Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-12
a School Of Architecture Here.
Il. L Il III d

Az Utt IstAtVf " f'' NtsfNs'f'
Please give place to some remarks on the
concluding paragraph OF q communication,
in SATURDAYS issue headed a School II
Architecture" and which was 90 the effect
that. as there was nowhere in the schools
of the Commonwealth chair of archi-
lecture, that some college should signallZe
itself by establishing one, and that for
reasons given, Richmond College was
eminently the one so 20 distinguish ITSELF
The writer seems ignorant Of the fact that,
so far as Richmond "a concerned, there Is
such school Cor chair, # YOU please.)
right here and now. IL Is called class tor
convenience, and Is presided over by one
of our first architects. This class is
at tho Mechanics Institute, and this gen.
tleman, who during the day gives his time
TO the practice Of his profession, IN
two nights of the week imparts to his
scholars the lessons which he mas
learned in his professional career. ms
scholars begin where all have 10 begln-at
the bottom. Their instruction IL mostly IN
drawing, knowledge of which IS the aoso-
Lutte prerequisite in this as In all mech9nlcs
and art These scholars have also neeh
previously taught instrumental drawing;
that is, the handling OF the various mStru-
ments used in mechanical drawings ana the
practice Of drawing to scale. They have
also luNNTutllUu anu lAA ANAN' -
drawing and modelling in clay. What more
could they have in any other college as ne
einnersY They have, moreover. an oppor,
tunity to learn chemistry and physics, anu
can 90 in mathematics IA TAR as lrlgonom-
etry. So you will perceive. Mr.. Edltor,
that after thef four years prescribed course
a young man can leave this lnsutute-as
numbers have done-better equipped ior
his profession than II he had been the
graduate OF any school IN the
State-Other than academic, or course
The only thing wanting - instruc-
tion and guidance IN the esthetlc part
of architecture. This. however, he has O
better opportunity Of acquiring than, any
other part from the numerous and cheap
publications of our day. II tins lnstllu-
ton were fOstcred and furthered rs u
should be all Of these studies could pc
filed out 20 the ordidary curriculum m
the technical schools North. The GOOD
people of Richmond do not seem aware
that right here In their midst there D on
institution with upwards Of three hundred
scholars composed Of pupils who must 10
in earnest, as noarly all of them work all
day and give 20 study gt night The hours
that most persons Of their aye give q re-
creation; and professors who pay bears
no proportion TO the service rendered COM
pared with that OF day teachers IN techni-
cal schools; they do not seem aware that
with the support which mon of means IN
our midst by combination could easily
afford, this Institution which hes quietly
progressed 10 the point remarked above
would flourish like a green bay-troc and
become the nucleus in constituting Mcn,
mond, which for many reasons she should
be. the centre Of technologIch and aIi
education in the South. 1t seems hard for
people TO understand that movements q
this sort may create o boon ~ tOr COM
munity which, though slower, Is much
surer than possible mines and probable
fnnnlrios.