The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-19
Tho Virginia Colleges.

The college year in Virginia now closing
makes in many respects most gratifying
exhibit. The aggregate increase over last
year Of students in attendance upon our
various institutions is considerable, the eX-
aminations $50 far as we can learn show
exceptionally faithful study, and the morale
OF the young men generally has been excel
lent. In fact. it has been a year of hard
work with both pupils and teachers.
Apropos of this subject great deal has
appeared in some OF the northern papers
recently about "higher education in the
South" which is calculated to place our
institutions OF learning in n false light be-
fore the world, and we are sorry TO say that
not few of our southern journals have
given currency to these articles and tacitly
endorsed them. While we in common with
all friends OF education are anxious to see
our universities and colleges ther recipients Of
liberal donations from any and all proper
sources, we have no sympathy with the
plea for such donations which involves the
admission that they are necessary in order
that we may keep pace with the North in
education, civilization, and refinement.
The truth is, that as far rs Virginia is con-
cerned. higher education in the sense
OF .'liberal education" is rs much an ac-
complishCd fact as it is in any State in the
North. Results prove this in the most
practical way, and to make any admission
TO the contrary would be TO DO gross in-
Justice TO ourselves. The standard is as
high at our universities and colleges
as II is at similar institutions at
the North--a fact admitted by northern
writer who short time since made the
subject = study; and Virginia educational
centres have perhaps furnished, in proper
ton TO the number Of graduates, as many
professors rs the educational centres Of any
State in the Union. The Alumni OF oul
universities and colleges in professors
chairs are literally scattered from Maine tC
Texas and from the Atlantic to the Pacific
thus afording the best possible eyidenc,
that we have been and are keeping pace
with the educational spirit Of the times.
There is, however, one development OF
the educational year, which, while it ais,
sustasns Our position. Is to be deplored. ant
should command the serious attention no
only OF tie public but OF the boards O
trustees Of our different institutions. w,
alludo TO the fact that Virginia has los
several OF her most learned and valuabl,
educators by calls TO universities or col
ieges outside OF the State. The explana
ton OF this is that, as rule, there is a,
n much human nature in professors of:He
brew and Greek as there is in any othel
class OF men. These gentlemen were
offered much larger salaries than the,
We're getting in Virginia, and accepted
them. And this thing will continue until
we recognize, as some one has very wisely
put II, that after all the university or the
college consists in the faculty more than in
anything else. Imposing buildings, orna-
mentai grounds, &c, are very good In their
way when they can be afforded. but are
very bad investments when they are made
at the expense OF the brains OF an institu-
ton. What Is most essential in bringing
a university or college to the highest pos
nble state OF perfection Is the sufficient
endowment Of the chairs 10 keep good
men In them, and 10 this, above all else.
all funds should be first appropriated, whe-
fher received by donation or otherwise,
whenever Ii Is possible for trustees to con-
troll them. II is self-eyldent proposition
that teachers, more than any other people,
should, in order TO do justice TO themselves
as well as to their Pupils, be free from the
annoyances that invariably accompany an
insufficient income. A good professor must
DC good STUDENT with every facility for