The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-28
OUR GLORIOUS
UNIVERSITY.
Its Restoration from the Disastrous
Fire Of 1895.
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.
Its High Standards and Its Claims
Upon the support Of the People,
the Legislature and Its Alumni
The New Structures.


verslty and the finals OF the Colleges
and High Schools being now ended. the
occasion is propitlous for notice in your
wldely-read paper OF the present condi-
ton and future prospects OF the noble in
stitution which, according 70 the concep-
ton OF its great founder. should form the
apex Of the educational pyramid of the
State.
Well did the Hon. James c. Carter the
leading lawyer Of the American bar in
his admirable address before the literary
societies of the University, employ the
following language:
Never more than at tho present time
has there been a greater necessity for
studying and teaching within the walls
of the universities the true principles OF
republican liberty and the practical art
OF applying them TO human affairs. Re-
creant, indeed would this University be
10 the fame Of its founder to the pur-
pose for which it was established. and to
its own obligations 20 present and future
times II II failed 10 maintain not In the
spirit OF dogmatism but Of devotion TO
truth, those great principles upon which
free popular government stands
The present day witnesses most graf
flying renaissance OF the political philos-
ophy, the political ideas. or JEFFERSON.
Among the aphorisms which he most fire.
quently emphasized was the postulate
that nothing more than education ad-
vances the prosperity, the power and the
happiness OF a nation"
His wel-known plan comprehended
scheme in an ascending scale, from the
elementary public school 10 the academy.
thence to the college. and finally 70 tho
university. lie conceived a noble struc-
ture whose foundations rested on the
common schools and whose proportions
rislng through the academy and the col
lego. assembled in its elimination 10 the
supreme university. which. like crown
OF glory. should mingle its ethereal beau
ties with the blue canopy OF the skies.
MARROW MINDED BIGOTRY.
Mr.. Editor. does II not seem surprising
that I'm a legislature where every man
vies with his next-door neighbor in su-
perlative Inscriptions TO the name and
fame Of Jefferson, there should appear
parsimonlous spirit 10 circumscrlbe and
dwarf the great institution to which he
gave the exclusive devotion OF the last
fifteen years Of his life, and which he re-
garded as the chiefest factor in the Gre
alton and preservation OF an enlighted
sentiment of free republican liberty?
l1h liAl AllI.N = In r y L.
But from this depression ! must return
10 more particular treatment of my
theme.
The University commencement was one
OF the memorable events. perhaps the
most memorable in its brilliant career. q
was a great occasion. The new buildings
had been completed and were to be form
ally presented TO the state. From far and
near the alumni and friends OF the Uni
ycrsity came TO witness the interesting
event. and many eminent professors from
other institutions. North and South. were
present 10 testify their interest. On the
second day Of the high festival the rec
tor Of the Board OF Visitors turned over
the new structures 10 Governor Tyler as
the representative % the State.
What were these new structures? THIS
brings US. by a natural suggestion 70
the calamity OF October. 1895. Who dar-
ed TO hope that the fearful catastrophe
would prove 10 be n blessing In disguiseE
Yet the sequel shows that such was the
fact. The multiplication Of the schools or
departments. I'm keeping abreast with tho
progress Of the arts and sciences was
calling loudly for additional halls ana
buildings. without a corresponding re-
sponse from the alumni, or the LeSisla-
ture. I'm providing the requisite FUNDS Inc
Great calamity instantly awakened a pro-
found feeling that the beloved university
must be rescued from the disaster ana
restored I'm grander proportions ana IN
greater beauty. .-.,,,,.r,- 1,r-,pS
THE PROGRESS IN THIRTY YEARS,
I'm the thirty years that inter en- ~
between the close Of the war ana .n7
6isostrous fire there had beer an I'M
al
force and OF the equimpent TOT ADVANCE
,,,,iversit,, work. In 1867 two new schools
we're founded. namely, those OF ahaiyu-
cal chemistry and applied mathematics.
Tho chemical laboratory was built' ana
tho Museum OF Industrial Chemistry col
iacfed soon after. in 1Sl2. the Mlll'r
furd founded the School Of Biology ana
Aoriculture In 1876 came the gift OF the
Natural History Museum, and In 1913 tne
endowment Of the Schools or historical
Science and Natural History. Be,Wtth
1879 and 1881 the alumni raised S'oVo
for a School OF Practical Astronomy;
william II. Vanderbilt aaded S@o'y" 10
n working fund and Leander j. NC
Cormick gave the great equatorial tele-
scope valued at $4,000. and an sboeo
building to contain it. Then a Mechanl-
cal Laboratory was added. and, lastly
the Faverweather Gymnasium.
During this period Qrom 1866 70 lSi")
three new chairs were added on the 1T
erary side and six on the scientlhc' De-
side numerous adjunct professorships
Put despite the buildings erected. there
was an imperative demand for enlarged
accommodations
Al this iuncture the calamity that be-
fen the University instantly reused IT'S
alumni from their lethargy. and moved
the always reluctant Legislature TO mani
fest I'm this emergency an unwonted IN
eralltv-not indeed, commensurate with
the high occasion. but nevertheless ade-
ouate with individual contributions. for
the restoration Of the institution.
The Rotunda has been restored more
IN accordance with the original plan or
Mr.. Jefferson than II was before the
fire. Viewed from without II is pic
ture Of exquisite classic art. while within
the circle of Corinthian columns. mosai"
eoor double galleries. cornice hollue-
trade and sky-Nehted star-studded dome
present a spectacle OF indescribable
beauty.
THE NEW STRUCTURES.
The lawn has been extended Tor
five hundred feet. and at its south
49,