The Portland daily press., 1899-04-28

stately ELEVATION SOME uietaueo A'c.h s'se
college buildings, known as Mount Jensr-
son, which furnishes an unobstructcd
horizon. Tho principal building Is ro-
tunda forty five feet In diameter ana con-
tains the great Clark Tefractor OF twenty
six inches aperture. Back OF IL Is group
of picturesque mountains, In when the
fancy of kdgar A. Poe used TO wander In
search of mysteries when he was stu
dent here, and they are the scenes OF some
Of his most fascinating stories.
popularity of the University OF VIZ
ginia is "freedom." MIR. jefferson seems
TO have he'd that word In his mind con-
tnuslly. 81 have SWORN" he said, upon
The altar OF God eternal hnstilitys. against
every form Of tyranny over the mind OIL
man" and in framing the organization
of this institution he introduced every
form of freedom that could be applied
The memt ers OF the faculty arc iree to
exercise their own ju augment within their
Jurisdiction. The University OF
Virginia Is the only Institution of its
kind in this country without president.
For convenience in transacting business
thelfacnlty elects a chairman from among
Its own members ana appoints commit
tees to look after the various interests OF
the institution. But SO long as be attends
properly to his duties and satisfies the re-
quirements of the board of visitors each
professor Is ut tho head of an independent
school. and can arrange the work and
prescribe the instruction Of his students.
At the same time the student is free In
selecting his studies. There II no pre-
scribed course. lie can follow any line
of learning he likes. He is free to go and
come as pleasss him best, but he must lie
a gentleman and must learn enough to
pass his examinations before he can get u
degree. He is free from all espionage by
the faculty. There is no compulsory at.
tendance at chapel or elsewhere. The
rules require from every student decor
Gus, sober and upright conduct as long ms
he remains u member of the university,
whether he oe within its precincts or
not.'' "1f in the opinion of the faculty
any student be not fulfilling the purposes
for which he ought TO have come, the
faculty may require him to withdraw
after informing him Of the objections -
his conduct and affording him an oppor-
tunity of explanation and defense. y
Drunkenness, gambling and dissolutensss
2rofane language. extravagant habits,
visiting barrooms or gaming. tables. the
use OF possession OF firearms, the contrac-
| tion of debts, the Introduction or the use
of Intoxicating drinks within the pre-
cincts OF the university ara absolutely for
b.dden because they are not considered
proper habits fer a gentleman, and the
University Of Virginia Is intended ex-
clusively for that class of society.
What is known es 1.-THE honor system"
has alwsys prevailed. The faculty as
sumes that every student is an honorable
and truthful man, and all business and
discipline proceed on that assumption.
Nest Ct the discipline is left TO the stu
dents themselves. The university Is a
little republic where self-government pre-
walls. and personal honor Is sacred. lhe
spirit of manliness makes every student
careful of his own and his comrades be-
bayior. When q boy shows a lack of self
M ptnIafae "a nrOnriaflpa auch
an extent as to unfit him to be an asso-
ciate Tor honorat lie young men 1t seldom
requires the Intervention of the faculty
t. separate him from the institution. The
students look after that themsel ves.
Every ono tells me that the honor sys-
TEN works well, and its success Is the
proudest boast Of the university. DIR.
Barringer. who is CT airman of the faculty
and therefore chief guardian of the morals
Of the institution, is thoroughly convinced
than 1t is the best pan that could be
adopted.
The rules say that morality and relig-
ion IRE recognized as the foundation and
Indispensable ooncomitnnts of education.
Great efforts are made to surround the
students with religious influences, but
experience having proved thaJ lt Is best
to fcrbear the employment Of coercion,
the attendance upon religious exercises IL
entirely voluntary. Prayers are held
Quoted twice On Sunday in tho university
chapel by clergymen invited from the
principal religious denominations,
OF the 5SS students nearly all come from
families who are connected with religious
organizations About 30 per cent are
episcopalians, 20 per cent preshytsrians,
Is per cent baptists. 10 per cent metho-
dists, and nearly every other faith is rep
resented, including quite number of
Catholics and Jews Fifty per cent OF the
students are members of some church ut
home, 40 last year were active members
of the Young Mems Christian association,
aid the attendance at chapel averages
about 1900. Religious instruction is car
ried on outside the institution by the
Young Mems Christian association, under
the direction of MIR. Bradnox, its general
secretary, and Prof. Kent, who Is chair
man of supervisory committees of the
faculty. Each term there is n course Of
lectures on religious and scriptural sub
jects, such as bible history, the Holy
Land, the Mosaic code of laws, the life of
Christ, the kings OF Israel, the literature
of the bible, the songs of the bible, the
history of prophecy and similar topics.
These lectures are delivered by gentlemen
of all denominations, elected for their
learning and other qualifications, but Sec
tartan teaching and theological discussion
are avoided.
One of the rules of the institution per-
mits all mini sters, and students who are
preparing for the ministry too, en- joys free
of cost, the privileges of the university, in
GLIDING tuition, attendance at lectures,
and recitations and the privileges of the
Libraries and laboratories.