Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-28
The Fire at the University al
Nirgiuia.

The fire which occurred at the University
OF Virginia yesterday resulted not Only
In the loss Of property Of great money
value. but in the destruction Of artieies
which no money can replace.
Walls. roofs, and floors may be re-
stored. and of books and paintings or the
ordinary sor; there are plenty mat may
he bought. But in the library Of the uni
versi,, there were many precious manu-
scripts and hundreds Of volumes 'ha'
came from the estates Of jefferson Mon
roe. and Madison Many OF The books
contained marginal notes in the Willihs
nj these WORTHLESS, while every niche ana
nook of the library was filled with some
paper or painting. some souvenir or me-
mento Of the ilmstrious founder OF the
university. and Of Ihe other great men
who have helped TO make il the centre
OF learning that 1t is
\ loss such as this Detailing the uni
yersity is felt not only as a calamity to
that institution, but to Virginia, the
country. and the world. As Yet we only
know that the main building was nearly
destroyed: what was lost and what was
saved from it We are not yet informed
Beneath this roof which. because of us
stately dome. was q landmark for miles
around, Were the library. the public hall,
or large lecture-room. and various other
fecitation-rooms. offices. etc. In the IL
prarv was a marble statue of Jefferson
BY Gait; in the hall was fuli-sized copy
" the great painting. 1.-THE School or
Athens" while here and there were other
works of the sculptor and painter, less
IMPOSING but not Of less value.
All OF the drawings of this building
Mere supervised by Mr. Jefferson. and the
,otunda was modelled after the Pantheon.
ykilled workmen were brought from faiy
TO carve the capitals Of the columns in
he rotunda, and the general work OF
construction was we'll done. Altogether.
This main building, with its spacious
portico and imposing dome. was a com
handing and convenient structure, While
Is position. at the head OF beautiful
lawn. lined with professors residences
md students dormitories. added TO the
charm Of its appearance.
From the length of time that the fire
fudge that many articles OF value. scien-
life apparatus. etc. may have been saved
from the wreck, and we should think that
tho work OF the session would not be
interrupted long. The new chapel, the
gymnasium, and the museum buildings.
all OF which are large. are uninjured. and
we guess, could he pressed into use tenn
porarily az class-rooms. We entertain no
soubt that the faculty and Board of
Visitors will go to work with all prompt
ness and energy, TO make such temporary
arrangements as are needful for the cons
,inuatlon OF the work Of the professors
and students.
The loss is covered to some extent by
insurance: the remainder of 1t will fail
upon the owner, the State. whose DUTY
IL will be to see to the restoration OF
the building and contents, as far as pos
sble.
Looking at the smoking pile in which
Is buried SO much that was precious
In their sight. the men of the university
must feel as IL stricken by IA personal
loss This feeling will be shared by thou
sands OF the alumni. no matter where
their homes may be. But there is much
consolation In knowing that the work
VI this institution Ia so We'll understood
and 80 highly appreciated that its friends
will rally to its help In great numbers
and with Irresistible energy, and that the
voice OF the people OF Virginia will bt
In favor OF such state aid as the necessi-
ties of the case may demand. This item.
pie. dedicated to science and liberty" Gas
Madison called ~ must suffer no i'm.
pairment Of Its facilities for continuing
Its work.
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