Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-05-01


A highly appreciative and intelligent au-
dience greeted, on Saturday Eight, the dis
tinguished lecturer, President of the West
Virginia University, whose name heads this
article.
The primary object of the lecturer was to
excite an interest in our State University,
located at Morgantown. he pointed out the
advantages already accrued, and yet to be de-
rived, from fostering interest in and care
for the institution, which we are all now taxed
to support.
The subject proper of his lecture was
"Brain Culture" which he defined to be the
enriching of every faculty of the intellect,
whereby we acquire systematic and mastery
use of our mental beiDg-or the development
of every faculty up to the point where it
works with highest capacity and greatest ease.
The speaker pointed out the conditions
under which such culture was possible, which
were, independently of extrinsic oircum-
stances, sound health and pure morals.
He then illustrated the advantages of such
culture. In country like ours, where the
field of competition was open to all, a cult
waited intellect was a passport to social recog-
milton. AS an investment, it was not only
profitable, but indestructible, and unalienabie.
As an element of individual happiness, it was
of thesutmost Importance, as directly conduc-
ing to the highest enjoyment of life. by
this cultivation alone, could man drink
from an inexhausted fountain of pleasure
| the ineffable pleasure of victorious thinking
In conclusion, the lecturer passed, by an
easy deduction, from the question Of individ-
ual development by Brain>culture, to the
problem of national advancement. The
strength, durability, and civilization of q
country always depended more or less on the
extent and character of its brain manufacto-
ries, or institutions of learning.
Upon the whole, the lecture was one Of
the best We have ever heard, and was, through
out, replete with sound thought, and vital
with eloquent expression. The orator was
himself an admirable illustration of his own
thesis. We hope he may be prevailed upon
to visit us again, that all may have an oppor-
tunity to hear him.
Town CoUNC1L-At the meeting of the
Town Council on Tuesday night last, the
street>lamp question brought up for final
action, and upon taking vote the project
was defeated by four to two, as follows: For
lamps-Messrs Brown and Cockrill against
-Messrs. Gallaher, Johnson, Starry and
Wcirick. A disposition to economize in view
of the hard times through which we are pass
ing, and to lift the debt already upon the
town, was the profcssed cause of the action of
the majority of the Council, and in this it
may be that they ure sustained by largo
class of tho people. 1t has been suggested,
however, that all reforms should begin at
home, :" and that taking this view of the mats
ter, several hundred dollars more might be
added to the "sinking fund" annually by
appropriating to it the amounts now paid as
salaries for services not greater than those
performed by many of GU. best citizens in
our Building Associations and other organiza>
tions, where they are amply satisfied with the
"honor and glory Of their positions.
The Street Committee was authorized to
Duke & Galaher and the OWings House sta.
bic, at the intersection of George and Liberty
streets, taken up and moved northward to its
proper line, and to require the sidewalk of
DR.. Owens, adjoining his stable, to be
aligned with the same. Also to have
new crossing laid from the corner in
the Court 1louse, across Liberty street, to
the sidewalk on the opposite side Of the street,
The same Committee was directed to re-
quire compliance forthwith with order of
the Council made last year for raising to
regular grade the sidewalks adjacent to the
Starry and Carter House property, and that
of Mr.. Barney Lloyd, on George street. Also
to compel the repair of the sidewalks on
Congress street.
The consent of the Council was granted
to Mr.. L. B. Souders to apply to tho County
Court for license to retail spirituous liquors.
The Sergeant was directed to secure
supply of stone, in order to afford amuse-
ment for future offenders against the laws in
the way of breaking the same for Mead
amizing purposes.
An order was adopted to put wagon
bridge across Evitt's run on the alley cross
ing the same between Main and Congress
streets.
CHURCH MATTERs.-The Rev. J. R.
Thompson, President of the West Virginia
University, preached at the NJ. f. Church
South, in this place, on Sunday, morning and
evening. Large congregations were present