The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-06-30


manded. The original building thus
auspiciously started is still standing.
but having outlived Its usefulness for
its original function is now utilized as
a residence by one of the instructors
at the university. This building was
designed by Jefferson, who formulated
the whole architectural scheme which
is in itself sufficient to render the
University OF Virginia notable.
Indeed, the circumstance that Thorn
as jefferson was the architect OF tho
beautiful home of the University Of
Virginia. as well as the founder of this
seat OF learning. renders II particular
ly fitting that It should, in accordance
with his wish. be regarded as his en-
during monument. Although the fact
may not be so well known the versa.
tile Thomas Jefferson was az much
genius In architectural work as he
was in literary expression, as evil
denced by the Declaration OF Indepen-
dence. He designed his home. the
mansion Monticello. which remains to
this day a masterpiece OF Colonial ar.
chitecture. and his influence had much
TO do with the formulation OF the plan
for the white house at Washington
building which embodies some OF
the features found also at Monticello.
Always the Leading Spirit.
Like other great men, jefferson did
not always have his own way. even
with his neighbors and fellow-Virgin-
ians. lie had hard struggle to have
his university. which was known at
first simply as Central college. formal.
| ly accepted as the state university.
but he continued his missionary work
In behalf OF this cause for years. and
finally in 1919 the legislature passed
| "A formal act making the new institu-
ton a state university In name and In
| fact. Even after this the undertaking
the spring of 1926 that the institution
was open to students. At the first
meeting OF the board OF the university
| Mr.. jefferson was elected rector and
until the time of his death In 1926 he
directed and dominated the university.
not only evolving the entire system OF
education introduced but actually de-
yising to the minutest details every
feature OF construction and organiza.
ton.
In formulating the plan and policy
OF this seat OF learning Jefferson dis.
played that same rare Judgment which
we see reflected In the Declaration OF
Independence. As originally organ
ized. the University OF Virginia con.
sisted OF eight independent schools
ancient languages. modern languages.
mathematics, natural philosophy.
chemistry, medicine, law, etc. Yet the
system presented an organization OF
perfect elasticity. A new realm OF
knowledge. opened by the advance Of
thought. could at any time be admitted
to the academic statehood with as
to the Union. Or. on the other hand.
Steady Growth Of University.
That this has worked out In prac.
tice Just as It promised In theory IL
evidenced by the fact that the whole
history OF the University Of Virginia
has been a continual record Of add
ton and expansion until now there are
more than two dozen schools. groupe
under six different departments.
There Is much OF historic interes
on every hand within the university
grounds. The original ONCE OF Thon
as Jefferson Is standing at one side
OF the court. and not far distant 10 the
room where DIR. McGuny wrote tie
school readers which are SO wet
known to every boy and girl who eve
attended the primary or grammar
grades Of our public schools. The Ii
brary building Is, as has been men
toned. a replica OF the Pantheon. one
third the size Of its Grecian model
Among the relics OF interest In the
rotunda Of this Library are autograph
letters OF Phillips Brooks and Madi
son and much Of the private CORE
spondence Of Jefferson. Among these
Jefferson letters are some written du
ring the closing years OF his life In
which he described the monument h(
desired to have erected over hii
grave. even to giving the dimensioni
and specifying the epitaph that was Il
be chiseled thereon. and which. by the
: way. enumerate the founding of thil
University OF Virginia and the authos
ship OF the Declaration of Indepen
dence as the public services for which
he is commended to the memory q
posterity. The University Of Virgins
has been referred to ~ the child o.
JefYerson's old age but certainly n
man with the enthusiasm Of you'll
! could labor more energetically thai
he did to realize his ideal Of greai
, democratic institution Of learning.