tue hcdge.rowS or thickct- COW
crs for your game, YOU pale, wan student,
and YOU shall be cXhilarated for your mental
tasks. You can be at William and Mary
easier, nearer, reader, than at any other
college.
AIN. There is chalm--a "glamour ~
about old Williamsburg and the old college
which no other place or school now have or
can have for centuries. No matter what fire.
W =
all combined, have done to devastate both !;
no matter if the old capitol is long ago gone ;
no matter if the old Raleigh has been de-
yo,Ired bv flames: no matter il the old pow
der.born magazine is now tavern.stable
no matter il nothing but ruined cbimneEs
remain of the mansions of the old regime u
of refinement, OF learning. of luxury, and
hospitality; no matter il The royal grounds
and metropolitan squares OF old, and The
broad avenues and streets are covered with
"andcr grass, and the roads Leading TO them
are full
"Of Iuts aud eyes,
AID bridges
hiaGe of p!ankS
IN open ranks,
Like old women'S tCcth,"
we care not what your first impressions
of the appearances are. Stranger, you can
90 there and stay forty. eight hours, and get
little acquainted and look around sore.
without feeling spell come over you. and Il
swelling of feeling, emotion, pride, affection,
Renaissance OF "Au!d Lang Synr.' II /,
inspiring, and sets Il student all agtoW with
the raptures OF ambition.
And under this head we can't fOrbesr
quoting the following brilliant passage from
the "Flush Times of Alabama and MiSsi>
sppi," by the lite lamcnttd Joseph G. Bald.
win, whose illustriouS uncle, Bfiscoe Bald
win, of Staunton, was an honOrcd and hon.
orng alumnus Of the ancient Coledge."
first called William and Mary about 1890,
but " The Colle11e" as early as 1862. ut
pages II, IS. 4 lie is speaking of "Vir-
ginans in new country." HIS patriotism
isa "noun personal" "IIe loves Virginia
per Sc and pr0pter Sc" "The smallest part
CT his brain is an abridgement Of all Viz
Ginia." "He may breathe in Alabama or
elsewhere, but he lives in Virginia.
"Tbose who came many years ago
from the borough towns, especially
from the vicinity of Williamsburg, exceed in
attachment TO their birthplace, If possible,
the emfqyeS from the metropolis" 1t is re.
lresbiny IN these costcr monger times to hear
them speak Of itthey r'men.ber it when
the old burg Was the seat OF fashion, tas'e
refinement, hospitality. weish, Wi, ard AL
social graces, sc. Here the spirited and
gifted youths Of the college Of od William
and Mary, some Of them just giving out the
first scinti!ations Of the genius that after
wards shone refulgent in the forum and the
senate, added to the attractions OF society
gay. cultivated, and refined beyond example,
even in the Old Dominion. \ hallowed
charm seems to rest upon the venerable city
clothing its very dilapidation in u drapery
Of romance and of serene and classic inter
est, rs if all the sweet and softened splendol
which invests the Midsummer Night,
Dream" were poured in j flood of mellow
aud poetic radiance over the now quiet and
half "dcserted village" There is something
in the shadow from the old college walls
cast by the moon upon the grass and sleep.
ing on the sward that throws Il like shadow
soft, sad, and melancholy, upon the heart OF
tho rel 1rninp piIrrin who SannterS ont 10
view again by moonlight bis old alma
r,atnr tho nnrSinn nant her Of snch q list mud