The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-28

is taken from sketch by Professor
schele De We're. who Was fer many years
professor OF modern languages In the
grand old institution:
n was a bright. sunny day, such as the
Indian summer Is apt to nrtnS 10 our
favored land when, In the little town
OF Charlottesville. a solemn meeting was
held by fts most influential citizens Tnty
had assembled 10 consult about the ex-
pediency of reviNing u modest country
school known under toe somewhat AM
bltious name OF the Able emarle Academy.
The worthy men who had taken the mat
ter In charge were much al loss now
TO organize a satisfactory scheme. Iney
were on the point OF abandoning the piaii,
when one of them descr'ed atar OH tne
tall form of "A horseman rapidly coming
down the nublc road that led from an
eminence called Carters Mountain IN the
village. When one OF them SAID. Let
us consult MIR Jefferson. he received no
reply; he had only uttered what was In
every mans heart at the same moment.
so they invited their illustrious neigh
Dor, who had but short while before
exchanged the White House for the ease
and comfort of his own Monticello. -
join their council and 10 aid them py MS
advice. Great was the astonishment or
the good men of the village when ne re-
iected their modest plans: but greater
still was their surprise when he urged
them to convert their paltry academy
at once into a college. and TO do something
that might rebound 10 the credit. not only
Of their good county OF Albemarie. but
of the State OF Virginia
HAD THouGsr OF Ir BEFORE.
II was no new thing. however. with Mr.
Jefferson. this idea Of a great college fer
his native State. As far back az the year
i7a3, when he was called upon by the
General Assembly Of Virginia to prepare
a code OF laws he had Incorporated TN II.
not only a provision for a university Dut
complete scheme OF free common
schools
Now, however. when relieved of his
grave and oppressive duties as head or "a
great nation he reverted with increased
ardor 10 his first love. and with an energy
and affection very touching In man so
eminent among the great OF the world.
and SO overw helm "a with work and admi-
ration alike. he devoted himself heart and
soul to his favoritc idea. the building up
OF "A great university. After subscribing
a thousand dollars for the new school,
an example which was al once followed
by eight of hts more opuient neishbors.
he obtained a charter for the new Cen
trail College" refusing with wonted mod
esty the use OF his own name for the IN
stitution. and forthwith proceeded 10 Sc
lect the site and erect the buildings.
Presidents Madison and Monroe. his
SUCCESSORS lent him all the wisdom and
worldly experience that had rendered
them famous In the councils OF the ma
ton and at the rudder Of the ship Of
state; and Joseph Carrington Cabeil stood
by his side. fighting his battles In the Leg
islature. and winning many a victory over
public and private enemies which his IL
lustrous friend could not easily have OBJ
tanned. In 1917 the three Presidents met
In solemn council at Monticello 10 discuss
the details of university, and from
that day the university became the sub
ject OF his most earnest efforts during
advanced manhood. as IL was the last care
OF his declining years.
BY the agencv OF a gentleman unknown
10 Mr. Jefferson. a literary fund had been
created by act OF Legislature. II consist
ed OF the proceeds from certain escheats,
forfeitures. nnes. property dereict, and
similar sources OF smaller value. and wac
intended to provide for the educational
wants OF the state. At later period IL
was largely increased by considerab
sums OF money paid by the Government
OF the United States to Virginia for SER
vices rendered and sacrifices made during
the war OF independence. This fund per-
haps first suggested to Mr.. Jefferson the
possibility OF carrying out his pet scheme.
Ia the following year. acting In accord
ance with an act passed In early spring,
and authorizing the use OF 1900 annually
for the primary education Of the poor.
and $1,000 TO endow and support n unit
versity. commissioners met at Rockhsh
Gap TO digest and prepare the necessary
measures.
They agreed unanimously that Central
College should be hereafter the "Univer-
sity Of Virginia"
In the following year, 1879, the General
Assembly granted charter for the new
Institution and no more striking proof
can be given OF the earncsfness with
which the great founder pursued the dar-
ling device OF his later years than the
fact that ne transcribed with his own
hand. and in his welI-known. beautiful
writing. the minutes OF the board down
TO the smallest detail.
OPENED IN 1925.
The buildings originally intended for
the Central College. but now considerably
enlarged. so as TO nt them for "A univer-
sity soon began 70 rngross hts whole at
tention. Each OF the professors houses.
which he preferred Gaining pavilions. was
adorned with "A Grecian portico. skilled
sculptors and able carvers were by him
imported from Italy for the special pur-
pose Of copying In costly marble the best
models. and he himself, watched over
their faithful execution e0 the smallest
detail. The upper side OF the long quad
rangie was subsequently, inciosed by
large rciunda, built after the model or
the Pantheon at Rome. though reduced
20 one-third Of Its size. and deprived Of
its lofty columns, except In front
Aided By his faithful friend and coAd-
tutor. Mr.. cabeIl he appealed to the
Legislature again and again. obtaining
now an appropriation and now loan.
Ill three hundred thousand dollars had
been spent upon the principal buildings.
including the rotunda.
on the TN day Of March. ISIS. the uni
versity was solemniy opened in the pres
ence OF all the professors except Mr..
1ucker) and forty students. which num-
Der was Increased during the session 10
one hundred and twenty three.
When Mr.. jefferson expired on the 9Th
of July. is2s, he left behind him no proud
line OF the inscription he directed to be
placed upon his tombstone: