Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-10
THE UNIVERSITY.
Observations of student of Thirty Years
r,vritton for the ni.nntch1

Written for the Dispatch.l
1t was nearly thirty years ago when
left the University of Virginia as student
and have never visited it since until now.
MANY changes have taken place. Ono
would hardly recognize the topography
of the country. Between the University
and Charlottesville, where lots were Guilt
waited in 1854 and even in 1864. Is now an
almost unbroken line of stores and dwell
lngs.
The old landmarks are fast disappearing
and the few that are left are almost unre-
cognizable. The old Midway" a board
ING house in 1854, military hospital dur
ing the war. and a sort or town nall for
Charlottesville since the war, has been
pulled down. and fine brick building for
the use OF the public school OF the town
is in process of erection. The Jehress."
"Danlels" and McKennies boarding
houses are still standing, but have long
slncs passed into other hands and have
lost their original names, On the " Vert
enbaker" lot old buildings have been
pulled down. the whole ground cut up
into lots. and sundry new residences cree
ted.
The house at which / boarded in 1854:
then kept by the Misses Terrlll. IS now the
residence of DR.. Chancellor, who has alter
ed, repaired and beautitied 1T. The old
dormltory, one of the rooms of which was
occupied by Z. John George, now de-
ceased, and myself, is yet standing and
was easily recognized by me. although 1t
was crowded by its more handsome neigh
bors. wonder what has become OF the
occupants Of this old building IN 1885.
Where are the McNuts. the Holmans, Arm
isteads. and others. Some. l know, have
long since passed TO that bourne whence
there Is no return. Others are yet fight
ing the battle of life, or quietly waiting 10
be ferried across the river of death.
The University grounds upon which Col.
Pratt used to exercise his artistic taste and
skill are much changed. Now handsome
buildings. the Museum to the north east,
and the Chapel to the north west, of the
rotunda. have been built upon ground
which Col. Pratt labored hard to adorn
with green sward and shade trees.
The Gymnasium grounds have been
changed from the south to the north of
the University buildings. and in lieu of
the rough circular wood building that
answered the purpose of a gymnasium in
1854 is now to be seen a fine brick build
ing almost as handsome as an ancient
Greek temple.
The Lone Star" cottage IN which l
spent some months Of my life as law stu
dent, which was located in the lot lying
between Monroe Hill" and Western
range" near where Or. Malletts house
now stands, has been pulled down and its
bricks used in building DR.. Mallet's
kitchen.
The Lone Star" was built by Gen.
Young of Texas while student of the
University. IL had two rooms, one over
the other. The upper one was occupied
lawyer, and myself, while the lower one
was used by M servant. Albert Lawrence,
an excellent caterer and cook.
| did not find the time to look for " Gu
cumber Lodge" the residence of the
Greek professor DR.. Gildersleeye. Wheth-
er 1t is standing or not l do not know.
OF the professors who eraced the Uni
versity in 1854 and helped 70 give it Ma
tional reputation, Gessner Harrison, Bled-
soc. Davis, Cabell, McGuffie, Maupin and
Howard have gone up to that higher
school where the principles of truth. JUS
tice and righteousness ore taught IN all
their purity, while their bodies sleep their
last long sleep in the quiet and solitude of
the University cemetery. Minor. DeNere
and Smith are the sole survivors. OF these
men, all great educators, DR.. Minor was
best known to me. / suppose no Virgin
ian. living or dead, has done more to mould
the character of Virglnia's people. indeed.
may cay Of the people OF the entire south,
than DIR. Minor. His students were of the
class of men which has ever been the most
prominent in the public affairs of the
country, and whose influence very gener-
ally gives tone and color to the society of
which they make part. More than hand
some in his appearance. dlgnihed and
courtly in his bearing. he commanded the
respect and admiration of all who came in
contact with him. OF broad general Gull
ture and possessing a profound and init
mate knowledge of the science of law and
q familiarity with its general principles,
together with q wonderful power of i'm
parting his knowledge to others and ini-
pressing II upon them, he was unsurpassed
as an educator. No student of ordinary
intelligence ever sat under his teaching
without receiving moral and intellectual
help. and carrying away with him into his
life's work impressions for good. And
above all, while he was admired and be-
faith in cruclked Savior predominated in
favorite of Heaven.
Like Moses, DR.. Minors eye is not dim,
nor his natural mental force abated.
May he live many years yet to grace the
position he has so long and so honorably
filled. and at last may his mantle fall upon
his sons. who are sons worthy of such q
sire.
OF the other professors. Smith and De-
We're, both well-known as educators IN
their respective departments, | can not
speak, az had not the pleasure of any
general attendance upon their lectures.
L.. G.
Hanover. Va.