The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-18

,co--.s,oneeuce of the RichmoEd Dtspatch.l
ASHLAND. Va. June II, 1879.
S;rca my last annual visit 70 the College
come noticeable changes have been made in
the campus. The old chapel has disap-.
,,",rrL and with il an unsGhIly mass OF
1roo6on rubbish. But its absence makes
i;a ren. This chapel. which stood likewise
;n-,esd OF a public hall, was ill-sulted TO
nnrno.rs ecclesiastical or secular. In It's
a,rncr DAYS. when "Slash Cottage was
tine .ummer-evenineS' resort OF Young Rlch-
mend. il was dancing-ball, but as snch II
was not Il success. A less crltica taste ana
necessity converted it into the Coues o
chapel ,.,
twas notalla misfortune that fire did that
which man was unwilling to do. our pco-
Me are slow 10 pull down anything, ana IL
app"ars not much quicker in putting up. a
new, substantial, and elegant building IS
now being erected hundred feet IN Tue
rear Of the old chapel. This Will prove an
ornament to the beautiful village, and meet
an imperative demand OF the College. Win
out describing infinitely the proposed build
Ing, now under construction, it Will be SUI
tcjent 10 say that the main floor will he
used rs public hall and library, seventy
five by f0rty-fiye feet, and above this
public hall q chapel for church purposes.
During the past year 4 convenient gym
nasieum building t60X45), with what appears
Ia be full appointments, has been erected.
For the noncc this building has been ar
ranged for the scene OF the College celebra-
lions during the present commencement
exercises. There is something OF the camp
meeting air in the arrangements for the APP
preaching celebrations, and here must soon
appear in addition to the young collegians
who make their maiden speeches, nl@h
churchmen, and low churchmen, and no
cnurch,uen Mt all. "a orators.
A lew Of the beautiful oaks were de-
stroyed when the chapel was burned. Bar
ring the draw backs above named, there is
altogether more inviting appearance about
the College and its surroundings than has
before been noticed. \ larger attention
NAV still be given to the approaches and
surroundings without sacrifice OF taste or
loss Of money.
During the past session there were one
hundred and twcnty.three students In at
tendance-a small falling off over the
former session. In this it has shared the
fortune OF Other colleges Of Virginia and
the South generally. OF The students, nine
~ are from Virginia, fifteen from North
Carolina, with representatives from elghs
other States. Studies pursued: Latin, 50 !;
Greek, As; Mathematics, 100; Natural
Science and Chemistry, So; Moral Philoso-
ply, 81; modern languages, 80; EnSllsh,
90.
1t was not many years since your CORE
spondent's name was on these College cata-
logues. Now be finds the familiar names
OF his old classmates transmitted through
their boys, and some Of these boys are
ha1rlp1 and
stoul-Who read Greek get distinctions in
comic sections. and play good game Of
base ball.
The Board OF Trustees met in the hall OF
the Franklin Literary Society at II O'Clock
NJ. From the annual report OF the PreSl-
dent. DR.. Bennett, it appears that the stu
dents during the past session Qorty-iourtb.
conducted themselves In 4 most commenda.
BILE manner. their health had been good, and
their progress in studies had been most sat.
isfactory. ....- -E
The President ventures to recommend q
reduction in tuition-fees, and enforced bis
recommendation with strong arguments,
maintaining that there can be reduction
in costs of college education without lower
ing the standard III scholarship. DR.. Ben
nett saws: The truth is that we must
bring our people TO regard the educational
work as q proper Church work-iust as
much so as missions or any other. 1t was
so regarded bv Mr.. Wesley, and is so re-
garded by the Wesleyan MeLhodlsts to this
day. In this country we have been too
much inclined TO put it outside OF all
Church work, and TO say it must be SELL
supporting"
DI. Bennett then pointed out the fact that
few colleges or universities received sus-
tanning patronage. "In Europe they are
under Government patronage, and receive
YEARLY StipendS; IN this country they are
sustained by State influence or by munifi-
cent private donations. For these reasons
such institutions are successfully competing
with those under the different CHI stian
churches. Now. it is manifest that the
churches must determine upon some pian
OF successful competition with such lnstitu-
tious or submit 10 see their own colleges
crowded out Of the list and closed. l do
not believe that the Christian churches OF
America are prepared for this result"
The Presidents report was divided and
referred to several committees.
During the subsequent sessions held this
day the Board was engaged with the con-
sidcration Of the affairs OF the College,
which affairs, though Of moment to the in
stltu.ion, need not be here reported. x :.
The regular commencement exercises will
De inaugurated tomorrow at IL O'Clock by
The public annual celebration OF the Society
OF Alumni, which will be followed by the
usual rcunion and dinner. The contest for
The Sutherln medal at O'Clock z. Nj. will
ne an occasion OF great Interest, and the
celebration OF the Franklin Society at night,
when Captain John s. Wise will preside,
VIII end The exercises Of the trst day. The
indications are that The attendance will be
large. With each year there is eyineed a
Deeper interest in the concluding exercises
Of the College. T.,
- tsMITHPIELp, VA, Jupri1 ~, 1874.
%Edsfors Dispatch This morning about 1