The daily gazette., 1877-01-10
Correspondence of the Gazette
A VISIT TO CHARLOTTESVILLE,
THE. SEAT OF THE UNIVERSITY
OF VIRGINIA.


The Christmas Holiddys-A Fen Ddys
IN the Country Southeast Of Torn.
Such is the patriots boast. wherc'er we
roam,
His first. hest country ever is at home"
To one who seeks the University of
Virginia as place Of historic interest,
will soon after his arrival upon the banks
OF the Hivanna, have revealed to him its
imposing location upon the heights of
Charlottesville. In fact no surrounding
sight seizes the eye Of a stranger with
greater admiration .han does the Unver-
sity on the one hand and Monticello, the
home of Jefferson, on the other.
These buildings being somewhat eleva-
ted, command a good view of the sur
rounding country, noted for its rugged
and mountainous scenery, as also it does
of the torn and time-honored Monticello.
At the depot grasping the hand of
waiting friend, we were soon ushered to
one OF the University dormitores, where
we were pleasantly stored away for tho
observance of a passing week
After general information as to the
working of the University, one might
seem able to note it in detail, but must
here suffice in giving its Christmas fate to
students thus assigned by "illustrious
Jefferson"
True il is that connected with the many
pleasant associations of Mr.. JeieISou'S
life, none other bears student of the
| University in his memory half so emf
nently as his founding this great institu-
ton Of the South. For the most part, to
him who is Of meditative mind, her
precincts are sacred, not only in that the
respect he entertains for her impaired cul-
ture, but even he fancies in his mind
Thomas Jefferson whose last fading days
of well-spent life were passed in the
establishment of his chosen Alma Mater
the University of Virginia. And
though to-day Mr.. Jefferson has no wor-
shippers. whose incense rise before his al
tars in richer or more fragrant clouds
than does those of the students of the
University, yet at their hands he receives
universal censure for rules incident to the
government Of the University in so far as
they affected the non-observance of
Christmas and holidays. Whether Mr..
Jefferson, from his infidelic prediction
or from a sense of conceived advantage
for students denied such prevailing
custom, would not affirm. The truth
is that but one day-the 25th-is given,
thus making the ways and paths of stu
dents checked so seldom as they are with
days of pleasure, not those of peace and
pleasantness. The same routine of lee
lures go onward, to the martial strife of
which the Ginning of bells summon the
students hour by hour. During our So
journ we noticed that many, however,
shirked duties to degree and suffered
themselves TO dissipate in high life and in
the passing pleasures which the Univer-
sity and Charlottesville could afford.
Christmas day was reiigiously observed
! throughout town, all the churches were
decorated appropriately for the OCCASION,
and services therein held both morning
and evening.
The University MINISTRIES composed of
some thirty students, on Tuesday evening
gave an entertainment in the Town Hall
which was perfect success in ditfusing
| life and animation throughout the com
muuity. Many of the places of worship
had Christmas trees to brighten the hearts
of the young American, whereas Ger
mans have been quite numerous, these
having been given at the residences of
Misses Antoine, Shackleford, Randolph,
Weddell, Pennington and Robertson.
Previous to leaving town my friend
and self were invited to spend several
days in the country at Mrs. j. T. II. some,
three miles distant. Or course we accept
| ed and in truth payed our compliments
with somewhat lengthy visit. This
residence is one of those Virginia home
steads which we of those a more north
ern cline have often pictured in its sur
roundings of pleasure and comfort. We
| would not gainsay bnt that we too bad in
former times INDUCED our imagination in
conceiving of their pleasures but, not un-
til then did our conjectures fade into re-
alities.
Miss Julia, the fair one Of the house,
contributed not little to the enjoyment
of the writer whose bewitching smiles
and operate songs came near persuad-
| ing his continued presence at Nerdant
Lawn.
| Suffice in closing that by lis more
merry and pleasant Christmas was never
spent than this of '76, though without our
trip to theLawn it might have been count
ed as n failure.
Leaving Charlottesville on the 1880 p.
NJ. train of the 30th inst. we bid it with
| its pleasures farewell till in coming years
time may carry us again thither.
! .. L. LAS.
1 NFpDANT TAXyE Ian 1877