The Rugbeian. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1881-1882, 1881-02-01


engine then changes ends, and crossing the c. and
N. road on the top of tunnel climbs the remainder
OF the 1000 feet ascent to Sewanee on long north
ward grades making the twelve miles distance in a
little over hour. Splendid views are in ordinary
weather, obtained from these rising sde-cut grades,
the eye ranging for long distances over the unduating
limestone plain to the west but during the whole of
my visit thick yellow fog, that would not have dis
credited the Thames hung darkly over the mountain
Such fogs are reported not uncommon in winter
at Sewanee-a fact commended to the notice, and
we will hope the pity, of the Rugby weather bureau
The Sewanee depot is neat stone building and
the surroundings generally show marked absence
of that down at heels and out-at elbows sovenlness
which usually, and it may be necessarily, character
ises the first inroads Of Columbian civilization upon
the wilderness But the depot is only slight FORE
taste of the glories to come. A broad, clean road
leads from the station up gentle ascent for half
mile or So passing sundry pretty little cottages which
grow closer together the railroad is left behind,
and then enters broad boulevard with of trees,
and wide open space or Platz, with walks seats,
and grand stand for the band, all in true continental
handsome and beautiful frame residences as might be
Inspected by the Rugby city fathers before they get
much deeper into the packing case style of archtec
ture. Most of these houses empty in the winter
their owners being away in the southern lowlands.
In summer the planted alleys and well kept gardens
and cool mountain air must make this delightful
place There is summer population of some 1900
h,,tp do ol1+ ~,
The University of the South, which has brought
Sewanee into existence, has three months winter
vacation from Christmas to March, and is in session
for the remainder of the year, with week or ten
days break early in August, unusual arrangement,
dictated in this instance by climatic necessities the
large majority of members being from Southern States
The history of the University has been strange, and
should to churchmen be singuarly interesting one
Amovement among the Epscopalians of the Southern
States, dating from many years back, took effect
shortly before the war in the establishment on this
mountain spur, of the first buildings of the future
University. Large tracts of land were at the same
time nalienably settled upon it, and subscription
fund was set foot which, after circulating in one
two States only, reached total of half million
dollars.
Then the came on, and swept the slate clean
Its land and the wrecks of its buildings were all that
remained of the University; while ruin was rife
among the ranks of its once afAuent PATRONS
A few years passed in despair and folding of hands,
then the resuscitaton of the scheme was taken in
hand, temporary buildings were run up and school
started Year by year slow progress has been made,
and at the present time there is in operation Gram
mar school of seventy and University with about
hundred students. Shortness of purse has been the
ever present enemy against which all the zeal and
patience, and sesacrifcing industry of the managing
and teaching body have but barely prevailed. At
the present moment the doubling of the existing
room accommodation for lecturing and teaching
would at least double the University. Two fine
buildings, library and theological college, have
in the last few years been bequeahed but still the
pressing want is room, and more room; and student
after student is forced elsewhere because his own
University no longer supply his intellectual needs.
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