The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-09
TIE UNIVERSITY ROTUNDA.
II Is Renewed In Greater Beauty But
YET the Same.
AN OMEN TPAT HAS BEEN FULFILLED
During the Memorable Fire the Old Clock
stopped att ivc Minutes Before Twelve
showing That the Institution Had
Not Reac hed the Zenith OF Flower

UNIVERSITY or VIRGINIA. Jan. g.
The central and most striking archi-
tcctural feature OF the "Acadcmical VII
iage" planned by Mr. jefferson. was.
and will Always be. the Rotunda. IL
stands alone both on account OF its in
trinsic beauty and great historic interest.
IL never grows trite. Those who have
lived from year 10 year beneath It's very
shadow, never pass without being i'm
pressed with the perfect harmony OF
the whole structure. The noble pOriiCo
with its massive Corinthan columns
crowned with their capitals Of italian
marble and above all the great hemi-
sphere covering this simple building Of
majestic lovelinoss.
The plans for the eNac. restoration Of
the Jefferson Rotunda" have been
strictly carried out so far as the exterior
is concerned. with ;he exception Of the
rear which has been greatly changed
and bcautincd. The low ierraced wings
o. the front OF the building known as the
"Oid Chapel ami Reading Room" have
been repeated in the rear and these
two wings are connected on each side
ny arcados. forming two courts. This
gives. adjacent 10 the Library. two adj
diional class rooms TO be used by the
Law School The fat tops OF these
wings have been made into connected
balconies. having cement floors and "A
low railing OF the same material.
The terrace Of the destroyed annex has
been retained ana made into an esplanade
which communicates with the main
grounds by a flight Of broad. white steps
passing through the middle OF the ram
parts" as the old rock wall at the hear is
called.
The rear porfico is identical with that
in front but the marble capitals sur
mounting the columns OF both. will not
be carved until later. The entire rOtunda.
together with the wings. have been re-
stored IN firc-proof materials, The dome OF
the rotunda being covered with copper.
SINGLE DOME ROOM.
Many persons. from reasons OF senu-
rnent. would have preferred the restora-
ton OF the interior OF the Totunda exactly
as 1t was planned by Mr.. Jefferson. But
this has not been done for It Is an I'M
questionable fact that he would. had he
been able at the time il was built. have
preferred a single domed room thus
carrying out more nearly the plan Of its
superb original. the Pantheon Of Rome.
II was only necessity which induced Mr..
jefferson 10 cut the rotunda into two
stories instead OF adopting the single
vaulted room 10 be used exclusively as
a library as has been done-only two class
rooms being now under this roof. and
both of these are in the basement. one
IS 20 be used as a law library and the
other as a reading room.
The beauty of the exterior &, II posi-
bic. surpassed by that of the interior
A noble room. with fits circle Of Corinth-
ian pilars-its mosaic pavement double
galleries cornice-balustrade, and dome
ornamental with consultations surround
ed by circle OF American eagles =, flood
Of light streams in from an aperture Of
seomeirically patterned glass IN the
center Of the dome.
The work of putting in book shelves is
being hurried forward, and before long
the librarian will begin his tremendous
task Of rearranglng the books in their
pld quarters. as well as the portraits saved
from the fire. the jefferson statue, the
Minor bust etc.
A movement was set on foot last ses-
sion 10 raise funds. having for its object
the establishment Of Poe Memorial in
the new library Of the University. The
movement was inausurated quite late In
the session and consequently the cOntri-
buttons OF last year form but a nucleus
of the fund which the committee hopes
90 collect during 81 and rs. 1t seems
most proper that the University should
thus honor her alumnus most distinguish
ed in literature and the establishment OF
bust TO the great poet In an. alcove OF
the library which has boon set aside by
the visitors for the Poe collection OF books
relics. etc. has been considered the most
fitting tribute Poos name has been in
scribed along with other immorials in
literature or the encirclng base OF the
upper gallery
HISTORIC WALLS.
The old rotunda, Renewed IN greater
beauty but yet the same. These walls
have echoed TO the tread Of Jefferson,
Madison and Monroe. Here. in this room
LAFAYETTE. the nations guest" was en-
tertained by professors and students in
1924. aud hero The Tall Sycamore Of the
Wabash" swayed the hearts of hundreds
by his magic eloqucnce.
Robbed of none Of her sacred memories
and traditions. the beloved Alma Mater
has risen again in more than her pristine
glory--the pride. not only Of Virginia,
but OF the entire South
A new bell hiss been presented 10 the
University by the 80. V. V. Dramatic
Club" and was rung FOR tho first time on
September L.. 1897. IL bears this quaint
inscription:
The spirit OF this place
} rule by heavens grace.
The ivory gates Of sleep
Ope AT my NIT rance deep
TO work. to praise. and 20 pray,
I call. and men obey.
Who doth my will resist
Has lies true meaning missed;
Who yields 20 my control
Finds light for mind and soul"
The site selected for the new buildings
l. NJ
sentimental grounds. Tho thanksgiving
away as 1t does on the south side Of the
road allows tho academical building and
The physical and mechanical laboratorie:
70 appear but one story high. while, II
-ealiy. on account OF the steep grade al
he rear they count for two. The supre
macy % the rotunda over all the othol
buildings Of the group. is thus preserved
For these buildings the lawn has beer
extended az its southern end by tho add
h7n OF a court 300 feet broad and 200 fee
se.p-reached by two terraces
THE NEW BUILDINGS
In all three Of the new buildings. ;
strictly classical type OF design has beer
carried out. thus creating an harmonious
addition to the original Jenersoniai
group. In the centre is the academica
building. Above the poriico supported
by its Ionic columns is written this In
sciiption in Crock: And ye shall know
the truth and the truth shall make yoi
free" which inscription is interpreted be