The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-27

even In part In adopting the classical
style, he displayed his practical fore
sight as we'll as his artistic taste.
Here 1 am Madam" he wrote to u
FRENCH Countess from Mines, gazing
| whole hours at the Maison Quarree,
| like n lover at his mistress this
i is the second time I have been In
love since / left Paris The first was
| with Diana at Beaujolals this
you Will say was in rule to fall in
love with a female beauty, but with
house! 1t is out of all precedent
No, madam, 1t is not without prece-
| dent in my own history While I
was in Paris was violently smitten
| with the Hotel de Salm, and used 20
go to the TuIleries almost daily to
look at H."
| Was 1t singular that a man SO full
OF architectural sentlmentaIity as
these words disclosed, should have
fairly wreaked his sense of beauty
when he came to build that new uni
versity? Il was not simply nropin-
guilty to Monticello that caused him
to urge the selection of Charlottes-
VILE as Its site. Its establishment
there would make necessary the erec-
tion from the very ground of the
entire set of academic structures.
Could chance have offered him a no
bier opportunity for the display Of
his classical leanings? And could
that opportunity have been more no
Oily used? There is not another
scholastic institution in the United
States. and few throughout the world.
so artistically sheltered. so beautifully
| housed.
Jefferson's central purpose was to
found an academic village. each mart
link in the chain of all the parts,
and all In the most perfect architec-
| tural harmony, though as varied as an
alienation or combination of the Do
ric. Ionic. and Corinthian styles could
make them. 1t was ADAPTING the
chastely severe but exquis!tely sym.
metrical Roman Temple, Theatre. and
Pantheon to the ends OF the most
perfect utility.
When Poe matriculated on February
IA. 1925. the main plan Of the univer-
sity buildings had been finally en-
bodied In brick and mortar. The aca-
demic village consisted Of ten pavil-
ions, each of a different architectural
character. but all fronting on a CEN
trail terraced lawn. Between the pa
vilions. there was situated a range "
dormitories. only one story in altf-
tude. facing colonnade of the height
or the lower story OF the pavilions
and composed of square brick pilas-
tiers with Tuscan entablature. Each
pavilion was occupied by professor
who was authorized to reserve one OF
the apartments on the ground floor
for his lecture hall dormitory was
large enough to afford suricient room
for two students.
The noble rotunda at the head OF
the central lawn. which was modelled
on the Pantheon, was not yet fin
lshed.
The general effect of the combined
|
with their blending of dark roofs
| white pillars. and red facings, was
even when Poe first saw them one Of
Imposing dignity, which must have
'ne far. In his discerning eyes, to
rye as substitute for that inspir-
! 'g background OF immemorial learn
ing and culture-that subtle, name
less. and indefnable spell OF misty
traditions which the centuries alone
can impart even to the greatest seat
or knowledge and schola rship
II there was little in the inner or
the outer aspect OF Je1erson's aca-
demic village to remind Poe of the
Manor House School at stoke New
ington. there was much to recall that
school in the nationality, and in the
ripe classical culture. Of at least four
members of the faculty. Mr.. jefferson
mad. after a number OF fruitless invi-
tations to American scholars. native
or by adoption, been compelled-per-
| maps. however. with no poignant re-
luctance-to send the accomplishe ed
| Gilmer TO London and Oxford to pro-
cure occupants for the several import
ant chairs to be filed The popular
feeling when the proposal to do this
came before the board of visitors. was
expressed by General Blackburn: IT
cannot" he said. conceal my predi-
lection for American teachers and
American Especially virginian) man
ners, and the fear that foreign pro
| fessors may introduce into our insti-
tuition foreign opinions and customs
! allen to the simplicity OF republican
manners adopted by our government"
He admitted. however. that the board
was constrained to go abroad
The first session of the university
began on March Z. 1925 Poe, as we
have already stated. matriculated in
February of the ensuing year. Among
the members of the faculty at that
time were the following four Eng
lishmen: George Long, Thomas Hewitt
Key Charles Bonnycastle, and Robly
Dunglison. George Tucker, native
of Bermuda, a British dependency. also
occupied a chair; and another was
| flled by John Patton Emmett. n ma
| tive of Ireland. and close kinsman
| of the unfortunate patriot OF that sur
| name.
| Perhaps the most learned member
/ OF this accomplished group WAS Pro-
! lessor Long. of the chair OF Ancient
| Languages. to whom Poe appears to
have been chiefly In debt for the
ripest fruits of his university train
ing. Long justly enjoyed wide repu-
tation for profound attainments. for
the incest and most scrupulous accu-
| recy. and for a frank detestation OF
| all shallow pretensions to proficiency
In the studies In which he shone. Ills
mastery knowledge OF his subject"
said one who had sat under him In
| spired his students with the highest
conception of true scholarship
| The other professor whose lectures
| were attended by Poe was George
hBlaetterman. of the many sided chair
OF Modern Languages-a man not so
| winning in his nersonalitY rs Long