Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-28
ANOTHER SKETCH.
An Institution the Lcngthened
shadow of One Man.

AN institution is the heightened sha-
dow Of one man" No better illustration
OF these words could be given than the
University of Virginia. Seventy years
have passed since the death OF that great
statesman and scholar. Thomas Jefferson,
yet his teachings and touch are felt AZ
this university az though he had lived but
yesterday Nestled among the Blue Ridge,
about one hundred miles from Richmond,
was the spot selected by jefferson as
the site for this university. a ride OF one
mile from Charlottesville on the electric
car brings you TO the grounds or the UNI
versity, while the great dome or the ro-
tunda can be seen for miles IN All direc-
tons. What especially strikes the eye
OF the visitor is the variety OF the archi-
lecture. Old Rome. medieval Europe,
and our American architecture are blend
"a with background or Blue Ridge
forming O picture not soon forgotten by
the stranger who views 1t for the first
time. jefferson himself made an original
survey Of the grounds and in the most
mathematical and painstaking way To-
Gated every building. The rotunda, which
stands in the centre OF the campus, Is
modelled after the Pantheon, and used
for the purpose OF n library. while the
lower floor is divided into recitation
rooms, etc. The professors houses are
at intervals Oh each side OF the rOtunda,
separated by arcades from which open
the single rooms OF the students. an odd
and striking feature Of the architecture.
for here one is reminded OF monkish cells.
and the walls Of some old monastery. An
other strikingly beautifus feature are the
facaGes in front Of the professors houses,
The Theatre OF Marcellus Is the design
for the house occupied 20 long by that
great professor OF law, John Il. Minor.
who for fifty years has taught the law
and the reason thereof" and whose death
a few months ago was q loss mourned
not only by this great university but by
the world OF his profession. Near by are
the designs Of the Baths OF Discletan,
the Baths Of Carracalla. and the Temple
OF Fortuna Virillls
TRAINED THE WORKMEN.
jefferson not only made every drawing
for the university but he himself trained
his brickmakers, masons, and carpenters
designing tools and various contriVances
10 facilitate their work. for ne had a de-
cided taste and talent for mechanical
matters. with mind so varied, an in
tellect so great he could write the De-
claratIon of Indie Dendsnce, which Glad
stone declares the most wonderful effort
ever planned ana penned by the brain
and hand OF one man." and with the
simplicity OF child instruct the work
men engaged on HE last great hfe's
work. skilled labor in those days being
the exception. not the rule. one or two
skilled workmen were brought from
Italy to carve the marble capitals OF the
classic columns which support the por-
ticos Of the rotunda. and the pavilions
in which the professors live but most
OF this great work was done by native
workmen under Jefierson's eye and
guiding hand.
The grounds OF the university embrace
some 900 acres. and as endowments have
been made and the funds OF the univer-
slty have increased, professors houses
and various buildings have been added.
The house buiL in 1893 by President
Monroe is now the property OF the uni
yersity and used as Il professors house.
The standard OF the university Is
very high one. Especially is this the case
IN medicine and law. and IL is a we'll
known matter OF record that tho gradu-
ates OF this university have been rarely
rejected when they have appeared be-
fore the Examining Board Of Surgeons
for the United States army and navy.
! heard one of the greatest statesmen
and orators of New York say: II con-
est work OF that great man, jefferson.
and had my education now TO be made
would make it at the University Of
Virginia In preference to any institution
OF learning upon earth
IMPROVEMENT.
II IS very generally known that at
this university exists a remarkable sys-
TEN OF sef-government and "all-honor
system" established by jefferson. by
which a high morale and manly tone OF
self-reliance has been successfully main
tanned. This is in marked contrast to the
Old time method OF supervision and
espionage. Jefferson, in a report on this
subject. says: THE best mode OF gov
eminent of youths in large collections is
certainly desideration not yet attained
by US II may be we'll questioned whether
fear after a certain age is motive 10
which we should have ordinary RECOURSE
The human character Is susceptible OF
other indictments TO correct conduct
more worthy of employ. and Of better et-
feet. Pride Of character, laudable ambi-
ton and moral dispositions are innate
correctives of indiscretion5 Os that lively
age and. when strengthened by habitual
appeal and exercise, have a happier et-
feet on future character than the degrao-
ing sense OF fear. The afiectiOnate de-
pertinent between father and son offers
in truth the best example for that or
tutor and pupil, and the experience or
other countries in this respect may De
worthy OF inquiry and consideration with
US" The honor system. as established
by jefferson. has been most successfully
carried out in this university Confidence
is repOsed In the students, and they are
allowed 10 exercise college discipline by
means OF the honor system. This system
has been successfully proved as extended
TO examinations, and II Is interesting to
note that such a thing as cheating at
examination is very rare, although the
students during the hours set for
examination is allowed the fullest free
dom. The few instances that have oc-
Cured OF a student taking an unfair adj
vantage, is proof OF the good working
of this system. for IL is the students
decision that practically expels the man,
as the power OF the faculty Is rarely
exercised Great caution - used by the
students In taking such step. The case
must be thoroughly proved before the
guilty party is told he must leave. as lit
tie publicity as possible Is given the mat
ter, so that student thus expelled has
an opportunity for new life, but not in
this university.
ONE or THE LAST LETTERS.
In almost the last letter penned by
Jefferson. shortly before his death. he
says: "Our university Is the last of my
mortal cares. and the last service / can
render my country" II was not TO the
State of Virginia that Jefferson bequeath-
Cd this last work. hut 10 his country.
which he had honored, loved. and served.
In letter Of President Madison's a few
days after Jefferson's death, he says:
1.-THE University Of Virginia as a temple
dedicated 10 science and liberty was after
Jeffersons retirement from the political