THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
MEMORIES OF HER STUDENT-LIFE AND PROFESSORS
Thomas Jefferson, at sixty
1743-1826
See page 21
FRONTISPIECE
THE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Memories of Her Student-Life and Professor
By
DAVID M. R. CULBRETH, M. D.
" Haec olim meminisse ju*vabit
NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON
THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1908
COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY
THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
THOMAS JEFFERSON — STUDENTS' BENEFACTOR AND EXEMPLAR
PAGE
Early knowledge of him and that gained through various conversa-
tions with Mr. Wertenbaker, who remembered him well, as he
did his younger friend Edgar Allan Poe; personal character-
istics of Mr. Jefferson as outlined by Randall, Webster, Ran-
dolph, Smith, and himself; estate — depreciation of; hospitality,
financial troubles. Students' surprise and appreciation; his
principles and epigrams, etc 21
CHAPTER II
THOMAS JEFFERSON — AMBITIOUS YOUNG MAN AND STATESMAN
Father's characteristics and prominence; his own early life, educa-
tion, experience at William and Mary College ; personal sorrows ;
lawyer, member of the House of Burgesses, Continental Congress,
and Congress; Shadwell destroyed; marriage; death of Dabney
Carr and its episode ; Patrick Henry's great speech ; John Adams'
eulogy; Declaration of Independence — when, where, and how
composed ; religious liberty, public reforms ; diffusion of knowl-
edge; Governor, Northwestern Territory; Minister to France,
Secretary of State, etc 39
CHAPTER III
THOMAS JEFFERSON — IDEAL PARENT AND PRESIDENT
Retires to Monticello; daughter Martha — Mrs. Thomas Mann Ran-
dolph— becomes its mistress; Rochefoucauld-Liancourt's visit;
Excise Law, revolts in Pennsylvania; Curtius and Camillus; Jay
Treaty; Vice-President, Talleyrand, Alien and Sedition Acts;
President — Burr Vice-President; inauguration, address, princi-
ples; death of daughter Mary; Judge Samuel Chase, John Ran-
dolph ; Embargo Act ; administrations compared ; retirement,
declines public reception ; reconciliation with Adams ; employ-
ment, advocate and user of machinery; correspondence, etc. . 59
8 CONTENTS
CHAPTER IV
THOMAS JEFFERSON — ADVOCATE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION
PAGE
University of Virginia — interest in "Diffusion of Knowledge"; his
educational plan, bills incorporating same ; Quesnay French Acad-
emy; Swiss College of Geneva; correspondence with Joseph
Priestley; Mons. Dupont de Nemours; National University at
Washington ; Professor Pictet ; Joseph C. Cabell, Dr. Thomas
Cooper, Samuel Knox; sold library to Congress; letters to Dr.
Jones, Adams, Burwell; Lieutenant Hall's visit to Monticello;
educational plan submitted to Peter Carr; Albemarle Academy:
Central College — first Board of Visitors; Charles Fenton Mer-
cer's plan; Governor Nicholas' report, etc 77
CHAPTER V
THOMAS JEFFERSON — FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
The Mercer bill vs. Mr. Jefferson's; Mercer in Congress; Mr. Jef-
ferson's Educational Bill of 1817-1818; first report of Central
College proposing its conversion into the University of Virginia;
Mr. Jefferson's final draft and trial; dreams realized; difficulty
over location; Rockfish Commission — its report to Legislature;
final contest, Mr. Baldwin of Augusta; First Board of Visitors;
Mr. Jefferson chosen Rector ; University's architecture, plans, con-
struction; Dr. Thomas Cooper's opposition, religious apprehen-
sions ; selection of Ticknor and Bowditch ; buildings advanced ;
monetary difficulties ; religious doctrines ; Father of our Navy, etc. 96
CHAPTER VI
THOMAS JEFFERSON — CHAMPION OF FREE-RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT
Letters to Dr. Cooper and James Smith — religious conditions and
ideas ; student discipline ; denominational schools near the Uni-
versity; letter to Gallatin, ambition for the University — remitting
her debts, financial difficulties disappearing; correspondence with
Cabell; rotunda, begun ; letter to Judge Johnson defining object
of the Federalists; letter to Caftwright explaining State and
Federal powers ; letter to Adams concerning health . and the
University ; letter to President Monroe about " Monroe Doc-
trine " ; letters to Lafayette, Cabell, Jared Sparks and Van Buren ;
Gilmer seeking professors abroad; buildings .completed and
described; English professors arrive; University opened March
7,^1825. 116
CHAPTER VII
THOMAS JEFFERSON — DEFENDER OF " EQUAL RIGHTS TO ALL MEN "
Mr. Jefferson's letter to Giles ; defense against letter in Enquirer, by
"American Citizen"; letter to Madison concerning financial
CONTENTS 9
PAGE
embarrassment; Cabell's continued efforts in the Legislature for
education ; Mr. Jefferson's letter to the President, John Quincy
Adams; last visit to the University; letter to Weightman; final
week, and death ; Madison's letter of condolence ; funeral and
burial ; Andrew K. Smith's letter recounting his student days
and recollection of Mr. Jefferson's sickness and interment; re-
flections upon Mr. Jefferson's life and abilities 135
Luther M. Reynolds — academic and professional education — Pro-
fessors Allen, Horsford, Norton, Porter; his trip to Pennsylvania
and Kentucky, where he frequently saw and heard Henry Clay
make impressive speeches ; other experiences related and person-
ages encountered that enthused my youthful mind ; his high appre-
ciation of college training, and estimate of various institutions,
including the University of Virginia ; factors that led me to select
that University, etc 154
CHAPTER IX
MAIDEN TRIP TO WASHINGTON AND VIRGINIA
Leaving home for the University ; visit in Baltimore at my uncle's ;
short stop in Washington; first inspection of the Capitol; view
of the White House, Arlington; made a friend of the brakeman;
Alexandria — its seeming antiquated appearance; Orange and
Alexandria Railroad; Henry Knox, the courteous and obliging
brakeman; Fairfax, Bull Run, Manassas — Confederate cemetery
— Bristoe, Catletts, Warrenton Junction (Calverton), Bealeton,
Rappahannock, Brandy, Culpeper, Rapidan, Mitchell, Cedar
Mountain, Orange, Madison (Montpelier), Gordonsville, etc. . 173
CHAPTER X
ARRIVAL AT THE UNIVERSITY — MR. JEFFERSON'S CHILD AND PET
Last twenty-one miles — Gordonsville to Charlottesville ; Lindseys,
Keswick, Rivanna River, Shadwell — Mr. Jefferson's birthplace —
Monticello, his home and place of burial ; Charlottesville —
friendly greeting of students; arrival at the University; meeting
the Proctor, Major Peyton, and the Chairman, Colonel Venable,
with whom I dined ; letter from Colonel Charles Marshall ; select-
ing room ; passing of the first few days ; first letter home ; Uni-
versity work selected and begun — its character; meeting students;
mass meeting in the Court House, etc 193
io CONTENTS
CHAPTER XI
FIRST VISIT TO MONTICELLO — MR. JEFFERSON'S HOME AND GRAVE
PAGE
Monticello— visit to Lawrenceville and Princeton; Aaron Burr's
grave and tomb contrasted with those of Mr. Jefferson's ; pilgrim
students journeying on foot to his home and tomb; description
and dilapidation of both; now happily restored — the one by
Jefferson M. Levy, the other by act of Congress; his tomb in-
scription, also that of Dabney Carr ; home-letter to grandmother ;
secret fraternities; literary societies — Jeff and Wash; method of
electing officers, etc 210
CHAPTER XII
LITERARY SOCIETIES; DEBATES AND CELEBRATIONS
Became a member of the Jeff; recorded many of the debates, excerpts
from a few — Wickes, Saunders, Smith, Herron, Brent, Green,
Clark, etc.; trip home at Christmas; excerpts from diary; sick-
ness and death of Professor McGuffey; accident to room-mate —
Pearce; closing weeks of the session; remained for Commence-
ment; sermon by Rev. J. William Jones; Wash Celebration —
Richard H. Maury, John W. Stephenson, Fergus R. Graham;
Jeff Celebration — B. Chambers Wickes, William R. Alexander,
John Sharp Williams, etc 230
CHAPTER XIII
COMMENCEMENT— ADDRESSES AND BANQUET — SESSION 1872-73
Commencement of 1873 continued; memorial address on Professor
Gessner Harrison, by Rev. John A. Broadus; Joint Celebration
— Hon. Thomas F. Bayard; Commencement or Final Day —
alumni address by Ex-Governor Thomas Swann; alumni ban-
quet— to which a few of us students were invited to enjoy the
good things and speeches; escorted two of the honored guests,
Senator Bayard and Ex-Governor Swann, to Professor Venable's
home; death and funeral of Mr. Swann, etc 250
CHAPTER XIV
INCIDENTS AND COMMENCEMENT OF SESSION 1873-74
Session of 1873-74; democratic set of students; Professor Noah K.
Davis; excerpts from home-letters; Gen. Wade Hampton's lec-
ture; death of Mrs. Venable, also Dr. Henry Howard; Jeff and
Wash interests; Episcopal Convention; Commencement — sermons
by Revs. T. D. Witherspoon and James A. Duncan; Wash
Celebration — T. L. Raymond, R. A. Saulsbury, J. St. Clair
II
PAGE
Brookes; Jeff Celebration— F. F. Reese, M. W. Ransom, Jr.,
J. A. Powell ; Joint Celebration — Hon. John Goode, Gen. Jubal A.
Early; alumni address — Judge J. H. Kennard; session 1874-75;
Semi-centennial; Bayard Taylor, Daniel B. Lucas; Jeff and
Wash changes; Rev. Dr. Steel's marriage; Mrs. Cabell's death,
etc 271
CHAPTER XV
INCIDENTS AND COMMENCEMENT OF SESSION 1874-75
Session 1874-75 continued. Address of Rev. Dr. Randolph H. McKim ;
Selection of Jeff, and Wash, officers. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Robert
L. Dabney. Sermon by Rev. Dr. R. N. Sledd. Typhoid epi-
demic; Baseball games. Commencement — Semi-Centennial Cele-
bration : Sermon by Rev. Dr. W. T. Brantly ; Wash. Celebra-
tion— Geo. Ben. Johnston, Henry C. Stuart, Charles E. Nicol;
Jeff. Celebration — Benj. Fitzpatrick, A. M. Robinson, Leo N.
Levi. Alumni Celebration — Daniel B. Lucas, Gen. Jubal A.
Early, Robert M. T. Hunter ; Commencement Day — Gen. John S.
Preston; Alumni Banquet; Final Ball, etc 288
CHAPTER XVI
INCIDENTS AND COMMENCEMENT OF SESSION 1875-76
Session 1875-76: Sickness, death and funeral of Thomas Jefferson
Randolph. Home-letters — another visit to Monticello; failure
of the Charlottesville National Bank; Bible classes. Former and
present chaplains; Davis becomes business editor of the Maga-
zine. Professor Thornton succeeds Professor Boeck. Election;
Christmas ; Earthquake ; social pleasures, dancing. Edward H.
Squibb Gymnasium. Literary Societies. Davis — Sunday School
Supt. at Chapel. Visit to Rev. John T. Randolph's. Religious
meetings. John Jasper's sermon; Commencement — Ralph Waldo
Emerson, etc . . . 308
CHAPTER XVII
INCIDENTS AND PLEASURES OF SESSION 1876-77
Session 1876-77; Professor Gildersleeve missed. Sons of Confucius.
Tilden and Hayes campaign — dangers experienced. Dr. Dame's
sermon. Students' Minstrel Troup. Christmas. Dr. Wither-
spoon's sermon. Literary Societies. Boat Club. Trip to Staun-
ton. Baseball with Washington and Lee. Lexington as a seat of
learning — visit thereto ; her noted personages, living and dead.
Observance in Baltimore of Gen. Lee's death and burial — our
regrets that he and Jackson had not been connected with the
University; Jackson's ambition to succeed Professor Courtenay
in mathematics, etc 329
12 CONTENTS
CHAPTER XVIII
INCIDENTS AND COMMENCEMENT OF SESSION 1876-77
PAGE
General Lee's possible identification and association with the Uni-
versity; deaths of Commodore Maury and Mrs. Lee. Off for
Lexington, via Goshen; pleasant midnight reception, and sight-
seeing of the next two days. Gen. Hunter's destructive visit in
1864; Baseball game and banquet. Commencement, June, 1877.
Address by Maj. John W. Daniel. Final Day and Ball. First
regatta at Lynchburg, crowned with accident and defeat, etc. 348
CHAPTER XIX
PROFESSORS — PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS
The Professors — Mr. Jefferson's high ideal ; a noble band of faithful,
painstaking workers, especially interested in industrious students
to whom they extended social courtesies; our appreciation of
their talents and personalities — profound attention and respect in
class, etc. Charles S. Venable — appearance, dress, quick insight
of students ; interviews and visits after my University career ;
his address in Baltimore. William E. Peters — appearance and
characteristics ; great interest in his ambitious students — annoyed
by stupid laggards. Last visit to him, April, 1904 366
CHAPTER XX
PROFESSORS — PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS
Francis Henry Smith, characteristics, accomplishments and popular-
ity; loyal to his teacher and predecessor, William B. Rogers —
sketch of latter. Maximilian Schele De Vere, characteristics
and popularity ; students' pranks ; last visit to him, 1894 ; his
semi-centennial; value as an American scholar. Basil Lanneau
Gildersleeve, characteristics and traits ; war incidents ; class-
room diversions; regret at his leaving the University; personal
letters, etc 384
CHAPTER XXI
PROFESSORS — PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS
John William Mallet — characteristics and traits; beautiful lecturer,
accurate, safe and pains-taking experimenter; fine teacher with
much dignity. George Frederick Holmes, characteristics — tall
gaunt form; enjoyed students' applause, our strong regard for
him; a public lecturer of merit. John Staige Davis — personal
traits and magnetism, brilliant and healthful teacher, high sense
CONTENTS 13
PAGE
of honor, facetious humor, kind and sympathetic. James Law-
rence Cabell — distinguished personality, strong character, gifted
intellect, kind knowing physician ; personal letter. James Francis
Harrison — characteristics, brusque mannerism, popular with
students and in the University management 404
CHAPTER XXII
PROFESSORS — PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS
William Holmes McGuffey — appearance and dress, liberal thinker
and Presbyterian ; sickness, death, funeral, burial ; successor ;
life work and greatness. John Barbee Minor — great moral and
legal teacher; appearance, hard worker; Christian home life;
f loyal to the University during the Civil War. Noah Knowles
Davis — personal characteristics, close observer, deep thinker, hard
worker, mingled little with the world; Sunday afternoon Bible
lectures. Francis Perry Dunnington — appearance, reserved man-
ner, accurate worker and good teacher 423
CHAPTER XXIII
PROFESSORS — PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS
Leopold Jules Boeck — nativity, personality; great linguist; resigna-
tion. Stephen O. Southall — characteristics, fine speaker; popular
with students. John Randolph Page — characteristics ; course unpop-
ular; resignation. Thomas Randolph Price, successor to Pro-
fessor Gildersleeve ; characteristics ; home quite a social factor.
William Wertenbaker, Librarian; youth, training; appointed
by Mr. Jefferson. M. Green Peyton, Proctor — personality, good
official, friendly to all students. Henry Martin, Janitor — per-
sonal traits, affable, dignified but friendly 442
CHAPTER XXIV
SUMMARY OF UNIVERSITY LIFE — DUTIES VERSUS PLEASURES
University life falsely understood by many; in truth exacting and
filled with cares, but had a bright side. Unusual condition at
the University for close study and thorough scholarship.
Methods of diversion — pleasurable walking, ball games, gym-
nasium, skating, theatricals, minstrels, short trips, attending
church, Bible and public lectures. Social visiting — dancing, re-
ceptions, games, horseback riding, driving, musical instruments
and practice; debating societies; secret fraternities. University
laws seldom violated, etc 460
14 CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXV
UNIVERSITY TRAINING, SELECTION AND CRITICISM
PAGE
Conclusions and Observations. College and university training —
some more desirable than others; all improve the type of man-
hood and chances of success in life; none makes wise men out of
fools. Few older heads advise, but let the youthful select for
themselves. University criticised by some alumni for extreme
thoroughness, and other institutions for excessive weakness.
Kind of students best suited to attend the University — some
should not go there. Conditions especially commending the Uni-
versity versus those considered negative. Opinions of some
students of my day — discussion that did good 472
Index 495
ILLUSTRATIONS
Thomas Jefferson Frontispiece
FACING PAGE
Monticello 24
Thomas Jefferson Randolph 34
Monticello Graveyard 34
University — Lawn View 44
University — Eastern View 54
University — Western View 62
University — Birds-eye View 72
University — The Lawn 82
University — The Rotunda 92
University — East Wing of Rotunda 102
University — West Lawn 114
University — West Lawn Arcade 124
University — East Range 134
University — West Range Arcade 142
University — Serpentine Walls 152
University— Carr's Hill 162
University — Medical Hall 172
University — Infirmary 172
University — Hospital 182
University — Chemical Laboratory 190
University — Mechanical Laboratory 190
University — Rouss Physical Laboratory 200
University — Academic Building 210
University — Lewis Brooks Museum 220
University — McCormick Observatory . 230
University — Madison Hall 230
University — Chapel 238
University — Fayerweather Gymnasium 248
16 ILLUSTRATIONS
FACING PAGE
University— Randall Dormitory 258
University — Medical Class 268
University — Travesties 278
President, Edwin A. Alderman, LL. D 286
Professor Charles S. Venable, LL. D 296
Professor William E. Peters, LL. D 306
Professor Francis H. Smith, LL. D 316
Professor M. Schele DeVere, J. U. D 326
Professor Basil L. Gildersleeve, LL. D 334
Professor John W. Mallet, LL. D., F. R. S 344
Professor George Frederick Holmes, LL. D 354
Professor John Staige Davis, A. M., M. D 364
Professor James L. Cabell, LL. D 374
Professor James F. Harrison, M. D 382
Professor William H. McGuffey, LL. D . . 392
Professor John B. Minor, LL. D 402
Professor Noah K. Davis, LL. D 412
Professor Francis P. Dunnington, B. Sc 422
Professor Leopold J. Boeck, Ph. D 430
Professor Stephen O. Southall, LL. D 440
Professor John R. Page, M. D 450
Professor Thomas R. Price, LL. D 460
Librarian, William Wertenbaker 470
Proctor, M. Green Peyton, B. A., C. E 478
Janitor, Uncle Henry Martin 488
PREFACE
AFTER the passing of a generation from the busy activities
of life at the University it may seem strange that a casual
alumnus inclines to turn from absorbing current events and
look backward through dim-visioned eyes upon scenes of
earlier days. As a fact, however, he is still to himself, despite
growing old in the sight of others, the same young man sitting
on those hard wooden benches — for he continues to absorb and
learn daily unfamiliar truths as in those formative years. In-
deed, with recurring frequency and delight the retrospect con-
tinues to awaken memories, not as of the distant past, but of
the near-by yesterday, and through an ambition that such be
preserved while under happy recognition — ere the dawn of
mental decline and obscurity — and that a passing fancy for
the task be gratified, this work has been permitted to see light.
The author claims no special aptitude over legions of the
University's loyal sons for producing a reminiscent volume;
certainly he regrets that some one more gifted has not here-
tofore made good the opportunity of a richer product along
similar lines — a hope that has occasioned much deliberation,
if not delay, in compiling his own available material. Such
a work might be regarded as coming best from that fortunate
coterie detailed these many years at the University in one or
another capacity — enjoying the closest contact with her daily
life — but glimpses from within are often less real than those
from without, and it is ever wholesome " to see ourselves as
others see us." In truth few have worshipped at that altar
and gone forth into chosen ways unmindful of her history,
unimbued with her love, or untrained in stating facts — those
readily correlated by one and all — such as it has been the effort
here to record, some possibly through filial affection a little
tinted but in the main void of any intent at exaggeration or
misrepresentation. The University needs no deceptive cham-
pion, the truth is quite sufficient — whether her sons become
great, perhaps small, by or in spite of her training, argues not
i8 PREFACE
the slightest against her intellectual forces and moral ideals
being the highest.
The conception of the work, like many undertakings, was
largely accidental — growing out of the preservation by parents
of the author's University letters, the recording by him of
weekly doings, a form of diary, and the retention of photo-
graphs, magazines, newspaper articles and his side of a liberal
correspondence belonging to those times.
The chapters pertaining to Mr. Jefferson and the founding
of the University — the capstone of his fruitful life — have in
substance been collected from most reliable sources, supple-
mented by the innumerable fragmentary conversations with
Mr. Wertenbaker. Not that his ipse dixit is believed more
accurate than others, but being the only conversant cotem-
porary of Mr. Jefferson known then to the author, whatever
he said or indorsed as said by others seemed to receive a
vitalizing influence. The recounting of experiences and oc-
currences of the several sessions has been restricted to those
making strongest impression upon the individual, relieved
largely of detail incident to the average student's life, wherein
slight variation can exist. Preparing for lectures, attendance
thereon, fraternity meetings, social visiting, even interest in
various young ladies, belong practically to so many alike as to
need little, if any, reference.
The impressions of my professors have been given without
reserve, and include much personal detail — that frequently
recognized unworthy of transmission, since it is claimed not
to edify but only to appease curiosity. Many delight in Mr.
Lincoln's witticisms, indifferent to his tall homely personality ;
not a few desire critical knowledge of Napoleon's pyrotechnic
career, regardless of his diminutive stature — contented with
the common weakness of always associating intuitively physi-
cal largeness with mental greatness — while some prefer an
intelligent conception of the man as well as his works. The
author wondered over the proportions of Mr. Jefferson long
before meeting Mr. Wertenbaker, and was only too glad to
accept from his lips valuable details, and be directed for the
first time to Mr. Webster's contribution in that direction.
Here, therefore, an effort has been made, as far as memory
serves, to remove individual uncertainties, so that even the
PREFACE 19
stranger comparing description and portrait may have a mind-
vision of the personage.
Many will consider both object and matter unworthy a
laudable ambition ; some will claim, " it fails reach the mark
the archer meant," while a few — those for whom the volume
chiefly is intended — will accept gladly anything concerning
their alma mater honestly intended to encourage a remem-
brance of her past, an interest in her present, and a stimulus
for her future.
If it may only impress the greatness of Mr. Jefferson,
strengthen a belief in his doctrines and hasten their reaccept-
ance in the land of his creation; or incline the doubting
towards a university training — perchance at her shrine — and
refresh youthful years there enjoyed, it will not have been
written in vain.
THE AUTHOR.
BALTIMORE, MD., October, 1908.
The *$**
University of Virginia
CHAPTER I
THOMAS JEFFERSON — STUDENTS' BENEFACTOR AND
EXEMPLAR
Early knowledge of him and that gained through various conversations
with Mr. Wertenbaker, who remembered him well, as he did his
younger friend Edgar Allan Poe; personal characteristics of Mr.
Jefferson as outlined by Randall, Webster, Randolph, Smith, and him-
self; estate — depreciation of; hospitality, financial troubles. Students'
surprise and appreciation ; his principles and epigrams, etc.
IN my day at the University of Virginia one required only
a brief brushing up against the students, old and new, to be
convinced of their extraordinary knowledge of Mr. Jefferson,
as he was called always by us with a respect and pride ap-
proximating filial veneration. Especially was this noticeable
in those coming from Virginia and in that contingent deeply
interested in the weekly debates of the Jeff, and Wash. Socie-
ties. This to me was a sort of revelation, for of his greatness
I knew little, inasmuch as I had simply learned from school
histories that he was our third President; had occupied the
honorable position two terms; had represented the opposing
party to Washington, Adams, Hamilton, Marshall and Jay,
and had made more than an ordinary impression upon the
then civilized world during his many years of public service.
Among the small collection of books at my home was the
" Life of Jefferson," by Tucker, but of this I had only read
with profit that short portion in the second volume pertaining
to the founding of the University. In my first visit to the
library I gazed with admiration upon a beautiful white marble
21
22 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
statue (Gait's), enclosed by a high iron railing, whose rect-
angular pedestal bore the inscription :
THOMAS JEFFERSON
Author of
The Declaration of American Independence;
Of the Statute of Virginia for
Religious Freedom;
and
Father of the University of Virginia.
Born April 2, 1743, O. S.
Died July 4, 1826.
I also encountered the librarian, Mr. Wertenbaker, then ap-
parently a very old man, who recognizing in me a new student,
volunteered the names of the several portraits suspended
against the columns — Joseph C. Cabell, Gessner Harrison,
Charles Bonnycastle, Thomas Hewett Key, Robley Dunglison,
Edward H. Courtenay, John P. Emmet, Socrates Maupin,
Robert E. Lee, etc. — along with numerous historic facts, in-
cluding that he had seen Mr. Jefferson many times in the flesh
and from him had received, nearly fifty years before, the ap-
pointment to his present position. Seeing I was interested,
lie absented himself, but in a moment returned with a small
dark frame held carefully in his hands. This, he remarked,
is the evidence of what I have just said ; I prize it most highly,
but you may read it if you will be cautious in the handling.
Upon inspection it proved to be the original well-preserved
letter of notification from Mr. Jefferson, in his own hand-
writing, and is self-explanatory:
To Mr. Wm. Wertenbaker:
SIR, — The office of librarian to the University of Virginia having be-
come vacant by the resignation of Mr. Kean, and the authority of ultimate
appointment being in the Board of Visitors, it becomes necessary, in the
meantime, to place the library under the temporary care of some one;
you are, therefore, hereby appointed to take charge thereof until the
Visitors shall make their final appointment. You will be entitled to a
compensation at the rate of one hundred and fifty dollars a year, to be
paid by the Proctor from the funds of the University. An important part
of your charge will be to keep the books in a state of sound preservation,
undefaced, and free from injury by moisture or other accident, and in
their stated arrangement on the shelves according to the method and
order of their catalogue. Your other general duties and rules of conduct
are prescribed in the printed collection of the enactments of the Board
of Visitors. Of these rules the Board will expect the strictest observ-
ance on your part, and that you use the utmost care and vigilance that
they be strictly observed by others. Given under my hand this 3Oth day
of January, 1826. TH. JEFFERSON.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 23
To me that certainly was a most profitable hour, as it not
only gave rise to a positive determination to accept the ad-
vantages of the library along with the required duties, but also
to a close friendship with the librarian — that enjoyed by few
students — which continued ever cordial throughout my course.
Some days thereafter I repeated my visit, and while there
chanced to observe on one of the tables a moderate-sized vol-
ume with a fresh, attractive green cloth binding, titled "The
Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson." This was by his gifted
great granddaughter, Sarah N. Randolph, who resided with
her father and sister on the old homestead, Edgehill, some
five miles distant, where they conducted in the pretentious
brick mansion a private boarding school for young ladies,
which then enjoyed a substantial reputation in many parts of
the South. The book had only appeared the year before
(1871), and had just been returned by one of the professors,
so I concluded this my opportunity for learning more of Mr.
Jefferson. Upon the asking, Mr. Wertenbaker cheerfully
granted its loan — recording its title, date, my name and room
number. In due time I followed this with other lives —
Tucker, Randall, Schmucker — which, with the Jeffersonian
atmosphere pervading the community, soon sufficed to create
intelligently in me an ardent admiration for the man and his
principles.
Ever afterwards the library somehow possessed for me a
peculiar fascination — whether due to its classic architecture,
its contained literature, its vivid souvenirs and reminders of
the quiet as well as turbulent past, or to Mr. Wertenbaker's
personality, or to these collectively, need not be affirmed, but
the fact remained that I was allured into spending frequently
hours there that might have possibly been devoted elsewhere
to greater advantage. It was, however, far from idle pastime
to sit facing that senile personage, never garrulous, and quietly
imbibe his ruminations of bygones — such as at times, when the
spirit moved, he willingly communicated to the patient and in-
terested. His birth, youth, manhood and old age had followed
each other in and around Charlottesville, where he remembered
the enactment of most important events since that day in
1809 on which Mr. Jefferson returned from the occupancy of
the White House.
24 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
He was filled with pleasant recollections, not only of Mr.
Jefferson and the creation of the University, but he had seen
time and again — even enjoyed their conversation — such
worthy celebrities as Madison, Monroe, Lafayette, Cabell, Gil-
mer, Poe, Long, Bonnycastle, Emmet, Blaetterman, Key,
Dunglison, Courtenay, Bledsoe and countless others, and better
yet, still retained to a remarkable extent, accurate impressions
of their respective personalities. How he delighted to defend
his poet classmate, Edgar Allan Poe, students together at the
University during its second session, when they enjoyed each
other's friendship and confidence to a felicitous degree. It
was as though an oracle sat recounting mysterious experiences
with that scintillating and lugubrious genius — so gifted then
in many languages as to excel his associates, and even in
Italian, at Professor Blaetterman's assigning the rendition into
English verse parts of Tasso and other authors, to be usually
the only one of the class living up to the requirement. It,
however, was no dream, nor the fiction of The Raven, when
he recalled a certain cold night in December, 1826, on which,
after spending together its early hours at a private house
socially, they wended their way to Poe's room, 13 West Range,
to find the fire in " dying embers," but soon to be rekindled
by that gifted hand with some candle-ends and the wreck of
a table, in order to recount in comfort before the blaze real
as well as imaginary grievances against man and the world.
It was an open confession — a sad story — as Poe referred
with regret to money wasted and debt contracted, forsooth,
of an ungovernable thirst for card-playing — not for drinking,
as that to him was then almost an unknown vice. That remi-
niscence possesses a charm tinctured with pathos never to be
forgotten — immutable in the mind as are many of our earlier
lessons.
Indeed after a talk with Mr. Wertenbaker it seemed no
imaginative effort to realize Mr. Jefferson on horseback riding
through West Range to the rear of the original library —
fourth pavilion from the Rotunda, West Lawn, occupied at
my period, first by Professor Leopold J. Boeck, and later by
Professor Noah K. Davis — dismounting, hitching his horse
and hastening within to assist the librarian, Kean or Werten-
baker, in properly classifying various books; or perchance
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 25
hurrying along the Lawn to the Rotunda that he might give
and see executed orders, as well as watch its progress and
finish — a stage it had not quite reached even at his death.
Truly all of us recognized that every brick trod had in the
long-ago received the impress of nobler feet; every hall and
room frequented had been consecrated by the touch of him,
our great founder, who alone pioneered the very walks we
journeyed in .the discharge of our daily duties. Despite the
sentiment of the Good Book, " a prophet is not without honor
save in his own country," and that of our greatest poet :
" The evil that men do lives after them ;
The good is oft interred with their bones."
Mr. Jefferson stands a shining exception to their application
in the County that gave him birth and burial. There may
have been many, and still some, who disagreed with his tenets
and doctrines, but all unprejudiced, knowing individuals at
that time and place delighted in calling him great. Apart
from his illustrious deeds I was interested in and solicitous
for first-handed knowledge of his personal appearance and
characteristics — qualities of which I then knew accurately
little, but Mr. Wertenbaker much — such, be it to his credit, in
spite of natural reticence and disinclination to wasting words,
he took delight in communicating. He, however, always de-
clared that Randall in preparing Mr. Jefferson's biography
had enjoyed to the fullest extent the entree and confidence of
the family descendants (Randolphs and Carrs), as to record
in such matters of detail about the truth and that he could
simply verify those statements. He remembered Mr. Jeffer-
son in his gray suit, clerical cut tall collar, wide white cravat
and low black slouch hat, and considered him more impressive
than handsome — being unusually tall, six feet two and a half
inches, erect, slender, sinewy, filling out in his best years to
good proportions, yet never beyond one hundred and sixty-
five pounds. His step was elastic and vigorous; face angular
but beamed with cheerfulness, benevolence and intelligence;
skin freckled and suffused with superficial capillaries produc-
ing a delicately fair and ruddy complexion; cuticle very thin
and fragile, consequently peeling off easily after the slightest
26 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
exposure to sun and wind; hair parted in the middle, luxur-
ious, silken, reddish-chestnut or auburn — when minister to
France intermingled with a few white strands, which greatly
increased during his presidency and until death, then being
much whitened but retaining the sandy tinge very perceptibly ;
nose gracefully outlined, slightly pointed and turned upward ;
eyes — those of genius — kindly, blue-gray, full-size and deeply
set; manners unusually graceful, simple, cordial,. but reserved
and dignified; conversational powers charming; voice almost
femininely soft, gentle and musical, used slowly and hesitat-
ingly but possessing in its tone a cordiality, earnestness and
frankness — a deep sympathy with humanity, a confidence in
man and a bright hopefulness in his destiny — which irresist-
ibly won upon the feelings alike of friend and foe; temper
amiable and forgiving — calm, self-reliant and courageous. He
never found it necessary to engage in a personal encounter
nor to experience a manly indignity, while his accomplish-
ments enabled him to shun all popular vices and habits of the
prevailing gentry ; he never gambled, knew not one card from
another and did not allow their playing in his home; he dis-
countenanced strong drink and indulged in neither tobacco
nor profanity. What an inspiring character for ambitious
youths to study and emulate!
Mr. Wertenbaker thought that Mr. Webster portrayed un-
justly Mr. Jefferson shortly after visiting him in 1824, and
likewise his grandson, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, did not
agree with all of that description, believing it calculated to
produce an unfavorable impression — that of an ill-looking
man — the opposite to what he was. But as it was the last at-
tempt at recording permanently his declining condition, a por-
tion may be reproduced : " Mr. Jefferson is now between
eighty-one and eighty-two, about six feet high, of an ample
long frame, rather thin and spare. His head, which is not
peculiar in shape, is set rather forward on his shoulders, and,
his neck being long, there is, when walking or conversing, a
habitual protrusion of it. It is still well-covered with hair,
which, having been once red and now turning gray, is of an
indistinct sandy color. His eyes are small (as a fact they
were normal), very light, and now neither brilliant nor strik-
ing. His chin is rather long but not pointed ; his nose small,
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 27
regular in outline, and the nostrils a little elevated ; his mouth
is well formed, and still filled with teeth — it is strongly com-
pressed, bearing an expression of contentment and benevo-
lence; his complexion, formerly light and freckled, now bears
the marks of age and cutaneous affection. His limbs are un-
commonly long ; his hands and feet very large, and his wrists
of an extraordinary size (one had never recovered from dis-
location). His walk is not precise and military, but easy and
swinging. He stoops a little, not so much from age as from
natural formation. When sitting he appears short, partly
from a rather lounging habit of sitting, and partly from the
disproportionate length of his limbs. His dress, when in the
house, is a gray surtout, kerseymere stuff waistcoat, with an
under one faced with some material of a dingy red. His pan-
taloons are very long and loose, and of the same color as his
coat. His stockings are woolen, either white or gray ; his shoes
of the kind that bear his name. His general appearance indi-
cates an extraordinary degree of health, vivacity and spirit.
His sight is still good, for he needs glasses only in the even-
ing. His hearing is generally good, but a number of voices
in animated conversation confuse him. He rises as soon as
the hands of the clock, just opposite the bed, can be seen,
and examines immediately his thermometer, as he keeps a
regular meteorological diary. He employs himself chiefly in
writing till breakfast, which is at nine, thence till dinner he
is in his library, excepting in fair weather he rides on horse-
back from seven to fourteen miles — this habit being essential
for his health and comfort. His diet is simple, being re-
strained only by his taste; his breakfast is tea and coffee,
bread fresh from the oven, of which he does not seem afraid,
with sometimes a slight accompaniment of cold meat ; his din-
ner is largely vegetables with a little meat, which he enjoys.
He is easy and natural in conversation, not ambitious ; it is not
loud, as challenging general attention, but usually addressed
to the person next him. Outside of topics to suit his audi-
tor he discusses science and letters, and especially the Uni-
versity of Virginia, which is coming into existence almost
entirely from his exertions, and will rise, it is to be hoped, to
usefulness and credit under his continued care. When we were
with him, his favorite subjects were Greek and Anglo-Saxon,
28 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
historical recollections of the times and events of the Revo-
lution, and of his residence in France from 1783-1789."
The ingenuous grandson, Thomas Jefferson Randolph,
fondly called by Mr. Jefferson, " the companion and staff of
my old age," has also given with unqualified accuracy some
characteristics of that wholesome life — observations amid the
sanctity of domestic relations : " I never saw his countenance
distorted by a single bad passion or unworthy feeling. I have
seen the expression of suffering, bodily and mental, of grief,
pain, sadness, just indignation, disappointment, disagreeable
surprise and displeasure, but never of anger, impatience, peev-
ishness, discontent, to say nothing worse of more ignoble
emotions. To the contrary, it was impossible to look on his
face without being struck with its benevolent, intelligent,
cheerful and placid expression. It was at once intellectual,
good, kind and pleasant, whilst his tall, spare figure spoke of
health, activity and that helpfulness, that power and will,
" never to trouble another for that he could do himself,"
which marked his character. His dress was simple and adapted
to his ideas of neatness and comfort. He paid little attention
to fashion, wearing whatever he liked best, and sometimes
blending the fashions of several different periods. He wore
long waistcoats when the mode was very short, white cambric
stocks fastened behind with a buckle, when cravats were uni-
versal. He adopted the pantaloon very late in life, because
he found it more comfortable and convenient, and cut off his
queue for the same reason. He made no change except from
motives of the same kind, and did nothing to be in conformity
with the fashion of the day. He considered such independ-
ence the privilege of his age."
Mrs. Samuel Harrison Smith (nee Margaret Bayard), dur-
ing a few days' visit to Mr. Jefferson, at Monticello, in the
summer of 1809, recorded these observations in her treasured
notebook (August I.) : "Yes, he is truly a philosopher, and
truly a good man, and eminently a great one. Then there v is
a tranquillity about him, which an inward peace alone could
bestow. As a ship long-tossed by the storms of the ocean,
casts anchor and lies at rest in a peaceful, harbor, he is retired
from an active and restless scene to this tranquil spot. Volun-
tarily and gladly has he resigned honors which he never
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 29
sought, and unwillingly accepted. His actions, not his words,
preach the emptiness and dissatisfaction attendant on a great
office. His tall and slender figure is not impaired by age,
though bent by care and labor. His white locks announce an
age his activity, strength, health, enthusiasm, ardor and
gayety contradict. His face owes all its charm to its expres-
sion and intelligence; his features are not good and his com-
plexion bad, but his countenance is so full of soul and beams
with much benignity, that when the eye rests on the face, it
is too busy in perusing its expression, to think of its features
or complexion. His low and mild voice harmonizes with his
countenance rather than his figure. But his manners — how
gentle, how humble, how kind. His meanest slave must feel
as if it were a father instead of a master who addresses him,
when he speaks. To a disposition ardent, affectionate and
communicative, he joins manners timid, even to bashfulness,
and reserved even to coldness. If his life had not proved to
the contrary I should have pronounced him rather a man of
imagination and taste, than a man of judgment, a literary
rather than a scientific man, and least of all a politician, a char-
acter for which nature never seemed to have intended him,
and for which the natural turn of mind, and his disposition,
taste and feeling equally unfit him. I should have been sure
that this was the case, even had he not told me so. In an
interesting conversation I had one evening — speaking of his
public and present domestic life — he remarked : ' The whole
of my life has been a war with my natural taste, feelings and
wishes; domestic life and literary pursuits were my first and
my latest inclinations — circumstances and not my desires lead
me to the path I have trod, and like a bow though long bent,
which when unstrung flies back to its natural state, I resume
with delight the character and pursuits for which nature de-
signed me. The circumstances of our country, at my entrance
into life, were such that every honest man felt himself
compelled to take part, and to act up to the best of his
abilities/ " '
Mr. Jefferson, in reply to Dr. Utley, who desired a history
of his physical habits (March 21, 1819), wrote: "I live so
much like other people, that I might refer to ordinary life as
the habits of my own. I have lived temperately, eating little
30 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
animal food, and that not as an aliment so much as a condi-
ment for the vegetables, which constitute my principal diet.
The ardent wines I cannot drink, nor do I use ardent spirits
in any form. Malt liquors and cider are my table drinks, and
my breakfast is of tea and coffee. I have been blest with
organs of digestion which accent and concoct, without ever
murmuring, whatever the palate chooses to consign to them,
and I have not yet lost a tooth by age. I was a hard student
until I entered on the business of life, the duties of which
leave no idle time to those disposed to fulfil them, and now,
retired, and at the age of seventy-six, I am again a hard stu-
dent. Indeed, my fondness for reading and study revolts me
from the drudgery of letter writing, and a stiff wrist, the con-
sequence of an early dislocation, makes writing both slow and
painful. I am not so regular in my sleep, devoting to it from
five to eight hours, according as my company or the book I
am reading interests me; and I never go to bed without an
hour, or half an hour's previous reading of something moral
(Bible), whereon to ruminate in the intervals of sleep. But
whether I retire to bed early or late, I rise with the sun. I
use spectacles at night, but not necessarily in the day, unless in
reading small print. My hearing is distinct in particular con-
versation, but confused when several voices cross each other,
which unfits me for the society of the table. So free from
catarrhs that I have not had one (in the breast I mean) on an
average of eight or ten years through life. I ascribe this ex-
emption partly to the habit of bathing my feet in cold water
every morning for sixty years. A fever of more than twenty-
four hours I have not had above two or three times in my
life. A headache every six or eight years has left me, and
now enjoy good health; too feeble, indeed to walk much, but
riding without fatigue six or eight miles a day, and some-
times thirty or forty."
Beyond my individual ignorance of Mr. Jefferson's physical
personality — thus minified by Mr. Wertenbaker's words and
suggestive literature — his life presented to our student-body
manifestations of seeming strangeness. That evoking most
general surprise — which Mr. Wertenbaker also stood ever
ready to explain satisfactorily — being: How was it possible
for such a gifted man, with a large landed estate and a long
public career, an economist in theory and practice, to be borne
down in his latter years by the wail of poverty? Our visits
to Monticello were frequent, where we saw desertion, solitude,
neglect, decay — that indicating destitution, desecration, apathy
— a condition of several decades. At no turn around us could
the slightest evidence of his personal wealth be encountered.
His few descendants still lived in the community, and from
observation, they, like their neighboring humanity, were
struggling for an honorable existence. It was well known
to us that his ingenuous grandson — preferred beneficiary —
whom we occasionally saw in the town, especially on Sundays
at the Episcopal Church, had liquidated a residuary indebt-
edness of over forty thousand dollars, in order to spare his
grandfather's honored name. His estate upon entering public
service consisted of ten thousand acres, a fine home and one
hundred and fifty slaves, which yielded two thousand dollars
annually, while from his law practice came an additional reve-
nue of three thousand dollars that after this period necessarily
ceased. During his vice-presidency he saved a little, but when
minister to France, Secretary of State, and President his salary
failed to meet expenses. In all these positions his style of
living was plain and retiring, restricting entertainments to a
small coterie most congenial to him — travelers, investigators,
scientists and learned men of all types. In spite of this how-
ever, he vacated the White House twenty thousand dollars in
debt, a sum easily released by the sale of land or slaves, but
which, rather than do, he preferred to carry indefinitely with
its accumulating burden. In his long absence the entire es-
tate had depreciated in value, and although his slaves, through
normal fertility, had increased to nearly two hundred, the
majority was either too young or old for service, therefore
an additional expense and not a revenue. For several years
after his retirement seasons were unfavorable for good crops,
which, with low prices, tended to cheapen land and embarrass
agriculture, thereby making money scarce and at high pre-
mium. His home, Monticello, was a sort of " Liberty Hall "
to relatives and friends, who continually came and went singly
or in families, remaining one, three or six months as inclina-
tion and convenience suggested. Accomplished young kins-
women regularly spent months there as though it were a
32 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
fashionable resort; these married sons of Mr. Jefferson's
friends, and then came with their entire home circle — first one
child, then many with a retinue of maids and servants. One
friend from abroad arrived with a family of six and stayed
ten months, while a second visit followed of six months. They
came of all nations — men, women and children, and at all
times, remaining for various periods, long or short. A judge
from New England, bringing simply a letter of introduction,
spent three weeks, and every day for at least eight months of
each year, brought its contingent of guests — those of wealth,
fashion, officials, military and civil, professional men, lawyers,
doctors, clergymen, priests, congressmen, diplomats, mission-
aries, tourists, artists, strangers and friends. There came also
swarms of impertinent gazers, who, without introduction,
permission or ceremony, thrust themselves into the most pri-
vate of Mr. Jefferson's out-of-door resorts, and even into the
house, staring about as at a public show — a nuisance that in-
creased as years advanced. Many groups of utter stran-
gers, of both sexes, would plant themselves in the passage
between his study and dining-room, consult their watches and
wait his passing from one to the other for dinner, so that they
could momentarily catch a glimpse of him. One woman
punched through a windowpane with her parasol that she
might have the better view of him. He was waylaid in his
rides and walks, and when sitting under the porticoes in the
coolness of the evening, parties would approach within thirty
or forty feet and focus their eyes on him as a lion in a cage.
The several stables and carriage-houses every night through-
out the pleasant season were filled to overflowing with the
belongings of others — the larger coaches having to be shel-
tered under the stately trees.
Traveling in that day and district was by necessity on
horseback, in carriage or coach, and those journeying south-
ward or northward seemed unwilling to pass Monticello with-
out paying a courteous respect to its illustrious host — that
which frequently was used to give themselves and equipage a
rest of over night. It truly took all hands to take care of the
visitors, and the whole farm, nay more, to feed them. Mrs.
Randolph affirmed that in her day there always was present
one or more visitors; some nights four, six or ten, while as
33
many as fifty guests had unexpectedly been provided beds for
over night.
Although Mr. Jefferson started out to live plainly, like a
country gentleman, his fashionable and distinguished visitors
expected much beyond that. New England judges remaining
three weeks would soon tire on ham and turkev; claret and
cider might suit Mr. Jefferson, but not his guests. He vir-
tually was hunted down by his reputation, and literally eaten
up by his countrymen — that which he predicted years before
when he remarked to his grandson : " If I live long enough
I will beggar my family, the number of persons I entertain
will devour my estate." Thus without prodigality, idleness,
improvidence or speculation he was reduced to poverty. But
through self-denial, retrenchment and wisest economy this
would have been averted had not his endorsement miscarried
for his dearest friend, Governor Wilson C. Nicholas, to whom
was reserved the giving of " that coup de grace which shrouded
Monticello in gloom, consigned it to stranger hands and early
decay, exposed its aged and tottering owner to the jeers of
brutal partisans, and broke the noble heart that dealt the un-
willing blow."
Indeed Mr. Jefferson's, contributions to religious, educa-
tional and charitable objects through life would have made
him rich in old age, but above all the memory of those gen-
erous acts gave him an " unfaltering trust " when the storm of
need came, so that their possession would have brought even
then more pain than pleasure. Poverty, as it had overtaken
him, " was no disgrace, for there was not a single circumstance
connected with its causes, progress or sequel over which man-
hood could blush, or friendship desire to draw a veil." All of
his debts were paid willingly by loving hands, leaving no one
to present a farthing's claim.
It was very difficult for us students to understand, why his
dear Virginia heeded not that final pathetic appeal for just
and honorable relief, or why the Government — still partly
democratic and fully acquainted with all extenuating condi-
tions— did not volunteer proudly and unasked that help he so
worthily deserved. We observed in our day the President's
salary easily doubled ; the Senators and Congressmen receiv-
ing thousands in back pay; the Government liberal to a fault
34 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
towards men and objects of questionable merit; the public
eager to erect costly monuments and to pay homage to those
whose labors had been far less to their country's good. And
yet we realized sadly that fifty years before the true nation-
builder, the great apostle of democracy, of civic liberty and
personal freedom — the expounder and defender of most en-
nobling principles — had been allowed to pass away amid finan-
cial misfortunes, incident to serving his country during a long
life the best he knew ; that his beautiful and cherished home
had been permitted to fall into the hands of strangers, and
that its lovely mistress of the later years, his dear and beloved
daughter, Martha, whose tender and ever-sustaining hands
ministered for many years to his every want, had been
suffered to go forth from its threshold into the cold world
penniless, with its doors closed forever upon her. But " as
every cloud turns forth her silver lining," all humanity did
not remain callous, nay heartless, in the hour of greatest dis-
tress— for the Legislatures of South Carolina and Louisiana,
with a generosity beyond reason to expect, learning her true
embarrassment took immediate steps for relief by handsome
monetary appropriations.
Mr. Jefferson's life, however, as it stood, possessed a value
and inspiration to many of us students, for while we recog-
nized that the world accepted it as something beyond the at-
tainment of those living, it was before us a veritable guide,
commanding our respect and challenging an ambition for at
least modest emulation.
We marveled at the trusted positions thrust upon him dur-
ing forty years, from early manhood to old age: member of
the House of Burgesses, Continental Congress, Governor of
Virginia, Minister to France, Secretary of State, Vice-Presi-
dent, and President — and even then besought not to desert
the " Ship of State." We wondered at what he accomplished,
the many deeds performed and advocated beyond the three he
considered greatest and alone worthy to be engraved upon
his tomb; the common school system; the abolishment of
slavery and the prohibition of its importation into Virginia —
with failure; the revision of the laws of Virginia in con-
formity with his ideas of liberty ; the establishment of our dol-
lar with its various subdivisons; the selection of location for
Thomas Jefferson Randolph
1792-1875
" The companion and staff of my old age "
See page 308
Monticello Graveyard
(Mr. Jefferson's original monument)
See page 218
FACING 34
35
the capital at Washington; the personal magnetism exercised
towards ratifying the Treaty of Peace with Great Britain —
settling the war his Declaration of Independence helped to
bring about ; the presentation to Congress of the Virginia deed
ceding her lands, northwest of the Ohio River, to the Govern-
ment for public domain; the devised plan for the temporary
government of the Northwestern Territory, with the clause
prohibiting slavery therein; the improvement of navigation of
the Rivanna River; the removal of Virginia's capital from
Williamsburg to Richmond; the enactment abolishing entails,
and that establishing the natural right of man to expatriate
himself at will; the laws changing the course of descents —
giving the inheritance to all children alike — and that appor-
tioning crimes and punishments; the introduction of the
olive plant into South Carolina from France (1789-90); the
bringing of upland rice into South Carolina from Africa
(1790); the purchasing of the Louisiana territory from
France (1803) ; the sending of Lewis, Clark and Pike to ex-
plore the far west; the endeavor to enforce national rights by
"embargo" instead of by war; the reduction of the public
debt; the aiding of trade and commerce with the world; the
advocacy for a navy, and the provision of a system of sea
coast and tide water defences. And yet after having gloriously
been the cai^sa sine qua non of all these benefits to his country
and countrymen, he thus modestly wrote : " I have sometimes
asked myself whether my country is the better for my having
lived at all. I do not know that it is. I have been the instru-
ment of doing these things ; but they could have been done by
others, some of them, perhaps, a little better."
To us students it seemed almost incredible that he could
have evolved that profound document — Declaration of Inde-
pendence— when only thirty-three years of age, which, save
the Lord's Prayer and the Sermon on the Mount, including
the Commandments, continues to-day the most read and quoted
composition of our Country. It was equally surprising to
us that through his efforts denominational hatred and bigotry
were suppressed, so that the Catholic, Dissenter, Hebrew,
Quaker, Unitarian, Orthodox and Unorthodox could live at
peace with one another in his State and finally in the land.
And last — it was a greater mystery, a profound joy: how one
36 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
of his ripened years could champion successfully the cause of
general education and inaugurate a complete system having
as a capstone our favorite institution — the University.
Many of us in those days studied and pondered over his
principles — those that gave him individuality and immortality,
not a few amazing us by their comprehensiveness and truth,
and will continue to impress strongly till the end of time un-
born generations:
1. All men are created equal and with certain inalienable rights, and
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — this is the
bedrock of our Republic, and the basic proposition of my political creed.
2. The rights of man are inviolable — the weaker must be protected
from the stronger; laws are to be made without coercion, undue influence,
purchase of legislators or law-making bodies.
3. Taxes are to be evenly laid and collected ; there must be a free
press, and no great standing army.
4. Public matters are to be discussed by the people at public meet-
ings, wherever and whenever desired ; lands should be held by our citizens,
and agriculture fostered as the basis of wealth, comfort and happiness.
5. No king, potentate, or ruler other than the people; no classes or
orders of men ; and arrogance, assumption and pretension of the vulgar
of whatever station must be checked.
6. Make the people homogeneous by promoting the general welfare;
educate them to govern themselves and regulate their rulers.
7. Education should be fostered and aided by all means possible, and
the government must keep abreast of the developments of science and the
growth of the arts.
8. Economy must prevail in national expenditures, with the largest
possible proper private outgo consistent with means.
9. The Republic should be partisan, with frequent changes in offi-
cials, because long continuance in power by one set of men or party is,
in effect, monarchy; as few officials as possible, and merit — not competi-
tion— to be the test of capacity — the man as much if not more than his
acquirements.
10. Rights of private judgment in matters of faith must be respected
in all men, and rights of property, like the rights of man, must be pre-
served.
11. Principle — that ascertained best for the people — must be pushed
with vigor for the common good; the nation's word once given, to be
sacredly preserved, and faith always kept,
12. Eternal and constant vigilance in maintaining liberty — that which,
although costly, will require frequent elections ; free opportunity for brains,
energy and manhood, and one man as good as another.
13. First, last, and all the time, public opinion — the will of the
people — to be supreme; always law and never license, but protest to be
needed.
Somehow or another in my student period we accepted and
believed Mr. Jefferson the greatest of our Nation's founders,
unquestionably the most profound scholar and thinker of his
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 37
age — possessing a versatility of knowledge so essential then
for his Country's immediate needs, which he dealt out regard-
less of stint or favor, having but one hope and ambition —
to improve the condition and liberty of his countrymen. This
he felt reasonably assured must follow if the cardinal prin-
ciples advocated and inaugurated be held inviolate, and did
not hesitate to express himself thus : " With all the defects of
our Constitution, the comparison of our Government with
those of Europe is like the comparison of heaven and hell.
England, like the earth, may be allowed to take the intermedi-
ate station." We lived under the impression that his hands,
head and pen were at work constantly in the service of man-
kind and the exercise of larger humanities throughout the
world, and towards that end he knew nothing of apathy, in-
difference rest, or repose; that while Washington, Green,
Franklin, Hamilton, Adams and Madison were indispensable
luminaries in the formation and creation of our organic gov-
ernment, yet upon Mr. Jefferson, more than any other, rested
the evolution of her best underlying principles — those that
will tide over impending emergencies until the end of time;
that it was through no fortuitous, but rather a prophetic real-
ization of this truth our Constitution possesses an elasticity,
although constructed for only three millions, standing to-day
the equally acceptable code for thirty times that number — it
is true having received an occasional amendment, but recog-
nized just as essential, if at all, then as now — and will remain
free from the need of change so long as we continue to grow
and expand.
Some of Mr. Jefferson's epigrammatic words of wisdom
were familiar to many of us students, and had useful applica-
tion in our daily intercourse, being quoted always with a
suppressed smile that carried approval :
1. Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.
2. Never put off till to-morrow what yoii can do to-day.
3. Never fear the want of business ; he who qualifies himself well
for his calling never fails of employment in it.
4. Never spend your money before you have it.
5. Never buy what you do not need because it is cheap; it will be
dear to you.
6. The object of all learning is the freedom and happiness of man.
7. Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.
8. Always do what is right.
38 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
9. Take things always by their smooth handle.
10. When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, an hun-
dred.
11. Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.
12. Conscience is our only guide from doubts and inconsistencies.
13. Differences of opinion in politics, religion, or philosophy should
not break friends.
14. The happiest man is he of whom the world says least.
15. Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.
16. We never repent of having eaten too little.
17. How much pain have cost us the evils which have never hap-
pened.
18. Adore God; reverence and cherish your parents.
19. Love your neighbor as yourself, and your country more than
yourself.
20. Be just; be true; murmur not at the ways of Providence.
CHAPTER II
THOMAS JEFFERSON — AMBITIOUS YOUNG MAN AND
STATESMAN
Father's characteristics and prominence; his own early life, education, ex-
perience at William and Mary College ; personal sorrows ; lawyer,
member of the House of Burgesses, Continental Congress, and Con-
gress; Shadwell destroyed; marriage; death of Dabney Carr and its
episode; Patrick Henry's great speech; John Adams' eulogy; Declara-
tion of Independence — when, where, and how composed; religious
liberty, public reforms; diffusion of knowledge; Governor, North-
western Territory; Minister to France, Secretary of State, etc.
THOMAS JEFFERSON was born April 13, 1743, on the family
estate, Shadwell, Albemarle County, Virginia, four miles
east of Charlottesville. To-day an unpretentious station of
that name, on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, marks the
plantation's original southern boundary, while on the near-by
rising hill northward a few straggling locust and sycamore
trees, planted by him on his twenty-first birthday, remain as
the only visible reminder of the historic frame mansion de-
stroyed by fire in 1770. His father, Peter Jefferson, who
owned and resided here from early manhood until death
(1757), cultivating so much of his nineteen hundred acres as
practical with thirty slaves, was possibly the most prominent
man of Albemarle in that day — standing high with his gov-
ernment, his people, and the surrounding Indians. He was
large in body and strong in mind, possessing sound judgment,
a substantial and inspiring personality, and an education ac-
quired by self-effort through extensive reading and an eager-
ness for general knowledge — a fine mathematician, a skilled
surveyor, following it, as did Washington, with remarkable
credit and success. He occupied a number of honorable and
important positions — Justice of the Peace, State and County
Surveyor, Colonel of the County, executor of large estates,
Church vestryman, member of the House of Burgesses, etc. —
while an early death deprived him of much assured distinction.
His estate joined another of local interest, Edgehill, owned and
39
40 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
occupied by William Randolph, with whom for years he en-
joyed the closest friendship, and finally a relationship by
marrying a brother's daughter, Jane Randolph. The fruition
of this union was ten children — six girls and four boys; of
the latter, three died quite young, while the eldest, Thomas,
alone survived to bring fame to the name. The father sympa-
thized with struggling humanity, espoused the popular side,
took pride in plain dress and appearance, and was solicitous
about his characteristics and theories being impressed upon
his son, whom he also had taught the darings of sport — to
ride a fleet horse, fire a gun, and brave a swollen stream in
pursuit of deer or turkey. He was a firm believer in educa-
tion, considering it a far better legacy than monetary inherit-
ance, desired his son, Thomas, to have the best, and previous
to death had begun to shape that by placing him when five
years old at an English school in Tuckahoe, and when nine
at the Latin school of Mr. Douglas, a Scottish clergyman,
where he studied Latin, Greek, French and mathematics, and
remained until fourteen, at the death of his father. The next
two years he spent only fourteen miles from Shadwell,,at the
school of Rev. James Maury, a Huguenot, a broad-minded man
and a correct classical scholar, from where he entered (1760)
William and Mary College, Williamsburg — the then capital of
Virginia, an unpaved village of a thousand inhabitants, but
the center of much social, political and educational activity,
especially during winters when the Legislature and Great Court
were in session, as then many distinguished families took up
there a temporary residence. To all such Mr. Jefferson had
entree, but was careful not to abuse the social side, as he held
ever foremost the object of his sojourn — an education.
Of the various college instructors there was one with whom
he formed the closest intimacy, speaking of him afterwards
in grateful terms : " It was my good fortune, and what prob-
ably fixed the destinies of my life, that Dr. William Small of
Scotland was then professor of mathematics, a man profound
in most of the useful branches of science, with a happy talent
of communication, correct and gentlemanly manners, and an
enlarged and liberal mind. He most happily for me, became
soon attached to me and made me his daily companion, when
not engaged in school; and from his conversation I got my
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 41
first views of the expansion of science and the system of
things in which we are placed." He was also a religious
skeptic and no doubt gave vent frequently, in the presence of
his youthful associate, to his agnostic doctrines with more or
less effect. Mr. Jefferson also while there became very friendly
with two other distinguished and highly educated men —
Governor Francis Fauquier, a thoroughly cultured, able and
aggressive gentleman, imparting much that should be imi-
tated as well as avoided, and George Wythe, a scholarly
lawyer, who became his law preceptor, and in due time the
same to Chief Justice Marshall and Henry Clay. The attain-
ments of these companions stimulated in Mr. Jefferson an
ambition and industry scarcely conceivable, so that in spite of
beginning college life with the enjoyment of various diver-
sions— social entertainments, healthful exercises, horseback
riding (for he had his own stable), playing the violin, etc. —
these by degrees were discarded, with the exception of a mile
run at twilight, in order that he might devote at least fifteen
hours to solid study, an application which only a strong, vigor*
ous and robust constitution, like his, could have safely en-
dured. Although adhering to such a studious regime and
braving successfully the many besetting temptations — cards,
wine and tobacco — so as to leave college morally sound when
not yet twenty (1762), he had gone so far as to become
strongly interested in Miss Rebecca Burwell, an heiress of
much beauty in manner and person, who, pretending a recipro-
cal sentiment, clandestinely married another — Jacquelin
Ambler. To cover disappointment this unexpected conclusion
of a romance made Mr. Jefferson all the closer reader and
student of law — that upon which he had now entered with
strong determination and bright hopes under the mentorship
of his staunch friend, George Wythe. To the study of this
profession he devoted five entire years, passing the winters
in Williamsburg and the summers at Shadwell, being admitted
to the bar (1767) when twenty- four years of age. While
these five years had been spent profitably and satisfactorily,
yet apart from their pleasant memories others had entered
more or less depressing. Thus at the very beginning he en-
countered love's delusion, and two years later the death of his
favorite sister, Jane, which inflicted a much more serious blow,
42 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
as she was the pride and ornament of the home, a beautiful
singer, his literary and musical companion — a grief from
which he never completely recovered, cherishing her memory
to the last in the expression : " Often in church some sacred
air which her sweet voice had made familiar to me in youth
recalls to me sweet visions of her whom I loved so well and
buried so young."
Mr. Jefferson, with his training, might truthfully have been
considered the finest educated man of his country at that day,
as he possessed a masterly knowledge of Latin, Greek, French,
and mathematics; knew considerable of the Indian dialects,
Anglo-Saxon, Spanish, Italian, science, agriculture, and archi-
tecture; had been a close student of literature, history, biog-
raphy, philosophy, and was well-grounded in the various phases
of law. He once remarked to his grandson : " I have never
sat down in idleness, since when a boy, I first found pleasure
in books," and his thirst for information was insatiable, as he
eagerly seized every possible means of obtaining it. In later
life he was recognized as a veritable " walking encyclopaedia,"
but the stranger — farmer, mechanic, scientist, lawyer, physi-
cian, theologian — by personal contact thought him in turn
simply one of his own craft, as he invariably adapted his con-
versation to suit each individual. He regarded farming the
most moral and ennobling vocation, and farmers as God's
chosen people, consequently, as might have been expected, he
now assumed control of his landed estate, Shadwell, and in
addition began the practice of law in Albemarle and adjoin-
ing counties, having his office in Charlottesville. He was the
staff of the home, consisting of his mother, brother, and three
younger sisters — the three older being absent, Jane by death,
Mary by marriage to Thomas Boiling, and Martha by mar-
riage to Dabney Carr — and fully appreciated the responsibility
assumed, but in the spirit of confidence and happiness.
From the beginning both chosen interests were highly suc-
cessful, for he increased his lands in value and acreage, and
gained daily professional business and renown. As a lawyer
he was patient, accurate and fearless, but nothing of an orator
— not even a pleasant public speaker, his voice when elevated
becoming husky and indistinct. His talent for investigation
and summarizing caused all of his cases to be well-prepared.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 43
but in a few pithy, characteristic sentences, thereby avoiding
the tricks of the fluent speaker. His nephew once asked an
old man, who in youth had heard Mr. Jefferson often plead at
court, how his grandfather ranked as a speaker, and received
this reply : " Well, it is hard to tell, because he always took
the right side." In the first year he had before the General
Court of Virginia alone sixty-eight cases; in the second year
one hundred and fifteen; in the third one hundred and ninety-
eight, and so it continued throughout the eight years he prac-
ticed, until August n, 1773, when he passed over his legal
business to Edmund Randolph. In addition to the higher
court practice, each year he was retained as attorney or coun-
sel for three to five hundred cases — his clients coming from the
most reputable and aristocratic of his own and mother coun-
try, including the Elands, Burwells, Carters, Harrisons,
Careys, Lees, Nelsons, Pages, Randolphs, etc Mr. Jefferson,
soon after reaching majority, became vestryman of his parish
church, and justice of the county court, as had his father be-
fore him. In 1769 he was elected to the House of Burgesses,
which he entered amidst foreboding clouds, as public senti-
ment throughout the colonies was drifting from the mother
country, owing to increased distrust in George III and Parlia-
ment Virginia had already caught the contagion, so that
her legislative body echoed loud the spirit of revolution, con-
taining as it did so many formidable advocates — especially
three of towering strength: Washington, its sword; Henry,
its tongue; Jefferson, its pen.
Early in the session Mr. Jefferson prepared resolutions and
an address in reply to Governor Botetourt's inaugural mes-
sage, but only the former were accepted. Shortly thereafter
he introduced a bill making the emancipation of slaves lawful,
which was rejected promptly and emphatically, but adopted
twelve years later (1782). It was during this absence from
home that the family mansion at Shadwell was destroyed by
fire (February I, 1770), with all of its valuable historic con-
tents of furniture, books, legal papers, etc. — his " fiddle " be-
ing saved by the servants as the only thing they considered of
special value. Fortunately Monticello had been begun the
year before and was advanced sufficiently to shelter the family
by enduring numerous inconveniences. Two years later, Jan-
44 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
uary I, 1772, Mr. Jefferson married and brought to his new
home Mrs. Martha Skelton, the childless widow of Bathurst
Skelton (their only child having died in infancy), then twenty-
three years of age, and the daughter of John Wayles, a
wealthy lawyer of Williamsburg.
On May 16, 1773, his gifted and beloved brother-in-law,
Dabney Carr, died at the age of thirty, leaving his young
wife (nee Martha Jefferson), and six small children to the
tender mercy of Mr. Jefferson, by whom they were adopted
and supported. All of us University students were well-
acquainted with the mutual fondness of these two gentlemen,
and in our visits to the Monticello graveyard almost the first
object instinctively sought was the oak tree and tomb there-
under of this dearest youthful companion of Mr. Jefferson,
not two yards from his own grave. We knew of their recipro-
cal promise — that the survivor should see the other buried
under its broad foliage, where in boyhood. they had spent to-
gether so many hours in profitable study and pleasurable dis-
cussion. The writer listened more than once to Mr. Werten-
baker recite the episode with ever-increasing fervor and de-
light as he emphasized Mr. Carr's death and burial to have
occurred during Mr. Jefferson's absence from home, and upon
his return, making known their boyish promise, proceeded to
fulfil the obligation by removing the body to its present rest-
ing place.
Mr. Jefferson, July, 1774, enjoyed a double election — to the
Convention and to the House of Burgesses — but owing to in-
disposition the following month was unable to attend the
former which convened at the Raleigh Tavern, Williamsburg.
He, however, prepared and sent a document, " Summary View
of the Rights of British America," to Peyton Randolph and
Patrick Henry, which proposed the instruction to the Vir-
ginia delegates in the Continental Congress. This proved
possibly the most important political pamphlet of the South in
the earlier days of the Revolution, being not only printed
anonymously at Williamsburg, but also in Philadelphia and
London. It breathed the spirit of independence so strongly,
that, amusingly to the knowing, Mr. Jefferson was accused by
some of pilfering from it in the " Declaration of Independ-
ence." He attended the Convention, March 1775, at St.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 45
John's church, Richmond, during which Patrick Henry made
his second world renown speech, " Give Me Liberty, or Give
Me Death," resulting in the appointment of a committee, of
which he was a member, " to devise plans for putting the col-
ony upon a military basis." That body also previous to adjourn-
ment selected him its representative in the Continental Con-
gress, as the successor to Peyton Randolph, who was to be
recalled to preside over the House of Burgesses. Before
leaving for his new position Mr. Jefferson enthusiastically
prepared a firm, courageous and rebellious reply to Lord
North's " Conciliatory Proposition," which had been referred
to the Burgesses by the Governor for their consideration. It
was in this belligerent frame of mind, at the age of thirty-two,
that he went to Philadelphia and took his seat in Congress,
June 1775. He could calculate an eclipse, survey an estate,
read many languages, tie an artery, plan an edifice, plead a
case, break a horse, dance a minuet and play the violin — a re-
putation that had preceded him and of which John Adams,
then also a member of that body, wrote in 1822: " Mr. Jef-
ferson came to Congress bringing with him a reputation for
literature, science, and a happy talent for composition. Writ-
ings of his were handed about, remarkable for the peculiar
felicity of expression." Shortly after entering upon duties,
Congress, feeling an explanation to the world necessary of the
battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, appointed
a committee for drafting suitable declarations, which, when
finished, proved unsatisfactory. Immediately Mr. Jefferson
and John Dickinson were added to the committee, and their
personal efforts soon produced something thoroughly accept-
able.
Congress appointed, July 1775, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams
and Lee a committee to report on Lord North's " Conciliatory
Proposition," but Mr. Jefferson's colleagues at once requested
him to draft the reply, which he did with signal satisfaction.
Thus in a few weeks his aggressive and fearless nature brought
him to the front of that honorable body, eliciting kindly ex-
pressions from every turn — that of the great Adams being a
striking compliment : " He was so prompt, frank, explicit and
decisive upon committees and in convention that he soon seized
upon my heart." Congress adjourned August 1775, when
46 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Mr. Jefferson returned to Richmond and took his seat in the
Virginia Convention, only to be re-elected to represent the
colony in the next Congress. It was at this session of the
Convention that a petition was presented by the Baptists, im-
ploring the privilege of their denominational ministers preach-
ing to Baptist soldiers. The request was granted, and Mr.
Jefferson's vote for it was his first act in a movement directed
by himself leading to the disestablishment of the church in
Virginia, and to the general separation of the Church and
State in America. In September he returned to Philadelphia,
where he found Congress greatly aroused over passing events,
especially the presence of an agent of France, offering the
support of his government in any resistance that might be
determined upon against England. Congress appointed Jay.
Franklin and Jefferson a committee to confer with the envoy,
resulting in successful conferences that led not only to our
French alliance, but to Mr. Jefferson's diplomatic career in
France. In the early part of the month he mourned the loss
of his second child, Jane Randolph, and in December was
called home by the illness and death of his mother. As a fact
he was very unfortunate with his children, as out of six, only
two survived infancy — Martha and Mary; the former born
September 27, 1772, died October 10, 1836; the latter born
August i, 1778, died April 17, 1804.
He did not return to Congress until May 1 776, but with re-
newed energy for work, and on the first day resolutions were
passed advising the colonies to form individual separate gov-
ernments. Five days later news came that the Virginia Con-
vention had adopted a resolution instructing its delegates in
Congress to support a motion declaring the " United Colonies
free and independent States, absolved from all allegiance or
dependence upon the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain."
Mr. Jefferson's relative, Archibald Cary, reported the resolu-
tion, as he had also the reply to Lord North's " Conciliatory
Proposition," a fact, coupled with Mr. Jefferson being in Rich-
mond at the time the resolution was passed, and his custom of
never appearing himself in legislative measures when others
would serve for him, leading to the belief that he had a hand
in drafting and passing this most important act of the Conven-
tion. Congress at once took up the Virginia resolution,
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 47
whereupon R. H. Lee (June 7) moved, " That the colonies
be declared independent," which after two days' discussion
was postponed twenty days for further action, so that the
other colonies might reach their final decisions. Congress,
however, was not idle any of this time, as on the roth, Jeffer-
son, Adams, Franklin, Sherman and Livingston were ap-
pointed to draft the " Declaration of Independence," and upon
Mr. Jefferson devolved the composing of that celebrated docu-
ment— a task requiring just three weeks, and performed in
his parlor, second-story front room, southwest corner of Sev-
enth and Market Streets, Philadelphia, since called " The De-
claration House," upon the site of the present Penn National
Bank building — which was brought before Congress on the
28th, read, laid upon the table, then taken up, debated three
days, slightly modified and passed on the afternoon of July
4th. Although this great instrument even to-day stands as
the exponent of rare thought and decision, yet it has been
criticised for both style and principles. At first it was claimed
to have been copied somewhat from Locke and Otis, but Mr.
Jefferson denied any plagiarism, while he boldly acknowledged
it to contain no new ideas or sentiments in these words : " I
turned to neither book or pamphlet while writing it; it is
virtually my political creed and faith." Although re-elected
to Congress, June 1776, he resigned that seat in September,
owing to the demands of domestic affairs and the need of his
counsel in the Virginia Legislature, chiefly in framing the new
Constitution, of which he prepared the outlines. Congress in
October selected Franklin, Deane and himself envoys to
France, for effecting a treaty of alliance, and although it al-
ways had been a cherished hope to visit Europe — that for
which his first sweetheart had been asked to defer marriage
several years, the alleged cause of her accepting another — yet
when the opportunity came, peculiar family circumstances com-
pelled him to decline the honor.
In the fall of 1776 he took his seat in the first Republican
House of Delegates of Virginia, and at once began a labor of
reform that proved the greatest work of his life, including a
revolutionizing of the public and private laws of the State.
The Virginia code sanctioned tyranny, cruelty and bigotry,
but it was now to be made reasonable, humane and just. He
48 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
fought to abandonment the pillory, whipping-post, stocks and
ducking-stool, the system of land tenure, and then introduced
a bill abolishing entails on the claim, " That one generation
has no right to bind succeeding generations ; that the usufruct
of the earth belongs to the living, not to the dead ; that entails
were contrary to good policy, tended to deceive honest traders
who gave credit on the visible possession of such estates, dis-
couraged the holder from improving his lands, and sometimes
did injury to the morals of youth by rendering them independ-
ent of and disobedient to their parents. This privilege should
be annulled, and instead of an aristocracy of wealth, of more
harm and danger than benefit to society, we should make an
opening for the aristocracy of virtue and talent." Conse-
quently tenure by fee-tail was wiped from the statute, lands and
slaves could no longer be prevented by law from falling into
the hands of their rightful owners, and finally was removed
the only remaining prop of landed aristocracy — principle of
primogeniture. These reform blows fell hard upon the aris-
tocracy— the old families — so that the recoil and criticism
upon Mr. Jefferson was most severe from the great land hold-
ers, extending sometimes to their children and grandchildren,
yet the time came later when few dishonored his memory, and
many stood proud of the man and his deeds.
He then championed a reform bill for easier naturalization
and expatriation, both being too severe, which not only passed
but led Congress to adopt its best features in a general natural-
ization law. He next devoted his relentless energies in favor
of religious liberty, incorporating in his law, " No man shall
be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, min-
istry, or place whatsoever; nor shall be enforced, restrained,
molested, or burdened in his body or goods; nor shall other-
wise suffer on account of his religious opinions or beliefs ; but
all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain,
their opinion in matters of religion ; and the same shall in no
wise diminish, enlarge or affect their civil capacities." Prior
to this : To call in question the Trinity, or to be a deist was
punishable with imprisonment without bail; to be a Catholic
debarred a man of the right to teach, to own a horse or a gun,
or to give testimony in a court of law ; a Protestant minister,
not of the Anglican faith, could legally be drummed out of the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 49
country. At first the bill met with disastrous opposition, and
it was not until ten years thereafter, when sentiment softened
and the massive strength of Mason, Madison, Nicholas and
Wythe was invoked, that the bill passed. Thus the United
States became the first Nation to separate Church and State,
to tolerate a free state by the side of a free church, along with
perfect freedom of religious opinion. It was this that Vir-
ginia, yes, the entire country, needed, and Mr. Jefferson was
the first to realize seriously that need. In those days one could
not vote unless owning twenty-five acres of land with a house
thereon, or one hundred acres without a house; in a city one
must own land within the corporate limit — possibly the other
extreme of our present unrestricted franchise. He next drew
up and offered a bill preventing the further importation of
slaves by sea .or land, as he was an abolitionist in theory but
recognized that to be impractical. " He did not believe the
negro could live as a free man side by side with the white man.
but he believed he should be free, and that he would be — noth-
ing was more clearly written in the book of fate." His plan
was to free the negroes by gradual emancipation — to regard
as lawfully free all slave-born children, to educate them at the
public expense, and when grown transplant them to some dis-
tant and isolated colony where they might enjoy, under a mild
protectorate, the privileges of self-government.
Mr. Jefferson, however, had yet pent within himself one
other interest he considered of far greater moment to his
people, state and country — the general " Diffusion of Knowl-
edge." He recognized that a democracy must rest upon the
enlightenment of the masses, and accordingly brought forward
his system: Free elementary schools for all the children of
the State for a term of three years ; high schools at convenient
places for superior and ambitious youths; a State university
at the top. Other states had set this most worthy example,
but Virginia seemed decidedly less ready for it than she did
for his other reforms — fortunately he was willing to abide
time. The actual revision of his State laws, 1777-1778, fell
upon himself and his old law preceptor, George Wythe, who
together went over carefully the whole body of British and
colonial statutes, extracting therefrom a concise and coherent
system. Their report consisted of one hundred and twenty-
50 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
six bills, and although a few were adopted from time to time,
as demanded, the entire number was not enacted into law until
1785, when Mr. Jefferson was abroad, but who, with proper
sagacity, had left the cause in the efficient hands of his prom-
ising neighbor and political ally, James Madison.
Mr. Jefferson at the age of thirty-six, 1779, was elected by
the legislature Governor of his Stat,e, and re-elected in 1780.
but in that capacity proved neither a great administrator or
warrior — the kind of man then needed for the executive head,
as British invasion and Indian ravaging were largely the dis-
turbing elements — so that he himself did not regard those
years as specially creditable. Early in 1781 the British fleet
ascended the James River, and in June Cornwallis approached
Charlottesville, making it possible for a body of raiders, de-
tached by Tarleton, to visit Monticello the day after Mr. Jef-
ferson retired from the governorship in the hope of carrying
him away as a rich prize of war. Through individual alert-
ness they were foiled in this, but did succeed in injuring to an
appreciable extent the mansion, papers, property, and in cap-
turing twenty-seven slaves, who, after a season gladly re-
turned, but with a pestilence contracted in captivity from which
most of them died. Mr. Jefferson's dislike to England was
ever afterwards more intense, as his own eyes witnessed Corn-
wallis' unnecessary devastation of Virginia and the perpetra-
tion of many atrocious outrages. In the fall he was elected to
the Legislature which convened at Staunton, and appeared in
that body during December, but only for a period sufficient
to defend himself against the attacks of certain critics — retir-
ing thereafter to Monticello somewhat chagrined, yet chiefly
to guard with tender care the precarious health of his wife.
This withdrawal from the Legislature, spring of 1782, was
supposed by him a final retirement, even though it elicited
strong denunciation from enemies and inexpressible regret
from friends. Indeed, Mr. Monroe's attempt at recalling him
to a more healthy view of life was futile, since it reached him
just at the death of Mrs. Jefferson, September 6th, after most
trying months of apprehension. The fleeing from Richmond
at Arnold's approach, the solicitude for her husband's safety,
the birth of her last child, and the sad experiences with her
many dying servants, all contributed to a gradual decline which
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 51
no earthly hand could stay — a blow in spite of its assurance
that fell heavy upon Mr. Jefferson and inclined him to prefer
seclusion in his distressing grief.
Two months later Mr. Jefferson, largely through the efforts
of Mr. Madison, was appointed by Congress Minister Pleni-
potentiary to Europe — a position he had declined eighteen
months before, June 1781, when he thought it best to remain
in this country and return to his state Legislature in order to
clear himself of alleged charges. He, however, accepted the
appointment, believing a change of scene might temper his
sorrow, but by the following spring, 1783, foreign matters
were adjusted so as to render his going unnecessary — that
which mattered little, as the preparation all during the winter
for the trip acted well in lifting his gloom. In June, 1783, he
was elected again to Congress, and in that body soon became
one of its most powerful leaders, serving on every important
committee and frequently as chairman. He initiated and
headed the ceding by Virginia to the Government of the entire
Northwestern Territory, and submitted to Congress the plan
adopted for its government — the development along lines of
self-government and ultimate statehood of each growing com-
munity— surely one of the greatest contributions to our politi-
cal history, as he neglected nothing, giving boundaries of
States proposed, nature of their temporary government to be
established, conditions of admission into full statehood, and
fanciful names of the new States. The most far-reaching
stipulation was the prohibition of slavery or involuntary servi-
tude in those States after 1800, a clause that at the time
killed the plan, only to be taken up, however, and passed in
1787. At the same session he also proposed and had adopted
a modification of Mr. Morris' monetary unit and plan, thus
giving us four coins in the decimal ratio — ten dollar gold
piece, silver dollar, silver dime, and copper cent.
In 1784 Mr. Jefferson was appointed by Congress, for the
fourth time, to a foreign post, it being now to France, with
Adams and Franklin as colleagues. He reached Paris August
6th, accompanied by his eldest daughter, Martha, whom he
placed in a fashionable convent. The mission was to negoti-
ate treaties of commerce with foreign nations, and was con-
ducive of slight results, even though the next year (1785) he
52 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
succeeded Franklin as Minister Plenipotentiary to that court,
who returned home, while Adams was sent to the court of
England. His " Notes on Virginia " were published soon
after reaching Paris, which assured him to be a man of power,
as well as a happy and forceful writer. He had entertained
eminent Frenchmen at Monticello, knew many of that coun-
try's officers, which together with his frank, graceful and
genial manners, made him only second to Franklin in rec-
ognized popularity. He was known also to be an uncom-
promising advocate of the sentiments of liberty and national
rights, then so popular throughout France, but in spite of all
this his desired treaty of commerce remained a dream for a
time, as the foreign people, especially the English, mistrusted
our Nation's credit — many regarding us as cheats and swin-
dlers. Upon this point he wrote : " We are branded for the
non-payment of our debts, and the want of energy in our Gov-
ernment. I consider the extravagance which has seized my
countrymen as a more baneful evil than Toryism was during
the war. This feeling is most pronounced in England, as
that nation hates us, so do the ministers, and the King more
than all others." He, however, finally succeeded in getting
France to suppress many duties on American products, to
abolish certain ones for specific periods, and in general to
make concessions which were granted to no other country.
This he believed more important from the moral than the
material stand-point, recognizing in it the willingness of the
French government for national intercourse as well as the
people's cordial and friendly feeling.
The Barbary powers had been accustomed to capture and
confiscate vessels of all nations, holding the crews for ransom,
and at last an American vessel was so treated — that which in-
cited a conference between Mr. Jefferson and Adams but with
a disagreement as to the best action to be taken. Mr. Jeffer-
son was firm that such a practice should be stopped by force,
and to that effect advised Congress, arguing and advocating
the necessity of a navy — his acknowledged child — " if we
mean to be commercial."
In addition to his diplomatic duties Mr. Jefferson kept in
sight the doings at home — aiding her interests wherever pos-
sible, Thus he procured a statue of Washington, consulted
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 53
architects and furnished plans for the Statehouse in Richmond,
corresponded with Washington in reference to improving the
navigation of the Potomac and the running of a canal through
the Dismal Swamp, followed the desire of Kentucky to sep-
arate from Virginia, advocating it as soon as they could agree,
and kept in touch with our governmental action, especially
in the formation and adoption of the Constitution, which he
heartily favored and approved. In his second year abroad he
spent two months in travel, chiefly in the rural districts of
England. The next year (1787), having broken his right
wrist and becoming much depleted thereby, he journeyed up
the Seine and down the Saone and Rhone to and from Aix,
where he spent three months drinking the waters ; also visited
Genoa, Italy. The next year he met Adams by appointment
at Amsterdam, and after transacting pending business pro-
ceeded up the Rhine to Strassburg, observing everywhere the
people — their condition, habits, daily occupations, and all
economic questions dependent upon soil, climate, products, etc.
In a letter to Lafayette he said : " In great cities I go to see
what travelers think alone worthy of being seen; but I make
a job of it, and generally gulp it down in a day. On the other
hand, I am never satiated with rambling through the fields and
farms, examining the culture and cultivators with a degree of
curiosity which makes some take me for a fool and others to be
much wiser than I am. You should take the journey, for it
would be a great comfort to inspect the condition of all the
provinces of your own country, but it must be absolutely
incognito. You will feel a sublime pleasure in the course of
this investigation and a sublime one hereafter when you shall
be able to apply your knowledge to the softening of their beds
or the throwing a morsel of meat into their kettle of vege-
tables."
While abroad his enormous correspondence, the range of
subjects treated, and their length, is almost marvelous, bearing
evidence of the great energy and method with which he
worked. To some he sent new astronomic discoveries and
calculations, to others described improvements in musical in-
struments, narrated explorations into natural history, sent
descriptions of architectural specimens, gave opinions on
statues and paintings, also accounts of agriculture and me-
54 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
chanical invention. Everywhere he observed and recorded
faithfully social conditions, noting the excellences as well as
the defects. The more he saw of other countries, the more
highly he appreciated the superiority of his own, and always
used as a text : The abuses of the civilization of Europe, includ-
ing England, in advocating the education of the masses of his
own country. Especially was this his attitude towards France,
which he saw at a most unfavorable period — from the begin-
ning of the follies and defeats of the crown and nobility, to
the armed conflicts in the streets of Paris and the fall of the
Bastile. In spite of the attending and subsequent horrors, his
faith was not shaken in the ultimate good to humanity that
resulted from the Revolution. During those turbulent times
it required a level head to act always discreetly and above
criticism, but this Mr. Jefferson managed to do, in spite of
coming in contact and conferring with public men of varying
sympathies. As a fact he contributed much towards forming
the new French government, often interposing simply as a
lover of human liberty to produce a new life for the people,
then ground to dust by the abuses of the governing powers.
He incorporated his ideas in the " Charter of Rights," which
though not adopted, led to him being requested to assist in
drafting their Constitution — an honor he declined, and yet en-
tertained at his house " a number of leading patriots of honest
but different opinions, sensible of the necessity of effecting a
condition by mutual sacrifices, knowing each other and not
afraid, therefore, to unbosom themselves mutually." The
next morning after this assembly Mr. Jefferson waited upon
Count Montmorin with full explanation and apology for the
occurrence, only to receive this reply : " I wish you would
habitually assist at such conferences, for I am. sure you will
be useful in moderating the warmer spirits, and promoting a
wholesome and practical reformation."
Mr. Jefferson after an absence of five years returned to
America, December 1789, having been granted a six months
leave for looking after his private affairs. But upon reaching
Norfolk found a letter from Washington tendering the ap-
pointment of Secretary of State — that which he hesitated to
accept for several months, thinking his ambassadorship more
congenial to himself and important to his country, but finally
5 2
A
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 55
yielded to the appeal, when Washington sent Madison per-
sonally to persuade and explain the nature of the duties, and
according to arrangement reached New York, the then seat of
Government, ready for duty, March 21, 1790.
In vigor of intellect, self-confidence and experience in public
affairs Mr. Jefferson at once took position side of Hamilton,
and these two became the dominant figures of the Cabinet,
as Knox and Randolph simply reflected their views. They
had never met personally before, but knew thoroughly of each
other, and that they differed radically in ideas of finance, gov-
ernment and the constitution of society. Indeed, Mr. Jeffer-
son unhesitatingly affirmed of Hamilton. " He was not only
a monarchist, but for a monarchy bottomed on corruption;
he was wedded to the British form, thinking it absolutely per-
fect. I want the Constitution to contain a Bill of Rights
securing freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom
from standing armies, trial by jury, a constant Habeas Corpus
act, and longer presidential term to make the occupant more
independent; he wanted it for a King and a House of Lords,
and desired the general government to make laws binding the
States in all cases. His system is adverse to liberty, and cal-
culated to undermine and demolish the Republic, by creating
an influence of his department (Treasury) over the members
of the Legislature. ... I saw this influence actually^ pro-
duced, and its first fruits to be the establishment of the 'great
outlines of his project by the votes of the very persons who,
having swallowed his bait, were laying themselves out to profit
by his plans; and that had these persons withdrawn, as those
interested in a question ever should, the vote of the disinter-
ested majority was clearly the reverse of what they made it.
These were no longer then the votes of the representatives of
the people, but of deserters from the rights and interests of the
people."
When Washington, through his great honesty of purpose,
brought Mr. Jefferson and Hamilton together, many thought
it ill advised, knowing how widely they differed. For a year,
however, their relations were pleasant, when the first great
difference occurred over the Bill for a United States Bank,
whose charter basis Mr. Jefferson pronounced absolutely un-
constitutional, although it was signed finally by Washington
56 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
— thus giving date and data for the first clear division of the
country into political parties. The second issue, was the criti-
cism and claimed interest Mr. Jefferson had in editor Freneau,
and his National Gazette — a controversy that proved to be
founded upon falsity, while the fact was established of Ham-
ilton largely supporting, by his departmental patronage, the
Federalist organ, Fenno's Gazette of the United States. In
this controversy Hamilton lost weight, as did his cherished
pet scheme — a strong central government, administered in the
English spirit ; while the Jefferson idea became more popular- —
a light and easy central government, that would respond read-
ily to the will of the populace; universal free trade, so highly
advantageous, but so long as foreign restrictions on our com-
merce and carrying trade continues, they might best be
counteracted by a policy of liberal reciprocity. He believed in
retaliative methods for discriminating restrictions, considered
foreign relations to be of superlative importance, and his " Re-
port on the Privileges and Restrictions of the Commerce of the
United States in Foreign Countries," sent to Congress at that
time, contained severe criticism of Great Britain's rigorous
attitude towards our commerce in contrast with the fair and
equal principles of trade proposed by France, and embodied
the germs of all subsequent party discussion and division on
the tariff.
England after the ratification of the Treaty of Peace, re-
mained indifferent, even contemptuous, towards the United
States — manifesting anything but a conciliatory spirit on every
point, so that our Minister (Morris) was recalled, and no
treaty of commerce instituted until 1791, eight years after
peace had been declared. In May, 1792, Mr. Jefferson gave
forth his ablest State paper on " Foreign Relations," recount-
ing the debts paid to England, and her failure to live up to
promises, but it had no effect upon her actions. Then came
the internal dissensions of France, her declaration of war
against England,. and the sending to our country of a new
Minister, Genet, who represented the extreme type of their
revolutionary movement. As might have been expected, the
partiality of the Federalists for England, and the Republicans
for France rendered the situation most acute throughout our
country. The Republicans recognized beneath the atrocities
57
of the movement a contest between the monocratic and demo-
cratic principles of government, and the sympathies of most
of them were not to be extinguished because of excesses which
they considered inevitable in the transition from despotism to
freedom. In this war it was a political necessity that the
United States remained neutral. Hamilton and Knox thought
the treaty with France void, while Mr. Jefferson, Randolph and
Washington considered it valid, consequently the latter (Wash-
ington) issued a proclamation of neutrality, which brought
down upon him much criticism from Freneau and other Re-
publican papers — the former's insolence to Washington person-
ally causing the first difference between him and Mr. Jefferson.
Genet upon arriving began to act in utter disregard of the
prevailing neutrality laws, thereby causing Mr. Jefferson to
write Monroe : " I do not augur well of the mode of conduct
of the new French Minister; I fear he will enlarge the evils
of those disaffected in his country. I am doing everything in
my power to moderate the impetuosity of his movements, and
to destroy the dangerous opinions which have been excited in
him that the people of the United States will disavow the acts
of their government, and that he has an appeal from the Ex-
ecutive to Congress and from both to the people." While
Mr. Jefferson was grateful to France for her hospitality and
kind personal treatment, and the invaluable aid rendered his
country when in need, yet, in spite of recognizing now a golden
opportunity to reciprocate, saw plainly that such a course
would be disastrous to our infant country, consequently ac-
quiesced heartily in Washington's policy of strict neutrality,
and followed his line of duty so closely as to occasion Chief
Justice Marshall — who always towards him expressed faint
praise — to write : " The publication of his correspondence
with Genet dissipated much of the prejudice which had been
excited against him." Upon the subject Mr. Jefferson wrote
Monroe : " I fear the disgust of France is inevitable ; we shall
be to blame in part, but the Minister much more so. His
conduct is indefensible by the most furious Jacobin. I only
wish our countrymen may distinguish between him and his
nation, and, if the case should ever be laid before them, may
not suffer their affection to the nation to be diminished." He
felt Genet's conduct would put weapons into the hands of the
58 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Federalists. Hamilton urged an appeal by the government to
the people, but Mr. Jefferson thought such an explosion would
certainly endanger a dissolution of the friendship between the
nations, and ought, therefore, " to be deprecated by every
friend to our liberty; and no one but an enemy to it would
wish to avail himself of the indiscretion of an individual to
compromit two nations esteeming each other ardently. It will
prove that the agents of the two peoples are either great bung-
lers or great rascals, when they cannot preserve that peace
which is the universal wish of both."
Genet's indiscreet language and insolence so increased that
the Cabinet requested from the French government his re-
call, and adopted more stringent rules for maintaining neu-
trality between the contending nations. In fact the affair oc-
casioned a wider separation of the two Cabinet factions, and
led to slight coolness between Washington and Mr. Jefferson,
which happily was only of passing duration. Mr. Jefferson,
however, had determined " to retire to scenes of greater tran-
quility," and in July sent his resignation to Washington, who
not only urged his retention, but would not accept it until its
second transmission, December 31, 1793.
CHAPTER III
THOMAS JEFFERSON — IDEAL PARENT AND PRESIDENT
Retires to Monticello; daughter Martha — Mrs. Thomas Mann Randolph —
becomes its mistress; Rochefoucauld-Liancourt's visit; Excise Law,
revolts in Pennsylvania; Curtius and Camillus; Jay Treaty; Vice-
President, Talleyrand, Alien and Sedition Acts ; President — Burr Vice-
President; inauguration, address, principles; death of daughter Mary;
Judge Samuel Chase, John Randolph; Embargo Act; administra-
tions compared; retirement, declines public reception; reconciliation
with Adams; employment, advocate and user of machinery; corre-
spondence, etc.
MR. JEFFERSON had served four years as Secretary of State,
and now sought rest in retirement at his beloved Monticello,
where he expected to pass the remainder of his life. Although
only fifty-one years of age he fancied himself, from temporary
feelings of indisposition, a very old man, but fortunately the
new and more congenial order of living and enjoyment soon
restored his health and youthful energies. William Randolph,
the neighbor friend of Mr. Jefferson's father, left one son,
Thomas Mann Randolph, who, in turn, gave to his only son
the same name. This Thomas Mann Randolph, the second,
became a member of Congress, Colonel in the war of 1812,
Governor of Virginia, and the husband of Mr. Jefferson's
eldest daughter, Martha, February 23, 1790. They were sec-
ond cousins, had known each other from childhood, and now
came with their two children to live permanently at Monti-
cello, to grace, minister and comfort Mr. Jefferson's surround-
ings. Mrs. Randolph was highly accomplished, attractive in
manners and conversation, possessing rare judgment and a
strong fondness for her father — with whom John Randolph
of Roanoke quarrelled, but in spite of that pronounced her,
" the noblest woman in Virginia." The household was com-
pleted by the younger daughter, Mary (Maria), who had
spent the last three years in Philadelphia with her father, be-
ing now just seventeen, frail, beautiful — resembling her mother
— and above all noted for her extreme unselfishness. Thus
59
60 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
again Mr. Jefferson began the quiet farmer's life for which
he had a supreme thirst, devoting most of his time to general
supervision, reading from his choice library, and in writing
an occasional letter to his former colleagues — Edmund Ran-
dolph, John Adams, Tenche Coxe, etc. — but declining to take
and read any newspapers. To Randolph he wrote : " I think
it is Montaigne who has said that ignorance is the softest
pillow on which a man can rest his head. I am sure it is true
as to everything political, and shall endeavor to estrange my-
self to everything of that character " ; while in a letter to
Adams he made this admission : " Instead of writing ten or
twelve letters a day, which I have been in the habit of doing
as a thing of course, I put off answering my letters now, farm-
like, till a rainy day, and then find them sometimes postponed
by other necessary occupations."
His estate now consisted of ten thousand six hundred and
forty-seven acres — about two thousand acres being continually
in tillage; one hundred and fifty- four slaves; three hundred
and ninety hogs; three sheep; thirty-four horses; five mules;
two hundred and forty-nine cattle. In a letter to Washington
he said : " I find on a more minute examination, that a ten
years' abandonment of them to the ravages of overseers has
brought on them a degree of degradation far beyond what I
had expected. ... I am not yet satisfied that my acquisition,
of overseers has been a happy one, or that much will be done
this year towards rescuing my plantations from their wretched
condition. Time, patience and perseverance must be the
remedy ; and the maxim of your letter, ' Slow and sure,' is not
less a good one in agriculture than in politics."
In 1796 Rochefoucauld-Liancourt visited Monticello, and
shortly thereafter wrote : " He manages his farms and build-
ings, orders, directs and pursues every branch of business rel-
ative to them. His negroes are cabinetmakers, carpenters,
masons, bricklayers, smiths, etc., and they are nourished,
clothed and treated as well as white servants could be; the
children he employs in a nail-factory — the source of much
profit ; the young and old negresses spin for the clothing of the
rest. He animates them by rewards and distinctions, etc."
It was in this year that Mr. Jefferson solved mathematically
the mould-board of least resistance, and operated on his own
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 61
lands his ideal plows, which became known throughout the
progressive agricultural world. He neglected only a few
months the political activities of his country, for Washington's
address to Congress, November 1794, gave him the deepest
interest, as it dealt chiefly with suppressing revolts in Penn-
sylvania, incited by the attempted enforcement of the Excise
Law — an obnoxious law of Hamilton that Mr. Jefferson op-
posed bitterly from the very first, and equally now the manner
of enforcing it — by the aid of fifteen thousand militia. Con-
sequently he could no longer keep silent, as Washington also
vigorously denounced the Democratic Corresponding Societies,
which in some States had been established in imitation of the
French societies of that name, as responsible for the outbreak.
Mr. Jefferson wrote Madison : " The denunciation of the
democratic societies is one of the extraordinary acts of bold-
ness of which we have seen so many from the faction of Mono-
crats. It is wonderful indeed that the President should have
permitted himself to be the organ of such an attack on the free-
dom of discussion, the freedom of writing, printing and pub-
lishing. I expected to have seen some justification of arming
one part of the society against another; . . . but the part of
the speech which was to be taken as a justification of the arma-
ment reminded me of Parson Sanders' demonstration why
minus into minus makes plus. After a parcel of shreds of
stuff from ^Esop's Fables and Tom Thumb, he jumps at once
into his ergo, minus multiplied by minus makes plus. Just so
the fifteen thousand men enter after the fables in the speech."
Scarcely had the Excise Law troubles abated, when arose a
general dissatisfaction over the " Jay Treaty " with England
— that which Mr. Jefferson heartily disapproved^ writing
Madison: " Thus it is that Hamilton, Jay, etc., in the boldest
act they ever ventured on to undermine the Government, have
the address to screen themselves, and direct the hue and cry
against those who wish to drag them into light. A bolder
party stroke was never struck; for it certainly is an attempt
of a party who find they have lost their majority in one branch
of the Legislature, to make a law by the aid of the other
branch and of the Executive, under color of a treaty which
shall bind up the hands of the adverse branch from ever re-
straining the commerce of their patron nation. There appears
62 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
a pause at present in the public sentiment which may be fol-
lowed by a revolution. . . . For God's sake take up your pen
and give a fundamental reply to Curtius and Camillus."
When the " Treaty " was ratified there arose even a greater
storm of criticism from the Republicans, in which Mr. Jeffer-
son shared strongly — not even sparing Washington, assailing
the treaty-making power of the Executive.
Mr. Jefferson, however, seemed determined to remain out
of the activities of politics, desiring Madison to stand at the
helm of his party, and writing him to that effect : " The
whole mass of your constituents are looking to you, as their
last hope, to save them from the effects of the avarice and
corruption of the first agent (Jay), the revolutionary machina-
tions of others, and the incomprehensible acquiescence of the
only honest man who has assented to it. I wish that his hon-
esty and his political errors may not furnish a second occasion
to exclaim : ' Curse on his virtues, they have undone his coun-
try.' . . . There is not another person (besides yourself) in
the United States, who being placed at the helm of affairs,
my mind would be so completely at rest for the future of our
political bark." On the other hand Madison was just as in-
sistent that Mr. Jefferson take the leadership of the party,
which finally he did much against his will, as he preferred
looking after his impaired health, enjoying the society of his
family, agreeable pursuits, and the healthy establishment of his
business affairs. He wrote Madison : " The little spice of
ambition which I had in my younger days has long since evap-
orated, and I set still less store by a posthumous than present
name. In stating to you the heads of reasons which have
produced my determination, I do not mean an opening for
future discussion, or that I may be reasoned out of it — the
question is forever closed with me, my sole object is to prevent
any division or loss of votes which might be fatal to the Repub-
lican interests."
Mr. Jefferson's nomination for Vice-President, however,
was the spontaneous and unanimous wish of his party, and in
it he felt constrained to acquiesce, since political conditions
badly needed his counsel and personality, but during the cam-
paign he wrote only one political letter, and did not go outside
of his county in the three months preceding election. On
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 63
January I, 1797, he wrote Madison: " I know the difficulty
of obtaining belief in one's declarations of a disinclination to
honors, and that it is greatest to those who still remain in the
world. ... It is the only office in the world (Vice- Presi-
dency) about which I am unable to decide in my own mind,
whether I had rather have it or not have it. Pride does not
enter into the estimate ; for I think with the Romans, that the
general of to-day should be the soldier of to-morrow, if neces-
sary. I can particularly have no feelings which would revolt
at a secondary position to Mr. Adams. I am his junior in
life, was his junior in Congress, his junior in the diplomatic
line, his junior lately in our civil Government." No doubt
Mr. Jefferson was satisfied thoroughly through the hope of
effecting some compromise with Adams, and reached Phil-
adelphia, March 1797, eager to assume the duties of his new
post.
The Federalists considered Adams' inaugural address as
" temporizing, and as having the air of a lure for the favor of
his opponents at the expense of his sincerity." As a matter
of fact Mr. Jefferson was more than willing to meet Adams
half way, and, looking towards a coalition of their forces, both
had interchanged visits (March 2, 3) just prior to the inau-
guration. At first Adams was very free in conversation, claim-
ing a desire to join Gerry and Madison to Pinckney in France.
Three days later, however, when coming away together from
a dinner at Washington's, as Mr. Jefferson reported Madi-
son's declination of the position to Adams, the latter ex-
pressed himself as having already found some objections to
his nomination, and with that dismissed the subject — thus
making it the last interview the two had during the admin-
istration upon any measure pertaining to the Government.
The " Jay Treaty " with England, and Monroe's recall from
France so enraged the latter country against the United States
as to cause Adams to call an extra session of Congress, May
15, 1797, over which Mr. Jefferson had his first experience as
presiding officer. The address of Adams to that body greatly
displeased Mr. Jefferson, who, convinced that those in power
intended forcing war with France, opposed the policy of the
Government. Political passions ran at fever heat, as Mr. Jef-
ferson wrote : " Men who have been intimate all their lives
64 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
cross the street to avoid meeting, and turn their heads another
way, lest they should be obliged to touch their hats. This
may do for young men with whom passion is enjoyment, but
it is afflicting to peaceable minds. Tranquility is the old man's
milk. I go to enjoy it in a few days, and to exchange the roar
and tumult of bulls and bears for the prattle of my grand-
children and senile rest." He never allowed himself to be
present at the reading of the President's addresses, as he
chafed under the formal and fulsome replies of the Federalist
Senate, consequently he did not appear until after Congress
assembled in November, 1797 — a session that had little to do
except await results of the envoys (Marshall, Gerry, Pinckney).
This mission to the French government up to March, 1798,
was unable to secure an interview with Talleyrand — only with
his unsatisfactory agents — and as no agreement could be
reached the envoys broke off all negotiations, a necessity that
aroused our country's indignation against France. The tem-
per of the House even swayed against the Republicans — the
traditional friends of France — and although Mr. Jefferson
urged a suspension of censure until the exact truth was known,
he was rather disgusted at that country's action. Congress,
indeed, began making ready for war, by giving the President
discretionary powers, placing Washington in command of the
armies and Hamilton the Inspector-General, rendering natural-
ization more difficult, and passing alien and sedition acts — the
latter aimed at the native-born Republicans, as they were op-
posed to war. During the summer (1798), however, the war
sentiment abated somewhat. Congress had adjourned and its
sad minority members, realizing their insignificant power in
that body, turned their attention towards influencing various
Republican State Legislatures, especially Kentucky and Vir-
ginia, as their sympathies were so cordial, to oppose the Gov-
ernment's interpretation and inflexion of the Constitution, in
the passing of the alien and sedition acts. Mr. Jefferson wrote
the Kentucky resolutions, and Madison those of Virginia.
The former declared : " That the Union was not based on
the principle of unlimited submission to the general Govern-
ment ; that the Constitution was a compact to which each State
was a party as over against its fellow State ; and that in all
cases not specified in the compact, each party had a right to
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 65
judge for itself as well of infraction as of the mode and
measure of redress." The Alien and Sedition Acts were de-
nounced as unconstitutional, and other States were invoked to
join in declaring them null and void. Madison's resolutions
declared that, " whenever the Federal Government exceeded
its constitutional authority, the State governments, in Conven-
tion, should interfere and pronounce such action unconstitu-
tional." Mr. Jefferson's went a step further — declaring our
Federal Constitution a compact, to which the several States
were the one party and the Federal Government the other;
that each party must decide for itself any infringement of the
compact and proper remedy therefor; that nullification was a
suitable remedy and one that any State might employ.
This gave rise later to the possibility of different interpre-
tations, such as advocated by Calhoun — nullification — where-
by a State might suspend the application of a Federal law to
its own district; and by Jackson, who, equally a Jeffersonian
Democrat, could find nothing in the resolutions sanctioning
such action by a State, consequently strenuously opposed nulli-
fication. While the Legislatures paid little attention to the
advocacy or adoption of these resolutions, public sentiment
gradually become less acuf.p and more thoughtful. Mr. Jef-
ferson relinquished no efforts in the interest of his political
faith, and wrote Madison : " People wish to hear reason in-
stead of disgusting blackguardism. The public sentiment be-
ing on the careen and many heavy circumstances about to fall
into the Republican scales, we are sensible that this summer
(1799) is the season for systematic energies and sacrifices.
The engine is the press. Every man must lay his purse and
his pen under contribution. As to the former, it is possible
I may be obliged to assume something for you ; as to the latter,
let me pray and beseech you to set apart a certain portion of
every post-day to write what may be proper for the public."
Adams and his Cabinet began now to disagree, as he sus-
pended war preparations and dispatched envoys to France
with specific instructions — acts culminating finally in a rupture
with his party leaders, and the accession to power of the Re-
publicans. In addition to these, other obnoxious Federal legis-
lation— endangering individual liberty, etc. — -was held up to
ridicule by Mr. Jefferson, so that he became, in the eyes of all,
66 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
the most logical presidential candidate at the approaching
election (1800), a position to which he was nominated unan-
imously in May by the Congressional caucus, as was Burr
to the vice-presidency.
In spite of this high honor and its demand for success, Mr.
Jefferson remained all summer at Monticello, except for two
short visits — one to the remote part of his county, Albemarle,
the other to his Bedford estate — being kept busy with his
farming interests, nail factory and brick kiln. His only ex-
travagance during the campaign was a few additional news-
papers, while he restricted his correspondence to three letters
from the time of nomination to election — bearing silently the
many effusions to defame his character and lessen his popular-
ity. Within these three months it was proclaimed far and
near, in the press and on the platform that : " He had ob-
tained his money by fraud and robbery; had defrauded and
robbed a widow and fatherless children of their estate." In a
widely distributed pamphlet, " The Voice of Warning to
Christians on the Ensuing Election," he was portrayed an
atheist, French infidel, as lacking a decent respect for the faith
and worship of Christians, etc. Thus he wrote Dr. Rush:
" The late attack of the Federalists on the freedom of the
press had given to the clergy a very favorite hope of obtaining
an establishment of a particular form of Christianity through-
out the United States. The returning good sense of our
country threatens abortion to their hopes, and they believe that
any portion of power confided to me will be exerted in opposi-
tion to their schemes. And they believe rightly, for I have
sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every
form of tyranny over the mind of man. And this is the cause
of their printing lying pamphlets against me, forging conver-
sations for me."
In spite of all the direct and indirect methods employed,
Mr. Jefferson was elected, receiving seventy-three votes against
Adams' sixty-five. Unfortunately Burr, the candidate for vice-
president, obtained the same number, seventy-three, thereby
compelling Congress to make a final decision — ordinarily a
task of little moment, but now, owing to a Federal plurality
in Congress, with which Mr. Jefferson was far less popular
than Burr, a conspiracy was planned to advance the latter to
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 67
the first position, over the head of Mr. Jefferson and the will
of the people. Hamilton, although hating and distrusting Mr.
Jefferson, would not sanction the scheme and in a letter to
Wolcott said : " There is no doubt that upon every virtuous
and prudent calculation Mr. Jefferson is to be preferred. He
is by far not so dangerous a man; and he has pretensions to
character. As to Burr, there is nothing in his favor. Better
will it be to obtain from Mr. Jefferson assurances on some
cardinal points: i, To preserve the actual fiscal system; 2,
To adhere to the neutral plan ; 3, To preserve and gradually in-
crease the navy; 4, To continue our friends in the offices they
fill, except in the great departments in which he ought to be
left free." The proposed strategic movement to thwart the
popular will, if successful, was filled with direful consequences,
as the people were incensed to a degree for civil war and a rup-
ture of the Union. Hundreds hurried to Washington, anx-
iously awaiting results; armed Baltimoreans were restrained
with difficulty from hastening to prevent and avenge a viola-
tion of the public sentiment, and if need be, hurl the usurper
from his seat. Mr. Jefferson was yet the Vice-President,
presiding daily over the Senate where he listened to the whis-
pered designs and machinations of the conspirators, ever mind-
ful of the dreadful sequel of their nefarious plot. But in spite
of an uneasy mind he preserved the most unclouded serenity
and perfect equanimity — riding self-possessed above the stormy
passions threatening his downfall, maintaining a placidity that
baffled his enemies.
Congress met with closed doors — the Senators as witnesses,
the Representatives as electors. The ballot continued thirty
hours — beyond a day and night — so that beds for the sick and
wearied, and food were supplied in adjoining rooms, as no one
felt willing to miss the hourly ballot. On the morning of
February I7th, upon counting the thirty-sixth ballot, one ticket
was found to be blank, placed in the box by James A. Bayard,
Senator from Delaware, who, after such a contest, felt it best
to sacrifice his party rather than his country. This gave the
Republicans a majority and made . Mr. Jefferson the third
President of the United States. Concerning this memorable
incident a cotemporaneous writer truthfully said : " Thus the
dark and thundering cloud which hung over the political hori-
68 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
zon rolled harmlessly away, and the sunshine of prosperity
and gladness broke forth, and ever since, with the exception
of a few passing clouds, has continued to shine on our happy
country."
The saddest part to Mr. Jefferson was, that the clumsiness
and inadequacy of the law admitted the possibility of such a
fraud and injustice, and two days before the final decision he
wrote Monroe : " If they could have been permitted to
pass a law for putting the Government into the hands of an
officer, they would certainly have prevented an election. Many
attempts have been made to obtain terms and promises from
me, but I have declared to them unequivocally, that I would
not receive the Government on capitulation, that I would not
go into it with my hands tied."
The four years that Mr. Jefferson was Vice- President were
marked by unprecedented party rancor and bitterness, and al-
though the Senate, over which he presided, was composed
mostly of Federalists, yet his conduct and ruling were never a
subject of the slightest criticism — a fact thoroughly attested
by the Senate's reply to his farewell address before that body,
February 28, 1801 : " Sir. — While we congratulate you on
those expressions of the public will which called you to the
first office in the United States, we cannot but lament the loss
of that intelligence, attention and impartiality with which you
have presided over our deliberations. Be persuaded that the
Senate will never withhold its support from a chief magistrate
who, in the exercise of his office, shall be influenced by a due
regard of the honor and interest of our country."
In June, 1800, the offices of the Government were removed
from Philadelphia to Washington, where, for the first time,
Congress assembled in December, in spite of the Capitol and
White House being still in an unfinished condition. The latter
building, therefore, had only been occupied by its first tenant.
President Adams, a few months, when Mr. Jefferson, March
4, 1801, took the oath of office to make it his home for the
succeeding eight years. So early as May he wrote : '' This
may be considered as a pleasant country residence with a num-
ber of neat little villages scattered around within a distance
of a mile and a half, and furnishing a plain and substantially
good society. The whole population is about six thousand."
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 69
While the inauguration of Washington and Adams had been
semi-royal, that of Mr. Jefferson was marked by great simplic-
ity— indeed thus described by an Englishman : " He rode
on horseback to the Capitol without a single guard or servant
in his train, dismounted without assistance, and hitched the
bridle of his horse to the palisades." This was mere fiction,
as in truth, he went from his lodgings to the Capitol where
Congress convened, on foot, in ordinary dress, escorted by a
military body, accompanied by senators, congressmen, polit-
ical friends, etc. The ceremonies took place in the Senate
Chamber, where he received the oath of office from his political
enemy, Chief Justice Marshall, and delivered his address, in
which he thought it wise to enunciate his political persuasion :
" Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or per-
suasion, religious or political; peace, commerce, and honest
friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none ; the
support of the State governments in all their rights, as the
most competent administrations for our domestic concerns, and
the surest bulwarks against anti-Republican tendencies; the
preservation of the general government in its whole constitu-
tional vigor, as the sheet-anchor of our peace at home and
safety abroad; a jealous care of the right of election of the
people, a mild and safe corrective of abuses which are lopped
by the sword of revolution where peaceable remedies are un-
provided; absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the major-
ity, the vital principle of the republics, from which there is no
appeal but to force, the vital principle and immediate parent of
despotism; a well-disciplined militia, our best reliance in peace,
and for the first moments of war, till regulars may relieve
them ; the supremacy of the civil over the military authorities ;
economy in the public expense, that labor might be lightly
burdened ; the honest payment of our debts and sacred preser-
vation of the public faith ; encouragement of agriculture, .and
of commerce as its handmaid; the diffusion of information,
and arraignment of all abuses at the bar of public reason;
freedom of religion; freedom of the press; and freedom of
person, under the protection of the habeas corpus; and trial
by juries impartially selected."
Mr. Jefferson at first made few removals, except those
Adams had " crowded in by whip and spur," after the result
70
of the election was known, and upon the subject wrote:
" Some deprivations of office I know must be made, but they
must be as few as possible, done gradually, and bottomed on
some malversation or inherent disqualification." He lived up
to this sentiment, and of all candidates considered these three
points: Is he honest, capable, and faithful to the Constitu-
tion?
Congress was for the first time Republican, and set to undo
much legislation enacted by the Federalists. Newspaper re-
porters were admitted to Congress; naturalization laws were
improved ; internal taxes were abolished ; army was reduced to
three thousand, and naval appropriation was lessened. After
no little deliberation and effort on the part of Mr. Jefferson,
Livingston, Monroe, etc., Congress granted, 1804, autocratic
power upon the President to purchase of Bonaparte the Lou-
isiana Territory for fifteen million dollars.
In the spring of this year (1804) Mr. Jefferson was re-
nominated for President, and about the same time was called
to Monticello by the illness of his daughter, Mary — Maria or
Polly as he was wont to call her — who died, April i/th, leav-
ing two small children, Francis and Maria — the latter dying
in infancy. Much to Mr. Jefferson's satisfaction she had mar-
ried a cousin, John Wayles Eppes, October 13, 1797, who, to-
gether with the other son-in-law, Thomas Mann Randolph,
became highly creditable cotemporaneous members of Con-
gress during his presidency. Her death was a crushing blow
to Mr. Jefferson, but slightly palliated by the many letters of
condolence he received, and among them one from Mrs.
Adams, which served as the initiative of renewed friendship
between the two families, although it required years and the
kindly intervention of Dr. Rush for complete reconciliation.
It was about this time that Mr. Jefferson incurred the dis-
pleasure of John Randolph, of Roanoke, leading to absolute
estrangement and bitter enmity, chiefly because he took so
little notice of and interest in the impeachment of Judge
Samuel Chase, whose conviction Randolph so urgently de-
sired.
The first thing of moment accomplished in Mr. Jefferson's
second term was the conclusion of the war with Tripoli,
through a partial but wise compromise treaty. It had continued
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 71
four years, costing many lives and much money, with but one
advantage — the discipline and experience gained by the navy.
A little later our relations with England, France, and Spain
became strained, owing to Bonaparte insisting upon the latter
country rebelling over the possible uncertainties of the Louisi-
ana Purchase boundaries — a menacing danger happily averted
by our purchasing the two Floridas, that which Randolph and
his following of Federalists and disaffected Republicans
(" Quids ") opposed strenuously.
In 1806-1807 the administration was confronted with Burr's
conspiracy in Kentucky and Ohio, by which he hoped to place
himself on the throne of Montezuma, and extend his empire
to the Alleghany, seizing on New Orleans as an instrument of
compulsion for our Western States. Mr. Jefferson and his
party won considerable censure by not being more vigilant in
apprehending Burr and his allies. Chief Justice Marshall,
John Randolph and the Federalists were very severe in criti-
cising the Executive for not furnishing immediate proof of
the treasonable plot — that which Mr. Jefferson claimed would
require at least four months, adding : " The fact is that the
Federalists make Burr's cause their own, and exert their whole
influence to shield him from punishment. And it is unfor-
tunate that Federalism is still predominant in our judiciary de-
partment, which is consequently in opposition to the legislative
and executive branches, and is able often to baffle their meas-
ures."
During 1806-1807 the insolence of the British warships,
" Leander " and " Leopold " in firing upon the " Chesapeake "
and other of our coasting vessels incensed and inflamed the
public mind scarcely short of disrupting the Union, inasmuch
as Mr. Jefferson would not declare for war — that towards
which, seemingly he had great aversion. However in lieu
of this he caused to be passed finally an Embargo Act on all
shipping within the ports of the United States which was to
extend over an indefinite period. This was found to produce
much hardship along the coast especially in New England, the
bed of Federalism, leading to smuggling by all classes and a
growing favor towards the Federalists, so that their vehement
clamoring at last caused its great modification, almost equal-
ling a repeal, which Mr. Jefferson signed three days prior to
72 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
vacating office. In spite of the embargo's unpopularity, Mr.
Jefferson protested to the last, that had it been adhered to
steadfastly the desired purpose would have been accomplished
— done more harm to England and France than to our country,
and American shipping would have its rights without war.
Although many dissensions existed in the Republican party,
Mr. Jefferson was still its leader, and while he declined a re-
nomination himself, he easily named his successor — Madison.
Unfortunately Randolph detested politically both men, con-
sequently he and his small following strongly urged, without
effect, their favorite — Monroe.
As a matter of fact Mr. Jefferson's first administration had
been peaceful and satisfactory, but his second was filled with
many harassing conditions, due chiefly to his favorite theory — •
the preservation of peace at whatever cost — becoming very
unpopular. He, therefore, now welcomed retirement with the
greatest joy and in these words : " Within a few days I retire
to my family, my books, my farms; and having gained the
harbor myself, I shall look on my friends still buffeting the
storm, with anxiety indeed, but not with envy. Never did a
prisoner, released from his chains, feel such relief as I shall
on shaking off the shackles of power. Nature intended me
for the tranquil pursuits of science, by rendering them my
supreme delight, but the enormities of the times in which I
have lived have forced me to take a part in resisting them,
and to commit myself on the boisterous ocean of political pas-
sions. I thank God for the opportunity of retiring from them
without censure, and carrying with me the most consoling
proofs of public approbation."
He traveled home mostly on horseback, and in spite of en-
countering a severe eight-hour snow storm, reached Monti-
cello safe and well, March 15, 1809, where he passed in ideal
contentment the remainder of his life, seventeen years, by pref-
erence secluded from the world's activities following the fa-
miliar paths incident to farming and other pleasurable inter-
ests— visiting few, visited by many, and establishing the Uni-
versity of Virginia. He was now sixty-six years of age,
cheerful, healthy, and without the infirmities of old age; his
home continued to be presided over by his accomplished and
graceful daughter, Martha, who with her husband, children
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 73
and grandchildren supplied the full pleasures to a truly hos-
pitable Southern life.
He declined a public reception tendered by his Albemarle
neighbors, hoping instead, as he wrote : " To have opportuni-
ties of taking them individually by the hand at our court house
and other public places, and of exchanging assurances of
mutual esteem." From the very first no little time was devoted
to reading; then his correspondence soon became extensive
through letters to friends, noted personages, and authors of
books, pamphlets and addresses, who were furnishing him con-
tinually complimentary copies. In spite of the great congeni-
ality and friendship between himself and Madison letters were
interchanged seldom, as their enemies made so much capital out
of the false idea of Mr. Jefferson still dominating the admin-
istration. His interest in literary and scientific matters took
on renewed activity, making him known to every learned body
of Europe and America, in most of which he held membership.
In a letter to Kosciusko, February 26, 1810, he wrote: " My
mornings are devoted to correspondence; from breakfast to
dinner I am in my shops, my garden, or on horseback among
my farms; from dinner to dark I give to society and recrea-
tion with my neighbors and friends ; and from candle-light to
early bedtime I read. My health is perfect, and my strength
considerably reinforced by the activity of the course I pursue.
I talk of plows and harrows, of seeding and harvesting, with
my neighbors, and of politics too, if they choose, with as
little reserve as the rest of my fellow-citizens, and feel, at
length, the blessing of being free to say and do what I please,
without being responsible for it to any mortal. A part of
my occupation, and by no means the least pleasing, is the di-
rection of the studies of such young men as ask it. They place
themselves in the neighboring village, and have the use of my
library and counsel, and make a part of my society. In advis-
ing the course of their reading, I endeavor to keep their atten-
tion fixed on the main objects of science, the freedom and hap-
piness of man, so that coming to bear a share in the councils
and government of their country, they will keep ever in view
the sole objects of all legitimate government. Instead of the
unalloyed happiness of retiring unembarrassed and independ-
ent, to the enjoyment of my estate, which is ample for my lim-
74 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
ited views, I have to pass such a length of time in the thraldom
of mind (financial depletion) never before known to me. Ex-
cept for this, my happiness would have been perfect."
His disposition, however, in the face of this, never changed,
for, as in youth it continued always sunny and hopeful. After
an unfavorable crop or event he looked forward with assurance
for a better next one but he was severely prudent when con-
fronting debt, as he then believed it a duty to cut off every
needless expense — that which he did from the moment of his
retirement.
During 1811 there was considerable friction in Madison's
Cabinet, in which Mr. Jefferson took much interest, indulging
in no little correspondence for its relief. The attitude of Eng-
land and France towards us gave him great concern, and
though he wished for peace, he finally concluded that war was
our only alternative, and approved of it when it came the
following year, 1812. In the summer of 1811 he experienced
a severe spell of sickness, after which he wrote Dr. Rush:
" Having to conduct my grandson through his course of math-
ematics, I have resumed that study with great avidity. It was
ever my favorite one. I have forgotten much and recover it
with more difficulty than when in vigor of mind I originally
acquired it. It is wonderful to me that old men should not be
sensible that their minds keep pace with their bodies in the
process of decay. It has been the delight of my retirement
to be in constant bodily activity, looking after my affairs. It
was never damped, as the pleasures of reading are, by the
question cui bonof for what object? The sedentary character
of my public occupations sapped a constitution naturally sound
and vigorous, and draws it to an earlier close, but it will still
last quite as long as I wish. There is a fullness of time when
men should go, and not occupy too long the ground to which
others have the right to advance."
During 1812 he enjoyed a complete reconciliation with
Adams, through the kindness of their mutual friend, Dr. Rush,
and thereafter the two Ex-Presidents until death indulged
an uninterrupted correspondence, much to the delight and
buoyancy of both. He was advocated in many directions for
the Presidency in 1812, and, stranger yet, for the Secretary of
State under Madison, but both of these proffers he gracefully
75
declined, stating : " The hand of age is upon me, the decay of
bodily faculties apprise me that those of the mind could not
be unimpaired, had I not still better proofs." In spite of this,
however, his familiarity with the languages remained im-
mutable, for he read Homer, Dante, Corneille and Cervantes as
he did Shakespeare and Milton, and even the year before death
went over yEsculus, Sophocles, Thucydides, and Tacitus.
The continuation of the War of 1812 deprived us of im-
ported goods, and increased the prices of our own manufac-
tured articles, at the depreciation of agricultural products,
so that we were stimulated not only to establish additional
industrial factories in cities, but also to introduce the smaller
machinery into our homes. Upon this subject Mr. Jefferson,
January, 1813, wrote: " I had no idea that manufactures had
made such progress in the maritime States, and particularly
of the number of carding and spinning machines dispersed
throughout the whole country. I have hitherto, myself, de-
pended on foreign manufactures, but I have now thirty-five
spindles going, a hand carding-machine, and looms for flying
shuttles for the supply of my own farms, which will never
be relinquished in my time. The continuance of war will fix
the habit generally, and out of the evils of impressment and
of the Orders of Council, a great blessing for us will grow. I
have not formerly been an advocate of great manufactories.
I doubted whether our labor, employed in agriculture, and
aided by the spontaneous energies of the earth would not
procure us more than we could make ourselves of other neces-
sities. But other considerations entering into the question
have settled my doubts."
Throughout this and the following year (1813-1814) Mr.
Jefferson continued to be much interested in the progress of
the war — giving advice to those in authority, conducting a
liberal correspondence, and strongly expressing opposition to
the Hartford Convention.
When we consider the gradually increasing personal dis-
comfort that the mechanical side of writing gave Mr. Jefferson
— owing to his long ago imperfectly set right wrist, and more
recent rheumatic attacks — it seems almost incredible that time
was sufficiently long, at that ripe age, to write such lengthy
and studied letters, veritable essays and literary productions
76 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
of high order, requiring- research, if for nothing else, at least
dates and figures. The scanning of this correspondence from
his retirement up to this period certainly implies a great de-
mand upon energy, patience and thought. Among that coterie,
which was legion, all classes were represented — the more hum-
ble citizens receiving none the less consideration on account of
station or want of political influence. Besides family connec-
tions, there were many regulars, including such personages as
Madison, Monroe, Adams, Rodney, Gerry, Tyler, Lafayette,
Kosciusko, Rush, Gallatin, DeStael, Sparks, Livingston, Cart-
wright, Van Buren, Everett, Cabell, Giles, etc. The subjects
treated and discussed were all of a serious nature conveying
an interchange of opinions on the Bible, clergy, religion, Chris-
tianity, infidelity, ethics, politics, Congressional acts, foreign
questions, criticism of books, Latin and Greek writings and
authors, etc.
CHAPTER IV
THOMAS JEFFERSON — ADVOCATE OF KNOWLEDGE AND
EDUCATION
University of Virginia — interest in " Diffusion of Knowledge " ; his educa-
tional plan, bills incorporating same ; Quesnay French Academy ; Swiss
College of Geneva; correspondence with Joseph Priestley; Mons. Du-
pont de Nemours ; National University at Washington ; Professor
Pictet; Joseph C. Cabell, Dr. Thomas Cooper, Samuel Knox; sold
library to Cpngress ; letters to Dr. Jones, Adams, Burwell ; Lieutenant
Hall's visit to Monticello; educational plan submitted to Peter Carr;
Albemarle Academy ; Central College — first Board of Visitors ; Charles
Fenton Mercer's plan; Governor Nicholas' report, etc.
EDUCATION seems to have held Mr. Jefferson an ardent
votary from his earliest association with William and Mary
College to his latest realization — the University of Virginia.
From manhood to old age he never ceased expressing paternal
gratitude for his classic training in these words : "HI had
to decide between the pleasure derived from a classical educa-
tion which my father gave me and the estate he left me, I would
decide in favor of the former." In his day and environment
education was " conspicuous by its absence " as the majority
possessed it only in low, the minority in high degree — pre-
senting a difference in these two classes, self-evident to every
one, that amounted to an inhuman contrast to a man with Mr.
Jefferson's sensitive and generous nature, eager to give others
that which he possessed and enjoyed. He was a firm believer
in the Latin proverb, " veritas vos liberabit," and recognized
the passing of his existence in an atmosphere, yes a country,
sadly lacking in its observance — bound by ironclad heresies,
superstitions, apathy and ignorance. His entire being was
enthused and exhilarated over the possibilities in reform —
by evolution, or preferably revolution, as he realized a great
change to be an immediate need. At the same time he desired
to destroy nothing bad without creating something good in its
stead, and heeding common sense plans and policies he accom-
plished and predicted many wholesome results. He not only
77
78 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
believed that " knowledge was power," but that the emanci-
pation of mankind from the bonds of various servitudes cen-
tered in education. It is, therefore, not surprising that almost
his very first energies were directed in procuring for his fellow-
statesmen better opportunities for acquiring knowledge. Al-
though re-elected to Congress, June, 1776, he resigned three
months later, in order to remain in his State Legislature,
where he considered his efforts most needed in forming a
new Constitution and in aiding many desirable reforms.
Among these he reckoned as greatest — the curtailment of
ignorance, by a more general " Diffusion of Knowledge"
among the people, and to that end introduced during the ses-
sion three educational bills furthering the support of his gov-
ernmental philosophy : " Experience has shown that under the
best forms of government those entrusted with power have in
time perverted it into tyranny; and it is believed that the most
effectual means of preventing this would be to illuminate the
minds of the people by giving them historic facts of past ex-
perience, so that they may know ambition under all its shapes,
and may exert their natural powers to defeat its purposes.
It is generally true that people will be happiest where laws
are best administered, and that laws will be wisely formed,
and honestly administered, in proportion as those who form
and administer them are wise and honest; whence it becomes
expedient for promoting public happiness that those persons,
whom nature hath endowed with genius and virtue, should be
rendered by liberal education worthy to receive, and able to
guard, the sacred deposit of the rights and liberties of our
fellow citizens, and that they should be called to that charge
without regard to wealth, birth, or other accidental circum-
stance. But the greater number, by indigence, being unable to
educate their children whom nature hath fitly formed and
disposed to become useful instruments of the public, it is better
that such should be sought for and educated at the common ex-
pense of all, than the happiness of all should be confined to the
weak and wicked. Instead of putting the Bible in the hands
of children with immature judgments for religious inquiries,
their memories, in my plan, may be stored with the most use-
ful facts from Grecian, Roman, European, and American his-
tory. The finest element of morality too may be instilled into
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 79
their minds ; such as may teach them how to work out their
greatest happiness, by showing them that it does not depend
on the condition of life in which chance has placed them, but
is always the result of good conscience, good health, occupa-
tion, and freedom in all just pursuits."
His bills presented a comprehensive and thorough plan,
involving the division of each county in hundreds, each of five
or six miles square, and these to constitute ten districts of the
entire State, and further:
1. An elementary school in the center of each hundred,
which shall give to the children of every citizen gratis compe-
tent instruction in reading, writing, common arithmetic and
general geography.
2. A college in the center of each district for teaching two
languages (ancient and modern), higher arithmetic, geog-
raphy and history. This places a college within a day's ride
of every inhabitant of the State, and adds provision for the
full education at the public expense of select subjects from
among the children of the poor who shall have exhibited at
the elementary schools the pronounced indication of the apt-
ness of judgment and correct disposition.
3. An university near the center of the State, in which all
the branches of science deemed useful at this day shall be
taught in their highest degree.
The bill, as a whole, lay dormant four years in the original
manuscript, until Mr. Jefferson, when governor, advanced it
to the printing stage; then followed a sleep of fifteen years
and amendment unto death. During this period the country
was experiencing serious agitation, revolution and reorganiza-
tion, with little incentive for internal reforms, while beyond
that the great home exponent of these proposed measures, Mr.
Jefferson, had not been permitted to remain with his people
to look after their needs and acts — having been called to posts
involving higher and more serious interests. But this long
period was not a barren waste to the cause of education, for
the people were becoming gradually sensible of its advantages,
indeed necessity, and Mr. Jefferson, better acquainted with its
methods of development in the most cultured centers of the
civilized world.
While Minister to France, Mr. Jefferson, with many other
8o UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
celebrities, loaned his name to the establishing in Richmond,
Virginia, of the " Quesnay French Academy," an institution
of arts and sciences, with branches in Baltimore, Philadephia,
and New York. It was to be on a gigantic scale, affiliating
with the royal societies of London, Paris, and Brussels, as well
as with other learned bodies of Europe. Mineralogists, mining
engineers and experts of every class were to come from Paris to
the New Academy to teach American youth and to serve as
scientific commissioners for governments. All research results
were to be communicated to other countries, so that there
might be established a comity of interests, and although the
foundation of the building was laid, June 24, 1786, with great
eclat and apparently under most favorable circumstances, yet
the close following of the French Revolution, when capital and
scholars, so much needed at home, were timid towards foreign
undertakings, rendered the brilliant project of very short life.
The original building, however, was finished, but soon after-
wards converted into a theater — the first in Richmond — and
better yet, has played a historical part by sheltering legislative
bodies, especially the Conventions ratifying the Constitution
of the United States, and the Federal Union. It is credited by
many, that had this Academy prospered the University of Vir-
ginia would have been forestalled, while the border States
would have been dominated largely by French culture and
customs. Mr. Jefferson's next decided step to advance higher
education was in 1795, when he favored transplanting to Vir-
ginia the entire faculty of the Swiss College of Geneva —
thoroughly French in its form of culture. He had met in
Paris some of these professors, who no doubt helped to implant
in him the more liberal systems of university education, for
prior to that association he heartily countenanced developing
the curriculum of William and Mary College, but of this
nothing was heard after his return to America. This Faculty,
having become dissatisfied with the political environment,
wrote to Mr. Jefferson, an old friend to most of its members,
expressing a willingness to come over in a body, provided suit-
able arrangements could be made for continuing its academic
work. Mr. Jefferson now thought his dreams near unto
realization, and suggested to his Legislature that it make pro-
vision for the establishment of the Genevan College in Vir-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 81
ginia. The practical thinkers, however, considered the scheme
too hazardous and expensive, while Washington, who had fos-
tered the idea of a National University, expressed opposition
thus : " I doubt the expediency of importing a body of foreign
professors not familiar with the English language and at vari-
ance with the popular party in their own land. If we are to im-
port professors, they should not be all from one nation." Mr.
Jefferson, encountering discouragement in all directions, had
to abandon this tempting proposition, but his bounteous hope
and ambition for a great Southern center of education faded
not the slightest with failure, as five years later, January 18,
1800, we find him communicating to Dr. Joseph Priestley
well-matured plans for a new institution. Dr. Priestley, with
his family and son-in-law, Dr. Thomas Cooper, had emigrated
to this country, 1794, settling in Northumberland, Pennsyl-
vania, and was regarded possibly as the then greatest English
scientist, being the leading authority on electricity and a chem-
ist of the highest rank — the discoverer of oxygen, simultane-
ously with Scheele in Sweden, the initiator of gas analysis
and author of " History of Electricity " (1767). Beyond pro-
found scholarship he was an excellent preacher, proclaiming,
to the utter disgust of many, adverse doctrines to the Church
of England, which caused his house, chapel, books, papers, ap-
paratus and all belongings to be burned and destroyed by a loyal
and pious mob of Birmingham. Mr. Jefferson welcomed with
open arms such talented men as Priestley and Cooper, seeking
shelter and protection in our land, and in his letter of above
date revealed his devised scheme : " We wish to establish in
the upper district of Virginia, more central than William and
Mary College, an university on a plan so broad and liberal
and modern, as to be worth patronizing with the public sup-
port, and be a temptation to the youth of other States to come
and drink of the cup of knowledge and fraternize with us.
The first step is to obtain a good plan ; that is, a judicious se-
lection of the sciences, and a practical grouping of some of
them together, and ramifying of others, so as to adopt the
professorships to our uses and our means. Now there is no
one to whom this subject is so familiar as yourself, and to
you we address our solicitations. We should propose that
the professors follow no other calling, so that their whole
82
time may be given to their academical functions; and we
should propose to draw from Europe the first characters
in science, by considerable temptations, which would not need
to be repeated after the first set should have prepared fit suc-
cessors and given reputation to the institution. From such
splendid characters I have received offers most perfectly rea-
sonable and practical."
About this time (1800) Mons. Dupont de Nemours, a
highly educated French economist and philosopher, reached
this country, having been friendly with Mr. Jefferson in Paris,
close to Turgot, and an ardent worker in averting the French
Revolution. While here he visited Mr. Jefferson frequently
— at Philadelphia, Washington and Monticello — when they
discussed freely a general scheme for higher education in
America, which he followed by an exhaustive treatise of one
hundred and fifty-nine pages upon the subject, outlining our
educational needs according to his opinion — preparatory
schools of all grades in the several States, and a central mam-
moth " National University," at Washington, second to the
capitol, consisting of four departments: i, Medicine; 2,
Mines; 3, Social Science and Legislation; 4, Higher Mathe-
matics. In order to reach this University one must have
passed through all the ascending schools — a fact that rendered
the plan too comprehensive for those unsettled days, but en-
couraged Mr. Jefferson in his own educational scheme for his
State, that which he had formulated largely from French
and German institutions, those fostering advanced instruction
in distinct schools.
In 1803 Mr. Jeff ef son renewed his correspondence with
Professor Pictet, of the Genevan College, writing him Febru-
ary 5th : " I have still had constantly in view to propose to the
Legislature of Virginia the establishment of a good ' seminary
of learning ' on as large a scale as our present circumstances
would require or bear, but as yet no favorable moment has
occurred. In the meanwhile I am endeavoring to procure
materials for a good plan. With this view I am asking the
favor of you to give me a sketch, of the branches of science
taught in your college, how they are distributed among the
professors ; that is to say, how many professors there are and
what branches of science are allotted to each professor, and
te *•
O.e
••r.
ico
2§
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 83
the days and hours assigned to each branch. Your successful
experience in the distribution of business will be a valuable
guide to us who are without experience." During Mr. Jeffer-
son's second Presidential term, 1806, a young Virginian called
upon him in Washington, bearing simply commendable letters
of introduction. It was Joseph Carrington Cabell, just twenty-
eight years of age, on his way home from a three years ab-
sence in Europe, where he had gone for travel, study and the
improvement of health. He seemingly had used Mr. Jef-
ferson as an exemplar — graduating at William and Mary Col-
lege, studying law at Williamsburg, accepting Paris as his
foreign educational center. He had attended lectures under
Cuvier at the " College de France," had absorbed natural
science at Montpelier, had sojourned at the Universities at
Leyden, Padua, Rome, Naples, Cambridge and Oxford, and
through this long line of contact and influence had become
naturally a broad-minded thinker and critical observer. But
above all he held as the most deserving mission in life the
furtherance of improved educational methods in his own State,
interesting himself in Swiss education to the extent of study-
ing at Verdun the novel system of Pestalozzi in the hope of
introducing it into Virginia. Of course such a counterpart in
experience, thought, ambition and aspiration appealed at once,
heart and soul, to Mr. Jefferson, who immediately offered him
positions of civic and diplomatic prominence, which were
refused on the ground of already being sufficiently long from
home, whither he must hasten that he might speedily become
identified with the interests of his people. A year later we
find him favoring De la Coste, a French scientist, in the es-
tablishment of a natural history museum at William and Mary
College, a step disapproved by Mr. Jefferson, who already had
abandoned the possibility of increasing the scope and useful-
ness of his alma mater. Upon the subject he directed his pri-
vate secretary to write Cabell : " If the amelioration of educa-
tion and the diffusion of knowledge be the favorite objects of
your life, avail yourself of the favorable disposition of your
countrymen, and consent to go into your legislative body.
Instead of wasting your time in attempting to patch up a de-
caying institution, direct your efforts to a higher and more
valuable object. Found a new one which shall be worthy of
84 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
the first State in the Union. This may, this certainly will one
day be done, and why not now ? You may not succeed in one
session, or in two, but you will succeed at last." This sugges-
tion was not long in being heeded by Cabell, for he was elected
to the House of Delegates in 1808, where he remained two
years, 1810, and then to the Senate for a continuous period of
nineteen years, 1829, becoming a far greater man than these
home political positions imply — being entreated to represent
his district in Congress and to enter the Cabinets of Madison
and Monroe. These, however, he declined, preferring an
energetic devotion directly to the good of his State, in whose
legislative halls he became a most able and persuasive debater,
a formidable champion of all that tended towards her better-
ment, breathing as none other the spirit and ambition of Mr.
Jefferson for local government, popular education, and a
great State University. Indeed but for the mental and physical
accordance of these two dominant characters, neither of them
would have seen the University of Virginia a living reality in
their day. It would have come later, but to the credit of
different powers and persons.
Mr. Jefferson, during 1813, revived an earnest interest in
higher education for his State, making it the most vital and
absorbing occupation of declining years — 'happily a broader
and more serious field than an overtaxed correspondence with
which hitherto he had been afflicted. The first evidence of this
appeared in agitating the subject locally, and in numerous
letters to various friends and educators. Among these Dr.
Thomas Cooper possibly took first rank, being a man of high
university culture, well trained in chemistry, physics, miner-
alogy, physiology, law and political economy — one of our
earliest writers upon the latter science and the first to intro-
duce the study of Roman law — the son-in-law of Dr. Joseph
Priestley, with whom he had escaped political and religious
persecutions of England, and now resided in Pennsylvania.
In his adopted home he assumed the practice of law, became
a judge, and afterwards a professor in Dickinson College,
University of Pennsylvania, and South Carolina College, and
the second one appointed (chemistry, law) in the University
of Virginia — the first being Dr. Samuel Knox (language) of
Baltimore. Mr. Jefferson, January 16, 1814, wrote Dr.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 85
Cooper: "I have long had under contemplation and been
collecting1 materials for the plan of a university in Virginia
which would comprehend all the sciences useful to us, and
none others. This would probably absorb the functions of
William and Mary College, and transfer them to a healthier
and more central position — perhaps to the neighborhood of
this place. The long and lingering decline of that College,
the death of its last president (Bishop Madison), its location
and climate force on us the wish for a new institution more
convenient to our country generally, and better adapted to
the present state of science. I have been \o\d there will be
an effort in the present session of the Legislature to effect
such an establishment. I confess, however, that I have not great
confidence that this will be done. Should it happen, it would
offer places worthy of you, and of which you are
worthy."
The first decided act by the people of Albemarle, indicating
a sympathy for higher education and a desire for their locality
to be the seat of a great institution, was taken in 1783, when
some public-spirited citizens requested Mr. Jefferson, just
about departing from Monticello for Trenton to resume con-
gressional duties, to secure a suitable tutor to assume charge
of a grammar school or academy proposed for Charlottesville.
In reply to this request Mr. Jefferson wrote, December 3ist:
" I inquired at Princeton of Dr. Witherspoon, but he informed
me that that college was just getting together again, arid that
no such person could, of course, be had there. I inquired at
Philadelphia for some literary character of the Irish nation in
that city. There was none such, and in the course of my in-
quiries I was informed that learning is but little cultivated
there, and that few persons have ever been known to come from
that nation as tutors. I concluded on the whole, then, if the
scheme should be carried on, and fixed on so firm a basis as
that we might on its faith venture to bring a man from his
native country, it would be best for me to interest some person
in Scotland to engage a good man." The contents of this
letter evidently brought temporary death to the academy
scheme, for it was not chartered by the Legislature until
twenty years later, 1803, and then remained simply on paper
another ten years, March 25, 1814, when Mr. Jefferson was
86 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
elected one of its trustees. At this meeting and several others
that followed in quick succession, he recounted his life-long
study, identity and interest in educational institutions, and his
great desire to have a creditable one in his State — boldly ad-
vocating the abandonment of the simple academy idea for a
university of the broadest scope and usefulness.
In accordance with his views the Board of Trustees was re-
organized and a committee appointed, he being chairman, to
draft governing rules and regulations, to seek subscriptions
and other monetary aid by promoting the sale through lottery
of certain glebe lands in Albemarle, and to provide a suitable
site and plans. Mr. Jefferson wrote Dr. Cooper, August 25th :
" To be prepared for our new institution I have taken some
pains to ascertain those branches which men of sense, as well
as of science, deem worthy of cultivation. To the statements
which I have obtained from other sources, I shall highly value
an additional one from yourself. You know our country,
its pursuits, its facilities, its relations with others, its means
of establishing and maintaining an institution of general
science, and the spirit of economy with which it requires that
these should be administered. Will you, then, so far contribute
to our views as to consider this subject, to make a statement
of the branches of science which you think worthy of being
taught, as I have before said, at this day and in this country ?
It will be necessary to distribute them into groups in order
to bring the whole circle of useful science under the direction
of the smallest number of professors. We are about to make
the effort for the introduction of this institution."
Although from now on the creating of the University was
Mr. Jefferson's absorbing pleasure — his hobby, as he termed it
— receiving daily the greater part of his attention, yet by forced
effort and indomitable will nothing seemingly was neglected in
the older directions except his own business, that which he
erringly thought might run itself satisfactorily. He never lost
interest in the affairs of our country, and was thoroughly in-
dignant at the British, August, 1814, burning Washington
with its Congressional Library, even endeavoring to repair
the latter by offering Congress, at its own price, his private
collection of ten thousand volumes, an accumulation of fifty
years that cost as many thousands of dollars — an offer, after
87
much unpleasant debate, personal crimination and recrimina-
tion, finally accepted at half the amount.
During this year he wrote Dr. Jones : " I deplore with you
the putrid state into which our newspapers have passed, and
the malignity, the vulgarity, and mendacious spirit of those
who write for them; and I enclose you a recent sample, the
production of a New England judge, as a proof of the abyss
of degradation into which we have fallen. These ordures are
rapidly depraving the public taste, and lessening its relish for
sound food, etc." In this same letter he expressed opinions
of Washington, which, despite the claim of depreciation,
amounted to a glowing eulogy from beginning to end. In the
early part of 1815 he catalogued and shipped his books to
Washington, and throughout the year wrote many letters, con-
tributed material to Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry, perfected
several mechanical devices — adjustable carriage top, hemp ma-
chine, etc. — and pursued a number of scientific investigations.
Early in 1816 he wrote Thompson: " I retain good health,
walk a little, ride on horseback much. No tooth shaking yet,
but shivering and shrinking in body from the cold. My great-
est oppression is a correspondence afflictingly laborious, the
extent of which I have long been endeavoring to curtail. This
keeps me at the drudgery of the writing-table all the prime
hours of the day, leaving for the gratification of my appetite
for reading, only "what I can steal from the hours of sleep."
Later in the year he wrote Adams : " You ask if I would agree
to live seventy-three years over again? To this I say, yea.
I think with you, that it is a good world on the whole; that
it has been framed on a principle of benevolence, and more
pleasure than pain dealt out to us. There are, indeed (who
might say, nay), gloomy and hypochondriac minds, inhabi-
tants of diseased bodies, disgusted with the present, and
despairing of the future; always counting that the worst will
happen, because it may happen. To these I say, how much
pain have cost us the evils which have never happened! My
temperament is sanguine. I steer my bark with Hope in the
head, leaving Fear astern. My hopes, indeed, sometimes fail ;
but not oftener than the forebodings of the gloomy. I have
often wondered for what good end the sensations of grief could
be intended. I wish the pathologists would tell us what is
88 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
the use of grief in the economy, and of what good it is the
cause, proximate or remote. There is a ripeness of time for
death, regarding others as well as ourselves, when it is reason-
able we should drop off, and make room for another growth.
When we have lived our generation out, we should not wish
to encroach on another. I enjoy good health ; I am happy in
what is around me, yet I assure you I am ripe for leaving all,
this year, this day, this hour."
To Adams' reply on the utility of grief, Mr. Jefferson re-
plied : " You have exhausted the subject. I see that with the
other evils of life, it is destined to temper the cup we are to
drink." This same year he passed over to his eldest grandson,
Thomas Jefferson Randolph, the management of his lands,
and of the fact writes : " I am indeed an unskillful manager
of my farms, and sensible of this from its effects, I have
now committed them to better hands, of whose care and skill
I have satisfactory knowledge, and to whom I have ceded
the entire direction. This is all that is necessary to make them
adequate to all my wants, and to place me at entire ease." In
one of his letters to John Taylor, May 28, 1816, he defined the
term republic — a government by its citizens in mass, acting
directly and personally according to rules established by the
majority; and every other government is more or less repub-
lican, in proportion as it has in its composition more or less
of this ingredient of the direct action of the citizens. The
further the departure from direct and constant control by the
citizens, the less has the government of the ingredient of re-
publicanism. The Senate is less so than the House.
In the early part of 1817 Lieutenant Hall, of the British
Army, an intelligent traveler, visited Monticello, writing there-
of a beautiful description. Mr. Monroe also became President,
much to the delight of Mr. Jefferson, as he believed " twenty-
four consecutive years of republican administration would so
consecrate its forms and principles in the eyes of the people
as to secure them against the danger of a change." In a letter
to Dr. Stuart he wrote : " I hope the policy of our country
will settle down with as much navigation and commerce only
as our exchanges will require." He heartily approved of the
President's veto of the Internal Improvement Bill, and in a
letter to Adams, January n, 1817, wrote: "Forty-three
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 89
volumes read in one year, and twelve of them quarto! Dear
sir, how I envy you! Half a dozen of octavos in that space
of time are as much as I am allowed. I can read by candle-
light only, and stealing long hours from my rest; nor would
that time be indulged to me, could I by that light see to write.
From sunrise to one or two o'clock and often from dinner
to dark, I am drudging at the writing-table. And all of this
to answer letters in which neither interest nor inclination on
my part enters; and often from persons whose names I have
never before heard. Yet, writing civilly, it is hard to refuse
them civil answers. This is the burden of my life." Indeed,
when President his published writings included considerably
less than one-fiftieth part of his written letters.
In a letter to Burwell, March 14, 1818, upon female educa-
tion, he said : "A great obstacle to good education is the
inordinate passion prevalent for novels, and the time lost in
that reading which should be instructively employed. When
this poison infects the mind, it destroys its tone and revolts
it against wholesome reading." Even Scott's novels were not
to his taste, refusing to read them, and to accept either prose
or poetry of the romantic school, while he detested the middle-
age political civilization, especially the feudal system, just as
much as Scott admired them; he was the warm sympathizer
with common humanity as Scott was with kings and nobles.
The most absorbing topic, however, all this time was his
proposed University. On September 7, 1814, he submitted
to the president of the Board of Trustees of the Albemarle
Academy, Peter Carr, a lengthy report, incorporating his
educational views — the result of thirty years careful reflection
— plan of organization for the Academy, and the suggestion
of its possible expansion into a college with professional
schools, which as a complete document, defining general and
technical education, classification of the sciences, and profes-
sional schools, may truthfully , be claimed to represent the
" literary foundation " of the University of Virginia. Three
days later Mr. Jefferson forwarded a copy of this report to
Dr. Cooper, asking for such suggestions as might be available
through future amendments, and implied that his plan was ma-
turing fast. Peter Carr placed his copy, along with the peti-
tion in behalf of the Academy needing legislative sanction, into
90 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
the hands of a legislator, who with inexplicable motive with-
held its publicity until January 5, 1815, when Mr. Jefferson
could refrain no longer from writing his loyal co-worker, Jo-
seph C, Cabell, then a member of the Senate : " Could the
petition which the Albemarle Academy addressed to our Legis-
lature have succeeded at the late session, a little aid additional
to the objects of that would have enabled us to have here im-
mediately the best seminary of the United States. I do not
know to whom Mr. Carr committed the petition and papers,
but I have seen no trace of their having been offered. Think-
ing it possible you may not have seen them, I send for your
perusal the copies I retained for my own use. They consist
of letters to Mr. Carr and Dr. Cooper, and a petition of the
Academy trustees, requesting a change in the name — to Cen-
tral College — in the number, appointment, succession, duties
and powers of the Visitors, also the enactment of fixed prin-
ciples for its safe government and administration." In ad-
dition the Academy desired the moneys from the sale of the
two glebes, and from the Literary Fund — that established in
1810 for the encouragement of learning, being created and
increased from certain escheats, penalties and forfeitures, and
augmented, at the suggestion of representative Charles Fen-
ton Mercer, by the amount of the Government's indebtedness
to the State for expenses incurred in the war of 1812. " They
are long, but as we always counted on you as the main pillar
of our support, we shall probably return to the charge at the
next session, the trouble of reading them will come upon you,
and as well now as then. In addition to the revenue asked,
if we could obtain a loan for four or five years of seven or
eight thousand dollars, I think I have it now in my power to
obtain three of the ablest characters in the world to fill the
higher professorships of what in the plan is called the second
or general grade of education ; and for those of language and
mathematics, a part of the same grade, able professors doubt-
less could also be readily obtained. With these characters I
should not be afraid to say that the circle of the sciences would
be more profoundly taught here than in any institution in the
United States, and I might go farther."
There seemed to be considerable opposition to so much legis-
lation in favor of the new institution — Central College — then
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 91
even recognized as the child of Mr. Jefferson, the great sup-
posed believer in heterodox religion, the true sainted apostle
of the Republican creed. The older colleges of the State —
William and Mary, Washington, Hampden-Sidney, etc. — were
all, as elsewhere, under orthodox regime, and dreaded a more
liberal thinking competitor, making it difficult to assuage
their staunch supporters and his political opponents. As a
result the act passed, February 14, 1816, did not afford all
that was desired, as it shared none of the Literary Fund ad-
vantages, but otherwise conceded about what was hoped
for. Consequently a reorganization under the new name —
Central College — was soon effected, by the Governor (Nich-
olas) appointing a distinguished Board of Visitors, consisting
of Mr. Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Cabell, Cocke, Watson —
selected evidently on account of great ability, interest in edu-
cation, Mr. Jefferson's preference, and geographical conveni-
ence, none residing beyond twenty-five miles of the institution
— a half day's ride — except Monroe, then President, when
temporarily away from his nearby home, " Ashlawn," on the
west side of Carter's Mountain.
At their first legal meeting, held at Monticello, May 5, 1817,
all present except Cabell and Watson, a lottery plan was ap-
proved, subscription paper prepared, while Mr. Jefferson re-
ported the purchase from John Perry of two hundred acres
of suitable land, one mile west of Charlottesville, for the sum
of fifteen hundred dollars, and submitted tentative plans of the
proposed buildings — those that now exist in reality as the Uni-
versity of Virginia — consisting of ten distinct two-storied
pavilions for the professors, arranged at equal distance apart
(about one hundred and twenty-five feet) on the longer side of
a rectangle, and connected by spans of ten one-storied dormi-
tories for the students. The construction was to be of brick
and stone — the pavilions to contain a schoolroom and accom-
modations for the professorial family (?), the dormitory
rooms of sufficient size for two students — all to open upon a
covered colonnade, suggestive of the mediaeval monastery, or
the modern academic village. As the plan contemplated low
buildings in long ranges, the funds in hand, forty-five thousand
dollars, could at once be turned to a beginning, and as these
increased, construction could be extended. During this first
92 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
meeting it also was determined to erect at once one of the
pavilions (fourth from Rotunda, West Lawn) and the attached
dormitories — twenty rooms, ten on either side — one of which
the writer occupied his second session. Progress was so sat-
isfactory that the Board of Visitors, as an entire body, at-
tended the laying of the corner-stone of the parent building,
October 6th, an event accentuated with great local eclat and
masonic honors. At a preceding meeting, July 28th, Dr. Sam-
uel Knox had been appointed professor of languages, but
having declined, the Board, on the day following the dedicatory
services, elected Dr. Thomas Cooper professor of chemistry,
etc., and directed two additional pavilions with attached dor-
mitories to be built. Just at this time there seemed to have
developed in the Legislature a very strong — possibly rival —
interest towards advancing all grades of education in Vir-
ginia. The new source or faction was headed by Charles
Fenton Mercer, a delegate from Loudoun, a Federalist, a man
of culture and travel, who had drawn, 1811, the act, " To pro-
vide for the education of the poor," and now, apparently with-
out any knowledge of Mr. Jefferson's plan, conceived a very
broad scheme of public education, to be aided by the Literary
Fund, to whose corpus large additions had been made through
his energy and efforts. He now proposed the following reso-
lution which was passed by the Legislature, February 24,
1816: "Be it resolved by the General Assembly, that the
President (Governor Nicholas) and Directors of the Literary
Fund be requested to digest and report to the next General
Assembly a system of Public Education, calculated to give ef-
fect to the appropriations made to that object by the Legis-
lature, heretofore, and during the present session, and to com-
prehend in such a system the establishment of one University,
to be called, " The University of Virginia," and such additional
Colleges, Academies, and Schools as shall diffuse the benefits
of education throughout the Commonwealth; and such rules
for the government of such University, Colleges, Academies,
and Schools as shall produce economy in the expenditures for
the establishment and maintenance, good order and discipline
in the management thereof."
This happened to be the first legislative sanction for the es-
tablishment of a University of Virginia, and two days after
O ^co
3 ii-c
*j rt n
O s >>
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 93
its enactment, February 26th, Cabell wrote Mr. Jefferson : " I
think the passage of these two measures — (i) Mercer's on
education, (2) Increasing Literary Fund — unquestionably to
be ascribed in a great degree to the publication in the Enquirer,
on that very morning, of your letter to Peter Carr. But it may
be asked, why inquire of the President and Directors of the
Literary Fund for plans, when one so satisfactory is already
before the public? I will tell you. Appropriations abstracted
from their location are -not easily obtained. Should the next
Assembly sanction the scheme of an university, you will see the
Lexington and Staunton interests striving to draw it away
from Albemarle, and the whole western delegation will threaten
to divide the State, unless this institution should be placed be-
yond the (Blue) Ridge. Mr. Mercer will be an advocate for
a western site; the Federalists will favor Lexington, but I
think that Central College will triumph over them all. I am
pleased to think Governor Nicholas will be in office at the
commencement of the next session of the Assembly."
In accordance with the resolution of February 24th, Gov-
ernor Nicholas, desiring to make a creditable report, began at
once collecting necessary data, and soon applied to Mr. Jeffer-
son, the recognized authority on educational matters, for advice
and information, which were given both gladly and freely.
Mr. Jefferson emphasized the close resemblance between Mer-
cer's scheme and his own bills for the more general " Diffusion
of Knowledge " reported in 1776 and 1779, and for his detailed
view of education, professional and otherwise, list of subjects,
arrangement, departments, and professorships he referred him
to his comprehensive letter to Peter Carr, published several
months before. He also recommended that the buildings be
arranged as proposed for Central College — this village form
being preferable on account of fire, health, economy, peace and
quiet. Governor Nicholas thought that possibly some others
outside of his State might suggest something tangible for an
educational system if appealed to, consequently addressed, May
30, 1816, a " Circular Letter " to a number of well-known
educators — Dr. Thomas Cooper, Rev. Timothy Dwight, Dr.
Samuel Mitchell, J. A. Smith, President Monroe, etc. — all of
whom gave lengthy and painstaking replies, which were di-
gested into an able " Report of the President and Directors of
94 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
the Literary Fund," and presented to the Legislature, Decem-
ber 6th. Upon this Professor Herbert B. Adams makes the
following comment : " If Mr. Jefferson was not the author
of this entire report, his ideas pervade it from beginning to
end, and as Governor Nicholas sought his advice before all
others, just so he gave it preference. The official voice is the
Governor's, but the hand is Jefferson's."
In this report the general subject was subdivided into (i)
Primary Schools, (2) Academies, (3) an University, and this
system was based upon dividing the counties into townships,
each to support one primary school, in which should be taught
reading, writing and arithmetic — the Lancastrian method of
teaching being recommended. Boys when well-grounded in
these will be prepared to enter the next grade, academy,
teaching Latin, Greek, French, higher arithmetic, six first
books of Euclid, algebra, geography, elements of astronomy,
and the use of globes. Finally a university, " comprehending
in its teachings the whole circle of the arts and sciences, ex-
tending to the utmost boundaries of human knowledge. The
peculiar conditions of Virginia must be studied, and the uni-
versity adapted to the needs of the people; it should have a
modest beginning ; centrally and healthfully located ; buildings
paid for out of the Literary Fund; fifteen visitors and nine
professors; there shall be educated, boarded and clothed, at
the public expense (Literary Fund) ten of the most deserving
and promising young men, who shall remain four years at the
University, and shall serve four years in the academy, if re-
quired ; there shall be seven fellowships — about the first offered
in this country — to be filled out of the most learned and meri-
torious graduates of the University, who are to receive salaries
out of the Literary Fund, and teach four years in the acade-
my, if required. It is to these we ought to look for our supply
of teachers and professors, by which service to the youth of the
country, they will amply repay their own obligation for gratu-
itous training. This will create a corps of self-sustained liter-
ary men able to devote their whole time to science, thereby
enlarging its boundaries and infusing generally an inspiration
for the charms of literature and knowledge."
The report was destined to have its vicissitudes, being at
once referred to the Committee of the Whole, while the reso-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 95
lutions, after receiving ten amendments, were ordered by Mer-
cer laid upon the table, January 12, 1817, and upon further
amendment — including a series of colleges — were presented,
February 3rd, as a bill, rt Providing for the establishment of
an University." The Committee of Schools and Colleges re-
ported several bills, which, not being acted upon at a late hour
of the session, gave Mercer opportunity to hurriedly prepare
and present a suitable substitution, leaving out the site of the
University, that passed the House, February i8th, but failed
two days later in the Senate, by a tie vote, as half of the mem-
bers were absent, thus causing to be deferred for two years the
whole educational scheme. However, these various bills per-
taining to education were ordered by the Senate to be printed
in pamphlet form, entitled " Sundry Documents," for general
distribution throughout the State, in order that the public
might become thoroughly familiar with their various pro-
visions.
CHAPTER V
THOMAS JEFFERSON — FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
VIRGINIA
The Mercer bill vs. Mr. Jefferson's; Mercer in Congress; Mr. Jefferson's
Educational Bill of 1817-1818; first report of Central College propos-
ing its conversion into the University of Virginia ; Mr. Jefferson's final
draft and trial ; dreams realized ; difficulty over location ; Rockfish
Commission — its report to Legislature; final contest, Mr. Baldwin of
Augusta ; First Board of Visitors ; Mr. Jefferson chosen Rector ; Uni-
versity's architecture, plans, construction ; Dr. Thomas Cooper's oppo-
sition, religious apprehensions; selection of Ticknor and Bowditch;
buildings advanced ; monetary difficulties ; religious doctrines ; Father
of our Navy, etc.
THE Mercer Bill although similar to that of Mr. Jefferson's
had some notable exceptions: i, The Board of Public In-
struction was authorized to accept the Anne Smith Academy,
for the education of females, and to provide for the erection
of not more than two other similar institutions, thereby in-
troduced female education at the public expense. 2, Four col-
leges were proposed — Pendleton, Wythe, Henry, Jefferson,
and the three already existing, William and Mary, Washing-
ton, Hampden-Sidney, might be received into this arrange-
ment at the option of their Trustees. 3, The Primary Schools
were to be established first, Academies second, Colleges third,
and the University last — then only if sufficient funds remained
after completing the preceding. These and several minor dif-
ferences rendered the bill in Mr. Jefferson's opinion decidedly
objectionable — much inferior to his plan of establishing Pri-
mary Schools without taking a cent from the Literary Fund,
leaving it for founding Academies (Colleges) in every district
of eighty miles square, and finally an University centrally lo-
cated. He further believed that unless something less extrava-
gant be devised, the whole undertaking would fail, as the
Primary Schools alone would exhaust the entire funds, conse-
quently he set himself again at work to produce a more ac-
ceptable single bill for the next session of the Legislature.
96
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 97
Mercer had now been elected to Congress, where he re-
mained twenty-one years, so he was out of the way, and like-
wise, as it proved, was his bill. After a slow and painful
siege of writing Mr. Jefferson finished the so-called, " Jeffer-
son's Educational Bill of 1817-1818," which was forwarded,
October 24, 1817, to Cabell with these concluding words : "I
send you the result brought into a single bill, lest by bringing
it on by detachments some of the parts might be lost." This
bill abstracted largely from the plan enunciated in his compre-
hensive letter to Peter Carr, September 7, 1814 — dividing the
State into nine collegiate districts, each to have a college with
two professors, paid from the Literary Fund, and teaching
Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, Italian, German, English gram-
mar, geography, higher arithmetic, mensuration of land, use
of globes, and the ordinary elements of navigation; also an
University " in a central and healthy part of the State," whose
location should be determined by a board of eight visitors,
subject to approval by the Board of Public Instruction, unless
the State should decide to accept the present lands, buildings,
property, and rights of Central College, whenever its board of
visitors should authorize a transfer to the Board of Public
Instruction, for the purposes of an University. In this institu-
tion should be taught history and geography — ancient and
modern — natural philosophy, agriculture, chemistry, theories
of medicine, anatomy, zoology, botany, mineralogy, geology,
mathematics — pure and mixed — military and naval science,
ideology, ethics, law of nature and nations, law — municipal
and foreign — science of civil government and political econ-
omy, languages, rhetoric, belles-letters, and the fine arts gen-
erally— all distributed to not more than ten professors."
In order to pave the way for this bill Mr. Jefferson sub-
mitted shortly thereafter, January 6, 1818, to the speaker of
the House of Delegates the first report of the Trustees of
Central College, in which he recounted in detail its plans,
progress and prospects, taking care to emphasize " the want
of a seminary of general science in a healthy part of the State,
and nearly central to its population, for whose development the
resources at the command of the Legislature would alone be
adequate. By the Mercer bill of the last session, passed by one
branch and printed by the other, for public consideration, a
98 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
disposition appears to go into a system of general education,
of which a single University for the use of the whole State is
to be a component part. But observing that in the bill pre-
sented to public consideration a combination of private and
public contributions has been contemplated, and considering
such an incorporation as completely fulfilling the view of our
institution, we undertake to declare that if the Legislature
shall think proper to proceed to the establishment of an Uni-
versity, and to adopt for its location the site of the Central
College, we are so certain of the approbation of those for
whom we act, that we may give safe assurances of the ready
transfer to the State of all the property and rights of the Cen-
tral College, in possession or in action, towards the establish-
ment of such an University, and under such laws and provi-
sions as the Legislature shall be pleased to establish ; and that
we ourselves shall be ready to deliver over our charge to such
successors, or such other organization, as the Legislature shall
be pleased to ordain, and with increased confidence of its suc-
cess under their care."
This was the first intimation, at least official proposal, to
convert Central College into the University of Virginia, a
proposition to thoughtful persons savoring of much reason and
advantage, as that institution was well-located, well-endowed
and well-underway, while its educational scope was to be of an
university character — that which the State so thoroughly
needed and desired. It would be far better, surely more eco-
nomical, to promote and sustain this than to establish another
de novo, only to become a strong and deadly rival — a fact that
Mr. Jefferson fully realized, and could not believe his people
would think otherwise when enlightened upon the conditions —
and yet he was conscious of needed diplomacy that his hopes
might succeed.
He wrote to Cabell, December 18, 1817 : "I think you had
better keep back the general plan till this report is made, as
I am persuaded it will give a lift to that. Pray drop me a line
when any vote is passed which furnishes an indication of the
success or failure of the general plan. I have only this single
anxiety in the world. It is a bantling of forty years' birth
and nursing, and if I can once see it on its legs, I will sing
with sincerity and pleasure my nunc dimittas"
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 99
Mr. Jefferson was now seventy-five years of age, and though
all his efforts in the interest of local " Diffusion of Knowl-
edge," extending over forty years, had been apparently with-
out results, yet he was enthused to a high degree in making
one more final trial. He wrote Cabell, December 3ist: "I
have this morning sent to Mr. Madison a draft of the report
I promised you. When returned, I shall have to make out a
fair copy and send it the round for signature. You may,
therefore, expect it about the last of next week." This report
was placed in the hands of the Speaker, January 6, 1818, with
the request that it be communicated to the House in such form
as he thought best. Mr. Jefferson anxiously awaited a knowl-
edge of the impression it made upon the Legislature — " be-
cause that shows how near we are to the accomplishment of a
good college, one that cannot but be thought of some value
to the State — and the urgency of their enabling us to com-
plete it"
Cabell wrote Mr. Jefferson, January 5, 1818: "It grieves
me to tell you that I think our prospects are by no means
flattering in the General Assembly. I shall not relax my
small exertions in this noble cause. I hunt assiduously around
me for every suggestion towards lessening the difficulties on
the branch of the primary schools. The hostile interests to
Central College — the Cincinnati Society, mostly Federalists,
and the Lexington people both favor Washington College;
the Staunton people, who have not only selected the site in
their midst for the University, but would have the capital
removed there from Richmond — have been constantly at work
producing some effect on the House of Delegates, now much
altered for the worse, with which I believe nothing can be
done. Again, the discordant opinions about the primary
schools seem irreconcilable. Efforts have been, and doubtless
will be made to convert this subject into a question between
the east and west side of the Blue Ridge. Judge Roane, Col.
Nicholas and others disapprove of your plan of an assessment
on the wards, believing the moneys should come out of the
Literary Fund, but that your mode of administration should
be kept up."
Mr. Jefferson wrote Cabell, January I4th : " A system of
general instruction which shall reach every description of our
ioo UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
citizens, from the richest to the poorest, as it was the earliest,
so will it be the latest of all the public concerns in which I
shall permit myself to take an interest. Nor am I tenacious of
the form in which it shall be introduced. Be that what it
may, our descendants will be as wise as we are, and will know
how to amend and amend until it shall suit their circum-
stances. Give it to us, then, in any shape, and receive for
the inestimable boon the thanks of the young, and the bless-
ings of the old, who are past all other services but prayers for
the prosperity of their country and blessings to those who
promote it." This letter Cabell had published in the Rich-
mond Enquirer, February loth, and while the " enlightened
few " read it with sympathy and fervor, yet it failed to attract
many legislators to the support of the bill. The House of
Delegates really preferred a small appropriation for educating
the poor from the Literary Fund, and the rest of it devoted
to paying the State's debts. It rose, however, to the demands
of the occasion, by accepting a compromise between the high-
est and lowest forms of education — Hill's substitute for Mr.
Jefferson's bill.
On January 22nd, Cabell wrote Mr. Jefferson : " I have
read the bill and am greatly disappointed. Indeed, sir, the
prospect before us is dreary." Three weeks later he wrote in
a more cheerful strain: "When the school bill came up in
the Senate we engrafted upon it a provision for an University,
and it has passed, February 2ist, in the form of the enclosed
with one small exception. The bill gives forty-five thousand
dollars per annum to the poor, and fifteen thousand to the
University — this latter amount being continued for nearly
sixty years as the State's sole annuity. The 'Governor and
Council shall choose one commissioner from each Senatorial
District in the State, who, as -a body, shall meet at Rockfish
Gap, August i, 1818, and sojourn from place to place and
time to time ; that they shall report to the next Assembly the
best site, plan, etc., and the next Assembly will have the whole
subject in their power. We have fifteen districts (out of the
possible twenty-four) on this side of the Ridge, and I think
we are safe in the hands of the Executive. The appointment
of the commissioners is now a subject of infinite importance to
us. The Executive, I think, will do us justice. Our policy
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 101
is to invest all our funds (Central College) in buildings, and
get them as far advanced by August as possible." Truly Mr.
Jefferson needed no reminder for this, as he had time and
again expressed the same aim — to make the greatest progress,
then have the Legislature adopt and further it.
The University of Virginia was no longer a dream — -its
existence had been decided upon definitely, but where it should
exist was still, as it always had been the disturbing and un-
settled question — one that Mr. Jefferson determined should
be influenced towards his choice location, Central College,
with all the reason, logic and personal magnetism he pos-
sessed. The contest was to be with the Commissioners and
also the next Legislature, and in both assemblies Air. Jeffer-
son proposed to meet manfully the pending issue. Of the
twenty-four commissioners only three were absent from the
meeting, August ist, at the tavern in Rockfish Gap — that
between Albemarle and Augusta counties, through which the
turnpike to the West passes — now the summer resort, " Afton
or Mountain Top."
Besides the President of the United States, Mr. Monroe,
and his two predecessors, Mr. Jefferson and Madison, nearly
all the others were distinguished men — judges, statesmen,
lawyers, etc. — " yet it was remarked by the lookers-on, that
Mr. Jefferson was the principal object of regard both to the
members and spectators; that he seemed to be the chief mover
of the body — the soul that animated it; and some who were
present, struck by these manifestations of deference, conceived
a more exalted idea of him on this simple and unpretending
occasion than they had ever previously entertained." He was
elected unanimously President of the meeting, and, after some
discussion, Chairman of a Committee of six, to report on all
the duties assigned the Commission by the Legislature, except
that of the site — that being left to the legislative body. How-
ever, at the same time this point was discussed liberally, each
of the three places proposed, Lexington, Staunton, Central
College, being recognized as located in equally healthy and
fertile districts, but Mr. Jefferson added much weight to his
favorite, by exhibiting " an imposing list of octogenarians,"
and by demonstrating with figures and charts its approximate
centrality in territory and white population.
102 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Although absolutely fair in his bearings, statements and
conclusions some criticism followed the manner of drawing
his transverse lines so as to intersect at Charlottesville — the
beginning of his westerly line being the mouth of the Chesa-
peake Bay, a point much nearer the southern than the northern
state boundary — but he defended his position by the state-
ment : " the greatest part of what is north is water." This
line was not drawn due west, as the northern state boundary
was north of northwest, but discreetly balancing his geog-
raphy, followed the line of " equal division of the population."
For his north and south line of population, he paralleled the
Blue Ridge, running southwest and northeast. Mr. Jefferson
afterwards affirmed : " Run your lines in whatever direction
you please, they will pass close to Charlottesville." Be that
as it may, he apparently had little trouble in winning the As-
sembly at Rocknsh Gap, for when the vote was taken, sixteen
stood for Central College, three for Lexington, and two for
Staunton — an expression of opinion which the Committee was
instructed to include in the report unanimously adopted, Au-
gust 3rd.
The following day two copies were signed by the entire
Commission present, in readiness for the Speakers of the
House and Senate. The report as an entirety was lengthy,
elaborate and comprehensive, being prepared with careful
thought, no doubt by Mr. Jefferson, prior to the meeting. It
defined the object of primary and higher education, the rela-
tion of the State to science, the relation of education to morals
and religion, the advantage of modern languages and Anglo-
Saxon, the necessity of bodily exercise and manual training,
and finally enumerated the many objects to be taught in a
masterly manner, arranged for ten professors.
At the beginning of the next Legislative session, Cabell
was in Richmond, as usual, attending to his Senatorial duties,
chiefly those pertaining to the University. Mr. Jefferson
forwarded to him the report, November 2Oth, stating it the
opinion of the Commissioners, " that it should be delivered
to each speaker in the chair on the second morning of the
session."
In a letter to Mr. Jefferson, December 8th, Cabell wrote:
" The report was read, and received with great attention in
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 103
both the Houses, and a resolution to print a number of copies
passed each House. The ability and value of the report I am
informed are universally admitted. It was referred in the
lower house to a select committee, and the speaker is friendly
to the measure. A portion of the Assembly will be opposed
to the whole subject, and how far a combination between this
part and the Lexington interest may jeopardize the measure,
I cannot now determine. All that I can now positively affirm
is, that the clouds seem to be scattering, and the prospect to
smile."
Just as was apprehended and feared, opposition to Mr. Jef-
ferson's university scheme did not abate in the Legislature, as
shown by Cabell's letter, December 24th : " There is a de-
cided majority of the Committee in favor of the Central Col-
lege; but the Eastern members are less attentive than the
Western. The friends of Lexington wish to have the clause
of location reported with a blank, discredit your calculations,
seek to reinforce their claims, so that the hostile interests are
daily acquiring new force by intrigue and management. The
party opposed altogether to the University is growing so
rapidly we have just grounds to fear a total failure of the
measure." Some believed the Literary Fund was to be di-
verted from its original object — to educate the poor, and that
the rich were to receive its benefits. Others thought Char-
lottesville too small for a university town, neither attracting
nor furnishing polished society for either professors or stu-
dents, and incapable of supplying accommodations and police
authority for governing a large number of young men. The
friends of William and Mary College demanded five thousand
dollars annually for their concurrence — that which Cabell
spurned, preferring to lose the bill, and, in spite of precarious
health, braved all the objections, by not relinquishing in the
least his efforts towards quieting the turbulent waters and
converting legislators to his way of thinking. As he put it:
" I passed the night in watchful reflection and the day in
ceaseless activity." He wrote to liberal minded men in the
belligerent districts importuning influence upon their repre-
sentatives; prepared letters for the Enquirer, calculated to
move public sentiment in favor of his cause; published Mr.
Jefferson's able defense and explanation of the true center of
104 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
population, and by skilful tactics at last won over the majority
to his opinion. Early in January, 1819, he wrote Mr. Jeffer-
son: " Happily sir, a counter-current has been produced, and
I am now confident of ultimate success. Our friends are at
last aroused, and are as ardent as you could desire, so that
our policy now is to keep back the vote as long as possible."
Again he wrote, January i8th: "Grateful, truly grateful is
it to my heart, to be able to announce to you the result of this
day's proceedings in the House of Delegates. In Committee
of the Whole the question was taken, after an elaborate dis-
cussion, on the motion to strike the Central College from the
bill, and was lost by a vote of 114 to 69. This is a decisive
victory." Just then one of the western opponents, Baldwin
of Augusta, arose to the occasion, and expressed eloquently:
" I have supported Staunton as long as there was any hope of
success, but now I implore this body to sacrifice all local preju-
dice and sectional feeling, in order to have unanimity of action
— let us unite with the majority in support of the bill." And
as he wished, so it was — an overwhelming victory for Mr.
Jefferson's cause. Cabell had been suffering two days before
from hemorrhage of the lungs, " brought on by exposure to
bad weather and loss of sleep," and left the House just prior
to the final vote in order, " to avoid the shock of feeling which
I should have been compelled to sustain. But I am told the
scene was truly affecting. A great part of the House was in
tears, and, on the rising of the House, the Eastern members
hovered around Mr. Baldwin- — some shook him by the hand,
others solicited an introduction. Such magnanimity in a de-
feated adversary excited universal applause. The discussion
must have produced a considerable effect." In the Senate the
bill was known to be safe, where it passed by a vote of 22 to
I, January 25th, thus chartering the University of Virginia
and adopting Central College as her site. Her seal —
" Minerva enrobed in her peplus and characteristic habili-
ments as inventress and protectress of the arts " — bears this
birth year, 1819, but six long, perplexing years elapsed before
she was opened formally (1825) to the reception of students.
Although in this great struggle Mr. Jefferson was the
power behind the throne, yet Cabell had been the watchdog
and fighter — better pacifier — who could have accomplished
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 105
alone much that he did, but Mr. Jefferson nothing. At the
same time Cabell even was powerless without the hearty co-
operation of the many — indeed denied the timely voice of the
intrepid Baldwin, who can predict the fate of the almost for-
lorn hope? Cabell graciously paid tribute to a few of those
worthies — Brooke, Brockenbrough, Cabell, Gilmore, Green,
Hoomes, Nicholas, Nicholson, Minor, Pannill, Rice, Roane,
Ritchie, Scott, Slaughter, Stanard, Taliaferro, Taylor, etc. —
but scores of others unnamed, came in for a large share of the
unbounded credit. Before the great world the line has to be
drawn somewhere, as in martial battles — simply with Xeno-
phen, Wellington, Napoleon, Washington, irrespective of pos-
sibly as large or larger factors — so here we must attribute
results to Mr. Jefferson and Cabell — that which, however, the
great majority accepts as alone the work of Mr. Jefferson.
Mr. Jefferson congratulated Cabell, January 28th, on the
passage of the bill, expressed concern about the funds needed
at once for furthering the construction of buildings, and in-
quired, " If the Legislature would not give the University
the derelict portions offered to the pauper schools and not ac-
cepted by them," the unclaimed dividends of which would en-
able the University " to complete its buildings, and procure
its apparatus, library, etc." Cabell in his reply, February 4th,
disapproved of mentioning at that session of the Legislature
anything more pertaining to the University, as he and many
others believed it best to rest quietly on what had been accom-
plished, mollify the asperities of the contest, and thereby
gather good friends and opinions for the institution. The
financial side will stand a much better show next session. " Let
well enough alone ; we have got possession of the ground, and
it will never be taken from us."
The first Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia —
Jefferson, Madison, Cabell, Cocke, Breckenridge, Johnson,
Taylor — met March 29th, when Dr. Thomas Cooper was ap-
pointed professor of chemistry, mineralogy and natural philos-
ophy, and the purchase of additional land from John Perry was
decided upon; Mr. Jefferson was chosen Rector — a position
retained until death — and owing to close identity with the
cause, ambition for early completion, general information,
broad experience, familiarity with education, fondness for the
io6 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
work and proximity thereto, his associates gladly entrusted to
him practically the entire management of affairs. He from now
on was the University's architect, constructor, supervisor, in-
spector and administrator — giving his unstinted time in look-
ing after the minutest details. If he had no desire for " build-
ing better than he knew," he certainly had a pride in pro-
ducing the best he knew — something beyond that already ex-
isting in this country, possibly the world. He realized that
" Virginians would never be pleased with anything on a small
scale," that here he must be equal to expectations, that his in-
stitution must be a source of attraction to professors, students,
visitors, far and near, and by " the extent and splendor of
the establishment " win for it, as actually was the case, staunch
friends and ardent supporters. At the very outset, with a keen
sense of the sublime and beautiful, he determined to carry into
practice there what this later day Municipal Art Societies are
endeavoring wisely to impress upon communities — the value
of good object lessons for refining taste and character — that
the various pavilions should* present the several types of
architecture, and in order that the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian
capitals to the stately columns might have their imposing
place, Italian stone cutters were brought over for the service,
but, owing to the indifferent Virginia marble, they returned
and carved seventeen in Italy from its excellent white marble,
which to-day remain as originally placed, being among the
most unique and instructive attractions to both young and old
at the University.
The drawings and plans submitted by Mr. Jefferson met the
approval of the Visitors, with the exception of Cabell, who,
also possessing a resourceful mind from home and foreign
training, did not hesitate to make such suggestions thereto
as seemed to him wise and best. Thus he believed that some
other architectural style should be adopted for the hotels and
ranges, than that selected for the pavilions and lawns; that
the flat roofs would leak and require renewal every six years;
that the classroom in each pavilion — now the professor's par-
lors— should be abandoned in favor of a central recitation
building having rooms of varying capacity to suit different
size classes, thereby releasing the pavilions to the sole use of
the professors' families. He did not agree with Mr. Jefferson
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 107
that the professors would all be, and ever remain, unmarried,
like the English college tutors, and need only rooms for the
literary side of life, in this he was not mistaken, and in some
of the other directions his opinions modified and partly pre-
vailed, giving a decided shade to final results. For the con-
struction of tnis beautiful mental creation Mr. Jefferson sadly
realized the want of the one great essential — money — that
which must have an early vision, provided the University was
to materialize in his day. Despite funds and equipment he at
first believed the institution might begin its " Diffusion of
Knowledge " in a modest way that year (1819) — an opinion
he soon abandoned as absolutely impractical — consequently
at the first meeting of the Visitors it was determined to push
forward the work upon the pavilions and dormitories until all
of the then available means were exhausted.
Cabell was still in the Senate and happily was in perfect
accord with Mr. Jefferson upon the financial policy to be
adopted for promoting and maintaining the University. They
decided the first effort should be directed towards getting spe-
cific appropriations from the Legislature, but failing in that,
then endeavor to secure its sanction for borrowing as much
as possible of the Literary Fund, paying interest thereon from
the University's annual endowment of fifteen thousand dollars.
Mr. Jefferson communicated to Cabell, January 22, 1820, the
need of eighty thousand dollars for completing the proposed
buildings, and the House of Delegates at once rejected a bill
for this, and another for half the amount, but passed one,
February 24th, allowing the use of sixty thousand dollars of
the Literary Fund, under the restrictions already suggested.
The appointment of Dr. Thomas Cooper, October 7, 1817,
professor in Central College — duties to be assumed only when
the institution was equipped sufficiently — gave rise, as thi
months rolled by, to much unfavorable comment, but when it
became generally known that he was to be retained in the
University under similar conditions criticism grew pronounced
and defiant. Mr. Jefferson, August 22, 1813, wrote Adams:
" The fate of my letter to Priestley, after his death, was a
warning to me on that of Dr. Rush; and at my request, his
family were so kind as to quiet me by returning my original
letter and syllabus. By this you will be sensible how much
io8 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
interest I take in keeping myself clear of religious disputes be-
fore the public; and especially of seeing my syllabus disem-
bowelled by the Aruspices of the modern Paganism. Yet I
enclose it to you with entire confidence, free to be perused by
yourself and Mrs. Adams, but by no one else; and to be re-
turned to me. You are right in supposing, that I had not
read much of Priestley's ' Predestination/ his no-soul system,
or his controversy with Horsley. But I have read his ' Cor-
ruptions of Christianity,' and ' Early Opinions of Jesus/
over and over again; and I rest on them, and on Middleton's
writings, especially his letters from Rome, and to Waterland,
as the basis of my own faith. These writings have never been
answered, nor can be answered by quoting historical proofs,
as they have done. For these facts, therefore, I cling to their
learning, so much superior to my own." To this might well
be added here what another eminent writer has said pertinent
to this subject : " There would be much less obscurity and
misunderstanding about Mr. Jefferson's religious views if peo-
ple would take him at his word and in the light of his relations
to Priestley and Cooper. All three were Unitarians." No
institution can defy the universal denunciation of the clergy
of its State, and least of all a new one, like the University,
whose creation had suffered already such cantankerous senti-
ments as to embarrass its promoters. Under the circumstances
there certainly was only one alternative — to accept, as the Visi-
tors did, Dr. Cooper's resignation, tendered in full knowledge
of the prevailing criticism and in the following spirit : " I re-
gret the storm that has been raised on my account, for it has
separated me from many fond hopes and wishes. Whatever
my religious creed may be, and perhaps I do not exactly know
it myself, it is pleasure to reflect that my conduct has not
brought, and is not likely to bring, discredit to my friends.
Wherever I have been, it has been my good fortune to meet
with, or to make ardent and affectionate friends. I feel per-
suaded I should have met with the same lot in Virginia had
it been my chance to have settled there, as I had hoped and
expected, for I think my course of conduct is sufficiently ha-
bitual to count on its effects." This was equally a great blow
to Mr. Jefferson, who wrote : " I do sincerely lament that
untoward circumstances have brought on the irreparable loss
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 109
of this professor, whom I looked to as the cornerstone of our
edifice. I know no one who could have aided us so much in
forming the future regulations for our infant institution; and
although we may perhaps obtain from Europe equivalents in
science, they never can replace the advantages of his experi-
ence, his knowledge of the character, habits, and manners of
our country, his identification with the sentiments and prin-
ciples, and high reputation he has obtained in it generally."
At one of the early meetings of the Visitors it was decided
to engage George Ticknor, of Boston, as professor of modern
languages, and Nathaniel Bowditch, of Salem, professor of
mathematics, but unfortunately both declined, having already
accepted satisfactory positions elsewhere. Mr. Jefferson wrote
Adams, July iQth : " I am glad to learn that Mr. Ticknor has
safely returned to his friends ; but should have been much more
pleased had he accepted the Professorship in our University,
which we should have offered him in form. Mr. Bowditch,
too, refuses us; so fascinating is the vinculuwi of the dulce
natale solum. Our wish is to procure natives, where they can
be found, like these gentlemen, of the first order of acquire-
ment in their respective lines ; but preferring foreigners of the
first order to natives of the second, we shall certainly have to
go for several of our Professors to countries more advanced
in science than we are." Again he wrote Adams, August
1 5th : " Our University, four miles distant, gives me frequent
exercise, and the oftener, as I direct its architecture. Its plan
is unique, and it is becoming an object of curiosity for the
traveler. I have just read its critique in your North American
Review, having not been without anxiety to see what that able
work would say of us; and I am relieved on finding in it
much coincidence of opinion, and even where criticisms were
indulged, I found they would have been obviated had the de-
velopment of our plan been fuller." During- all these months
there was not the slightest cessation in building, and in late
November Mr. Jefferson forwarded his report to the Gover-
nor, in which he estimated the entire cost of the institution,
exclusive of the library, at one hundred and sixty-two thou-
sand dollars, and made further appeal to the Legislature by
referring to the good example of New York, concluding thus :
" Surely the pride as well as the patriotism of our Legislature
no UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
will be stimulated to look to the reputation and safety of their
own country (State), to rescue it from the degradation of
becoming the Barbary of the Union and of falling- into the
Cranks of our own negroes. To that condition it is fast sinking.
We shall be in the hands of other States, what our indig-
enous predecessors were when invaded by the science and
arts of Europe. The mass of education in Virginia before
the Revolution, placed her with the foremost of her sister col-
onies. What is her education now? Where is it? The little
we have we import like beggars from other States ; or import
their beggars to bestow on us their miserable crumbs. And
what is wanted to restore us to our station among our com-
petitors? Not more money from the people. Enough has
been raised by them, and appropriated to this very object. It
is that it should be employed understandingly, and for the
greatest good." He also recommended again, with equal
failure, the establishment of the common schools upon a self-
supporting basis, in order to liberate the entire Literary Fund
for the University's promotion. Cabell wrote him, January
18, 25, 1821 : " The general impression here is that we shall
be able to effect nothing for the University during the present
session. It is now my serious intention to withdraw from
the Legislature. My object is domestic, rural, and literary
leisure."
To these letters Mr. Jefferson replied : " They fill me with
gloom as to the disposition of our Legislature towards the
University. I perceive that I am not to live to see it opened.
I think we had better not open the institution until the build-
ings, library and all, are finished, and our funds cleared of
incumbrance, which must be infallibly at the end of thirteen
years, and as much earlier as an enlightened Legislature shall
happen to come into place. Even with the whole funds we
shall be reduced to six professors, while Harvard will still
prime it over us with her twenty professors. How many of
our youths she now has, learning the lessons of Anti-Missour-
ianism, I know not, but a gentleman lately from Princeton told
me he saw there a list of the students at that place, and that
more than half were Virginians. These will return home, no
doubt, deeply impressed with the sacred principles of our holy
alliance of Restrictionists." Thus in the midst of his all-ab-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA in
sorbing University work, his one chief ambition for her was
revealed — a service towards impressing and inculcating his
political principles upon future generations. In this same let-
ter he also discussed another loan of sixty thousand dollars,
and upon Cabell's suggestion wrote to General Breckenridge
a public letter upon the subject, showing no preference and
taking no imputations: "I learn with deep affliction, that
nothing is likely to be done for our University this year. So
near as it is to the shore that one shove more would land it
there, I had hoped that would be given; and that we should
open with the next year an institution on which the fortunes
of our country may depend more than may meet the general
eye. The reflections that the boys of this age are to be the
men of the next; that they should be prepared to receive the
holy charge which we are cherishing to deliver to them ; that in
establishing an institution of wisdom for them, we secure it
to all our future generations; that in fulfilling this duty,
we bring home to our bosoms the sweet consolation of seeing
our sons rising under a luminous tuition, to destinies of
high promise; these are considerations which will occur
to all ; but all, I fear, do not see the speck in our horizon which
is to burst on us as a tornado, sooner or later. I fear our di-
visional line will never be obliterated, and we are permitting
our sons to be trained by those opposed to us in position and
principles. If we send three hundred thousand dollars a year
to the northern seminaries, for the instruction of our own sons, •
then we must have there five hundred of our sons, imbibing^,
opinions and principles in discord with those of their country.
This canker is eating on the vitals of our existence, and if not V
arrested at once, will be beyond remedy. I have brooded, per-
haps with fondness, over this establishment, as it held up to
me the hope of continuing to be useful while I continue to live.
I had believed my life to be of some favorable service to the
outset of the institution. But this may be egotism; pardon-
able, perhaps, when I express a consciousness that my col-
leagues and successors will do so well, whatever the Legisla-
ture shall enable them to do." As hoped and intended this
letter made such a powerful hit, that the House of Delegates
appropriated another sixty thousand dollars from the Literary
Fund for the University, and Cabell immediately wrote Mr.
ii2 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Jefferson : " It is the anxious wish of our best friends, and of
no one more than myself, that the money now granted may be
sufficient to finish the buildings. We must not come here
again on that subject. These suggestive applications for
money to finish the buildings, give grounds of reproach to our
enemies, and draw our friends into difficulties with their con-
stituents. I hope the buildings may be ready by next winter.
The popular cry is that there is too much finery and too much
extravagance."
The great trouble arose from the fact of the House being
a severely practical body, preferring to provide only for pres-
ent needs in the simplest form, while Mr. Jefferson desired
to create an unique and ornate temple of education, a pride
for all time to himself, the cause, and the State — a sentiment
the Senate, a more enlightened body, shared and felt willing
to promote. Although this Legislative antagonism abated
somewhat, it continued sufficient to do the University great
harm, as in time it spread to the general public. While the
Dr. Cooper episode should have ceased irritating the Presby-
terians at Hampden-Sidney, and the Episcopalians at William
and Mary, yet the general clergy continued to believe and pro-
claim that the Socinians were *o be installed at the University
in order to overthrow the prevailing religious opinions of the
country.
Mr. Jefferson wrote Cabell, September 3Oth : " The Proctor
has settled for six pavilions, one hotel, and thirty-five dormi-
tories, and will proceed with the rest; so that I hope, by our
next meeting, the whole of the four rows will be nearly set-
tled." To this Cabell replied, November 2ist: " I am at this
time inclined to think I would ask nothing of the present As-
sembly. I would go on and complete the buildings, and at
another session make the great effort to emancipate the funds.
I will heartily co-operate in such measures as your better
judgment will propose."
At a meeting of the Visitors, November 3Oth, a financial
arrangement was agreed upon, a ground-plat of the buildings
ordered engraved and copies made for sale, while it was fur-
ther decided to engage a painter to draw a perspective view of
the upper level of the buildings, and to join other seminaries
in a petition to Congress for a repeal of the duty on imported
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 113
books — thereby becoming one of the first in this respect, as
she has since in many others, to relieve literature and science
of unwise burdens. The annual report adopted at this meet-
ing, to go before the Legislature, contained a full summary
of all expenditures and likely monetary needs, also a defense
of the style and scale of the buildings, claiming them to be
" proportioned to the respectability, the means, and the wants
of our country, and such as will be approved in any future
condition it may attain. We owed to it to do, not what was to
perish with ourselves, but what would remain, be respected,
and preserved through other ages." Cabell, January 3, 1822,
reminded Mr. Jefferson of the unchanged attitude of the Sen-
ate and House towards the University — the one body so
friendly, the other so hostile — and that he refused to sanction
the proposition of the House in wishing the Senate to pledge
the University " never to apply for any further appropriation,
if the Legislature would consent to cancel the University
bonds."
Now the colleges had begun to seek appropriations, and,
being more popular than the University, had to be conciliated,
while the clergy continued antagonism, claiming they were
to be excluded from the University. As financial relief for
the University was all important, Mr. Jefferson thought pos-
sibly that the Government might be willing to pay the arrears
of interest, amounting to two hundred and fifty thousand dol-
lars, on the amount borrowed from the State for war defence,
etc. (which principal now constituted the greater portion of
the Literary Fund), and if so, it might be divided between the
colleges and the University; he also desired a suspension for
four or five years of the interest payments by the University
on its debts. Cabell desired more money from the Literary
Fund, although he preferred the cancelling of the University's
bonds, and after persistent effort during the entire session,
realizing near its close that no aid would be forthcoming,
wrote Mr. Jefferson, February nth: "My patience was
nearly exhausted, and I felt an inclination, almost irresistible,
to return to my family. I remembered, however, the great
interests at stake, and chided my own despondency. Would
it be believed in future times that such efforts are necessary
to carry such a bill for such an object! I attribute the result
ii4 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
to the idea of extravagance in the erection of the buildings,
which has spread far and wide among the mass; and even
among a part of the intelligent circle of society."
Mr. Jefferson wrote Dr. Waterhouse, June 26th : " I have
received and read with thankfulness and pleasure your de-
nunciation of the abuses of tobacco and wine. I expect it will
be a sermon to the wind. You will find it as difficult to incul-
cate these sanative precepts on the sensualities of the present
day, as to convince an Athanasian that there is but one God.
The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happi-
ness of man: I. That there is one only God, and he is perfect.
2. That there is a future state of rewards and punishments.
3. That to love God with all your heart and thy neighbor as
thyself, is the sum of religion. These are the great points on
which he endeavored to reform the religion of the Jews. But
compare with these the demoralizing dogmas of Calvin: i.
That there are three Gods. 2. That good works, or the love
of our neighbor, are nothing. 3. That faith is everything, and
the more incomprehensible the proposition, the more merit in
its faith. 4. That reason in religion is of unlawful use. 5.
That God, from the beginning, elected certain individuals to
be saved, and certain others to be damned ; and that no crimes
of the former can damn them; no virtue of the latter save.
Now which of these is the true and charitable Christian?
He who believes and acts on the simple doctrines of Jesus, or
the impious dogmatists, as Athanasius and Calvin? Verily
I say these are the false shepherds, mere usurpers of the
Christian name, teaching a counter-religion made up of the
deliria of many imaginations, as foreign from Christianity
as is that of Mahomet. Their blasphemies produce infidels,
but had the doctrines of Jesus been preached always as pure
as they came from his lips, the whole civilized world would
now have been Christian. I rejoice that the genuine doctrine
of one only God is reviving, and I trust that there is not a
young man now living in the United States who will not die
an Unitarian." In a letter to Adams, June 27th, he wrote:
" I happened to turn to my letter-list some time ago, when I
found those received year before last to be twelve hundred
and sixty-seven, many of them requiring answers of elaborate
research, and all to be answered with due attention and con-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 115
sideration. Is this life? At best it is but the life of a mill-
horse, who sees no end to his circle but in death. To such a
life, that of a cabbage is paradise." Again, November ist,
" While in Europe I formed, undoubtedly, the opinion that
our government, as soon as practicable, should provide a naval
force sufficient to keep the Barbary States in order; and on
this subject we communicated together, as you observe. When
I returned to the United States and took part in the admini-
stration under General Washington, I constantly maintained
that opinion, and reported to Congress in favor of a force
sufficient to protect our Mediterranean commerce. I thought
afterwards, that the public safety might require some addi-
tional vessels of strength, to be prepared and preserved in
readiness in dry docks, above the level of the tide waters, cov-
ered with roofs, but clear of the expense of officers and men.
But the majority of the Legislature (Congress) was against
nny addition to the navy, and the minority, although for it in
judgment, voted against it on the principle of opposition."
To this letter Adams replied : " I have always imputed to
vou the measures of Congress ordering the four ships built
md the appointment of their captains, for carrying an ambas-
sador to Algiers to protect our commerce in the Mediter-
ranean. I did this for several reasons : First, because you fre-
quently proposed it to me while we were at Paris, negotiating
together for peace with the Barbary powers. Secondly, be-
cause I knew that Washington and Hamilton were not only
indifferent about a navy, but averse to it. There was no Sec-
retary of the Navy; only four heads of department. I have
always suspected that you and Knox were in favor of a navy,
but Washington, I am confident, was against it in his judg-
ment, yet his attachment to Knox, and his deference to your
opinion, for I know he had great regard for you, might induce
him to decide in favor of you and Knox, even though Bradford
united with Hamilton in opposition to you. I have always
believed the navy to be Jefferson's child, though Knox may
have assisted in ushering it into the world. Hamilton's hobby
was the army."
CHAPTER VI
THOMAS JEFFERSON — CHAMPION OF FREE-RELIGION AND
GOVERNMENT
Letters to Dr. Cooper and James Smith — religious conditions and ideas;
student discipline; denominational schools near the University; letter
to Gallatin ; ambition for the University — remitting her debts, finan-
cial difficulties disappearing; correspondence with Cabell; rotunda
begun; letter to Judge Johnson defining object of the Federalists;
letter to Cartwright explaining State and Federal powers; letter to
Adams concerning health and the University ; letter to President Mon-
roe about " Monroe Doctrine " ; letters to Lafayette, Cabell, Jared
Sparks and Van Buren; Gilmer seeking professors abroad; buildings
completed and described ; English professors arrive ; University opened
March 7, 1825.
MR. JEFFERSON wrote Dr. Cooper, November 2, 1822:
" While in Boston Unitarianism has advanced to great
strength, with interchange of sectarian pulpits, in Rhode Is-
land no sectarian preacher will permit an Unitarian to pollute
his desk. In Richmond there is much fanaticism; in Char-
lottesville there is a good degree of religion, with a small
spice of fanaticism. We have four sects, but no church or
meeting house, except the court house, which is the common
temple — one Sunday in the month to each, Episcopalian,
Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist, where all meet together,
join in hymning their Maker, listen with attention and devo-
tion to each other's preachers, and all mix in society with per-
fect harmony. The ambition and tyranny of the Presbyterians
would tolerate no rival if they had power. Systematical in
grasping at the ascendency over all other sects, they aim, like
the Jesuits, at engrossing the education of the country, are
hostile and jealous of different institutions unless under
their control. The diffusion of instruction and progress of
Unitarianism are the remedies to this fever of fanaticism.
In our University you know there is no professorship of Di-
vinity. A handle has been made of this, to disseminate an
idea that this is an institution, not merely of no religion, but
116
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 117
against all religion. To offset this our Visitors suggest that
each sect establish its own independent professorship (semi--
nary), on the confines of the University deriving therefrom
all possible advantages of the higher sciences, etc. I think the
invitation will be accepted by some sects from candid inten-
tions, and by others from jealousy and rivalship. And by
bringing the sects together, and mixing them with the mass of
other students, we shall soften their asperities, liberalize and
neutralize their prejudices, and make the general religion, a
religion of peace, reason and morality. The opening of our
University is uncertain. All the pavilions, boarding houses
and dormitories are finished, nothing wanting except the Ro-
tunda, for whose construction we have no funds. I have
heard with regret of disturbances among your students. The
article of discipline is the most difficult in American education.
Premature ideas of independence, too little repressed b'y
parents, beget a spirit of insubordination, which is the great
obstacle to science with us, and a principal cause of its delay
since the Revolution. I look to it with dismay in our institu-
tion, as a breaker ahead, which I am far from being confident
we shall be able to weather. The advance of age, and tardy
pace of the public patronage, may probably spare me the pain
of witnessing consequences."
In a letter a few weeks later, December 8th, to James Smith,
upon religious belief, he wrote : " The Athanasian paradox
that one is three, and three but one, is so incomprehensible
to the human mind, that no candid man can say he has any
idea of it, and how can he believe what presents no idea ? He
who thinks he does, only deceives himself. He proves, also,
that man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining
guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship
without a rudder, is the sport of the wind. With such per-
sons, gullibility, which they call faith, takes the helm from
the hand of reason, and the mind becomes a wreck. While
I claim a right to believe in one God, if so my reason tells me,
I yield as freely to others that of believing in three. Both
religions, I find, make honest men, and that is the only point
society has any right to look to. I take no part in controver-
sies, religious or political."
The report of the Visitors to the President and Directors
n8 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
of the Literary Fund (November 1822) stated that all the
buildings had been completed, except the library — to cost
forty-seven thousand dollars; that it had been decided as best
to postpone the opening until all building was finished, for
then the whole income will be absorbed in salaries and current
expenses. Mr. Jefferson discussed the financial difficulties and
the religious attitude of the University, suggesting as a rem-
edy for the lack of specific religious instruction, that the de-
nominations " establish their religious schools on the confines
of the University, thus giving to their students ready and con-
venient access and attendance on the scientific lectures of the
University; and to maintain, by that means, those destined
for the religious profession on as high a standing of science,
and of personal weight and respectability, as may be obtained
by others from the benefits of the University. To such propo-
sitions the Visitors are prepared to lend a willing ear and to
give every encouragement to these schools, and every facility
of access and attendance to their students, the schools being
independent of the University and of each other." This very
wise suggestion was never taken seriously, as the denomina-
tional institutions have all remained where originally estab-
lished, or been located elsewhere. The report further showed
that two hundred thousand dollars had been expended so far,
with a deficit of twenty-seven thousand dollars.
Mr. Jefferson wrote Gallatin, October 29 (1822): "Our
University of Virginia, my present hobby, has been at a stand
for twelve-month past for want of funds. Our last Legisla-
ture refused anything. The last elections give better hopes
of the next. The institution is so far advanced that it will
force itself through. So little is now wanting that the first
liberal Legislature will give it its last life."
Cabell suggested, December 23rd : " That he be authorized
to ask the Legislature for fifty thousand dollars to build the
library, as a loan out of the surplus capital on hand, and to
put the whole University debt — one hundred and seventy
thousand dollars — under the operation of the sinking fund.
This is manly and dignified legislation, and if we fail, the
blame will not be ours. The public mind seems impatient for
a commencement of the operations of the institution."
Mr. Jefferson replied, December 28th: "Of alignings the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 119
most important is the completion of the buildings. The re-
mission of the debt will come of itself. It is already remitted
in the minds of every man, even of the enemies of the institu-
tion. The great object of our aim from the beginning has
been to make the establishment the most eminent in the United
States, to draw the youth of every State, especially those of
the South and West. We have proposed, therefore, to call
to it characters of the first order of science from Europe, as
well as our own country. Had we built a barn for a college,
and log huts for accommodations, should we ever have had the
assurance to propose to an European professor of that char-
acter to come to it? Why give up this important idea, when
so near its accomplishment that a single lift more effects it?
The opening of the institution in a half-state of readiness,
would be the most fatal step which could be adopted. A single
sum of sixty thousand dollars is wanting. If we cannot get
it now, we will another or another trial. Courage and pa-
tience is the watchword. Delay is an evil which will pass;
despair loses all. Let us never give back. The thing will
carry itself, and with firmness and perseverance we shall
place our country (State) on its high station, and we shall
receive for it the blessings of posterity. I think your idea of
a loan, and placing it on the sinking fund, an excellent one.
We are safe in saying that another loan of sixty thousand
dollars will place us beyond the risk of our needing to ask
another dollar on that account."
Cabell wrote two days later, December 3Oth : "It gives me
heartfelt pleasure to inform you that the intelligent members
generally express the opinion that the institution should be
finished. This confirms the propriety of the course we have
taken." And again, January 9 (1823) : " I am happy to in-
form you that our prospects are now very favorable. Every-
thing is understood; everything is arranged. The report I
am told, will have a very happy effect. The institution is
gaining greatly in the South and to the East, and indeed
everywhere. The prints of the University will be brought up
rapidly." Mr. Jefferson wrote, January 13, 1823: " The local
academies should be left to private enterprise, but primary
schools might be looked after. Were it necessary to give up
either the Primaries or the University, I would rather abandon
120 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
the last, because it is safer to have a whole people respectably
enlightened, than a few in a high state of science, and the
many in ignorance. This last is the most dangerous state in
which a nation can be. The nations and governments of
Europe are so many proofs of it."
Cabell replied, January 23rd : " Our most prudent course, at
this time, is to neither enter into alliance or make war upon
the academies and primary schools. Politeness to all, inter-
ference with none, and devotion to our object, constitute the
policy that ought, in my opinion, to govern the course of the
friends of the University."
Mr. Jefferson replied, January 28th : " Your letter has con-
verted me entirely — we need take no part for or against either
the academies or schools."
Cabell wrote, February 3rd : " There is now no doubt of the
success of our Loan Bill. I earnestly hope that this loan will
finish the buildings. We must never come here again for
money to erect buildings. The Proctor's account has pro-
duced capital effect, as the Legislature was much pleased to
see the public money so accurately accounted for, and so faith-
fully applied. I think also that your suggestion respecting the
religious sects has had great influence. It is the Franklin
that has drawn the lightning from the cloud of opposition."
And again, February 5th : " I have now the satisfaction to
enclose you a copy of the act concerning the University, which
has this moment passed the Senate, and is now the law of the
land. I am now casting about to see if we can cancel the
bonds. The best interests of the institution require that we
should come here no more for money for buildings ; some say
their patience is threadbare on the subject. The Hampden-
Sidney interest was opposed to us, as was that of William and
Mary, but the latter has sensibly diminished. We hear noth-
ing of the Washington College interest." And again, Febru-
ary 26th : " A strong and general wish prevails that we should
finish the buildings with the third loan. If we do this, I think
all will ultimately succeed. I think the enemy is ready to
strike his colors."
Mr. Jefferson wrote, March I2th: "The Proctor has been
authorized to engage the work of the Rotunda, and have it
commenced immediately. It will be completed as far as the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 121
funds may go, and not delay the opening of the institution.
The work will occupy three years." Cabell replied, March
24th : " I approve the engaging for the hull of the library.
There is a powerful party in this State, with whom it is almost
a passport to reputation to condemn the plan and manage-
ment of the University. Perhaps this may be the natural re-
sult of old political conflicts (Federalists). When asked
concerning books and apparatus, he had replied : that it would
certainly be good policy in the Legislature to grant occa-
sional aids toward those objects ; but that the institution could
go into operation and flourish without them. I think it would
be both politic and proper to ask the Legislature to anticipate
on a loan that portion of the tuition fees which was to be set
aside for those objects."
Mr. Jefferson wrote Judge Johnson, June 12 (1823) : " The
original objects of the Federalists were: I. To warp our gov-
ernment more to the form and principles of monarchy; 2. To
weaken the barriers of the State Governments as co-ordinate
powers. I have been blamed for saying that a prevalence of
the doctrines of consolidation would one day call for reforma-
tion or revolution. I answer by asking, if a single State
would have agreed to the constitution, had it given all powers
to the General Government? If the whole opposition to it
did not proceed from the jealousy and fear of every State,
of being subjected to the other States in matters nearly its
own? And if there is any reason to believe the States more
disposed now than then, to acquiesce in this general surrender
of all their rights and powers to consolidated government, one
and undivided? The capital and leading object of the con-
stitution was, to leave with the States all authorities which
respected their own citizens only, and to transfer to the United
States those which respected citizens of foreign or other
States; to make us several as to ourselves, but one as to all
others."
Upon the same subject he wrote Cartwright : " The one is
the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same gov-
ernment; neither having control over the other, but within
its own department. If the two departments should claim
each the same subjects of power, in cases of little importance
or urgency the prudence of both parties will keep them aloof
122 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
from the questionable ground, but if it can neither be avoided
or compromised, a convention of the States must be called, to
ascribe the doubtful power to that department which they
may think best. Our constitution is yet imperfect. I do not
think one generation can bind another, and all others, in suc-
cession forever. The Creator has made the earth for the liv-
ing, not the dead. Rights and powers can only belong to
persons, not to things, not to mere matter, unendowed with
will. The dead are not even things. The particles of matter
which compose their bodies, make part now of the bodies of
other animals, vegetables, or minerals, of a thousand forms.
To what then are attached the rights and powers they held
while in the form of man? A generation may bind itself as
long as its majority continues in life; when that has disap-
peared, another majority is in place, holds all the rights and
powers their predecessors once held, and may change their
laws and institutions to suit themselves. Nothing then is un-
changeable but inherent and unalienable rights of man."
The report of the Visitors, October 6, 1823, stated: That
the library building was then ready for the roof, but it will
be allowed to settle and dry until the ensuing season. All the
other buildings are now in perfect readiness for putting the
institution into operation, and this might be done at the close
of the ensuing year, 1824, were its funds liberated from their
present incumbrances, but these remove the epoch to a very
distant time — as the loan could not be extinguished for twenty-
five years.
Mr. Jefferson wrote Adams, October I2th : " Crippled wrists
and fingers make writing slow and laborious. But while writ-
ing to you, I lose the sense of these things in the recollection
of antient times, when youth and health made 'happiness out
of everything. I forget for a while the hoary winter of age,
when we can think of nothing but how to keep ourselves
warm, and how to get rid of our heavy hours until the friendly
hand of death shall rid us of all at once. Against this tedium
vitas, however, I am fortunately mounted on a hobby, which,
indeed, I should have better managed some thirty or forty
years ago ; but whose easy amble is still sufficient to give exer-
cise and amusement to an octogenary rider. This is the es-
tablishment of a University, on a scale more comprehensive,
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 123
and in a country more healthy and central than our William ,/
and Mary, which these obstacles have long kept in a state of
langor and inefficiency. But the tardiness with which such
works proceed, may render it doubtful whether I shall live to
see it go into action. It would be strange indeed, if, at our
years, we were to go an age back to hunt up imaginary or
forgotten facts, to disturb the repose of affections so sweet-
ening to the evening of our lives. Be assured, my dear Sir,
that I am incapable of receiving the slightest impression from .
the effort now made to plant thorns on the pillow of age,
worth and wisdom, and to sow tares between friends who have
been such for near half a century."
Mr. Jefferson a week later, October 24th, wrote President
Monroe : " The question presented by the letters you have
sent me, is the most momentous which has ever been offered
to my contemplation since that of Independence. That made
us a nation, this sets our compass and points our course. Our
first and fundamental maxim should be, never to entangle our-
selves with the broils of Europe. Our second, never to suffer
Europe to intermeddle with cis-Atlantic affairs. America,
North and South, has a set of interests distinct from those of
Europe, and peculiarly her own " — Monroe Doctrine, but bet-
ter, Jefferson-Monroe Doctrine. " Great Britain can do us the
most harm of any one, or all on earth, and with her on our
side we need not fear the whole world. With her we must
cherish a cordial friendship. I candidly confess, that I have
ever looked on Cuba as the most interesting addition which
could ever be made to our system of States. I have been so
long weaned from political subjects, and have so long ceased
to take any interest in them, that I am sensible I am not quali-
fied to offer opinions on them worthy of any attention. But
this question involves consequences so lasting, and effects so
decisive of our future destinies, as to re-kindle all the interesf
I have heretofore felt on such occasions, and to induce me to
the hazard of opinions, which will prove only my wish to
contribute still my mite towards anything which may be useful
to our country."
Mr. Jefferson wrote Lafayette, November 4th : " Whether
the state of society in Europe can bear a republican govern-
ment, I doubted, you know, when with you, and I do now. A
124 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
limited hereditary chief, the right of war vested in the legis-
lative body, a rigid economy of the public contributions, and
absolute interdiction of all useless expenses, will go far to-
wards keeping the government honest and unoppressive. But
the only security of all, is in a free press. On the eclipse of
Federalism with us, although not its extinction, its leaders got
up the Missouri question (Compromise), under the false front
of lessening slavery, but with the real view of producing a
geographical division of parties, which might insure them the
next President. However, the line of division now, is the
preservation of State rights as reserved in the Constitution,
or by strained constructions of that instrument, to merge all
into a consolidated government. After much sickness, and
the accident of a broken and disabled arm, I am again in
tolerable health, but extremely debilitated, so as to be scarcely
able to walk into my garden. The habitude of age, too, and
extinguishment of interest in the things around me, are wean-
ing me from them, and dispose me with cheerfulness to resign
them to the existing generation, satisfied that the daily advance
of science will enable them to administer the commonwealth
with increased wisdom."
Cabell wrote, November 22 (1823), regretting his inability
to go to Europe for Professors, as Mr. Jefferson wished — a
mission afterwards filled by Francis W. Gilmer — but added,
" I will continue my best endeavors to co-operate with you in
the State, and for that purpose I hope I shall be able to remain
in the Legislature." And again, December 3rd : " I am here
(Richmond) to join the band of steadfast patriots engaged in
the holy cause of the University. As far as I can learn, the
public sentiment is decidedly in favor of removing the debt."
And again, January 26, 1824: "The University Bill, liber-
ating her funds from the charged incumbrances, is now before
the Senate and will be acted on in a day or two. We gained a
great victory. The bill is worth ten thousand and eight hun-
dred dollars per annum to the University. We can get no
more money for building this year."
Mr. Jefferson wrote Jared Sparks, February 4 (1824):
" The article on the African colonization of the people of
color, to whom you invite my attention, I have read with great
consideration. To fulfil this object, the colony of Sierra Le-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 125
one promises well, and that of Mesurado adds to our prospect
of success. They now number one million and a half, and their
estimated value as property ( for actual property has been law-
fully invested in that form, and who can lawfully take it from
the possessors?), at two hundred dollars each, would be six
hundred millions of dollars, and to this transportation, main-
tenance, industrial implements, etc., would amount to three
hundred millions more, making thirty-six millions of dollars
a year for twenty-five years. This with insurance of peace
all that time, renders the question impractical. There is, I
think, a way in which it can be done ; that is, by emancipating
the after born, leaving them, on due compensation, with their
mothers, until their services are worth their maintenance, and
then putting them to industrious occupations, until a proper
age for deportation. This was the result of my reflections on
the subject five and forty years ago, and I have never yet been
able to conceive any other practical plan. The estimated value
of the new-born infant is so low (twelve dollars and fifty
cents), that it would probably be yielded by the owner gratis,
thus reducing the initial cost to thirty-seven millions and a
half, leaving only the expenses of nourishment while with
the mother, and of transportation. In this way no violation
of private rights is proposed. I do not go into all the details
of the burthens and benefits of this operation. And who could
estimate its blessed effects ? I leave this to those who will live
to see their accomplishment, and to enjoy a beatitude forbidden
to my age. But I leave it with this admonition, to rise and
be doing. A million and a half were within their control; but
six millions (which a majority of those now living will see
them attain), and one million of these fighting men, will say —
we will not go.
Cabell wrote Mr. Jefferson, February igth: "That the
House of Delegates had rechartered the Farmers' Bank
without demanding a bonus, which I propose from the Senate
shall be fifty thousand dollars — the amount we need for our
library (books) and apparatus. As a fact we have been com-
pelled to accept an equivalent out of the balance of the debt
due from the Government. Never have I known so obstinate
a struggle between the two Houses of Assembly. It is very
important that we should succeed at Washington. We have
126 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
exhausted the favor of the Assembly, and we must not ask for
a cent at the next session; if we do, we shall be turned off
by a large majority. One line from yourself and Mr. Madison
will do more than all the members of the Assembly could say
on this subject." Cabell went to Washington and placed
the cause, in a lucid letter, before the President, and while
barren of immediate results it no doubt influenced the fu-
ture action. Mr. Jefferson wrote Martin Van Buren, June
29 (1824) : " I have to thank you for Mr. Pickering's elab-
orate philippic against Mr. Adams, Gerry, Smith and my-
self. I could not have believed that for so many years, and to
such a period of advanced age, he could have nourished pas-
sions so vehement and viperous. As to myself, there never
had been anything personal between us, nothing but the general
opposition of party sentiment; and our personal intercourse
had been that of urbanity, as himself says. He arraigns my ac-
tions, motives, such as the great majority of my fellow citizens
have approved. The approbation of Mr. Pickering, and those
who thought with him, I had no right to expect. My motives
he ascribes to hypocrisy, to ambition, and a passion for pop-
ularity. Of these the world must judge between us. It
is no office of his or mine. To that tribunal I have ever sub-
mitted my actions and motives, without ransacking the Union
for certificates, letters, journals and gossiping tales, to justify
myself and weary them. Nor shall I do this on the present
occasion, but leave still to them these antionated party diatribes,
now newly revamped and paraded, as if they had not been
already a thousand times repeated, refuted, and adjudged
against him, by the nation itself. If no action is to be deemed
virtuous for which malice can imagine a sinister motive, then
there never was a virtuous action, not even in the life of our
Savior himself. But he has taught us to judge the tree by
its fruit, and to leave motives to him who can alone see into
them. Washington lived too short a time after, and too much '
withdrawn from information, to correct the views into which
he had been deluded ; and the continued assiduities of the party
drew him into the vortex of their intemperate career ; separated
him still farther from his real friends, and excited him to
actions and expressions of dissatisfaction, which grieves them,
but could not loosen their affections for him. They would not
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 127
suffer the temporary aberration to weigh against the im-
measurable merits of his life; and although they tumbled his
seducers from their places, they preserved his memory em-
balmed, in entire oblivion of every temporary thing which
might cloud the glories of his splendid life. It is vain then,
for Mr. Pickering and his friends to endeavor to falsify his
character, by representing him an enemy to republicans and re-
publican principles, and exclusively the friend of those who
were so; and had he lived longer, he would have returned to
his antient and unbiassed opinions, would have replaced his
confidence in those whom the people approved and supported,
and would have seen that they were only restoring and acting
on the principles of his own first administration."
At the next meeting of the Visitors, October 5 (1824), ow-
ing to insufficient funds it was determined to institute eight
rather than ten professorships — ancient languages, modern
languages, mathematics, natural philosophy, natural history,
anatomy and medicine, moral philosophy, law — and the re-
port mentioned the reason for seeking some of the professors
from Europe, and that Francis W. Gilmer was already on
his way across for that purpose, whose mission, if successful,
would admit of the University opening February i, 1825.
Practically the buildings now were finished, and in readiness
for the teaching equipment, professors and students, and pre-
sented, as an entirety, a most magnificent group — in our
country the first evidence in college or university construction
in keeping with harmonious architectural designs. These
in the writer's day, so far as the central academic village was
concerned, existed as though just from Mr. Jefferson's hands,
for they had neither received nor taken to themselves any-
thing except the necessary minor repairs incident to age and
usage. It is true additions had been made to the University
accommodations, but upon out-lying hills and points that in
no way interfered with the sacredness of the originally con-
structed group. Professor Herbert B. Adams beautifully re-
counts his own sense of surprise and admiration of them in the
following words : " A visitor, pacing slowly through those
monastic colonnades extending along two sides of the great
quadrangle campus of the University of Virginia will receive a
strange variety of impressions from the extraordinary archi-
128 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
tectural combinations which greet his wandering eyes. The
arcades themselves, from which open directly the single cham-
bered rooms of the students, remind one of cloistered walks
in some ancient monastery. These student-rooms are like
monkish cells. But what wonderful fagades are those which
front the professors' houses or pavilions! They reproduce
classic styles of architecture. The shadows of remote antiquity
are cast upon those beautiful grassy lawns which form the
campus, or, shall we say the campo santo, of the University
of Virginia. From Mr. Jefferson's drawings we learn, what
is now well-nigh forgotten, that these varying types of classic
architecture were copied from well-known Roman buildings,
pictured by A. Palladio, in his great work of four volumes,
on architecture : Thus of the pavilions on West Lawn, the first
(Gildersleeve's, Page's) typifies, The Doric of Diocletian's
Baths — Chambray; the second (Harrison's) — Corinthian of
Palladio; the third (Smith's) — Palladio's Ionic order with
modillions; the fourth (Boeck's, N. K. Davis') — Doric of Pal-
ladio; the fifth ( McGuffey's, Peters') — Ionic of Temple of
Fortuna Virilis, while those on East Lawn, the first (Cabell's)
— Ionic of Fortuna Virilis; the second (DeVere's) — Doric of
Albano; the third (Holmes') — Ionic of the Theater of Marcel-
lus; the fourth (J. S. Davis') — Corinthian, Diocletian's Baths;
the fifth (Minor's) — Doric of the Theater of Marcellus. At
the upper or northern end of the quadrangle, stands the Ro-
tunda, a fac-simile of the Roman Pantheon, the temple of all
the gods, reduced to one-third its original size, but still majestic
and imposing. This building upon which Mr. Jefferson spent
almost as much pains as Michael Angelo did upon the dome
of St. Peters, comprises the library and various lecture halls.
Young people dance merrily under that stately dome at the end
of the academic year. The young monks thus escape from
their cells into the modern social world. How charmingly old
Rome, mediaeval Europe, and modern America blend together
before the very eyes of young Virginia ! There is a manifest
unity in Jefferson's institutional creation, and yet a reflecting
student cannot fail to see that there is an interesting historical
background to this beautiful picture. In the material structure
of the University of Virginia there is much to remind the
traveler of Old World forms, and in the documentary history
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 129
of the institution itself there are many indications of European
influence upon the mind of Mr. Jefferson.
These things have greatly interested me, and they may not
be unworthy of the attention of friends of American educa-
tional history, in which so little work has been done, especially
in the Southern States. The formative influences which en-
tered into the making of the' University of Virginia are doubt-
less more numerous than those described in this monograph;
but Mr. Jefferson was the master and controller of them all.
It is no detraction from his individual power of origination
to open the volume of his large experience in the world, and
to point out here and there his connection with men and
things that shaped his purpose to its noble end. Instead of
evolving the University of Virginia entirely out of his own
inner consciousness, Mr. Jefferson combined, in an original
and independent creation, the result of academic training, phil-
osophical culture, foreign travel, wide observation, and of
an extensive correspondence with the most illustrious educa-
tors of his time. His intelligent study of Old World insti-
tutions prepared him to devise something new for Virginia
and America. How the idea of one man became the sov-
ereign will of the State, after a struggle of fifty years for the
higher education, is an instructive study, affording grounds for
encouragement in these modern days."
Had Mr. Jefferson only lived a few years longer he would
have experienced a mingled feeling of pleasure and sorrow
— at seeing the immense popularity of his favorite child over-
taxing her capacity in supplying hungry youth of his beloved
land with educational food. Indeed, it is curious to speculate
upon what would have been his plans of extension— that which
his immediate successors found a necessity in both dormitories
and teaching equipment. But, under the wearying struggle
for existence that had followed her very inception, action was
deferred many years beyond the demand — until finally a spirit
of growth was inaugurated that has been continuous with the
years and this result: Public Hall (1851-53), Parsonage
(1854-55), Monroe Hill (1854), Temperance Hall (1855-
56), Infirmary (1857), Carr's Hill (1858), Dawson's Row —
six buildings, known as " A," " B," " C," " D," " E," " F,"
each of two-story and eight rooms (1859), Professor Mallet's
130 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Residence and Chemical Laboratory (1868-69), Lewis Brooks
Museum (1875-77), Observatory (1882), University Chapel
(1883-85), New Med Hall (1886), Dispensary (1892),
Fayerweather Gymnasium (1892-93), Academic Building,
Mechanical Laboratory, Rouss Physical Laboratory and
Restored Rotunda (1896-98), Randall Dormitory (1899),
Hospital (1900-05-08), Madison Hall (1905), Refectory
(1907), President's Residence (1908).
Mr. Jefferson, December 22, 1824, informed Cabell of the
safe arrival of Professors Blaetterman (modern languages)
and Long (ancient languages), and three weeks later, January
n, 1825, wrote: "We are dreadfully non-plussed here by
the non-arrival of our other three professors. We apprehend
that the idea of our opening on February ist, prevails so much
abroad (although we have always mentioned it doubtfully),
as that the students will assemble on that day without awaiting
the further notice which was promised. In your letter, Decem-
ber 3ist, you say my ' hand writing and letters have great ef-
fect there (Richmond). I am sensible, my dear Sir, of the
kindness with which this encouragement is held up to me. But
my views of their effect are very different. When I retired
from the administration of public affairs, I thought I saw
some evidence that I retired with a good degree of public favor,
and that my conduct in office had been considered, by the one
party, at least, with approbation, and with acquiescence by the
other. But the attempt in which I have embarked so earnestly,
to procure an improvement in the moral condition of my native
State, although, perhaps, in other States it may have strength-
ened good disposition, it has assuredly weakened them within
our own. The attempt ran foul of so many local interests,
of so many personal views, and so much ignorance, and I have
been considered as so particularly its promoter, that I see evi-
dently a great change of sentiment towards myself. I cannot
doubt its having dissatisfied with myself a respectable minority,
if not a majority of the House of Delegates. I feel it deeply,
and very discouragingly. Yet I shall not give way. I have
ever found in my progress through life, that, acting for the
public, if we do always what is right, the approbation denied
in the beginning will surely follow us in the end. It is from
posterity we are to expect remuneration for the services we
are making for their service, of time, quiet and good will.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 131
And I fear not the appeal. The multitude of fine young men
whom we shall redeem from ignorance, who will feel that they
owe to us the elevation of mind, of character and station they
will be able to attain from the result of our efforts, will insure
their remembering us with gratitude. We will not, then, be
' weary in well doing ' — Usque ad aras amicus tuiis."
At this session of the Legislature many members favored
the removal of William and Mary College to Richmond, but
the friends of the University, realizing it might become a
formidable rival when nearer and under organization, fought
the scheme to its bitter death. In order to further antagonize
this sentiment Cabell wrote, January i6th, requesting Mr. Jef-
ferson to draw a bill in conformity with his previous suggestion
— dividing the funds of the College — " and send it as quickly
as possible by the mail."
Mr. Jefferson a week later, January 22nd, forwarded the
requested bill " most hastily drawn," whose receipt Cabell
acknowledged at once, saying : " It will be a powerful instru-
ment in our hands." The bill, however, was never offered,
as by February 7th, the scheme had lost nearly all of its
supporters.
Cabell wrote Mr. Jefferson, January 3Oth, expressing relief
over the fact of the " Competitor," bearing the three English
professors, was still at Plymouth on December 5th, thus re-
lieving the apprehension of the delay being due to storms at
sea and the possibility of all being lost. And again, February
1 8th, he wrote: "Professors Bonnycastle, Dunglison and
Key have arrived, and will leave at once for Charlottes-
ville."
During the few preceding months Mr. Jefferson and Cabell
were much concerned about selecting the domestic professors
— the latter writing the former: " Mr. Gilmer (Francis W.)
has a third time declined the law chair, and it might be wise
for you to inquire into the qualifications of Chancellor Tucker
(Henry St. George)" — who finally accepted the position in
1840.
Mr. Jefferson thought the selection of text-books should be
left to the professors, " but we are the best judges of the one
branch — government — in which heresies may be taught of so
interesting a character to our own State and Country as to
make it our duty to lay down the principles to be taught. We
132 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
must guard against the dissemination of the principles of
quondam federalism, now consolidation, among our youth, and
the diffusion of that poison, by a previous prescription of the
texts to be followed in their discussion." Even Madison ob-
jected to chaining up a professor to one set of books, prefer-
ring to secure an " orthodox man and give him free rein."
But Mr. Jefferson insisted that the professor of Constitutional
Law must be one wedded to republican principles, who would
expound the Constitution according to its writer's (Madison)
interpretation — that concurred in by the State Legislature and
most Virginians. Cabell also shared this view, and in its ob-
servance, early in 1824, wrote Mr. Jefferson suggesting his
nephew, Chancellor Carr, as the ideal professor of Law. To
this Mr. Jefferson replied in a tone, from the standpoint of
this generation, that may seem very remarkable : " In the
course of my trusts I have exercised through life with powers
of appointment, I can say with truth, and with unspeakable
comfort, that I never did appoint a relation to office, and that
merely because I never saw the case in which some one did not
offer, or occur, better qualified ; and I have the most unlimited
confidence, that in the appointment of professors to our nurs-
ling institution, every individual of my associates will look
with a single eye to the sublimation of its character, and adopt,
as our sacred motto, detur digniori.' In this way it will honor
us, and bless our country."
Late in February (1825) Cabell wrote Mr. Jefferson: " It
is now of the utmost importance that we should succeed at
Washington, as by the rejection of the College measure we
have added some very strong, and active enemies to the oppo-
sition."
The University was opened, without special formality, March
7, 1825, having in attendance sixty-eight students, which in-
creased to about one hundred during the year. Gilmer, much
to the delight of all University friends, finally expressed a
willingness to accept the chair of Law, and was appointed
to the same, August iQth. Mr. Jefferson, owing to personal
indisposition, invited the Visitors to meet, October 2~3rd, at
his home, Monticello, where all business was transacted and
afterwards attested pro forma by a ride to the University. This
meeting gave rise to the first report after the opening of the
133
institution — the last written and submitted by Mr. Jefferson
— and dealt largely with its opening together with the several
initiative professors: Long (ancient languages), Blaetterman
(modern languages), Key (mathematics), Bonnycastle (nat-
ural philosophy), Dunglison (anatomy and medicine), Tucker
(moral philosophy) and Emmet (natural history), who was
a couple weeks late in arriving. Gilmer (law) did not accept
his position until August ist, and owing to serious sickness
and death never assumed duties, being succeeded by Lomax,
who entered the Faculty shortly after the beginning of the
second session.
On October ist, the matriculants had increased to one hun-
dred and sixteen, and at the beginning of the second session,
February I, 1826, all dormitory accommodations — two hun-
dred and eighteen — were expected to be filled. The report
also noted progress on the Rotunda and Anatomical Hall,
commented upon student discipline and government, and, un-
der Mr. Jefferson's signature, concluded thus : " We have
thought it peculiarly requisite to leave to the civil magistrate
the restraint and punishment of all offences which come within
the ordinary cognizance of the laws. At the age of sixteen,
the earliest period of admission into the University, habits of
obedience to the laws become a proper part of education and
practice; the minor provisions and irregularities alone, un-
noticed by the laws of the land, are the peculiar subjects of
academic authority. No system of these provisions has ever
yet prevented all disorder. Those first provided by this Board
were founded on the principles of avoiding too much govern-
ment, of not multiplying occasions of coercion, by erecting
indifferent actions into things of offense, and for leaving room
to the student for habitually exercising his own discretion;
but experience has already proved that stricter provisions are
necessary for the preservation of order; that coercion must be
resorted to where confidence has been disappointed. We have,
accordingly, at the present session, considerably amended and
enlarged the scope of our former system of regulations, and
we shall proceed in the duties of tightening or relaxing the
reins of government, as experience shall instruct us, in the
progress of the institution; and we are not certain that the
further aid of the Legislature itself will not be necessary to
i34 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
enable the authorities of the institution to interpose, in some
cases, with more promptitude, energy, and effect than is per-
mitted by the laws as they stand at present."
Cabell wrote Mr. Jefferson, December 7, 1825: "I think
the character of the University has risen exceedingly in the
public estimation since the new regulations were adopted.
From the short and hasty view which I have taken of the
scene of legislation, I am of the opinion that we may obtain,
at this session, the money necessary to finish the buildings.
If others will not ask for it, I will do it myself."
>-»
cS -o
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-M *
8 I
W o
CHAPTER VII
THOMAS JEFFERSON — DEFENDER OF " EQUAL RIGHTS TO ALL
MEN"
Mr. Jefferson's letter to Giles ; defense against letter in Enquirer, by
"American Citizen"; letter to Madison concerning financial embar-
rassment; Cabell's continued efforts in the Legislature for education;
Mr. Jefferson's letter to the President, John Quincy Adams; last visit
to the University ; letter to Weightman ; final week, and death ; Madi-
son's letter of condolence ; funeral and burial ; Andrew K. Smith's let-
ter recounting his student days and recollection of Mr. Jefferson's sick-
ness and interment; reflections upon Mr. Jefferson's life and abilities.
MR. JEFFERSON wrote Giles, December 25, 1825 : " Far ad-
vanced in my eighty-third year, worn down with infirmities
which have confined me almost entirely to the house for seven
or eight months past, it afflicts me much to receive appeals to
my memory, now almost blank, for transactions so far back
as that which is the subject of your letter. However, I re-
member well the interview with Mr. Adams; not, indeed, in
the very words which passed between us, but in their substance,
which was of a character too awful, too deeply engraved in
my mind, and influencing too materially the course I had to
pursue, ever to be forgotten. He called on me pending the em-
bargo to further its appeal, stating that he had information,
that certain citizens of the eastern States were in negotiation
with agents of the British government, in order to effect an
agreement that the New England States should take no
further part in the war then going on; that without formally
declaring their separation from the Union of the States, they
should withdraw from all aid and obedience to them; that
their navigation and commerce should be free from restraint
and interruption by the British ; that they should be considered
and treated by them as neutrals, and as such might conduct
themselves towards both parties; and at the close of the war,
be at liberty to join the confederacy." And again on the
following day he wrote Giles : " I see, as you do, and with
the deepest affliction, the rapid strides with which the federal
135
136 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
branch of our Government is advancing towards the usurpa-
tion of all the rights reserved to the States, and the consolida-
tion in itself of all powers, foreign and domestic ; and that too,
by constructions which, if legitimate, leave no limit to their
power. Under the power to regulate commerce, they assume
indefinitely that also over agriculture and manufactures, and
call it regulation to take the earnings of one of these branches
of industry, and that too, the most depressed, and put them
into the pockets of the other, the most flourishing of all. And
what is the resource for the preservation of the Constitution?
Reason and argument? You might as well reason and argue
with the marble columns encircling them. Are we then to stand
to our arms, with the hot-headed Georgian ? No. That must
be the last resource, not to be thought of until much longer
and greater suffering. We must have patience and longer en-
durance then with our brethren while under delusion; give
them time for reflection and experience of consequences; keep
ourselves in a situation to profit by the chapter of accidents;
and separate from our companions only when the sole alterna-
tives left, are the dissolution of our Union with them, or sub-
mission to a government without limitation of powers. But
this opens with a vast accession of strength from their younger
recruits, who, having nothing in them of the feelings or princi-
ples of '76, now look to a single and splendid government of
an aristocracy, founded on banking institutions, and monied
incorporations under the guise and cloak of their favored
branches of manufactures, commerce and navigation, riding
and ruling over the plundered ploughman and beggared yeo-
manry. This will be to them a next best blessing to the
monarchy of their first aim, and perhaps the surest stepping
stone to it. I learn with great satisfaction that your school is
thriving well, and that you have at its head a truly classical
scholar. He is one of three or four whom I can hear of in our
State. We were obliged last year to receive shameful Latin-
ists into the classical school of the University ; such as we will
certainly refuse as soon as we can get from better schools a
sufficiency of those properly instructed to form a class. We
must get rid of this Connecticut Latin, of the barbarous con-
fusion of long and short syllables, which renders doubtful
whether we are listening to a reader of Cherokee, Shawnee,
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 137
Iroquois, or what. Our University has been most fortunate
in the five professors procured from England — a finer selection
could not have been made. Besides their being of a grade of
science which has left little superior behind, the correctness of
their moral character, their accommodating dispositions, and
zeal for the prosperity of the institution, leave us nothing more
to wish. I verily believe that as high a degree of education
can be obtained here as in the country they left. And a finer
set of youths I never saw assembled for instruction. They
committed some irregularities at first, until they learned the
lawful length of their tether; since which it has never been
transgressed in the smallest degree. A great proportion of
them are severely devoted to study, and I fear not to say, that
within twelve or fifteen years from this time, a majority of
the rulers of our State will have been educated here. They
shall carry hence the correct principles of our day, and you may
count assuredly that they will exhibit their country in a degree
of sound respectability it has never known, either in our day
or those of our forefathers. I cannot live to see it. My joy
must only be that of anticipation — you may see its full fruition,
owing to the twenty years I am ahead of you in time."
Mr. Jefferson, February 7, 1826, wrote Cabell of his great
mortification over the articles in the Enquirer, by " American
Citizen," purporting a familiar talk at Monticello about his
method of obtaining money from the Legislature — not in a
lump sum, but in small amounts, and his jocose reply: " No
one likes to have more than one hot potato at a time crammed
down his throat. He makes me declare that I have intention-
ally proceeded in a course of dupery of our Legislature, teas-
ing them, as he makes me say, for six or seven sessions for
successive aids to the University, and asking a part only at a
time, and intentionally concealing the ultimate cost, and gives
an inexact statement of a story of Obrian. Now, our annual
reports will show that we constantly gave full and candid ac-
counts of the money expended, and statements of what might
still be wanting, founded on the Proctor's estimates. No man
ever heard me speak of the grants of the Legislature but with
acknowledgments of their liberality, which I have always de-
clared had gone far beyond what I could have expected in
the beginning. Yet the letter writer has given to my expres-
138 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
sions an aspect disrespectful of the Legislature, and calculated
to give them offence, which I do absolutely disavow."
In spite of this denial, the suggestion was so applicable,
that many in a spirit of resentment, continued to hold it against
Mr. Jefferson and the fortunes of the University — that which
was very evident in the Legislature the remainder of that
session. On February I7th, he wrote Madison: "Imme-
diately on seeing the overwhelming vote of the House of Rep-
resentatives against giving us another dollar, I rode to the
University and desired Mr. Brockenbrough to engage in
nothing new, to stop everything on hand which could be done
without, and to employ all his force and funds in finishing
the circular room for the books, and the Anatomical theater,
both being indispensable. There have arrived twenty-five
boxes of books from Paris, London and Germany, and must
await until May their shelving. In the selection of our Law
Professor, we must be rigorously attentive to his political
principles. You will recollect, that before the Revolution,
Coke Littleton was the universal elementary book of law stu-
dents, and a sounder whig never wrote, nor of profounder
learning in the orthodox doctrines of the British constitution,
or in what were called English liberties. You remember also
that our lawyers were then all whigs. But when his black-
letter text, and uncouth but cunning learning got out of
fashion, and the honied Mansfieldism of Blackstone became
the students' hornbook, from that moment, that profession (the
nursery of our Congress) began to slide into toryism, and
nearly all the young brood of lawyers now are of that hue.
They suppose themselves, indeed, to be whigs, because they
no longer know what whigism or republicanism means. It is
in our seminary that the vestal flame is to be kept alive ; it is
thence to be spread anew over our own and the sister States.
If we are true and vigilant in our trust, within a dozen or
twenty years a majority of our own legislature will be from
our school, and many disciples will have carried its doctrines
home with them in their several States, and will have leavened
thus the whole mass.
" You will have seen in the newspapers some proceedings in
the Legislature, which have cost me much mortification. My
own debts had become considerable, but not beyond the effect
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 139
of some lopping of property, which would have been little
felt, when our friend gave me the coup de grace. Ever since
that I have been paying twelve hundred dollars a year interest
on his debt, which, with my own, was absorbing so much of
my annual income, as that the maintenance of my family was
making deep and rapid inroads on my capital, and had already
done it. Had crops and prices for several years been such as
to maintain a steady competition of substantial bidders at mar-
ket all would have been safe. If it is permitted in my case to
sell my lands, etc., by lottery, those here alone will pay every-
thing, and leave me Monticello and a farm free. If refused I
must sell everything here, perhaps considerably in Bedford,
move thither with my family, where I have not even a log hut
to put my head into, and whether ground for burial, will
depend on the depredations which under the form of sales,
shall have been committed on my property. But why afflict
you with these details? Indeed, I cannot tell, unless pains
are lessened by communication with a friend. The friendship
which has subsisted between us, now half a century, and the
harmony of our political principles and pursuits, have been
sources of constant happiness to me through that long period.
And if I remove beyond the reach of attentions to the Univer-
sity, or beyond the bourne of life itself, as I soon must, it is a
comfort to leave that institution under your care, and an
assurance that it will not be wanting. It has also been a great
solace to me, to believe that you are engaged in vindicating
to posterity the course we have pursued for preserving to them,
in all their purity, the blessings of self-government, which we
had assisted too in acquiring for them. If ever the earth has
beheld a system of administration conducted with a single
and steadfast eye to the general interest and happiness of those
committed to it, one which, protected by truth, can never know
reproach, it is that to which our lives have been devoted. To
myself you have been a pillar of support through life. Take
care of me when dead, and be assured that I shall leave with
you my last affections."
Cabell during the remainder of the legislative session ( 1825)
was much interested in advancing Mr. Jefferson's bill of 1817-
18, in so far as it pertained to intermediate education, or the
establishment of nine Colleges. For these he thought the idea
140 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
of making the districts give the land very popular, " as then,
we can give twenty-five thousand dollars to the University,
and a salary of five hundred dollars to each college. I like
the idea of having one near the University, as a preparatory
school."
All of this Mr. Jefferson heartily favored, writing, February
1 4th : " Wait not a moment, but drive at once the nail which
you find will go." A week later, February 2Oth, Cabell wrote
Mr. Jefferson, that the bill granting a lottery for the dis-
posal of his property had passed, and that he himself had pre-
pared an amendatory act relative to the Colleges, which he
feared would not pass owing to the lateness of the session.
Mr. Jefferson, March 3Oth, wrote the President — John
Quincy Adams : " I am thankful for the very interesting
message and documents of which you have been so kind as to
send me a copy, and will state my recollections as to the par-
ticular passage of the message to which you ask my attention;
The stipulations making part of these instructions, which re-
spected privateering, blockades, contraband, and freedom of
the fisheries, were not original conceptions of mine, but of
Dr. Franklin. I happened only to have been the inserter of
them in the first public act which gave the formal sanction
of a public authority. We accordingly proposed our treaties,
containing these stipulations, to the principal governments of
Europe."
Mr. Jefferson's last circular, April 2ist, informed the Vis-
itors that Mr. William Wert had declined the Presidency of
the University, as well as the Professorship of Law, but
that -Mr. Lomax had accepted the latter and would begin in-
struction on July ist.
From the issuance of this circular Mr. Jefferson only lived
two and a half months, but, in spite of infirmities of age and
sickness, he continued his frequent rides to the University, to
within a few weeks of his death, in order to keep in touch
with all matters, to see the professors, the proctor, the librarian,
and the progress made on the Rotunda. The exterior of this
was about completed, except its beautiful front portico, and
upon this workmen were engaged actively all during the
summer, so that when he made his final trip he slowly ascended
the winding steps to the library floor, where he stood and
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 141
gazed through the center window — that which many of us
students often repeated, after hearing from Mr. Wertenbaker
the episode. It was here that Mr. Wertenbaker observed him
watching the various mechanics and hastened to him from the
library room with a chair which he accepted for nearly an
hour, during which he witnessed the first marble capital lifted
to the top of its pillar on the southwest corner. That accom-
plished, he journeyed home in contentment little conscious
that he would never return. But the child was well-born,
healthy, of the right material, and could thrive without its
parent. He had nurtured it near unto maturity and had an
abiding faith of it thriving in others' hands — bringing to him-
self abundant reward, to itself unbounded credit, and to the
world imperishable light.
Mr. Jefferson wrote his last published letter, June 24th,
to Mr. Weightman : " The kind invitation I received from you,
on the part of the citizens of the city of Washington, to be
present with them at their celebration on the fiftieth anni-
versary of American Independence, as one of the surviving
signers of that instrument pregnant with our own, and the
fate of the world, is most flattering to myself, and heightened
by the honorable accompaniment proposed for the comfort of
such a journey. It adds sensibly to the sufferings of sickness,
to be deprived by it of a personal participation in the rejoic-
ings of that day. I would have been delighted to have met the
remnant of that host of worthies, who joined with us on that
day, in the bold and doubtful election we were to make for
our country, between submission or the sword and to have
enjoyed with them the consolatory fact, that our fellow citi-
zens, after half a century of experience and prosperity, continue
to approve the choice we made. May it be to the world, what
I believe it will be (to some parts sooner, to others later, but
finally to all), the signal of arousing men to burst the chains
under which monkish ignorance and superstition had per-
suaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings
and security of self-government. That form which we have
substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise
of reason and freedom of opinion. The general spread of the
light of science has already laid open to every view the pal-
pable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with
142 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
saddles on their backs nor a favored few booted and spurred,
ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God."
Mr. Jefferson passed away, Tuesday, July 4th, at 12.50
o'ck. P. MV having retained, until two hours previous, perfect
consciousness. During the last few days he spoke freely of
his approaching death, discussed and arranged as best he could
all private affairs, and expressed anxiety for the prosperity of
the University, which, however, he believed absolutely safe in
the hands of Mr. Madison and the other Visitors. Pathetic-
ally he spoke of Mr. Madison's virtue, purity, wisdom, learn-
ing, and great abilities, and then stretching his head back on
the pillow, with a sigh, exclaimed : " But oh ! he could never
in his life stand up against strenuous opposition." From youth
on, they had resided in close proximity, visited frequently,
consulted and advised each other, and enjoyed an unbroken
friendship kindred to love. Several days after the sad event,
Mr. Madison wrote a member of Mr. Jefferson's family : " But
we are more than consoled by the assurance that he lives and
will live in the memory and gratitude of the wise and good,
as a luminary of science, as a votary of liberty, as a model of
patriotism, and as a benefactor of the human kind. In these
characters I have known him, and not less in the virtues and
charms of social life, for a period of fifty years, during which
there was not an interruption or diminution of mutual confi-
dence and cordial friendship for a single moment in a single
instance."
Mr. Jefferson was buried in the family graveyard between
his wife and daughter Mary, while the eldest daughter, Martha,
was placed ten years later at the head of these three graves.
Professor Tucker in his life of Mr. Jefferson states that:
" The funeral was modest and unpretending as he had directed.
It took place on the afternoon of the 5th. The day was rainy,
and many from distant parts of the country, who might have
been disposed to pay this last tribute of respect, were thereby
prevented. The number, however, who did attend, was con-
siderable."
An account of much greater detail came to my notice while
a student, in the fall of 1875, shortly after the death of
Thomas Jefferson Randolph, which I then took from The
Chronicle (Charlottesville) — a paper I saw in those days
r* CO
3 *
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 143
every week, and continued to subscribe to years afterwards.
The article is headed, JEFFERSON, and is in part: "Mr.
Andrew K. Smith, of the General Land Office, having noticed
the death of Col. Thomas Jefferson Randolph, of Virginia,
sends the Washington Republican the following interesting
personal remembrances of the deceased and of Jefferson. They
constitute a valuable contribution to the current literature of
the day.
I well remember the last time I saw him, in the sum-
mer of 1826. He was then a tall, fine-looking person, about
thirty-five years of age. It was at Monticello, the residence
of his grandfather, the immortal Thomas Jefferson, and the
singular circumstances attending the funeral of the latter is
fresh in my memory. Nearly fifty years have elapsed since
then, and the greater portion of those present at the burial
having passed to their reward, I have thought I would give
you and the readers of your valuable paper the benefit of the
recollections of my younger days, should you think them
worthy of publication. Mr. Jefferson had been for some time
confined to his house, and about the ist. of July, 1826, the sad
news was brought to Charlottesville and the University of
Virginia that Dr. Dunglison, professor of medicine at the
University and Mr. Jefferson's family physician, had pro-
nounced his case a hopeless one. You may imagine the grief
of his old friends about Charlottesville who had known him
from youth to old age, and of the students of the University,
who truly admired and respected him as the Rector of their
Alma Mater. On the 3rd of that month the doctor, having
stated that his illustrious patient was calmly yet fast sinking,
was importuned to try his skill to prolong his life at least
until the next day, that he might see the sun rise upon the fif-
tieth anniversary of the day when he framed the Declaration
of Independence. All was done that care and skill could do,
but about i o'ck, p. M., on the 4th, while the cannons were
booming around us, we were notified by the tolling of the
courthouse bell, that the spirit of the author of the Declaration
of Independence had taken its flight from its tenement of clay.
The time for the funeral was fixed for 5 o'ck, p. M. 6th, and it
was arranged that the procession should form on the court-
house square at 4 o'ck, but a difference of opinion arose as to
144 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
whether the citizens or the students were entitled to the right
of the procession, and much time was lost, and several of us,
becoming tired of the discussion, turned our horses' heads to
the mountain. On arriving at the cemetery, we found that the
coffin had been removed from the house and was resting on
narrow planks placed across the grave, with a view of enabling
the greater number expected to have a better opportunity of
seeing it. Ex-Governor Thomas Mann Randolph, son-in-law
of the deceased, stood at the head of the grave, and his son,
Thomas Jefferson Randolph, at the foot. Soon after the Re-/.
Mr. Hatch, of the Episcopal Church, made his appearance, and.
supposing they were waiting him, as is customary with the
usage of that church, commenced the service at the gate of
the cemetery, reading as he walked to the grave. Mr. Ran-
dolph, Sr. (who was not on good terms with Mr. Jefferson)
thought it the duty of his son to inform the clergyman that
they were awaiting the arrival of the citizens, professors, and
students, and his son deeming it the duty of the father to do
so, kept silent, and the services went on to the close of the
same. The grave was rilled up, and the thirty or forty persons
who witnessed the interment started for home, and met the
procession, numbering about fifteen hundred persons, coming
up the mountain. They were sorely disappointed, and, in some
cases angered at the report we made, and were only satisfied
when the explanation was made the next day in the Charlottes-
ville Advocate. Among the students present at the funeral, I
recollect seeing Edgar Allan Poe, a high minded and honor-
able young man, though easily persuaded to his wrong; also
Robert M. T. Hunter, of Virginia, and Colonel John S. Pres-
ton, of South Carolina. I believe the last two persons are still
alive."
Although this sketch of Mr. Jefferson is intended simply to
outline the chief activities of his long and eventful life, espe-
cially emphasizing his connection with education and the Uni-
versity of Virginia, yet a few supplementary thoughts con-
cerning his principles, his position, and his power upon man-
kind may even here be pardonable. For forty years he was
in public service, measuring up beyond reasonable criticism
to every expected duty, so that whether in the house of bur-
gesses, continental congress, congress, executive mansion of
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 145
his State, minister to France, Secretary of State, Vice-Presi-
dent, or President, the same concordant expression was uni-
versal, " well done, thou good and faithful servant." During
this tenure of office he was in a continued process of evolution
from one position to another — resigning some, declining
others, always acting, as he conceived, for the best interest of
his country and his people. Certainly he lived in the most
crucial period of the Nation's history — its formative age —
when wisdom, judgment, knowledge, foresight and hindsight
were all needed, indeed imperative, for launching safely the
new empire; when ignorance, superstition, intolerance, dis-
organization and dissatisfaction were at their height — from
which happily we have ever since gradually and safely been
drifting; when willing and capable hands were rare, and honor-
able purposes and enactments so likely to be perverted by the
low and mercenary.
At every opportunity he strongly asserted himself for right,
irrespective of those it hit or missed — sacrificing if necessary,
though often with bitter pangs, friend and foe alike, that the
general good might be served. He had pronounced views and
convictions, those formed usually upon careful thought, read-
ing, observation and comparison, but in spite of this he was
neither dogmatic nor arrogant in opinion and action, as he
was ready always to entertain, weigh-well and profit by the wis-
dom of others. Once convinced, however, he seldom changed
— simply held quietly and firmly to his thoroughly digested
conclusions. As such, he was ripe for the times and the times
ripe for him, consequently he arose to be one of the strongest
advocates for knowledge, religious harmony and toleration,
universal supremacy of organization, reason, sense and justice,
and in doing that, without any personal preference, became the
leading champion of certain principles, and therefore the great
target for those with whom he differed. By his acts and
doctrines, both his defenders and defamers have endeavored
seemingly to justify their relative positions ; for his, like all
systems of philosophy, contained slight ambiguities, sufficient
to create in the willing mis-conceptions and mis-interpreta-
tions. It has been a century since he controlled the pulse of
this great Republic, the period of his strongest influence —
years that have carried poorly in sacred memory many of
146 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
the then reigning satellites — but as we look at him through this
long vista little of his individuality seems to have been lost —
" Thomas Jefferson still lives."
Why this lasting impress or perpetuity? Is it because he
was a simple minded and ingenuous demagogue, with a super-
ficial learning and philosophy, lacking sincereness and truth-
fulness, possessing a pusillanimous and morbid terror of pop-
ular censure and an insatiable thirst for popular praise?
For all of these and much more his traducers have affirmed
many times against him. "Be sure your sins will find you out,"
would never have missed an application to him, had he pos-
sessed the many claimed. As one of his worthy successors
wisely said : " You can fool some people all the time, all the
people some time, but never all the people all the time." Had
he been the demon his enemies alleged, would not in life his
popularity have waned rather than increased, and in death the
plaudits of the intelligent world been withheld? Against his
enemies he only said : " I have not considered them as abus-
ing me: they have never known me. They have created an
imaginary being clothed with odious attributes, to whom they
have given my name; and it is against that creature of their
imagination they have levelled their anathemas." Surely his
recognition and following came not through an invincible
tongue — he was no Demosthenes or Webster — for oratory
was not his gift; he even could not make an effective speech,
long or short, and never did ; he was no loud talker, proclaim-
ing his knowledge and dogmas whenever opportunity pre-
sented; nor was he a witty, facetious conversationalist that
appeals to most persons. On the contrary he was serious, re-
served and retiring, the very last of all to force opinions where
and when unsought; nor was he imperious, self-centered,
haughty or conceited — qualities that frequently count for some-
thing. He even neglected to accept all the honors due him,
preferring to direct others discreetly in things he might easily
have accomplished himself, thus permitting them to share the
entire reward. Was he shrewd, smart, clever and bright in
the sense we to-day usually apply those attributes, making
good all in one's composition tending towards material profit ?
Did he live alone for self and the present, bending everything
for his individual advantage and his immediate generation's
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 147
gain? Oh no! He was a man far removed from this, and,
whatever may have been in the past, no careful and liberal stu-
dent of to-day, in the light of accessible facts, can reach other
than the one conclusion — that he was a man of exceptional
learning and greatness, whose power and influence during our
Nation's formative period stood second only to Washington's,
whose will and word later in life took the first position, dom-
inating absolutely political sentiment and principles, and whose
creeds now, generations after death, furnish the most accept-
able doctrines to the great majority, who gladly extol him as
the greatest prophet of national government and wisest ex-
pounder of human rights the world has ever known.
But this was simply his political side, that through which
the millions reckon his chief worth and merit — a side Mr.
Jefferson never thought he possessed, for he did not consider
himself a politician, but only an expounder and advocate of
right and justice to all alike, preference and favor to none.
Beyond this, however, stands in exceptional brightness his
life-work for the general " diffusion of knowledge and re-
ligious toleration " throughout the land. Himself a free
and liberal thinker, he felt it a humane duty to enlighten
others to become likewise; himself educated, he desired all
others to share the inestimable blessing, according to indi-
vidual capacity and need, believing this latter the only key
for unlocking the former. Thus he wrote, February 15, 1821 :
" Nobody can doubt my zeal for the general instruction of
the people. Who first started that idea? I may surely say,
myself. Turn to the bill, in the revised code, which I drew
more than forty years ago, before which the idea of a plan
for the education of the people, generally, had never been
suggested in the State, and there you will see developed the
first rudiments of the whole system of general education we
are now urging and acting on."
Only think of the then prevailing indifference to the sub-
ject— that he should have labored passively for forty years
to enlighten his people, with little or no effect, and actively
another ten before, happily, he saw the dawn. And yet he
was reconciled and satisfied in delay — for he had at last
founded what he believed destined to become a great educa-
tional center — his cherished University.
148 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Mr. Jefferson like most martyrs to a cause or creed — hoped
against hope. Too sadly and seriously he realized the world's
complement of conspirators, fools, hypocrites and knaves;
that human nature was not exempt from duplicity, selfishness,
ingratitude, vanity and treachery in their manifold forms
and disguises; that even the sanctity of the church was per-
verted frequently in a service for individual gain; and that
while our mental endowments indicate the highest type of
God's creation — a likeness unto himself — yet our appetites,
propensities and passions often remove us but slightly from
the brute and lower animal forms. His only hope for a partial
redemption of his people from these weaknesses, lay in edu-
cation, religious and political freedom, and the domestic
serenity of agricultural pursuits — aloof from congested mul-
titudes, where vice, evil and immoral purposes have best
opportunity to thrive. Thus he said : " Those who labor in
the earth are the chosen people of God." Our country, as well
as others, seemingly at present inclines to move in the oppo-
site direction — away from farm life to that of the city, to
concentrate and combine in every line of industry, to make the
small minority financial kings, the great majority indigent
artisans and peasants, but in spite of this tendency the world
is said to be growing better — certainly an anomaly, if Mr.
Jefferson's doctrine be true. The fact is that his beliefs,
hopes and predictions have not all been realized or verified,
nor, it may be said with equal truth, have they had fair
chance and trial. Thus he thought that twenty-four years
of continuous Republican supremacy — administrations'of him-
self, Madison and Monroe — and others most likely to follow
in course of time, with their self -apparent benefits, would
eclipse, and possibly destroy finally, the seeds of Federalism,
provided the people, plain and otherwise, could through edu-
cation— hence one of his great objects therefor — be made to
understand and appreciate the ultimate and universal ad-
vantage centered in his political doctrines. From no fault
of his, as history was his teacher, he failed to gauge our
country aright, never conceiving the enormous strides it was
destined to take within a single century — that only expected
of a dozen or more. Nor had he the slightest conception that
emigration would develop to any great proportions; or that
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 149
so many States would soon follow Virginia's example, only
with increased liberality, in establishing each its own Uni-
versity ; or that the wealth and resources of our country would
quickly become so enormous as to justify many individuals
endowing and creating private institutions with untold mil-
lions, only to prove formidable competitors of his own favor-
ite child, teaching the very principles that enabled the accu-
mulation of these fortunes, therefore their own existence — .
policies he so thoroughly detested and strove hard to combat.
No one can predict accurately the future of our country
— whether its permanency, and the preservation of the spirit,
" the greatest good to the greatest number," would have
better been assured by moving slowly along conservative lines,
in keeping with the past, present, and likely future of foreign
nations known to Mr. Jefferson, from which he caught much
of his inspiration and thought, or to have advanced rapidly
and radically, as certainly we have, beyond the bounds of all
precedent. Time alone will reveal and then only problematic-
ally. But " Thomas Jefferson still lives," in spite of some
unpopular doctrines and erring judgment, and why? Chiefly
because he was a great man, accomplished something for the
benefit of mankind, and always endeavored intelligently to do
right. Surely he possessed the highest manly attributes —
ability, conviction, firmness, generosity, gentleness, honor,
honesty, knowledge, kindness and sincereness; he championed
a cause relentlessly whether the monetary consideration be
for or against him personally ; he devoted the very best energies
of his entire life to the betterment of his country and people,
whether under or out of salary, and in order that his undivided
talents might aid in solving the most serious questions —
those he considered infinitely of more importance than indi-
vidual problems — he neglected personal affairs and consumed
a private fortune, thus beginning rich and dying poor. A
noble ambition and precept — one that in his case, as usual,
produced a final aching void, but that seemingly with which
he was perfectly satisfied, judging from his own words: " It
is from posterity we are to expect remuneration for the sacri-
fices we are making for their service of time, quiet and good
will, and I fear not the appeal." Is it more than the desert
of every faithful and conscientious worker, having spent
150 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
a life in strengthening others and weakening one's self, to
expect, nay crave, some slight recognition and gratitude in
death, if not in life, from those directly and indirectly served ?
Is it surprising that, " having fought the good fight," he
should say in his declining days : " Tranquility is the greatest
good of life, and the strongest of our desires, that of dying
in the good will of all mankind." These are only natural
sentiments, by most persons concealed, sadly without realiza-
tion— by Mr. Jefferson willingly expressed, gloriously real-
ized.
With all of his virtues and greatness he, like the rest of
frail humanity, fell in some instances under the bane of just
criticism — indeed possessed faults — but his strength over-
shadowed his weakness as does the mountain the molecule.
The author and champion of a political school, the rank and
file looked upon him as their chief apostle from whom advice
and opinions were sought by endless thousands, resulting in
an enormous correspondence that enslaved and shortened his
declining years. But the disciple of his people, he did their
bidding as though a public servant — but without compensa-
tion and with a kindness prompted by genuine love. This in
the light of the present-day business world might be consid-
ered his greatest besetting sin. He detested the abridgement
or curtailment of any man's liberty and rights, seemingly for-
getful that it is human nature when given an ell to take a mile
— to violate the Golden Rule, thereby necessitating laws for
protection and restriction. It is a beautiful dream to see man
accountable alone to himself and his Maker, acting with equal
justice to all alike, considering self no more than others, but
in practice it is so often violated. Thus Mr. Jefferson had too
great confidence and trust in mankind. This was another of
his shortcomings — accepting human nature as it ought to be
and not as it is.
But in this generation these trivial weaknesses are forgot-
ten— he remains a tower of strength for parents to honor
their children with his name, while associations, cities, col-
leges, companies, counties, corporations, hotels, institutions,
schools, towns and townships will ever keep it familiar to an
un forgetting people. Thus physically dead, spiritually he goes
marching on — still breathing his crest motto as a benedic-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 151
tion upon oppressed humanity wherever found: Ab eo liber-
tas a quo spiritus — From Him (is) liberty from Whom (is)
life. We cannot improve upon Donaldson's conclusion:
" The bibliography of Jefferson is now some six hundred
volumes and incidentally reaches thousands more. From
the records, from the testimony of his fellows and family,
from the results of his public acts and private virtues he
stands in the front line of American immortals. He was
useful to his period, and his life and deeds are valuable as an
example to posterity ; he was the chief founder of the Republic
of the United States. Lovers of liberty and the rights of
man are partial to the name and fame of Thomas Jefferson;
in our Republic he is the sweetest flower that blossoms in
liberty's garden. The man at the wheel several times in
periods of National danger, he always brought the ship of
State into port with banners flying. In public matters he kept
his temper; he pushed onward for the liberty and rights of
mankind, and he never failed to succeed. He made more
notches on the column of progress of human rights in the
years of his political life and power than any other five Amer-
ican statesmen — Thomas Jefferson, the publicist; the forceful
man in the formative period of our Republic; the statesman
and leader, was always in the forefront of the battle for
humanity, giving and taking blows. This great man of affairs
was as humane and lovable as a woman. This man who
reached the highest possible altitude of human glory was one
of the softest by nature in private life, and beloved of children
and brutes. He walks through history in public matters as
the iconoclast. In his family and domestic life he was as gen-
tle as the Master, and his presence as sweet as the voice of a
loving song.
" Along in the eighties it was my privilege and honor to be
a guest at the house of the last person living who was with
Mr. Jefferson at his death. Stately, with Jefferson's features,
even to his nose and his reddish-brown hair; queenly in man-
ner and with a memory for family matters and events, as
tenacious and retentive as that of a gossipy society woman on
personal scandals. This granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson
(Mrs. Septima Randolph Meikleham, nee Septima Ann Carey
Randolph) was a link connecting one epoch in our nationality
152 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
with the other. Fourteen years of age at his death, she re-
called vividly events that had happened eight years prior to
that event. She recalled the home life at Monticello, and the
habits and manners of her grandfather. She was born at
Monticello; she saw James Madison, James Monroe and the
Marquis De Lafayette sit at table with Mr. Jefferson. In her
presence they chatted revolutionary events so that she seemed
almost a part of that period. General Washington and other
heroes, by reason of this table chat, seemed to her to be
friends and almost at hand. She had unbounded affection for
her grandfather, and recalled him as a gentle loving person,
without temper, attentive to the poor, kindly to the lowly,
and the equal of any man who ever lived. Their long rides
in the country about Monticello; their journeys to Mr. Madi-
son's and Mr. Monroe's homes in the vicinage; the noonday
halt, with lunch at a roadside spring, half-way on the journey
from Monticello to Mr. Madison's at Montpelier she loved to
talk about. She vividly recalled and described ' Eagle,' Mr.
Jefferson's favorite saddle horse; she had often been placed
upon him for a ride by Mr. Jefferson himself. She recalled the
day when Mr. Jefferson was thrown from ' Eagle's ' back and
his wrist broken. She sat day after day and heard Mr. Jeffer-
son play the violin; one which he had made himself, and so
constructed that he could place it in his trunk when he trav-
eled; and she recounted his efforts at carpentering. Visitors
overran them at Monticello. She pictured to me a delightful
old man whose chief aim was to make everybody about him
happy. Never a harsh word, never a growl — patience and for-
bearance instead. Of course, she never knew how great her
grandfather was until after his death, and even then recalling
his mildness she would for herself wonderingly measure the
grandeur of his acts. The simplicity of his character, in his
later life, seemed to preclude greatness — and she used to say
' and he wrote the Declaration of Independence.' And then
her description of his death. Of the long days of patient wait-
ing; of his calling the members of his household to him and
saying good-bye to each ; of the awful grief of her mother, and
of the vast assemblage of citizens who came to lay him away.
' I peeped over the gallery in the hall at Monticello (women
and small children did not then go to the grave at funerals in
&l
0; cs
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 153
Virginia) as I heard the men coming in to carry my poor old
grandfather out, and then I saw the bearers lift him, and as
they went through the doorway it seemed that my heart and
life and the sunlight went with them. As they disappeared I
fancied I could hear his sweet voice of but three days before
(I was the last person who spoke to him) as I said, " Good
morning, grandfather, do you know me ? " and as he moved his
hand a bit I thought he said, " Yes, dear." And now, after
more than fifty years, when I recall that hot July morning in
1826, and think I see that tall pure figure waiting for the touch
of the angel, I can still hear faintly those sweet words, " Yes,
dear." ' "
CHAPTER VIII
CONDITIONS DOMINATING THE SELECTION OF THE
UNIVERSITY
Luther M. Reynolds — academic and professional education — Professors
Allen, Horsford, Norton, Porter; his trip to Pennsylvania and Ken-
tucky, where he frequently saw and heard Henry Clay make impres-
sive speeches; other experiences related and personages encountered
that enthused my youthful mind; his high appreciation of college
training, and estimate of various institutions, including the University
of Virginia; factors that led me to select that University, etc.
MY uncle, Luther M. Reynolds, a Delawarean by birth, a
Mary lander by adoption, enjoyed a divided collegiate course —
the first half within his native State, at Delaware College,
where, entering in 1844, he came under the guidance, as was
often his delight to relate, of four young but afterwards noted
educational characters: George Allen, Eben Norton Hors-
ford, William Augustus Norton, and John Addison Porter, a
quartet not long together, being a few years later drawn into
broader and more useful fields. Professor Allen was called
to the chair of Ancient Languages in the University of Penn-
sylvania ; Professor Horsford to the Rumford chair of Applied
Science in Harvard University, where he encouraged Mr. Ab-
bott Lawrence to found the Lawrence Scientific School, and
originated the world renowned acid phosphate and baking pow-
der; Professor Norton to the Sheffield Scientific School, where
he taught for thirty-one years, becoming the author of popular
works on astronomy and natural philosophy; Professor Por-
ter to the chair of Chemistry in Yale College, where he married
the daughter of Mr. Joseph E. Sheffield, whom he influenced
in making the liberal donation that founded the scientific
school bearing his name.
Mr. Reynolds, owing to circumstances to be related, com-
pleted his academic training at Jefferson College, Cannons-
burg, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1847. Two
years later, June 1849, at the age of twenty-five, he graduated
154
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 155
from Yale Law School, and while there, near the end of his
course, had determined for himself by a chance method his
future scene of activity. A number of companion students
one day, according to usual custom, were resting carelessly
in chairs and on tables in the law library, when stoically the
subject of their prospective careers was introduced. Some
had fathers already well-established in legal practice, to whom
the problem was of easy solution ; others were close to members
of the Bench and Bar, or to statesmen of acknowledged power
and influence, while Reynolds was simply the son of a well-
to-do farmer, with little following to aid advancement in a
professional line. On this day he made no secret to these
associates of his future, just then, being without plan or pur-
pose, so that all, interested in his welfare, made suggestions —
some indeed worthy of serious consideration. In the " con-
fusion of tongues," he arose to the occasion in rather a self-
assertive manner, proclaiming his ability to settle the matter
thus : " I will stick my knife at random between the leaves of
this law directory and write to the man whose name is nearest
the edge of the blade to take me in his office." Suiting action
to the words revealed the name of Samuel Tyler, Frederick,
Maryland. Then and there, in presence of the multitude, a
letter was written and mailed, which in due time brought a
courteous reply from Mr. Tyler to the effect, that at the then
present his office had sufficient force, but within the year he
expected a vacancy, which, if agreeable, he would reserve
gladly for his new correspondent.
Leaving Yale, Mr. Reynolds returned to his home, Golden
Ridge, a farm near Willow Grove, Delaware, from which
during the early autumn he entered the law office of Mr. Mar-
tin W. Bates, at Dover, nine miles distant, where he remained
a year — then accepted the position that had materialized with
Mr. Tyler. Upon reaching Frederick he was received kindly
by his new preceptor, taken to his home and there domiciled.
A few days' intercourse convinced Mr. Tyler that the ambitious
young man already was well-equipped for the Bar, requiring
chiefly a familiarity with the Maryland " Code " — a fact gladly
realized, as he was having issued then from the press a legal
work, " Tyler's Practice," and needed some one to aid in proof-
reading. This labor Mr. Reynolds willingly shared, in spite
156 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
of the great desire to make rapid progress in his legal studies,
and although serving two masters that half year he was ad-
mitted to the Maryland Bar by Judge Purviance, February 19,
1851. This accomplished, the road would seem to have been
clear, but in those days, as now, opportunities had to be created
by the great majority, and where these could best be realized
was problematic. Young Reynolds' friends in Frederick, and
they were many, with one accord would listen to no other
selection than Maryland's accepted metropolis, Baltimore, and
to that end they armed him with letters to her most eminent
judges and lawyers. These he visited, and the welcoming
hands were so sincere and cordial that without hesitation he
decided to make Baltimore his permanent home, where he
lived for more than fifty years, enjoying a lucrative practice,
and ever loyal to her people and best interests, yet never losing
perceptibly the fondness for his native State and place of
birth. He loved his parents, brothers and sisters, possibly
" passing understanding," and his ter-annual visits to home-
land continued until death, December 12, 1901, with unabated
pleasure to both the visitor and the visited. His own home
was always most hospitable, sheltering in and out of season
all relatives, near and remote alike, and turning aside no
worthy Delawarean, though perhaps a positive stranger. He
was well-conversant with the genealogy of his State, taking
unusual pride in locating doubtful members of his own and
other families, and holding out to all the comforting friend-
ship, of there being for them in the Monumental City only one
stopping place — his residence. " The longer and more frequent
the visits of those near to him the greater was he pleased, and
he thoroughly recognized that towards him all relatives bore
a reciprocal feeling. With such an " open sesame " the writer
was no small boy when first aware that hotels were needed in
cities, especially Baltimore — believing that all visitors thereto
enjoyed similar favorable privileges — and now looks back with
surprise at the freedom, second not even to possession, always
extended and realized by that delightful fireside.
Although uncle's Christmas visit to Delaware was by rail
and usually hurried, those in the spring and autumn were
more deliberate and made invariably with his private team —
a necessity for the greatest comfort in calling on those of his
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 157
direct line and a few congenial friends scattered over con-
siderable territory. His horses, a source of great pride, were
of high order, becoming wherever seen objects of comment
and admiration ; his carriage, a Brewster or Rogers, was com-
modious, attractive and easy, far excelling the prevailing styles
of that community, and his driver, of the colonial colored type,
now sadly almost extinct, was trusted and tried, having served
the family far beyond a generation. As a rule uncle was ac-
companied by his wife, and sometimes his very congenial
mother-in-law, making a companionship of three or four ex-
tremely happy souls. The route was either by Chester River
to Rolph's Wharf, or by Choptank and Tred Avon Rivers to
Easton or Oxford, thence driving the twenty or thirty miles to
their destination. So long as his parents lived their home was
his headquarters, and to them the coming was always a joy-
ful event, as, indeed, it was to the entire family circle. Re-
union dinners were given every day either at the paternal
abode or those of his brothers' and sisters', and abundant good
cheer pervaded every 'one's nature until the parting farewell
was given. The younger generation — nieces and nephews —
was not slow in catching the pleasure contagion incident to
these occasions, for they meant a substantial remembrance in
some form or another and contributed much delight to an
otherwise dull and monotonous rural life. After the death of
his parents (1874) these visits were continued just the same,
restricted, however to brothers and sisters, and a cousin bear-
ing his father's name, for whom he entertained the strongest
affection.
It was during his autumn visit of 1871, when spending a
night or two with my parents that in my presence he inquired
of mother (his sister) concerning the progress I was making
at school and contemplated educational plans. He expressed
himself earnestly in favor of college training, enumerated many
potent reasons therefor, and related a number of school-boy
experiences, for which he possessed an unusually retentive
memory, and I an appreciative as well as receptive mind. One
of these at least deserves preservation, as it not only concerns
several public characters, but reveals some extraordinary real-
izations— the kind that served then to have a decided influence
for good upon a callow youth just beginning to see the light :
158 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
"In the summer of 1845 I returned home from Delaware
College complaining with a pain in my side, which the doctor
pronounced the result of liver complication, but readily amen-
able to treatment. Father, however, concluded that a trip
might do more good than medicine, and quickly arranged for
me a visit to his cousins, John, Thomas and George Reynolds
— three brothers living at Jefferson, Pennsylvania. My old
teacher in Smyrna, Mr. Morgan, for whom I had unbounded
respect and admiration, had moved to Clarksburg, West Vir-
ginia, and I determined it would be opportune to look in upon
him en route. I left home early one morning by stage for
Smyrna Landing, thence by boat to New Castle, by train to
Frenchtown, by steamer and train to Baltimore, reaching
the latter point, President Street Station, at 8 o'ck, P. M.
Mother advised me to patronize always the best hotels, so
Barnum's was selected for the night. Next morning I con-
tinued my journey, purchasing a ticket to Paw Paw, a station
on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and in course reached
Martinsburg for dinner — this being announced by a waiter
beating vigorously a large triangle. Upon arrival at Paw
Paw I took the Paw Paw and Parkersburg stage-line to Clarks-
burg, some ninety miles east of Parkersburg, where I remained
a week, seeing much of my former teacher and riding around
the various mountains on horseback — trailing chiefly along
partly overgrown footpaths, there being no roads for vehicles
save the Parkersburg pike. One day I strayed to Beverly, a
distance of fifty miles, stopping often at the little farm houses
along the way to talk with the occupants, who, as a rule in-
clined at first to be unfriendly. But as our conversation pro-
gressed, and I announced myself a stranger to that section, a
resident of Delaware, their attitude quickly changed, since
they all were descendants of Revolutionary soldiers of the
Delaware line — their ancestors having taken that land, a con-
tribution by the State of Virginia, as a pension. None, how-
ever, seemed to know from what part of Delaware they came
originally. After this delightful rest I proceeded to Geneva,
Fayette County, Pennsylvania, where I spent a Sabbath, put-
ting up at a hotel kept by Mr. Everhardt. This was a Dutch
town, but in conversation with the proprietor soon learned
that he was from Delaware, as were the Davenports, who
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 159
owned the store and dwelling opposite. As the store was open
I went over in a short while and had a talk with Mr. Daven-
port, who, becoming interested, called his wife from the rear,
where they lived, to join in our already pleasantly begun chat
of Delaware and her people. This good woman was disin-
clined to credit my representations until I introduced incidently
the old Welsh graveyard near Newark with the strikingly
peculiar inscriptions on many of the tombstones. Of these she
knew something and desired to learn more, as some of her
relatives lay buried there. Fortunately, having attended col-
lege at Newark, I was equipped with much suitable informa-
tion and its imparting led to me being invited for dinner and
to spend with them the entire day. In the afternoon I gave
an account of my college work and expressed the intention of
teaching somewhere the coming year — a fact that caused Mrs.
Davenport to mention their school being closed, teacher gone,
and the universal delight it would give to have it reopened.
It was a select school, each scholar paying four dollars per
quarter, and the well-to-do families, in turn, boarding the
teacher. I decided then and there to accept the position for a
term, and began with about twenty-five scholars, among them
two daughters each of Messrs. Everhardt and Gans, the re-
puted wealthiest citizens of the town — the latter receiving me
into his own family circle. I had not been in traces more
than a week or two, when, to great surprise and annoyance,
I found myself with a parasitic skin disease, scabies, contracted
from some of the students, and upon inquiry ascertained that
all knew of its prevalence, but attached little importance to its
seriousness, as they could guarantee a cure within a week.
Mr. Gans affirmed that the best doctor around was a graduate
of medicine living across the Monongahela River, but that
there resided in town one (quack) especially successful in
treating minor ailments. I saw this quack doctor, who gave
me a white salve to rub between my fingers and knee joints,
and as promised the cure was like magic — simply drying up
the disease within forty-eight hours. During the three
months' stay at Geneva I paid several visits to my father's
cousins — the Reynolds brothers, at Jefferson — the first being
on a bright Sunday morning astride of Mr. Cans' favorite
trotter, when the distance was covered by 10:30 o'ck. After
160 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
hitching the horse I rapped at the front door, but found all
away except Mrs. Reynolds, to whom I revealed my identity
and the fact that her husband had only seen me once — when a
baby in my mother's arms. As her husband's return was ex-
pected by noon she suggested me remaining in the parlor so
that he could have an abrupt chance at guessing my personal-
ity. When told of a stranger's presence he immediately came
into the room, extended pleasant salutations, and after stand-
ing a few moments facing me, smiled and said: Why, you
are my cousin Robert W. Reynolds' son, Luther, whose home
I visited for a week when you were an infant. This gentle-
man was Thomas Reynolds, seemingly the most prosperous
of the three brothers, who kept the main hotel of the town
and managed other industries — being fine looking with ruddy
complexion, six feet high and weighing two hundred pounds.
After talking a while he went out and invited his two brothers,
George and John, to dine with him, so we all together spent
several very pleasant hours. He insisted that I remain longer
than had been planned, an impossibility, and that I repeat my
visit often — so difficult as only to be availed of on one other oc-
casion. Another day, however, I rode in a different direction
and called on their two sisters, whom I found large, healthy
and good-looking women, much beloved by their neighbors —
the one who married Mr. Randolph appearing the more in-
telligent and expressing her intention of visiting Delaware
some time.
" My sojourn at Geneva came at an end one pleasant Sun-
day afternoon, when I departed for Brownsville, a town some
twenty miles down the river, with a population of four or five
thousand, on the National pike at the head of slack-water of
the Monongahela. Soon after arriving I walked down to the
wharf to take for Pittsburg the boat, which, to my great sur-
prise, bore the name of ' Louis McLane,' a fact that made
me feel not so far from home as other conditions would indi-
cate. It was now Monday afternoon when we pulled away
from Brownsville, and upon reaching Pittsburg some hours
later I sought a hotel with good accommodations, as I pro-
posed to remain at least a week and explore the city thor-
oughly, in order to learn its advantages, if any, over eastern
rivals.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 161
" One of my colleagues at Delaware College, Mr. Armstrong,
had accepted a position at Lexington, Kentucky, as an assist-
ant teacher in his brother-in-law's female seminary, and for
him I still retained a friendly attachment. As I yet had con-
siderable money from my Geneva teaching, the thought of a
trip to Lexington to see him and her greater citizen, Henry
Clay, suggested itself, consequently after staying the allotted
time in Pittsburg, I took a steamer, one beautiful morning,
running between that city and New Orleans. The first night
on board I noticed a great deal of gambling among the fast
set, which, however, did not begin until about n o'ck, after
the less worldly passengers had retired to the sleep of the just.
These gamblers I observed slept during the day, and had a
banker whom they called Levi, who awoke them at any de-
sired hour and furnished wine, money, etc. In due time
Louisville was reached, and as I stood on the ' quay ' with my
trunk, my eye, glancing up one of the streets, saw in the
distance the sign — Ohio Hotel — towards which I immediately
set pace, having a colored man to follow with my trunk, think-
ing all the time of my father's cousins who lived somewhere in
that city. Their name was Forsythe, so next morning I
started out to hunt them up, having previously consulted the
directory and several persons. This task shortly came to a
happy conclusion, as they were found easily and convinced
quickly that I was no impostor. They soon inquired my
hotel, and when I replied, adding mother's injunction — always
stop at the best — they laughed heartily, saying: Well, you
certainly missed it this time; you must change to the Gault
House — an advice accepted the following morning. Mr. For-
sythe, the senior, had one son and two daughters; the former
was studying medicine then, became prominent in his profes-
sion— a surgeon in the Confederate service — and married the
widow of General A. P. Hill, she being a sister of General
John Morgan; one of the daughters, Emma, married Mr.
Crockwell, and is the mother of Miss Lillian, who frequently
spends weeks at my home; the other daughter married Mr.
Sterling, and is the mother of Mrs. Scott, who also visits us
occasionally. Their father reminded me very much of my
father in manners, affability, florid complexion, Adam's apple,
etc., and not only he but his entire household were extremely
162 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
kind to me — that which in later years I have endeavored to
reciprocate.
" I only remained in Louisville half of the week, and then
set out for Lexington by stage, which ran to Frankfort some
fifty miles distant, where I tarried several days, taking in the
beautiful suburban country. From here the rest of the trip
was by railroad, the only one west of the Alleghany
mountains, which was then financially embarrassed owing to
its defaulting treasurer, a man from New Castle County, Dela-
ware, of whose whereabouts the authorities were anxious to
learn. Some thought him secreted in New York or Phila-
delphia, but I heard in after years that his father-in-law, Mr.
William (Billy) Hurlock, had given him refuge within his
own home, near Saint George's, Delaware, where he remained
a long time to the mystification of the public. I reached Lex-
ington one Monday after dark and was recommended to the
Phoenix Hotel, where registering, dining, and feeling fatigued
I soon sought my room for sleep. After a comfortable night's
rest I arose early, as was my custom, and finding a colored
man washing the pavement, inquired of him the way to Ash-
land, the home of Mr. Clay, only to receive the quick and polite
reply : ' Right straight out dat road dere Boss.' This road
was Main Street, and the direction eastward, so I began to
walk the route suggested, reaching Ashland, one and a half
miles, in a very short time. I readily recognized the place
from the pictures already seen, which at that time were well-
scattered over the country, as were those of Mr. Clay — he hav-
ing just been a Presidential candidate. It was the great
popularity and esteem enjoyed by Mr. Clay that stimulated me
to get a glimpse of him if possible, and as I neared the house,
standing about two hundred yards from the pike, I noticed
several gentlemen in the side field looking at some colts, one
of which party persisted in walking towards the animals while
suddenly making a rattling noise with his hand on the inside
of his silk hat, thereby giving fright and causing them to
prance around at a lively gait. I had never seen that trick
practiced before and as it was effective considered it a good
one. I passed beyond the house, and upon turning around to
retrace steps townward noticed in the same field with the colts
a colored man on the road side taking down the old post and
•j-.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 163
rail fence, and a little further on another colored man with a
white gentleman setting new posts in new holes — the old posts
having been removed. I asked the first individual, if Mr. Clay
had gone to his office, when he pointed ahead to the two en-
gaged at post setting and said : ' Dat dare yonder is Moss
Henry.' I then walked slowly towards that spot and sure
enough it was Mr. Clay, plainly recognized from his various
pictures. In passing I never took my eyes off of him, as he
was intent upon the work in hand and little conscious of the
intruder, and hurriedly returned to the hotel for breakfast.
The same day I called upon my friend, Mr. Armstrong, and
among other things told him of my favorable impression of
the country, climate, town, and the looks of things in general,
adding that should he hear of an opportunity for teaching,
kindly put me in the way of it, as I would like to remain in
Lexington, at least during the winter. He at once spoke of
the school at Walnut Hill, six miles from town, likely to be in
need of a teacher very soon, and as this was on the pike run-
ning from Lexington, the county-seat of Fayette County, to
Richmond, the county-seat of Madison County, the next day
found me on foot seeking the school. This I readily rec-
ognized by Mr. Armstrong's description — building small and
by the side of a church — and upon rapping at the door the
teacher soon appeared, when I introduced myself and made
known my business. He seemed pleased at this possible turn
in affairs, stated that he was from Maine where the winters
were too severe for his weak lungs, consequently had sought
Lexington as a southern point, expecting it to meet all re-
quirements, but this it did not do last winter, so he thought
it wise to spend from November to March in Florida — that
which he would do, if he could get a suitable substitute for that
period willing to hand over the charge upon his return. I
told him of my willingness to accept the school under those
terms, and that he need apprehend no trouble in resuming
duties at any time he might specify. We at once arranged
matters, going so far as to discuss a suitable boarding place
and to ask one of the little scholars, Levi Rhoads, if he thought
I, their new teacher, could get accommodations at his house.
To this he replied : ' I don't know, sir, but if you will go home
with me we can soon find out from my mother.' After school
164 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
I accompanied Levi to his father's, Colonel Rhoads, and re-
mained on the porch while the lad searched for his parents.
It was a beautiful afternoon and while sitting there in the
enjoyment of quiet meditation, Mrs. Rhoads appeared, who,
after the usual formalities of strangers meeting, made the as-
surance that they would be pleased to have me with them.
This young lad, Levi Todd Rhoads, was a grandson of Levi
Todd, a lieutenant in the battle of Blue Licks, whose brother
John, the hero of that engagement, exhibited such foolhardy
bravery, as did Major McGary, as to lose the battle along with
his life. The Kentuckians were pursuing the Indians, and, as
related in the life of Daniel Boone, had reached the Licking
River, when a council of war was held to consider the ad-
visability of awaiting reinforcements or crossing the river in
further pursuit. Boone opposed the latter alternative, but
Major McGary and Colonel Todd, before a decision had been
reached, wildly rushed into the river exclaiming: 'Brave
men will follow me, cowards will remain behind,' whereupon
all fell in line. Upon ascending the opposite shore and pro-
ceeding about a mile they encountered an ambuscade of In-
dians— just where two ravines, one on either side of the ridge,
so conformed as to conceal an enemy that might assail them
in front and flank before realizing the slightest danger. It
was this that happened, giving to the Indians the famous vic-
tory of Blue Licks, in which many officers and men sacrificed
their lives. Colonel Todd owned about three thousand acres
of highly cultivated land around Walnut Hill, divided into
three farms, one for each of his daughters — wives of Colonel
Rhoads, Major Bullock, and Major Carr. It was here these
families resided, while Robert Todd, a brother, of the three
ladies, conducted a store in Lexington, and became the father
of several children, two of whom it was my pleasure to know
well — one a boy, Bob, about fourteen years of age, the other a
young lady, Ann, some years older. This lady frequently
came out to visit her aunt, Mrs. Rhoads, so that enjoying the
same home, we naturally gravitated into good friendship, in
spite of her never appealing to me owing to aggressive smart
mannerisms. One day, however, she took me aside to recount
the shortcomings of her brother, Bob, whom she described as
incorrigible and a menace to the happiness of all his former
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 165
teachers — insisting that I take him under my special care in
conformity with her parents' wishes, since they, knowing me,
believed I could do something for the boy's good. I readily
consented to the appeal, so within a few days the young fellow
was sent out to his aunt's, Mrs. Rhoads, to board and become
my pupil — a contact that gave me not the slightest trouble, as
he soon became studious and attentive to all duties. Mrs.
Bullock had a son who was a lawyer in Lexington, a partner
of John Cabell Breckinridge, whose sister he married.
" The regular teacher failed to return the last of March, as
had been his intention, owing to the unusually severe winter in
Florida as well as Kentucky, consequently I retained my teach-
ing until early June, that which was very acceptable to me, as
it neared the completion of the scholastic year and allowed him
a few weeks for examinations and closing the school according
to his own liking.
" Several days before leaving for home, preparatory to re-
entering Delaware College, Mrs. Rhoads thought so well of
me as to extend the compliment of a parting supper, at which
the following personages were seated : Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads,
Levi Rhoads, their son, Bob Todd, the bad boy, Ann Todd, the
aggressive sister, Mr. Bullock, John C. Breckinridge, and my-
self. While at the table the subject of my going was discussed,
as well as college course yet to be completed. Mr. Breckin-
ridge seemed especially interested, and insisted that I change
from Delaware College to Jefferson College, of which his
uncle, Dr. Robert J. Breckinridge, was president — a gentleman
possessing many friends around Lexington, having been born
and reared there, but for many years pastor of the Second
Presbyterian Church, Baltimore. I promised the assembled
guests to stop over at Jefferson College, whereupon Mr. John
C. Breckinridge at once penned a letter of introduction to Dr.
Breckinridge, to which all present affixed their names.
" I left Lexington on the appointed afternoon, taking the
stage for Maysville on the Ohio River, and when about fifteen
miles on the road we met a lady desiring passage to our des-
tination, but as every seat was filled it was impossible to give
her accommodation unless some gentleman consented to vacate
and ride on top with the driver. The appeal was made and I
alone responded, giving her my seat and riding the rest of the
166 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
night high above their heads under a beautiful starry canopy.
While it was rather cool, protection by blankets and an iron
guard-rail made sleep safe and refreshing. About midnight
we stopped at a large hotel where an orchestra discoursed
sweet music to which manly and maidenly feet kept pace in
the rhythmic dance. This was the Blue Lick Springs Hotel
brightly illuminated and in the midst of an overcrowded hop,
but the prevailing sulphurous emanations were so strong that
I was right glad when we sped again our onward way. We
arrived at Maysville next morning and there took a boat for
Pittsburg, where I caught a stage for Cannonsburg, eighteen
miles distant. Shortly after reaching there and getting lo-
cated at the hotel, I visited Dr. Breckinridge, and presented my
much signed letter, which upon reading caused a greeting of
more than ordinary cordiality, emphasized by calling all the
family to meet the young gentleman direct from Lexington.
Dr. Breckinridge had two sons, Robert and William, also
several daughters, one then grown. A granddaughter after-
wards became a Mrs. Handy, the wife of a Presbyterian min-
ister on the eastern shore of Maryland, and to them children
were born, one son having served Delaware as Congressman.
" I remained at Jefferson College until graduated, June, 1847,
having as classmates, John H. Handy, John P. Pennington,
William McDonald, etc., but left for home immediately after
Commencement, going by boat and stage to Brownsville, canal
boat to Cumberland, cars to Baltimore and home. While at
the hotel in Lexington, several days before taking charge of
Walnut Hill School, when eating breakfast one morning I
noticed a gentleman, Mr. Horeine, finish the meal, get up and
go out, and to be followed by a Mr. Shelby, son of Colonel
John Shelby. Getting through shortly thereafter, I walked
out of the dining room just in time to see the latter fire and
kill the former. Shelby was brought to trial and I had the
pleasure of hearing Mr. Clay's great speech in the defence. I
came to reside in Baltimore, February, 1851, boarding opposite
The Sun office, Baltimore Street near North, and soon found
that some gamblers were very near by being brought several
times in close legal relation with one, who frequently spoke of
his manager — the identical Levi that was on the steamer when
I went down the Ohio River to Louisville, whom I saw in our
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 167
city many times thereafter. After an absence of twenty-five
years I revisited Lexington this summer, reaching there at
night and only to spend twenty-four hours, as my chief inter-
est lay in Frankfort. Next morning I thought I would look
around the town to see what changes time had wrought. Of
course Mr. Clay was dead, as I had seen his body lay-in-state in
the Rotunda of our Baltimore City Hall, but I walked out to
Ashland, which I found looking as it did a quarter-century be-
fore, and strange to relate the old fence was being replaced by a
new one. I talked with the colored men engaged at the work,
when one remarked that, " Moss Henry helped to put up the
old fence," to which I replied: Yes, that is true, for I can
testify to having seen him with my own eyes right here thus
engaged. I inquired of the hotel clerk concerning various old
friends, including Bob Bullock, whom the clerk said was then
the county sheriff, and had an office just opposite. In a short
while I called on him and asked if he knew who I was? He
replied : ' I cannot tell your name, but you were a captain in
my Regiment during the war, or a member of my Regiment,
or so and so of Colonel Henderson's Regiment.' Finding he
was not a very good guesser, I revealed my identity, when,
remembering me distinctly, we entered pleasantly into con-
versation concerning former times and persons somewhat dear
to us both. I inquired after the Todds, who were his cousins,
especially Bob and Ann, when he jumped up from his chair
and loudly exclaimed : ' You don't mean to tell me that you
lived for eight years within forty miles of them and knew noth-
ing of either ! ' I replied : ' I do mean to say so, whereupon he
quietly continued : ' My cousin Ann resided at the White House
with her sister, Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, while her brother,
Bob, was the keeper of Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia.' '
Mother and I seemed to enter so thoroughly into the spirit
of Uncle's morning talk that thereafter he felt warranted in
making some suggestions concerning my future, at least such
as he considered important at that time. As a fact, however,
he was not unlike other eldest children, as he never hesitated
to counsel brothers and sisters to their advantage in matters of
significance, and although not a father he advised freely con-
cerning children of his blood and those in whom he took in-
terest, expressing opinions in no mistaken language upon their
168 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
acts done and proposed; he allowed nothing to go unnoticed
and unchallenged savoring of the slightest deception or in-
directness, and while liking his advice followed he never held
against one its non-acceptance. On that morning he con-
tinued: " You know ' Sal ' (for that was the name he used
in speaking to her, but " my sister Sarah " when speaking of
her), if I were in your place I would see that David receives
more than a seminary training, for he seems studious and re-
ceptive of knowledge, and it would be a shame to deny him
opportunities or curtail any ambition he might possess and
develop in that direction. I freely confess that some men
of my acquaintance are great in the absence of collegiate
education, but with it I contend they would have been far
greater; while on the other hand I know some men who are
fools in spite of their college course, but I honestly believe
that without it they would have been even greater fools. Al-
though it may be true ' that all men are created equal,' so far
as the ' rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness ' are
concerned, yet this does not hold good when applied to natural
inheritance and endowments. Truly I recognize that there
is no special reason why your son should be more favorably
gifted than his several companions, and as most of them will
have to be contented with moderate schooling, should David
be allowed to follow their example, we can expect his future
only similar to that predicted for them. But if he will apply
himself diligently, making more than ordinary advancement in
his studies, then there is hope for a career of greater promise
than fighting for a mere existence. Granting, that with an
education he makes simply a living, then I contend he will have
a broader and deeper life — one more resplendent in self-satis-
faction. It is true I appreciate the fact that there is more in
education than books, institutions and diplomas, as there is
more in religion than creeds, churches and sermons; even
knowledge may not be education, but the two are related
closely, since the former is the food of the latter, consequently
a person may have much knowledge and little education, or
much education and little knowledge. I consider education to
be — developed mind, thinking power, the mind trained and
equipped to do that for which it was intended — and when a
mind can do this it is educated, whether it has encountered the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 169
college process or not, but if it cannot do this it is not educated,
although backed by many diplomas and crammed to overflow-
ing with important facts. Such a development I would like to
see wrought in David, but even if that be impossible we owe
it to ourselves to make the endeavor at having him become an
honorable and intelligent citizen through mind training. In
order that he may have good opportunities and advantages
it is important to be careful in the selection of a college, and
personally I have no special one to recommend. Of course
there are three kinds — good, better, best — and yet at any one
a decided amount of knowledge can be gained, much depend-
ing directly upon the individual himself. You may lead a
horse to water but all power on earth cannot compel him to
drink unless he feels so inclined.
" At every college there is the greatest abundance of knowl-
edge held on tap for willing recipients — that the sloth and
laggard secures only a small quantity is no evidence against
the atmosphere he breathes being overcharged with it. As
you well know, from the beginning to the end, I attended three
—Delaware, Jefferson, Yale — and in a way each possessed
merit. I was all along a close student, deriving untold benefit
from each year's work, and there were plenty of my com-
panions that equalled, possibly excelled me. I never saw a
week in those days when I considered myself not having about
all I desired to stand up to in comfort, and yet I am not wedded
to these institutions for David. On the other hand our
brother Thomas is very decided in his likes and dislikes of
educational institutions, and never hesitates to express his
great admiration for the work done at the University of Vir-
ginia. Thomas, you recall, attended Dickinson College,
Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and upon leaving there went direct to
Virginia to teach others some of that which had been taught
him, and during those two years of pedagogic experience came
in contact with a number of University of Virginia men —
those loyal to truth and in sounding her praise — consequently
he believes that not only is the scholarship offered and gained
there of an unusual high order, but that the dignified personnel
of the student-body has few equals, and cannot be excelled."
Even though all of this conversation was directed chiefly
to my mother, yet personally I was paying strict attention — to
170 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
that which ultimately was to have positive effect. I had al-
ready passed through the first grade public school, having had
the guidance of two unusually fine teachers, and had spent one
year at Felton Seminary, Delaware, to which I was about re-
turning for a second year. The expression of this solicitous
feeling in my behalf, on the part of " Uncle Luther," was by no
means the first awakening impulse to my mother's aspirations,
for she had followed closely her only offspring from his very
infancy, waiting and hoping that each succeeding year would
reveal a substantial evidence of something more than child-
like precocity — that which every one admitted to be possessed
in no little degree. She, in and out of my presence, had often
talked over with father the advisability of giving me a well-
rounded education, and he was in perfect accord of letting it
include a college or university training. His schooling had
been limited — restricted to the public schools — and he was un-
willing that his son's should be likewise, for no one realized
more keenly than he what the absence of higher advantages
signified. I have so often heard him lament the poor oppor-
tunities afforded him for gaining knowledge, and reasonably
predict what more he might have made of himself had the
earlier years been turned to a different account. Most promi-
nent men of his acquaintance, in professions and business, en-
joyed a liberal education, and he sincerely thought that it was
this alone that had brought them to positions of honor and
trust. It is true, as he commented, he had seen a few college
men reach untimely drunkard's graves, but he considered such
as poor unfortunates — attributing their downfall rather to per-
sonal weakness than to the evil of worldly associates formed
away from parental restraint and influence. He further be-
lieved that with a good education no one need be a financial
failure, and that with it every one easily secured unto himself
a life of far greater comfort and satisfaction. My course at
the Seminary continued to be Latin, Greek, mathematics, and
music — the latter mother contending essential to drive dull
care away in after life, that which no one seems entirely able
to escape. During the early spring of that session (1871-
72), without consulting my parents — considering that unneces-
sary— I wrote to several institutions, including the University
of Virginia, for catalogues, all being received in due time.
That of the University was accompanied by excerpts there-
from, bound separately, of the three professional schools —
Law, Medicine, Agriculture — supplemented by a very friendly
personally written letter, signed, Charles S. Venable, Chair-
man. As time permitted these were read with adequate care
and interest to become familiar with essentials, without de-
ciding what to do in the coming autumn. Seminary boys of
the industrious sort have little time for thoughts outside of
preparing daily recitations and assigned duties, consequently
in these tasks I had questions to settle quite " sufficient unto
the day thereof." It is true we discussed together occasion-
ally our preferences for colleges, and for particular ones some
students from the start had arranged their studies, thereby
avoiding any concern in that direction on the home stretch,
but most of us talked little and thought less concerning the
near or remote future.
One day late in April I picked up in the reading room among
the newer magazines, a copy of Harper's Monthly for May,
which I found to contain an article, entitled, " Mr. Jefferson's
Pet," in reality a ten or twelve page history of the University
of Virginia, beautifully written and attractively illustrated
with five good-sized wood cuts : Statue of Mr. Jefferson, by
Gait ; Western aspect of the University ; Southern view of the
Lawn; The Rotunda, and School of Athens, in the Public
Hall. Of course I was much interested in its reading, and
confess to it impressing me strongly with the institution's
greatness, as up to that time I had seen little or nothing pub-
lished in the more reputable household journals concerning
our colleges or universities, and that Harper's would devote
such space to other than the higher I knew to be impossible.
Thus my Uncle's conversation, Professor Venable's friendly
and explanatory letter, and the article in Harper's influenced,
indeed confirmed the selection so far as I personally was con-
cerned, consequently thereafter my parents' approval was the
only thing needed.
My record at the Seminary for the year had been highly
satisfactory — nothing below ninety, and from that up to ninety-
five, ninety-six and one hundred, so with such a creditable
report there was neither shame or remorse attached to my re-
turn home the middle of June — a fact I hastened to manifest by
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
showing these results and explaining my already determined
plans supported as best I could with intelligent arguments.
Mother from the first seemed thoroughly pleased, so express-
ing herself, while father was not adverse, since he had sided
with the Confederacy, proclaiming boldly in and out of
season his fervent devotion to that cause. He had endeavored
to escape into the Southern line, but was intercepted after get-
ting many miles from home; owing to his outspoken senti-
ments the Federal forces, by which we absolutely were sur-
rounded, kept close vigil over his goings and comings — once
with arrestment subjecting him during the incarceration to
numerous indignities, and on several other occasions used dire-
ful threats in order to curb his irritating tongue. A positive
character like his, and that he was in those days for all the
words imply, quite naturally chafed in no little degree under
such impending authority, and could not well at that slightly
later period be reconciled to the fact of there existing anything
good north of " Mason and Dixon's Line." He was, there-
fore, not slow in deciding against all northern institutions and
in favor of my selection, consequently as he controlled largely
the purse I felt that an early realization of cherished" hopes
was assured. During vacation several letters passed between
Professor Venable and myself pertaining to entrance, neces-
sary arrangements, etc., and in one of these he advised my
reaching the University a few days before the session opened,
in order to get located suitably by the time work began in
earnest — a suggestion gladly followed.
University — Medical Hall
(Erected 1825, restored 1886)
University — Infirmary
(Erected 1857)
FACING 172
CHAPTER IX
MAIDEN TRIP TO WASHINGTON AND VIRGINIA
Leaving home for the University; visit in Baltimore at my uncle's; short
stop in Washington ; first inspection of the Capitol ; view of the White
House, Arlington; made a friend of the brakeman; Alexandria — its
seeming antiquated appearance; Orange and Alexandria Railroad;
Henry Knox, the courteous and obliging brakeman; Fairfax, Bull
Run, Manassas — Confederate cemetery — Bristoe, Catletts, Warrenton
Junction (Calverton), Bealeton, Rappahannock, Brandy, Culpeper,
Rapidan, Mitchell, Cedar Mountain, Orange, Madison (Montpelier),
Gordonsville, etc.
THE morning of Thursday, September 26, 1872, broke in
with beautiful sunshine, such as soon mellowed the early brac-
ing temperature into that which brought discomfort to every
exposed man and beast. I donned my best, a trifle heavy,
breakfasted hurriedly, and now was to be the saddest duty —
saying farewell to mother — for whom I recognized the part-
ing painful, as by nature she could repress poorly, womanly
emotions, while for me a sharer of that weakness, if weakness
it be, I felt it absolutely impossible to refrain the tear that
moments before had so boldly been defied. To her my going
meant so much — the breaking of a hitherto continuous com-
panionship, the unmistakable separation by a long distance, the
likely escape from maternal domination, the possible disregard
of pious teachings, and the probable beginning of the end of
paternal home life. To me it implied equal concern — few
ever had stronger attachment for home or parents, and now
both measurably were to be sacrificed in going to a strange
land. Besides it marked the beginning of the self-reliant
stage, when for every turn one's own head had to be taken
and held responsible — true a condition some natures crave and
court, but from which my own then recoiled and shrank. I
was entering upon a new and all-important drama of life,
which properly played would lead certainly to a desirable re-
ward, but poorly, to discouragement and disappointment. The
going away to college centers upon one at least some slight
174 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
attention from acquaintances and friends, and I fully realized
that from then on they occasionally might cast an eye in my
direction — looking for the good or bad developments — that
henceforth my doings were expected to count for something.
None of this was incident to the more youthful years at the
Seminary, for there I was among my people — " a prophet with-
out honor " — within easy driving distance of home, where
each Sunday was spent, while standing and results in studies
had little effect outside of self and family. I frankly confess
to having even at that age an ambition for becoming some-
thing beyond the ordinary, and an intuition that a few others
had for me bright hopes and expectations, so it was not strange
that those separative moments claimed thoughts most serious
— far from idle and frivolous. And yet a vein of pleasure,
indeed satisfaction, pervaded the hour through confidence in
this outward step into the world being the only proper one to
take.
Father drove me one mile to the nearest railroad station,
for the 7 125 A. M. train, which soon arrived giving only time
for checking trunk, and bidding him and the several local
well-wishers a hearty good-bye. No ticket was needed as I
enjoyed complimentary privileges on that portion of the road
— a fact causing me to cover the route often, to know well
the train's crew, and to be considered by father just a trifle
careless and risky. Indeed his last counselling words were:
" Be careful on trains, take care of yourself, and be a good
boy " — possibly not an unusual admonition to sons first depart-
ing from home. The journey to Baltimore was without
special feature, as it had frequently been taken with the same
dual changes, Clayton, Delaware Junction, and could not be
expected to offer any unforeseen complications. All I could
hope for was to pass acceptably the hours in transit through
reading a morning paper, viewing familiar scenes, and revert-
ing occasionally to the just enacted sad home-parting. Our
train reached President Street Station at 1 105 P. M., where I
found awaiting me the trusted coachman of my Uncle, to
whose residence I soon was conveyed, only to receive from all
a most hearty welcome. That night I accompanied Uncle and
Aunt to the theater — surely a pleasant treat, and one in which
I felt not the slightest ill-at-ease, in spite of my semi-puritanic
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 175
training suggesting a corrupt influence of the stage. Twelve
hours only had passed since turning in the direction of an
education, which I was not slow in realizing had to be made
up of many elements, so that the coming of an opportunity to
enjoy a healthy comedy for three hours, which to peruse in
book required that many days, even with less permanent effect,
I accepted as a very helpful beginning. Next morning I sat
for a photograph, that my youthful identity upon entering the
University might be preserved, and also made numerous pur-
chases to complete my necessary outfit. We all had finished
dinner when Uncle came in from his office — an occurrence more
the rule than exception, as he preferred one session at business
and dinner alone at 3.30 p. M., to eating earlier with the family
and returning thereafter. According to custom he soon came
up in the library where most of us sat reading, and after an
exchange of some pleasantry he addressed me thus : " David,
I made it convenient this morning to call on one of my brother
lawyers, whom I knew to be a University of Virginia graduate,
in order to ask him, if he would not give my nephew a letter
of introduction to some member of her Faculty? He seemed
delighted at the opportunity, and penned this while I waited,
which may be of some service to you." I thanked him as
best I knew for his trouble, interest and thoughtfulness, and
with natural curiosity proceeded to read the contents, it being
unsealed, which I found well-worded, somewhat difficult to
decipher, but bearing the assurance of friendship — the creation
of at least one friend in the newer field towards which I was
drifting. That evening was passed pleasantly with music and
family talk, and upon retiring I bade them all good-bye as well
as good-night. I was called next morning at 3 o'ck, and
after a hurried breakfast — for be the hour what it may, Uncle
would never allow any one to go hungry from his home — the
trusted coachman called for me in time to take the 4 120 A. M.
train from Camden Station. The gates guarding the entrance
to trains in those days, especially at such an early hour, were
open alike to attendant and passenger, consequently we both
passed to the car where he saw me seated comfortably for what
I considered then a long ride.
Our train soon moved slowly out of the station, leaving him
watching after me, to whom I waved parting farewells receiv-
176 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
ing acknowledgment in return. I was determined to be of good
cheer, knowing upon his return the family would inquire the
details of departure. So far there was nothing to occasion the
least despondency, indeed, I had scarcely left home, as kind
relatives had been taking the place of fond parents and a tu-
multuous city that of the quiet country. But now I was gliding
over hitherto untraveled space, and as the train rushed along
madly in the darkness, swerving ungracefully to the accommo-
dation of short and frequent curves, I could not refrain the
passing thought — any moment may bring me to eternity, a
rapid race for an education. Shortly after leaving Baltimore I
witnessed a very familiar farm-boy scene — the break of day,
so that upon reaching the depot at Washington faces could be
recognized -with accuracy. A wait here of over an hour gave
opportunity for a cup of coffee, a walk around the Capitol,
and a view of our making-up southern train, consisting of a
baggage, mail, and two day coaches with the " Orange, Alex-
andria and Manassas Railroad " lettering and occupying a track
on the elevated street in front (west) of the depot. The
through express, arriving at 6.30 o'ck, brought for us two ad-
ditional cars, one a sleeper, which were detoured around and
up the incline — the bed of tracks in the rear (east) of the
depot building being at least ten feet below its front street
level — by a number of able-bodied horses. This higher street
track was the only connecting link between the two systems,
both then being practically under the Garrett management, as
the " Baltimore and Potomac Railroad " had only just been
completed and the " Pennsylvania Railroad " had not yet shown
its strong hand. A few months later, however, its power began
to be felt, when, having secured control of the " long bridge "
and the short line of railroad to Alexandria, all amicable rela-
tions ceased between the two systems, causing thereafter
through cars of the Baltimore and Ohio Company to be de-
toured around Washington to the river-front, Quontico, thence
by large transfer-boats to Alexandria to make the southern
connection — a condition I found existing when returning home
for Christmas vacation. In September, however, the track on
the elevated street fronting the " Baltimore and Ohio Depot "
soon took an almost right-angle course westward, along a street
apparently paralleling Pennsylvania Avenue, and over this
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 177
route our six cars, in two sections, were drawn slowly by horses
to a point half across the city, where coming to a halt of several
minutes, an engine was attached for more rapid and permanent
progress.
The White House from its southern exposure soon came
in view along with its beautiful landscape and floral grounds,
truly a handsome mansion of English Renaissance style, with
an imposing semicircular projecting bay, nestled at the summit
of a slight incline. To me it had existed only in picture, as
had the Capitol and the rest of Washington, but even this
had impressed so indelibly the true outlines as to defy mis-
taking the veritable object. As we moved slowly to its several
angles of advantage I could but recall, that of all the homes of
various countries' rulers this one had sheltered possibly those
having most discordant opinions, and that only a few of these
had enjoyed there peaceful days unalloyed. Its corner-stone
had been laid by General Washington and it had been occupied
first in 1800 by President John Adams, who the following
year, March 4th, was succeeded by his bitter partisan adversary,
Thomas Jefferson, and thereafter by a list of intermittent party
presidents. General Grant was now its host, and again was
before the country for re-election in the coming November.
With repressed speed we curved upon the " long bridge "(Po-
tomac), about a mile long and of requisite width to accommo-
date a single railroad track and separate ways for teams and
pedestrians. Its open construction readily afforded unob-
structed views of the river in various directions, but that to my
right claimed first and last an unconquerable fascination. We
had left Washington slightly behind time, the schedule being
7.15 o'ck, and now it was an hour later. A more perfect au-
tumn day never dawned, as the bright morning sunlight cast
its golden rays strongly upon the river's southern bank, which
in places gradually lifted itself from the water's edge, seem-
ingly in the north to rise in more abrupt cliffs and still higher
rolling elevations in the distant background. But far to the
front towered in bold relief what appeared almost a living,
speaking sentinel — Arlington — in fawn-like colors, adorned by
majestic columns in white, once the home of the great Con-
federate chieftain, Lee, now the resting place of the brave Fed-
eral dead. As the brilliant rays played upon the many win-
178 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
dows, as likewise upon that silvery sheet of placid water, and
as an occasional passing cloud cast irregular shadows upon the
surrounding hills and dales clothed in verdant garb, Arlington
revealed itself that morning an actual temple of gold. Indeed,
one could have exclaimed justly : Is this nature I see or a canvas
highly tinted? But " will of the wisp-like " the scene soon faded
in the distance to be followed in quick succession by others hav-
ing at least an interest in common if not in degree. Contrast
convinced me that the one so inspiring was not a dream crea-
tion— it was real and ever lives in sweet memory. This to me
became a true retrospective moment, indeed,' the initiative to
an endless sequence of historic thought and Civil War remi-
niscences from which I was inseparable the entire day.
The keen relish for this journey was occasioned by no trivial
or passing fancy, for it had a beginning quite a score of years
before, when as a mere child I not only saw hundreds of Union
soldiers mobilized and mustered into service for what in many
instances proved their deadly march to Richmond, but also
heard read and thoroughly discussed at and from home the nu-
merous startling newspaper accounts of each and every encoun-
ter between the contending armies. Even at that youthful age
opportunity was never lost in conversing with soldiers home
from the front on furlough or leave due to physical disability
and I had frequently been thrilled near unto paroxysms by the
pathetic and startling experiences of those engaged at first
Manassas, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and on the
Merrimac. Indeed, our teacher's announcement one morning
of an additional study — History of the United States — to be
assumed in the near future met with trite opposition from me,
for no one could have accepted the increased duty with greater
satisfaction, nay delight. In the home I had often glanced
over Lossing's History of the Revolution, and Brook's Narra-
tive of the War with Mexico, while there had appeared al-
ready several well-illustrated works on the Civil War — the
last then being " The War Between the States," by Stephens —
which I had carefully read and partly remembered. Was it
at all surprising, therefore, that I could scarcely make myself
realize the dawning of that auspicious day when for the first
time I was to enter Virginia's historic domain, and that along
the very route used a few years before by Generals McDowell
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 179
and Pope in leading their unsuccessful but restless forces,
enthused by the war-cry, " On to Richmond? "
It was true that seven years had passed since the Appomat-
tox surrender, but these were as one long drawn out — preg-
nant with horrible reconstruction scenes and political agita-
tions. In substance the war was still on; bitter partisan feel-
ings had not subsided in the least; internecine strife yet pre-
vailed to an alarming extent in some of the States ; uniforms,
especially overcoats, were still in daily winter use by the heroes
who had worn them in active service ; conversation fell largely
along the lines of warfare, while our National legislation
seemed daft upon a reconstructive policy more calculated to
keep open than heal the wounds already inflicted. Every one
was thoroughly conversant with, in fact thought he knew the
most truthful account of, many war incidents, and enthusiastic-
ally discussed them, while personal experiences, risks, exploits,
sufferings and sensations received first consideration. Then
scarcely to a minor degree the greatness of preferred leaders in
peace and war gave rise to much contention, and their conduct
on various fields, on the rostrum, in State and National coun-
cils caused many expressions of approval and disapproval ac-
cording to individual sentiment and admiration. " The War "
seemed the latest and most absorbing topic, consequently all
things else faded into insignificance as to impression and jnag-
nitude; surely the bitter struggle was not ended, for every
American continued fighting as in the yesterday; certainly
slavery had been abolished but not settled, for nothing is set-
tled until settled right, and therein centered " the bone of
contention," just where at the present day it continues to rest.
Our train to me was one of strangers, and the necessary
refrain seemed beyond endurance. Frequent travel over home-
land roads had made me friendly with conductors and brake-
men, whom I invariably found courteous and communicative,
and of all times I now felt their need most. The idea of rail-
roading in some form as a future pursuit had more than once
suggested itself to me, as it often does to others somewhere in
life's early stage — the result no doubt of a fancied conception
'in youth that one should follow whatever is most accessible
and inviting, without duly allowing for puerile imagination and
inexperience. At any rate my opportunities had been such as to
i8o UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
efface all timidity in approaching those in charge of trains, and
the brakeman assigned to our two cars had a good face and ap-
peared kindly disposed. Until we cleared the " long bridge "
he was a very busy body, for in those days, when compressed
air was a rare service, brakemen were true to the name, as at
every proper signal they had to jump to the wheel for a severe
test of strength and judgment. In a short time, however, he
loitered in the rear of the car, near my seat, when I inquired :
" How long have you been running this route? " He replied,
" About three years." " Then you are familiar with the points
of interest ! " To which he answered — " I ought to be." The
formality over, I continued a fusilade of questions, which he
answered promptly, pleasantly and satisfactorily. He was
strong in patience, and more generous with time and knowledge
than I had reason to expect, for he dare neglect his many duties.
The distance to Alexandria, although only eight miles, ap-
peared that morning far greater, as I had taken in so many
new and unusual sights, and as we had lost nearly half an hour
waiting a train at a junction near the canal several miles north
of the city.
As we pulled into Alexandria I was impressed forcibly with
the many crude frame hovels lining either side of the track —
seemingly a district of squalid poverty — whose open doorways
and steps were filled with colored women and children, sparsely
clothed but laughing and vicing with each other in giddy de-
light over the approach of our well-laden train. The majority
of buildings appeared extremely plain, many, both brick and
wood, regaled in fresh or faded whitewash, evidence at least of
cleanliness and neatness, while a few of modern design loomed
up at commanding points, apparently not exceeding four or
five stories. The depot was a composite structure, brick and
frame portions, one and two stories with a train shed in front
(westward) extending over several tracks and the length of
three or four cars. The roofs were pointed and the entire
building wore a coat of either grayish-blue paint, calcimine or
whitewash, according to its various sections; the main por-
tion, brick, contained waiting rooms for men and women ,^
divided by ticket and telegraph offices. On the same side
(east) and a little southward stood a moderate-sized round-
house, where the engines of the road were housed and given
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 181
necessary attention. For these natural conditions I thought none
the less of Alexandria, as I had never seen a railroad pass
through a desirable section of any city — such that would
leave a favorable impression upon the passer-by.
The friendly brakeman in going out with some parapher-
nalia remarked — " The train has a new make-up here and for
that ten minutes are required." As we came to a standstill I
jumped off my car and walked over to the depot, for a better
view of the crowd and surroundings, and while there saw our
engine steam away and replaced by another, which stood
belching forth, in hatefully loud accents, steam and smoke,
as it was being oiled and looked over finally by its master.
It seemed so self-conscious and solicitous of notice that I gave
it more than passing glance — sufficient to observe that it was
built at Paterson, New Jersey, a wood consumer, with large
flaring smoke-stack, high and heavy fly-wheels, and the gen-
eral appearance of newness, thereby assuring speed, strength
and durability. During the wait each car wheel went through
a process of tapping or sounding; ice and water were supplied
the coolers; considerable baggage was taken on, and a num-
ber of passengers joined us, among them several well-dressed
young men whom I reckoned students having possibly a des-
tination in common with myself. Shortly after 9 o'ck, our
train was again in motion, and still I seemed a " stranger in a
strange land " — the more unfortunate from me recognizing
that here was the true beginning of the " Orange and Alex-
andria Railroad," and that the next four hours could speak
much of history if I only had an intelligent interpreter to asso-
ciate narratives with places of enactment. The new conductor
in a short time came around, and tore from my ticket a coupon
giving in lieu thereof a small piece of yellow cardboard having
printed on one side the names and distances of stations, and
on the other a small advertisement with directions to this,
effect: Washington City, Virginia Midland and Great South-
ern R. R. — put this on your hat and avoid the frequent call
of " Ticket Sir ! " In addition it bore a picture of a silk hat
and a sentence limiting stop-over privileges, signed by J. F.
Peyton, Conductor. The new brakeman to our car appeared
in a few minutes, and looked at the smoldering fire, ventilators
and such incidentals coming under his care. He wore the air
182 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
of experience and possessed a face of equal kindness to the
one met and parted with the hour before, so I determined
to address him at first convenience. Fortunately not long
thereafter he took a seat in the rear of the car near me, and at
once I passed him my Baltimore paper, The Sun, which he
accepted with thanks. In a short while I inquired the length
of his service on the road, if he were a Virginian, where he
lived, etc., only to receive acceptable answers and an inclina-
tion to prolong the conversation. He related some personal
experiences at second Manassas and other turbulent fields
towards which we were hastening; his father Henry Knox,
whose name he bore, had been killed at Chancellorsville the
afternoon before " Stonewall " Jackson received his fatal
wound; an older brother had experienced the fortunes — mis-
fortunes— of the Army of Northern Virginia from beginning
to finish, while he himself had joined the ranks (Longstreet's
Division) in early August, 1863, as it returned to Culpeper
from the battle of Gettysburg, and remained therein until the
Appomattox surrender. He had lived on a farm near Warren-
ton prior to the war and enlistment, and told his story with
such rural simplicity and earnestness as to cause no doubt of
its truthfulness, while his two visible scars — one on the fore-
head, another on the left hand — needed no verification by
words. He was pleased with my interest and the seeming
familiarity with which I handled dates, contests and person-
alities of the war period, the more 'so from my residence hav-
ing been outside of the belligerent district, but his surprise
abated somewhat when I revealed my objective point, and
that I had so been absorbed in war records as to have written
after puerile fashion quite a history. Henceforth we were very
loquacious, and for the rest of the journey I never lost his com-
panionship and explanations save when duties compelled his
absence. He had been on the road five years, making three
round-trips per week from Alexandria to Lynchburg, and
knew well every historic acre through which it ran, impressing
the fact that it played a most significant part in bellum days;
while I had so often seen in print the words " Orange and
Alexandria," as it connected the two places eighty miles apart,
that I fancied it the greatest southern outlet, deserving com-
parison with the magnificent trunk lines of our country. But
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 183
how did I find it on that memorable day? As much time was
spent at the rear car window and in standing on the platform,
catching every opportunity offered for inspection, and being
better acquainted with the Pennsylvania system than any other,
a comparison with it became natural but strikingly sad. Here
grass often occurred between the tracks almost to their con-
cealment, and at times we ran so slow as to reveal portions of
track badly worn — from my viewpoint absolutely unsafe. My
companion affirmed that much of the road-bed was still in its
war-time form — the same light iron rails, ties and bridges
serving yet wherever thought possible, the only replacement
occurring in places of total destruction by the armies or age —
and in spite of that the controlling powers manifested confi-
dence in its secureness and safety. Curves were almost in-
numerable, seldom a mile without one or more, which in round-
ing, owing to imperfect curvature and joints, produced a
screeching, binding noise — a chattering song positively alarm-
ing to the quietly disposed or nervous passenger. I could not
but exclaim : What a road ! And yet I then realized as never
before that no other had ever experienced commensurate
vicissitudes — carrying as it did burdens heavy and light alike
for the one or other army according to that in control, serv-
ing simultaneously often the Confederates with its southern
portion, the Federals with its more northern, suffering at times
partial destruction from either forces in the effort to render
abortive the emergent or matured plans of the advancing or
retreating foe. Time and again various sections had been
torn up for miles, ties burned and rails diverted to other uses ;
important bridges had frequently been destroyed only to occa-
sion excessive expense and delay, and yet that was the ex-
pected fate of war — a bridge was praised for the safe passage
of its present load, and there all gratitude ceased — it could
not serve another. We had now covered about twenty miles
and were nearing Fairfax Station, several miles south of the
Court House bearing that name, around which considerable
skirmishing took place in the advance on Bull Run. The next
four miles brought us to Clifton (Union Mills), and as my
informant made ready for the stop he remarked : The stream
just beyond this station is the famous Bull Run. The country
now entered was of irregular surface with many hills, dales
184 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
and streams of varying size; the soil exposed was brownish-
red sand and clay permeated with rocks and stones of all
dimensions, and woods were plentiful, consisting of many
kinds of trees, saplings and undergrowth, bearing autumnal
foliage. The railroad spanning Bull Run had been destroyed
by General Beauregard at first Manassas, in order to prevent
an advantage to General McDowell in case of Southern
defeat, and also met a similar fate at the hands of General
Jackson in his raid around General Pope, thereby severing the
latter's communication with Washington and rendering Con-
federate success more certain at second Manassas. As we came
upon the bridge I felt somewhat apprehensive, but it proved
secure and afforded a fine view of the stream below having a
good volume of reddish-yellow water noisily hurrying its way
to the Potomac. Its banks were fringed with timber, more or
less rocky, especially the northern, giving often an unbroken
range southward. The distance from this stream to Manas-
sas Junction, four miles, was covered at creditable speed, but
in spite of that the remaining trenches and mounded works
could easily be seen — those having timely sheltered so many
brave and loyal hearts. These with their many grass-covered
portions, were of irregular outline and showed marked signs
of denudation by natural elements and the husbandman's
hand, as fields, near and far, gave evidence of a moderate
spirit of industry at the then seeding season. The railroad
coursed through numerous deep and shallow cuts of character-
istic reddish-brown soil, but in the clear was revealed gently
sloping hills and plateaux, furrowed by ravines of varying
length and direction, and studded with clumps of undergrowth
— chiefly pine and oak. Assured that the stop at Manassas
would be several minutes, I alighted and walked the station
platform in order to secure various view-points of surround-
ings, which in a degree were disappointing from revealing
simply well-defined country on every side. The village, of
not more than five or six hundred, lay mostly to right (west),
a number of frame dwellings of modest design and size, also
a few stores being visible. To the southward on the same side
could be seen a well-filled cemetery of Confederate dead, and
around in close proximity to our train many colored women
and children grouped themselves. There was a generous
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 185
sprinkling of white adults, a few without arm or leg, various
crude vehicles, some with a single or pair of steers, or a care-
lessly groomed horse, while a number of those with saddles
stood hitched in the background intently grazing upon the
sprigs of grass in the fence-locks and on the roadside. I could
but be impressed with the serenity and stillness of the spot,
and made to lament the aching hearts its name revived at
many firesides — for within a radius of three miles thousands
of patriotic souls had sacrificed an earthly existence in defend-
ing conceived rights or wrongs. It was here that on July 21,
1 86 1, General McDowell (Sherman, Burnside, etc.) on the
one side, and General Beauregard (Ewell, Longstreet, Early,
Johnston, Jackson, etc.) on the other began the dreadful con-
flict that lasted four weary years; that Mr. Davis and Gen-
erals Beauregard and Johnston had their memorable confer-
ence which checked the then foremost southern ambition of
following up Confederate success by " On to Washington ; "
that a year later, August 29-30, 1862, General Pope (McDow-
ell, Hooker, Siegel, Porter, Banks, Kearney, etc.) met a foe
worthy of his steel in General Lee (Jackson, Longstreet, Hill,
Stuart, etc.) ; that owing to railroad connections, the con-
vergence of several common roads, and emergency conditions,
either one or the other army at various times located the quar-
termaster's commissary and ordnance stores; and that General
Jackson fell upon such a desirable prize belonging to General
Pope, thereby well resuscitating his hungry and poorly clothed
soldiers. Those were truly days of carnage, strife, unrest, and
for the moment I could not refrain from drawing the contrast
between peace and war — now a reign of perfect silence, and
only a few visible reminders of the not remote. stormy past. In
revery I boarded my train, and as we slowly sped along viewed
intently the cemetery and a single track road branching west-
ward, at right angles from our own — that which the brakeman
affirmed to be the Manassas Gap Division, running to Fort
Royal in the Shenandoah Valley, first through the Thorough-
fare Gap of the Bull Run Mountains, then the Manassas Gap
of the Blue Ridge, both of whose outlines could readily be
seen in the near and distant background. It was over thirty-
four miles of this road, Piedmont to Manassas Junction, that
General Johnston, July 20, 1861, conveyed his army of nine
i86 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
thousand men to join General Beauregard, thereby making
possible a Confederate victory of first Manassas. This same
Thoroughfare Gap was used by General Jackson (Longstreet,
Hood, etc.) in his raid around General Pope that culminated in
success at second Manassas ; also by the opposing forces under
General McClellan, November 5, 1862 ; and finally by General
Longstreet in his advance and retreat from Gettysburg, thus
causing its high and precipitous sides to reverberate often the
fearful din and clatter of moving artillery and infantry en
route to havoc and destruction. Four miles brought us to
Bristoe (Bristow), even less pretentious than Manassas, and
sufficiently removed to be used with safety at both battles for
field hospitals. Here General Jackson, August 26, 1862, ran
upon a portion of General Pope's supplies, capturing two
heavily laden trains, while on the following day General
Hooker's division engaged General Ewell's division of General
Jackson's corps, to the latter's detriment, during which the
railroad to the south (west) of the station was torn up in sev-
eral places and many important bridges burned, only to be re-
paired in a few days later by General Banks, so that the por-
tion of store-trains to the south, saved from General Jackson's
raid, could be sent northward towards Manassas. Here also
General Hill's corps, October 14, 1863, engaged General War-
ren, while later in the same month General Lee, in pursuing
General Meade towards Manassas, again destroyed the rail-
road, but retreating, General Meade pressed him closely mak-
ing necessary restoration.
Several miles more brought us to Catlett's, an insignificant
station, but around which the contending armies often marched
and countermarched. Here General Lee, returning from
Gettysburg, encamped one of his divisions for a while, thence
moved to Culpeper, tearing up the railroad the entire distance.
Three miles and we were at Warrenton Junction (Calverton),
a small station nine miles east of Warrenton, where the Army
of the Potomac, under Generals Sumner, Hooker, Franklin,
etc., encamped in the autumn of 1862. Here General Grant,
April, 1864, came near being taken prisoner by Colonel Mosby.
The General during that spring made weekly trips to Wash-
ington from Culpeper, his headquarters, using special trains,
and it was on one of these return trips that the special and
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 187
Colonel Mosby happened at this point a few moments apart.
The regular train had passed and as everything around the
station seemed deathly quiet, the Colonel and his command
made only a short pause, crossed the track and pushed slowly
westward, only when a mile distant, and in perfect view, to
hear and see the special arrive, stop, and hurriedly depart.
As a fact upon learning of the Colonel's proximity the General
hastened his escape, thereby preventing the capture of valu-
able booty. It was at this point that General Pope ordered
General Porter, though nine miles away, to join him on the
night of August 27, 1862, when his tardiness in obeying as
well as his indifference at second Manassas led to him being
court-martialed, and cashiered.
Six and ten miles brought us respectively to Bealeton and
Rappahannock (Remington), both simple railroad stations
of a few scattered houses and stores, but thoroughly rich in
war associations — the former a seat of battle, January 14,
1864, the latter an encampment of General Pope and his nu-
merous forces, August, 1862. Just beyond Rappahannock
we crossed at considerable elevation a good-sized yellowish-
brown stream, Rappahannock River, flowing southeasterly
and joined later by the Rapidan River, before entering the
James. It was along the south (west) side of the Rappahan-
nock River, during the summer of 1862, before and after the
battle of Antietam, that General Lee encamped his two corps
under Generals Longstreet and Jackson, whence they marched
to engage in the battle of Fredericksburg ; while it was to the
north (east) side of the same stream that General McClellan
advanced after his famous Antietam experience. The con-
tending armies also accepted these banks for winter-quarters,
January-March, 1863, gladly considering the location a ver-
itable haven from the overtaxing duties of the year. To
thousands of those heroes deserving rest the ripple of that
stream seemed sweet music, and although its waters had min-
gled with the blood of their many comrades, it now served
simply as a narrow amicable dividing line. It was the Army
of the Potomac (Generals Burnside, Hooker, etc.) on the
north bank, and the Army of Northern Virginia (Generals
Lee, Jackson, etc.) on the south bank, that during those severe
months, lion and lamb like, determined to lie down together.
188 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Indeed, by a welcomed comity no firing was countenanced
on either side, and any one could parade the shores out of
harm's way — opposing pickets enjoyed frequent communica-
tion, gladly hailing all opportunities for friendly exchange of
thoughts and commodities, the Confederates sending across
little rafts ladened with tobacco, the Federals returning them
filled with coffee, salt, etc.
Our next station, Brandy, was five miles southward and a
stop of two minutes revealed a few commonplace houses,
having in the background a rich fertile soil apparently well-
cultivated. Here General Lee, June 8, 1863, reviewed Stu-
art's brigade; W. H. F. Lee received a severe wound; Gen-
eral Stuart had a severe cavalry encounter with General Pleas-
onton, proving the excellent mettle of the contending forces;
General Ewell encamped, June 10, 1863; General Sedgwick
sought as an objective point to engage General Lee, October,
1863, only to find him in an entirely different location than
supposed; and General Meade had headquarters, November,
1863, until General Grant's visit, March 10, 1864.
Our next stop, six miles distant, was Culpeper, where sev-
eral minutes were spent on the sidewalk which paralleled and
separated the track and store fronts. Besides the eager multi-
tude of all classes standing around to witness the day's great
event — coming of the Washington train — there appeared in
greater evidence that which hitherto I had never encountered —
the famed colored venders of tempting eatables, as fried
chicken, hard-boiled eggs, sandwiches, cakes and apples. These
men and maidens paraded the sidewalk several times the entire
length of our coaches, supporting on their heads and in their
arms well-proportioned platters heavily ladened with these
tastefully arranged viands, whose qualities they loudly sang.
The appearance, odor and advertising expressions appealed
to many, myself included, purchasing several yellowish-green
apples, which I found as represented — much better than they
looked — succulent, firm and fine grained, bearing the name
" Albemarle Pippin," a variety I had never seen, but by the
brakeman claimed to have no superior in the South. Culpeper
was several times a disputed possession of the contending
armies, being the scene of cavalry engagements, September
13, October 12-13, 1863; where General Lee entrenched after
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 189
the battles of Antietam (September, 1862) and Gettysburg
(July, 1863), from which latter field the Army of the Potomac
under General Meade, followed and encamped for the winter ;
where General Grant set out from on his Wilderness cam-
paign, and where to the left lay hundreds of Federal dead in
a well-kept National Cemetery.
The run to Rapidan (Rapid Ann) was twelve miles and
only one stop had to be made at Mitchell, the midway point.
The country through which we glided compared favorably
with that just left behind, of which it was a continuation, and
while all directions were inviting from an agricultural stand-
point, the trainman suggested that I direct most attention to
the left (east and southeast), for said he: We are passing
now through the southern portion of Culpeper County and
shortly will enter Orange, but these counties are bounded on
the east by one of even greater celebrity, Spotsylvania, in
which Fredericksburg is located some thirty miles away.
There General Burnside (Hooker, Franklin, Sumner, etc.) to
his great mortification and sacrifice of reputation engaged Gen-
eral Lee (Jackson, Longstreet, etc.), December 13, 1862, while
ten miles nearer is Chancellorsville, where General Hooker
(Meade, Hancock, Sickles, Sedgwick, Howard, Reynolds,
Couch, Miles, Slocum, etc.) encountered General Lee (Jack-
son, Hill, Longstreet, Ewell, Stuart, McLaws, etc.) May 2-3,
1863, fighting that ever . memorable battle during which the
invincible " Stonewall " Jackson lost his life, as did my poor
father. Then still five miles nearer, but in the same direction
and county is the historic " Wilderness," where the Army of
the Potomac, General Grant (Meade, Hancock, Warren, Sedg-
wick, Burnside, etc.) met in deadly combat the Army of
Northern Virginia, General Lee (Longstreet, Ewell, Hill,
Early, Rhodes, etc.) May 5-6, 1864, while one week later, May
12, these armies again tried strength at the county-seat giving
to the world the battle of Spotsylvania (Court House). When
leaving Mitchell, a modest station, the trainman called my at-
tention to a small mountain in the near distance on our right,
Cedar Mountain, around whose eastern base and over the few
intervening miles was fought, August 9, 1862, that short but
conspicuous battle of the same name between Generals Jack-
son and Pope.
190 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
As we passed in rapid succession hill, dale, woodland and
stream, often repeated in and out of the order, I could almost
fancy myself going to the front, for the war seemed no longer
of the past but a real present active conflict. Mental emotion
became more and more acute from the interesting portrayal
of busy scenes and daring deeds performed at every step of our
advance in more turbulent days, but in this moment of reverie
my guide, for that he was, exclaimed : We now are crossing
the Rapidan (River). A glance revealed the railroad bridge
considerably elevated above the rapidly flowing stream, which
appeared fully a hundred feet wide and to contain a good
volume of yellowish-red water. The outlook was unob-
structed, the banks gradually inclined at points while at others '
became rolling and precipitous; the flow was eastward and
ultimately joined the Rappahannock some ten miles this side
of Fredericksburg. Near the railroad bridge the Army of the
Potomac, General Meade, encamped, September 1863, taking
absolute control of the stream for miles, but early in the fol-
lowing spring it retired to the north bank, when the Army of
Northern Virginia, General Lee (Ewell, etc.) advanced to
occupy the south bank. We soon reached Rapidan station,
not unlike many stopping places encountered that day, being
extremely simple and small, but rich in wartime experiences.
To this point General Lee returned after the battle of Gettys-
burg, July 1863, General Meade remaining at Culpeper, and
the opposing cavalry had active engagements here, September
14, October 10, while to. the left, at Martin's Ford, the two
forces came to bitter conflict. We now had only six miles to
Orange (Court House) through a succession of well-cultivated
farms of irregular undulating surface with visible running
streams. I accepted the few minutes' stop in walking the
length of the platform seeking various viewpoints of the quaint
town, in appearance of good size and not unlike Culpeper in
general activity about the station, as here was also to be en-
countered a variety of quiet onlookers and more active vend-
ers proclaiming loudly the quality and prices of tempting
edibles. One fancied he could see at every turn traces of the
war, since intervening time had apparently brought no recov-
ery from drains then made — for she as conspicuously as any
other point had kept life, to her own depletion, in the contend-
University — Chemical Laboratory
(Erected 1868-69)
University — Mechanical Laboratory
(Erected 1896-98)
FACING 190
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 191
ing armies. It was the county-seat of a rich agricultural dis-
trict, and the few modern buildings presented happy contrast
with the prevailing plain and uniform structures. General
Lee, spring of 1864, had headquarters about two miles north-
east of the town, and various divisions of his army had often
stacked arms temporarily in the Main Street seeking needed
rest.
The distance to Gordonsville was nine miles with one stop
about midway, Madison, named after the President and not
far from his former home, Montpelier. Upon leaving
Orange we at once passed on our right the base of the largest
hill so far encountered, but these now continued to grow in
frequency and size until the end of our journey. The land
no longer seemed so well adapted for best agricultural results,
nor was it so highly cultivated and treated as around Culpeper,
Rapidan and Orange — farmers being less careful of outbuild-
ings, dividing fences, ravine banks, and homes, which were of
less expensive style and type. Gordonsville itself apparently
possessed nothing to attract a stranger, as only a good-sized
whitewashed hotel paralleled the tracks and a platform beyond
ordinary dimensions accommodated traffic. While a few
stores and numerous small whitewashed houses indicated the
town, yet it did possess more than ordinary significance as
the point of intersection of our railroad (Orange and Alex-
andria) with the Central (Chesapeake and Ohio). For years
the former road only extended to Orange, but a connecting
link of nine miles was built, in order to use conjointly, by
traffic arrangements, the Central's track for the next twenty-
one miles — Gordonsville to Charlottesville — whence its own
trunk line continued southward to Lynchburg. Thus a junc-
tion of two important railroads Gordonsville was protected
amply during the war as it was of great strategic value to the
Army of Northern Virginia. Various divisions were passing
and repassing almost continuously; General Lee spent there
August, 1862, and later accepted headquarters for the winter,
while General Longstreet followed the example during the
winter and spring of 1864; General Jackson was not an in-
frequent visitor, and indeed a considerable battle was fought
nearby, December 28, 1864. Apart from its former activity
it seemed yet a busy place, for within the hour of our arrival
192 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
four trains, when on schedule time reached that point caus-
ing many persons to loiter around the station. Among these
not a few were young students shaking hands with one
another, filled with kindly expressions over renewed associa-
tion. With some the meeting evidently was by accident, with
others by arrangement, presenting altogether a veritable love-
feast — a happy exchange of radiant smiles and fraternity
grips. Who they were and whither bound found ready
answer in casually observing the frank and audible conversa-
tion in no wise intended for themselves alone. The Richmond
train, bearing its contingent of old and new University
students, had arrived a few minutes before our Washington
train, causing that youthful multitude to be grouped together
here and there on the platform awaiting those we brought
along — so it was the reunion of familiar forms and faces from
various sections of Virginia that occasioned the excessive
hilarity with its outside notice. It was then for the first time
that I sadly realized what it was to be a freshman — unknown
in an unknown land — barred, as I then erroneously thought, by
a code of college ethics from making advances to upper class-
men. Above all merriment and sober reflection, however,
came the ever distracting element of humanity — the noisy and
by this time less tolerant food venders — even more numerous
and active than at previous places, owing to the lateness of the
hour, after midday, and the first stop on the Central that fur-
nished supplies to the weary and hungry traveler, that which
made the demand and consumption somewhat phenomenal. A
piece of fried chicken and bread in one hand, an egg and salt
in the other, with more or less greasy mouth and fingers,
seemed the rule rather than exception. My Albemarle pippins
were of the past, and that ever ready organ, stomach, for that
it was in those days, carried a craving for all visible goodies,
so, following the prevailing fashion, I invested in the Virginia
fowl. As I now revert to that occasion and investment it
brings a certain sense of delight — the satisfaction of having
filled the aching void with the true non-flying bird. Yes, no
one need wish for better than that prepared in that day and
place by the elder generation of faithful colored cooks.
CHAPTER X
ARRIVAL AT THE UNIVERSITY — MR. JEFFERSON'S CHILD AND
PET
Last twenty-one miles — Gordonsville to Charlottesville ; Lindseys, Kes-
wick, Rivanna River, Shadwell — Mr. Jefferson's birthplace — Monti-
cello, his home and place of burial ; Charlottesville — friendly greeting
of students; arrival at the University; meeting the Proctor, Major
Peyton, and the Chairman, Colonel Venable, with whom I dined;
letter from Colonel Charles Marshall; selecting room; passing of the
first few days; first letter home; University work selected and begun
— its character ; meeting students ; mass meeting in the Court
House, etc.
AFTER a restless stop of ten minutes at Gordonsville we
found ourselves curving slowly with screeching noise upon the
" Chesapeake and Ohio " track, to be increased shortly beyond
our accustomed speed, as the roadbed was evidently of higher
order than that already passed over, while the rails seemed
heavier and firmer — indeed, made of steel and of English im-
portation according to my informant. This reconciled me to
the quicker service now enjoyed, that which would have made
acceptable a greater distance than the twenty-one miles yet
to be covered, including the three stops — Lindseys (Cobham),
Keswick and Shadwell, six, fourteen and eighteen miles re-
spectively. The road now entered a more rugged and hilly
territory with scarcely a half mile curveless, some short and
on grade, while the land gave evidence of richness, but the
kind farmers care little to cultivate save in the absence of less
rough and rocky. Lindseys, a small station around which the
hand of industry appeared active, came shortly in sight, as
did within the next fifteen minutes a larger village, Keswick,
nestled even in a more thriving neighborhood, where preten-
tious homes crowned the surrounding hilltops and inclines.
Our route lay at the base and between slopes of a hundred
or more feet, then in the open or through deep artificial cuts
of solid rocks concealing in passing our train from landscape
193
194 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
views, and contributing a disagreeable weird resonance from
which one is always glad to make escape. A glimpse of an
occasional cascade, entire or part, following abrupt declivities
could be caught in shade and sunlight, while a rapidly running
stream often added picturesqueness to the scene. Suddenly
we came to hug for a mile or two the north (east) bank of
the Rivanna River, when every moment brought us nearer to
a mountain base on our left, whose lofty altitude continued to
overshadow more and more our onward path. The stop at
Shadwell of a minute sufficed to give those on the alert an
idea of Mr. Jefferson's birth-place — the estate inherited from
his father, which gradually lifted itself in irregular nodules
of gently declining sides to the north (east) of the station and
stream, whose rapid flow towards the James through hills
and valleys afforded in the distance a panorama of an im-
mense rolling plain relieved by a fading yellow line. Slightly
to the southwest towered above us some six hundred feet the
graceful little mountain, Monticello, carrying upon its summit
in clear outline the majestic home built by the immortal Jef-
ferson, while just opposite the waving crests in the northwest
ascended even higher to vanish in the distance from the bluish
horizon. Onward we sped encountering the mountain sides
studded with stately trees and dense foliage, with scarcely
diminished size and quantity towards the apex, immense over-
hanging boulders projecting their rugged faces partly covered
with moss and indigenous ferns, persistent autumnal leaves
assuming beautiful variegated tints, the brilliant shining sun
diffusing its caloric rays from the western quarter causing
shadows to fall now and then at various angles as the train
tortuously " drew its slow length along." A moment we were in
the clear, then lost to all save noise and a mountainous passage.
Surely these last few miles afforded a succession of pictur-
esque surroundings in joyous contrast with anything encoun-
tered during the day, while none was quite as impressive as
that, after hugging the river's northern bank, of grading
above the water-level nearly a hundred feet to pass over the
stream by a long substantial unobstructed iron bridge. Thus
suspended apparently amid air, the view of the river north-
ward was somewhat unique, revealing in the foreground a
high dam across the entire width, over which rolled in
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 195
lively fashion a large volume of reddish-yellow opaque water,
while above (northward), until broken by a right divergence,
appeared a smooth continuous golden sheet. Below (south-
ward) the river-bed revealed many rocky boulders of varying
size, around which turbulent waters rushed and spouted —
for the autumn equinox had spent itself only a few days
before, giving mountain streams excessive volume and swift-
ness, thereby causing the Rivanna to betray its ordinary form
and habit. At the western terminus of the " long bridge "
loomed up on our left a large factory building, Charlottes-
ville Woolen Mills, whose running power was supplied mostly
by the waters beyond the retaining dam. We were now ap-
proaching our last milestone, and for that distance I stood at
the rear car door in order to gaze at Monticello from the best
exposed position. Often the deep cuts broke the level view
only to reveal in the clear the entire landscape to be a con-
tinuous table-land composed of highly cultivated fields of an
irregular rolling surface, ornamented here and there with
pleasant arbored homes. It was the Piedmont Valley unfold-
ing itself in beautiful panorama.
One long shrill blast from the engine, the passing of outlying
buildings, and the retarding speed brought a recognition of
my approaching destination, confirmed in a few moments by
the brakeman swinging open the doors and loudly calling out
several times, " Charlottesville." We were entering the town
at a very slow pace, with engine bell rhythmically pealing its
note of warning and the car-wheels accenting the friction of
hand-applied brakes. But above all could be heard distinctly
the penetrating sound of a gong, which I soon saw to be of
good size and manipulated vigorously by a stalwart man of
color, wearing highly polished brass insignia in front of his
cap and on the lapel of his coat. Added to this unwelcome
noise came that of many voices uttering names and expressions
to me thoroughly unfamiliar — " Central Hotel ; " " Parish
House;" "Monticello Hotel;" "Hack, Sir;" "Buss, Boss;"
" Right up to the University," etc. Amid such confusion and
pandemonium our train came to a standstill, my car's forward
platform just edging up to the east flagging of the Central Ho-
tel, whose sign I easily read from the car platform with grip
and umbrella in hand, but lost sight of in descending to the
196 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
pavement, since then the din appeared to grow stronger and I
found myself surrounded by all shades of drivers and hotel so-
licitors. The depot building was brick, one story, many years
old, on the west side of the track, but south side of Main Street,
and along the entire width together with considerable street
space westward stood a line of various styled vehicles awaiting
patronage. I quickly scanned the array — apparently belonging
to a different period than that in which " we lived, moved and
had our being." While to have singled out the special one
used by Mr. Jefferson, or the driver that had served him at
Monticello, fifty years before, was more than an ordinary task,
yet the majority looked equal to that service. Indeed, all these
so styled hacks were heavy, unwieldy, old and dilapidated,
having experienced many years of constant use as well as abuse,
while the occupants of the boxes possessed silvered heads — hav-
ing grown decrepit in faithful bondage. One of these from
polite salutation and urgent solicitations appealed especially
to me, and to him I passed over my traps and baggage check,
never a moment questioning integrity or trustfulness. In a
few minutes, however, with my identification, he produced the
trunk, which, by a knack familiar to those of his craft, was
landed from the shoulder to a place high up in front near
where he was to sit and drive. In the wait I saw at least a
hundred students, some who had journeyed along with me,
others who, having arrived at earlier hours, were there to
greet the return of fellow classmates. On every side unusual
rejoicing prevailed as friendly faces renewed their quondam
smile and hands their secret grasp. Cheery laughter rang out
on every side, frenzying the atmosphere with the best social
qualities of youth, and impressing the stranger that above all
things the most loyal friendship pervaded those attending
the University. The hacks were soon filled, leaving a large
walking contingent, chiefly from choice, as riding proved
a rare indulgence by the old and thoroughly familiar
students.
Our procession headed westward up a short easy grade,
curving slightly leftward to follow in a straight line the Main
Street for a half mile, then veered leftward up a short ascent,
Vinegar Hill (Collis Acetum), along a roadbed elevated thirty
feet above the street level in the town, at first southwest for
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
197
a hundred or more yards, thence to the right, westward, for
a mile, at which distance the buildings, trees and outlying
grounds of the University could plainly be seen. This much
traveled boulevard was practically level and straight, although
just before reaching the railroad crossing near the entrance
to the University precinct it made a slight divergence to the
right — northwest. After engaging at the depot the carriage
and placing therein my hand effects, I aided the driver some-
what in designating my trunk among the many, and upon re-
turning to take my seat found sitting within a lady dressed m
black. Her hair was arranged neatly, but severely plain,
curving from a distinct middle part to slightly cover a decid-
edly intelligent forehead; the face was kind and expressive,
but to me a trifle sad — as though she carried years of weighty
responsibility. Having thrown carelessly my light luggage
upon the rear seat, she was occupying the front one until I
insisted on an exchange — a suggestion readily accepted with
an avowed apology for trespassing knowingly in a pre-engaged
vehicle, but in the dilemma of none other, " necessity knew no
law." Thereafter we shared the rear seat, and she soon
brightened into conversation upon University matters to my
benefit and pleasure. My prospective course, preparation,
day's journey and even family came in as agreeable topics,
and in spite of the rattling conveyance giving annoyance as it
bounded heedlessly over cobbles of various size, the end of the
ride came too quickly. As the driver made his first right-angle
turn leftward at Wash. Hall he came to a stop, when the lady
remarked : I leave you here. At once I alighted, held open
the door, assisted her to the pavement, and expressed my good
fortune in having had her as a companion and the desire for
her name, she being the first lady with whom I had enjoyed a
conversation in Virginia. She withdrew smilingly and said :
" I am Mrs. Davis, wife of one of the professors " (Dr. John
Staige Davis).
I re-entered the carriage only for a few hundred feet, Proc-
tor's office, midway this (east) range of buildings that paral-
leled the driveway. The door stood open, indicative of the
mild temperature without, the hospitable sentiment within,
and on the pavement in front were several trunks to which my
own was added. Upon entering the office I saw, seated behind
198 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
a long table covered with green baize, a handsome middle-
aged gentleman with florid complexion and tall figure, Major
Green Peyton, surrounded by a half dozen students, who in
turn were arranging for rooms and tuition. While waiting
I observed the doings of those ahead and followed their
example by introducing myself and explaining my wants. I
spoke of my correspondence with the Chairman, to whose office
I wished to be directed, and expressed the desire for a quietly
located room, and although other students in this time had
joined our ranks, standing around impatiently, he in an
affable, obliging and deliberate manner supplied every pos-
sible detail. Assured of my trunk's safety I followed his
directions to the Chairman's office, by turning left outside of
the door, proceeding up the range a hundred or more feet,
swinging left at right angle along a gradual incline of several
hundred feet to the rear of a parallel row of buildings at a
higher elevation — reaching their front by a ten-foot opening
flanked by a dozen steps, thereby coming for the first time
upon the " Lawn." Here I turned right, ascended a half
dozen stone steps, and continued forward a hundred yards to
room No. 8, whose location I prejudged in the distance
from the line of young men filed out on the pavement. I found,
as at the Proctor's office, the door wide open revealing a mod-
erate-sized desk backed against the north wall, with an ordi-
nary large office chair in front occupied by a middle-aged gen-
tleman inclined to be fleshy. As he sat there one could readily
catch his back and side view, and when turning occasionally his
head towards the door the strong facial features became dis-
tinctly visible and impressive. At least ten students were
ahead of me, and feeling no hurry in taking position in line
until several others were about to join, I passed some minutes
viewing the beautiful terraced Lawn adorned with its impos-
ing pantheonic Rotunda, towering white columns and long
colonnades. One by one the numbers faded until I myself
faced the Chairman, who spoke to me, as I observed he had
to the others, with a kindly smile and a deliberate deep-toned
voice : " Well, it is your turn next." To which I replied :
" Yes Sir, I believe so " — at the same time reaching in my side
pocket for the letter of introduction my Uncle had given me
the afternoon before and placing it in his hand. Being un-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 199
sealed and bearing his name he quickly unfolded it to reveal
the contents:
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, Sept. 27th, 1872.
My dear Col. V enable:
On behalf of my personal friend, Mr. Luther M. Reynolds, a leading
member of our Baltimore Bar, I take great pleasure in introducing to
you his nephew, David M. R. Culbreth, the bearer of this letter, who is
about to enter the University. I bespeak for this young man while with
you, your kind consideration, assuring you that any courtesies extended
will be appreciated highly by him, his uncle and your sincere friend.
CHARLES MARSHALL,
N. E. Cor. St. Paul and Saratoga Sts.
Although I had read the letter several times, neither the
contents nor the attached names conveyed to me any special
significance beyond a friendly indorsement and a happy me-
dium of making acquainted two strangers from a social stand-
point. It was written on small-sized letter paper, in a legible
open hand with letters carelessly formed, and from its bold-
ness covered nearly two pages. As Colonel Venable glanced
at the chirography I noticed a facial brightness — though
something pleasant had half taken possession of his mind —
and upon reading only a few lines turned the page suddenly to
catch the name evidently anticipated — a revelation that brought
him to his feet and caused him to take me most cordially by
the hand nearly forgetting my name. He then adapted the
following words to his heartfelt action : " My dear young man,
I am delighted to see you, and equally glad to have a line from
my true and tried friend, Colonel Marshall. I shall ask you
to be seated here by the window until I finish with these young
men, when I shall be free and will want you to go dine with
me." I thanked him, stating that my Gordonsville lunch had
been quite substantial. But he replied : " I am sure you have
room for something more."
Within a half-hour the last student bid good afternoon,
when the Colonel, after arranging a few papers, again picked
up the letter I had given him, re-read it and remarked : " I
scarcely know which affords me more pleasure, to greet a
new student or receive a letter from Colonel Marshall, for, as
possibly you know, we were associated together in the war on
General Lee's staff, and have had in common many trying
and exciting experiences." He referred to the several letters
which had passed between us during the past few months, and
200 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
expressed regret that Delaware had sent so few students to
the University in recent years — indeed only two, Messrs.
Mitchell and Martin. The key of the office door turned and
we were soon off for his home, Monroe Hill, possibly a sixth
of a mile distant, when he remarked : " As we go along some
of the room doors will be open, and, although they are either
occupied or engaged, you can catch a glimpse of their general
condition and arrangement. I want to see you well and suit-
ably located, so after dinner we will consult Major Peyton as
to the best available rooms." I then handed him the list the
Major had given me an hour before, but after looking it over
he seemed to think we together might do something better.
Our route was a trifle circuitous — down East Lawn colonnade
to the base of the first terrace, across to West Lawn, to the last
pavilion, Dr. McGuffey's, turning right through a narrow
opening in the building, down a few stone steps, then on the
level several hundred feet by the side of a serpentine wall to
West Range, at whose southern terminus descending a num-
ber of stone steps, crossing the public road and following its
west side by a narrow gravel walk, having a board fence on
the right but unprotected on the left from the roadbed that
lay several feet below. Within a hundred yards we turned
abruptly to the right and approached his home over a gradu-
ally rising lawn, during which he remarked : " This house
possesses at least one point of historic interest, in that it was
for some time the office and home of Ex-President James Mon-
roe— the years he practiced law in Charlottesville and the ad-
joining courts." The main front building was brick covered
with yellowish-gray plaster, two stories, with a frontage of
forty feet, a depth of thirty, and a slightly pointed tin roof.
The entrance door was central, approached by several wooden
steps attached to a small uncovered railless platform of similar
material. We entered a good-sized hallway, thence a parlor on
the right (north), plainly but attractively furnished with square
piano, sofa, table, chairs and a number of family portraits,
including General Lee's. The floors were without rugs or
carpets — simply stained dark with dull finish. The colored
butler, middle-aged, compactly built, quiet and respectful,
soon announced dinner, which was served in the dining-room,
just opposite to (south) and a counterpart of the parlor. The
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UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 201
table was about four and a half feet square and we sat facing
each other, he south and I north, while the dinner consisted of
a fine broiler, corn cut from the cob and cooked in a dish with
egg — to which I made my first acquaintance — sweet potatoes
and Lima beans. A bottle of red wine stood loosely corked,
which I declined when offered, only to cause him to explain
its lightness and agreeable taste. I, however, was positive,
stating that my training had been entirely without stimulants,
had no desire for them, and at that stage of my career thought
it wise not to indulge their use for fear of possible abuse. He
expressed some surprise, commended my firmness, and drank
none himself. I ate heartily of the substantiate, as everything
was cooked and served to a turn, consequently the delicious
looking grapes and pears that followed, apparently the very
best, suffered little by their presence. Thus it happened, that
my first meal in Virginia was with the Chairman of her Uni-
versity, a former aide-de-camp to General Lee and in the house
once the home of President Monroe.
Shortly after dinner Colonel Venable suggested the pro-
posed visit to the Proctor's office, which we made and there-
after inspected rooms' on West Lawn, Dawson's Row and
Monroe Hill — the latter location appearing to please him most
owing to its perfect quietness and freedom from various
distractions. I so well remember him pacing the floor of the
corner room forming the right-angle of that group, and claim-
ing for it the three best requisites — abundant space, light and
air — but when I spoke of the outlook west on to the Blue
Ridge, though beautiful, being so bleak and cheerless in win-
ter, he concluded I was determined to have something with a
southern or eastern exposure. He positively discountenanced
the Lawn from the constant tread of passers-by and possible
interlopers, although I expressed the likelihood of one becom-
ing accustomed to that and commented upon the favorable
point — nearness to recitation rooms — not to be despised in bad
weather. We retraced our steps to the Proctor's, talked mat-
ters over, and selected Dawson's Row, House " B," first floor,
front east room, and at once matriculated paying in currency
two hundred and thirty dollars and fifty cents. A colored
man was called to take charge of my trunk, and to see that
the room was made ready for immediate occupancy, conse-
202 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
quently 6 o'ck. found me landed bag and baggage in my
new quarters, which I at once began to make a little homelike
by properly arranging the few things brought along for that
purpose. Owing to the many attempts at eating during the
day, my late dinner, and some tempting eatables in my trunk, I
determined to cut out supper in order to get thoroughly un-
packed and settled. It was truly fortunate that hunger proved
no contending element that night, as none of the University
boarding houses (mess halls) were open, nor would be until
the following Tuesday, and for me, a stranger, to have been
compelled to grope in darkness along unknown rugged paths
in search of town or nearby hotel would have meant consid-
erable annoyance and consumption of time.
The keeping of a diary was a great fad at the Seminary
where I had seen and read frequently those of others, and al-
though this familiarity served rather to condemn than com-
mend the custom, especially among those absorbed in more
serious matters, as the usual contents were commonplace and
circumscribed by a monotonous student life, barren of historic
incidents and personages, yet this day had been so resourceful
and memorable that I concluded its last two hours should be
spent in summarizing my chief experiences, and in reducing
the same to writing in a small volume purchased several
months before for the purpose — a practice continued daily
until the following spring when studies so crowded my time
that thereafter its continuance was with great irregularity.
The strain of the first day in Virginia was far beyond the
usual, so that in spite of the narrow springless couch that car-
ried my outstretched aching form, sweet sleep soon came and
continued into the brightness of the morrow. The next day,
Sunday, was ushered in with dampness and fog, so while
dressing I concluded sorrowfully the outcome to be rain —
that in a strange place I was to be denied my only cheering
friend, sunshine, then, of all times, most needed and desired.
Happily I was a poor weather-prophet in mountainous dis-
tricts, as by noon the mist lifted and the sun shone forth with
more than usual power and brilliancy.
It was something after 7 o'ck, when, having made inquiry
of my room attendant concerning available places for table
board and direction thereto, I heard a rap at my door, which
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 203
upon opening I found to be a fellow student well and neatly
dressed bearing a pleasant word and smile. After friendly
salutations he inquired my plans for breakfast, and, finding
these undecided, at once suggested our going together, for said
he : "I have already made a happy selection — McKennie's —
in spite of me being right hard to please." Surely this kind
messenger was Godgiven and timely, as he dispelled fore-
boding clouds and brought untold comfort to a callow youth
hundreds of miles from familiar scenes, faces and names — •
for the first time in touch with the cold and austere world.
He was my next-door neighbor and the first student with
whom I exchanged a word — a fact causing me to hold him
ever since in grateful remembrance. His opportunities, ad-
vantages and experiences had been far in advance of mine,
and he no longer possessed a youthful appearance, although
it was his initial year at the University. He was manly with
heavy moustache, had enjoyed extensive travel at home and
abroad ; had been reared in a large city giving him pronounced
social characteristics distinctive of the " Smart Set," and able
to grace with perfect ease and confidence that phase of society
in which his life had been ordered. To approach a stranger
was absolutely to his liking, while to pilot and encourage the
inexperienced were pleasurable ambitions. Unfortunately in
one sense his department was medicine, which, having little
in common with my own, accounted for us gradually drifting
apart. But beyond that his social nature occasioned a neglect
of study — to enjoy functions more congenial, those in which
I was unable to join from a lack of time and inclination.
Sadly enough nature is prone to follow lines of least re-
sistance, or to accept in the daily walks of life that which af-
fords the most immediate comfort and pleasure, and to this
law of inheritance the University student finds himself no
exception. Often he falls victim of the tempter — self-indul-
gence— sometimes to the utter disregard of class work, which
persisted in, usually brings its measure of sorrow, but corre-
sponding joy when desisted from, through solicitations of fel-
low classmates or self-assertive power aroused by a conceived
duty to parents or others having in him bright hopes and cor-
dial interests. The beginning of a University course may be
thoroughly congenial and highly satisfactory in every respect,
204 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
since the amount of material covered by each lecture does not
seem for a while beyond reason and comprehension. To keep
up for a few months is not found overtaxing, but as the lectures
follow each other in quick succession month after month,
unless most of the available moments have been turned to
proper account, one is caught bewildered in the enormous
maze of the unknown, resulting often in discouragement, even
a disinclination to hold up his end of the line. It was, there-
fore, no great surprise when I learned that my friend, in spite
of his creditable record early in the session, had given away
to positive indifference. But the going wrong of a companion,
beyond passing regret, figures little as a rule to those possess-
ing tenacious ambition and the quality of acquiring close
friendships, as it is a very brief spell at any institution wherein
an honest and capable worker has only one friend.
First Home-letter, Sunday night, September 29, 1872. My dear
Mother: I reached here safely yesterday afternoon, and was fortunate
enough to secure a room without much trouble having two windows — one
east, the other south — which will give delightful sunlight in winter and
southern breezes in summer. The bare floor and white walls look very
cheerless compared with home, but a few pieces of furniture and a carpet
I intend to purchase during the week will add much to the comfort. While
a student is supposed to need little else than books he must have accus-
tomed surroundings for best work. . . . This morning I attended the
Episcopal Church in Charlottesville — a building of many years, with gal-
lery on two sides and end, and usual roomy chancel. My seat was far
in the rear, so failed to catch the minister's connected theme. Will go
further forward next time, where you know my inclination always prompts,
but this time gave way to older heads and paid the penalty. Some people
seem contented to have anything, anyway. What a misfortune not to de-
sire and strive for the best attainable! ... I have seen so much dur-
ing the last few days, new to me, yet very old to others, that it would be
useless to make an effort, in my feeble way, at description — that which
can only be given viva voce. . . . My trip to Baltimore, stay at
Uncle's, bird's-eye view of Washington, Capitol, White House, Potomac
River, Arlington, Alexandria, Bull Run, Manassas with its breastworks
and cemetery, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Orange, Cedar Mountain, Shad-
well and Monticello, has left an unfading picture, always to be carried in
pleasant memory. ... In passing through the war district I made
friends with the brakeman, my weakness you know, who, being intelli-
gent and communicative, gave much information that was interesting and
startling, so I know much more of the great conflict than a week ago.
After leaving Alexandria the country soon began getting more hilly and
rugged, while on our right a range of mountains, Blue Ridge — a beautiful
blue color — could be seen most of the way, but in the far distance. Streams
of water were numerous, most with rapid motion and all with reddish-
yellow water, so different from any of ours, which under all conditions
are clear and limpid. . . . It is too early for judging the University
205
and my impression of it, but I trust it will measure up to expectations.
So far everything has been strange, but at breakfast, dinner and supper
met a number of students and several ladies — Mrs. McKennie and two
daughters — where I am boarding temporarily, until the University hotels
open on Tuesday. Nothing familiar has come within range, even the
colored men, women and children seem different from those at home —
more respectful, better mannered and dressed — as those noticed show
humility to whites when occasion offers. ... I must give you a list
of expenses so far, which I trust will not exceed your or father's expec-
tation. Any way rest assured I shall be as economical as possible, know-
ing well how difficult it is to make that which I am spending. . . .
Indeed, I found that the first few weeks sufficed to develop
among the majority of us very cordial relations, since the
going together to and from classes, the promiscuous sitting
by one and then another, the class recitations with success
and failure (curl or cork), the commingling for a short while
after dinner at the postoffice, or just before each meal in front
of the boarding house, awaiting the door of the dining room
(mess hall) to be opened, the general table talk indulged
and enjoyed, all tended to break quickly the thin frigid film
so manifest at the start. Soon we were comparing notes and
thoughts, discussing lectures, taking afternoon walks into
the undulating country for exercise, or leisurely strolling
towards the town (city) to gaze upon beauty in the form of
lads and lassies out on dress parade — all simple within them-
selves, yet sufficient to create mutual esteem, nay more, strong
attachment and love, attributes that sooner or later tended
towards fraternal propinquity, that when established assuring
much in harmony with a genial soul. It was true that the
satisfactory passing of the first days entailed most effort,
flavored as they were with a degree of " mal du pays," owing
to the utter strangeness and the absence of work, but happily
an abundance of the latter was soon forthcoming, giving food
for study and reflection, and establishing an interest to the
disappearance of all signs of unrest. Then again those glori-
ous autumnal days of bright sunshine, known alone to such
a clime, recurred with that regular periodicity of darkness
succeeding light — -each with a cloudless sky, and tempered
with mildness so congenial to all nature, especially her human
beings. Surely did such an atmosphere contribute a stimulat-
ing breath of life, that which created in one an ambition for
the higher ideals, manly virtues, and the evolution of the best
206 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
and rarer gifts — all that stood for improving and ennobling
character. It was a little but a busy world, apparently all to
ourselves, so that the thoughtful, reflective and strenuous
student found no cause or reason for homesickness. The
Rotunda bell pealed in accents loud each changing hour; pro-
fessors either in slow meditative mood or with quick elastic
step sought posts of duty in advance of schedule time ; students
like martial soldiers were ever on the rapid tread ; action was
everywhere as impelled by mechanical power — making time
most precious and not to exist for loitering on the wayside.
Towards the oneness of purpose all visible signs indicated
work, work, work, so for the thoughtless and indolent what
an unfortunate spot! A few were there poorly prepared, ap-
parently without energy, definite object or purpose — adrift
upon a fomenting sea of knowledge — but how fortunate that
such were rare, and that one session usually sufficed to see
their finish, thus preventing serious results from ingrafting
pernicious and desultory habits.
During the early part of the session when meeting students
by introduction several stereotyped questions invariably were
interchanged, as: Your State, studies and class, and if an old
student happened in the party he usually volunteered some real
or fancied knowledge of your tickets selected, as well as char-
acteristics of the professors having same in charge — the less
your informant really knew the more ominous of evil he por-
trayed your future. Thus the " green ticket " (Latin, Greek,
Math.), that for which I was prepared best, evoked, as a rule,
a derisive smile from the more experienced, and in fact caused
me, after a few lectures, to postpone Greek until my second
year in favor of Natural Philosophy. It was, however, some
weeks before I realized the significance of their exclamations
and surprise — when I faced the thoroughness with which
everything was taught and had to be learned. Each language
carried not only an assigned tri-weekly task in translation with
syntactic interpretation — reasons for every construction and
why the author had not used other forms — but a knowledge of
its history, geography, literature, rhythm, meters, accents,
'etc., while greater importance yet was centered in the weekly
exercise (composition), each consisting of about two hundred
English words, mostly in idiomatic forms, to be rendered cor-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 207
rectly into the respective tongues. In this one phase an aver-
age throughout the session of more than three to five errors
was considered so ordinary as scarcely to justify an attempt at
graduation. Then again private reading, parallel, was as-
signed, consisting of several hundred pages from various
styled authors, which was to be mastered by one's self in the
quietness of the room, since from it a portion of the examina-
tions were taken, the remainder coming from sources unknown
and presumably hitherto unseen. In mathematics beyond the
text problems quite a half dozen deductive or inferential corol-
laries, riders, were given each day to be worked out by one's
self privately, and these mostly constituted the recitations.
Rarely, indeed, was a student called to the blackboard and
asked to demonstrate any problem explained fully in the text,
unless getting at the same time some possibility growing there-
from, and on examinations he never encountered the direct
theorems as set in the books. Some of these riders at various
steps were susceptible of several solutions, adding not only
to the interest but demanding often many thoughtful efforts.
I had only been at the University three weeks when several
of us decided to take our usual afternoon walk — this time
westward along the Staunton pike — and in nearing the first
crossing with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad we noticed
a man tacking to a large tree what turned out to be a campaign
poster. As he drove away rapidly we approached slowly and
read the announcement of a Grand Republican Mass Meeting,
to be held in the Court House, Charlottesville, Saturday,
October 26th, 3 o'ck, p. M., at which the Hon. Henry Wilson,
the Vice-Presidential candidate, was to be the attraction.
Thus far I had seen and met several governors, senators and
congressmen, but nothing of a stronger national character, and
at once decided to shape studies to attend the meeting. Upon
reaching the Court House shortly before the hour I found it
so filled as only to be entered by patient effort, but, gradually
maneuvering forward, I secured standing position in easy
range of the judge's rostrum, from which was to be the speak-
ing. The audience was largely colored (male and female), very
noisy, and enlivened now and then by threatened difficulties
and melees, owing to the wild hurrahing of a thoughtless few
in the background having political sentiments adverse to the
208 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
rank and file present. The characteristic African aroma
strongly asserted itself, which together with the personnel
made me feel decidedly ill at ease, but recognizing I was there
for a commendable purpose resolved that the discomforting
elements should have no deterring influence. During the wait-
ing stage quite a sprinkling of students, filled to overflowing
with youthful buoyancy and antagonistic political enthusiasm,
reinforced the already congested number, apparently delighting
in inflaming the assemblage " by word and act," thu3 keeping
it in a continued state of fever. A delay tended to make " hope
deferred," by prolonging the commotion, but about 3.30 o'ck,
word was passed that the speakers and accompanying digni-
taries were entering the building, so in the immediate expect-
ancy quietness reigned, only in a few moments to burst forth
in wildness at their veritable presence. Of course all eyes
seemed centered on Mr. Wilson, who for quite a while was
kept busy smiling and bowing in recognition of the frequent
loud calling of his name. When the initial eclat had subsided,
Mr. Lawton in a very happy mood, and with his characteristic
deep stentorian voice, affirmed great delight at the honor of
presenting Mr. Wilson to his Albemarle constituents, etc. As
Mr. Wilson arose and stood there he appeared six feet high and
to weigh two hundred pounds. He was dressed becomingly in
black — long frock coat, widely open standing collar, polished
silk hat, which he rested on the desk in front; face of the
roundish type, florid and smoothly shaven ; hair blackish, of
more than ordinary length and quantity for his supposed years ;
nature seemingly kind, paternal and magnetic — above that
represented then by the opposing party papers and speakers
throughout the land. He spoke an hour, saying some things
distasteful to the Democratic portion of his hearers, who had
not the slightest hesitation in showing disapproval by hisses,
groans, and other disrespectful audible punctuations. The
student element especially was antagonistic, going so far as to
plan giving him eggs — that which happily was averted by more
sober reflection — and disorder grew fierce whenever the col-
ored contingent showed signs of resentment by trying to reach
the rear, the incendiary spot of dissension. I was puzzled as
to the outcome, but, being well up towards the speaker and
tightly wedged in a sweltering mass of humanity, recognized
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 209
there to be no escape, let come what might, consequently re-
signed myself to the dose. Fortunately for all present, Mr.
Wilson, although halted and interrupted several times in order
to restore quietness, brought his speech to a close without
serious trouble or bloodshed, for which I personally was very
thankful. As he took his seat the hall became partially cleared,
so I began edging myself towards the door encountering several
angered student acquaintances, whom I counseled to be charit-
able for the opinions of others and to tolerate even those of
our opponents on occasions like this, only to become the
target of many uncomplimentary expressions. I certainly
was glad to make safe retreat to the University, with the firm
resolve, religiously kept, of never attending another Republican
mass meeting in Charlottesville. At the time I did not con-
sider Mr. Wilson as saying much deserving criticism, since
he began by stating he had come South to talk over calmly
and kindly that which the Administration proposed to do in
case of re-election; that the war being over it was his hope
and ambition to adjust satisfactorily all unsettled issues; that
we must look towards making our country's future brighter
and greater, forgetting as much as possible the bitterness of
the past. He extolled General Grant's magnanimity in the field,
his determination to see the Government live up to the Appo-
mattox surrender, verbal and written, his kindness manifested
towards the South in the past four years, which he faithfully
promised to continue if re-elected President, etc. As I now
revert to that occasion, despite the youthful curiosity to see
and hear such a loyal personage, it would have been equally
well had I remained at my post of duty out of harm's way,
leaving to a more favorable time, which afterwards came,
the realization of individual contact.
CHAPTER XI
FIRST VISIT TO MONTICELLO — MR. JEFFERSON'S HOME AND
GRAVE
•
Monticello — visit to Lawrenceville and Princeton ; Aaron Burr's grave and
tomb contrasted with those of Mr. Jefferson; pilgrim students jour-
neying on foot to his home and tomb; description and dilapidation
of both ; now happily restored — the one by Jefferson M. Levy, the
other by act of Congress ; his tomb inscription, also that of Dabney
Carr; home-letter to grandmother; secret fraternities; literary so-
cieties— Jeff and Wash; method of electing officers, etc.
IN early September, 1902, 1 made my first visit to Princeton,
an institution, in spite of Mr. Jefferson's known prejudices —
its teaching's in those primitive days being elementary and de-
nominational, characteristics he so thoroughly detested — I al-
ways held in high esteem. Each and every journey North
and to the upper Jersey coast resorts had brought me past the
Junction, revealing in the distance the beautiful outlines of
town and college (university) buildings, which served to create
an interest as well as a determination to take time some day
for a tour of inspection. Indeed every thoughtful college-
trained man possesses abundant milk of human kindness for
all educational institutions, and, although usually a graduate
of only one, finds in after years his criminations and discrimi-
nations against the many becoming less and less acute. While
most of us during student life may have had strong preferences
for the institution we attended — standing for it ever loyal — yet
our sense of justice was never so obtunded as not to accord
to some others equal if not superior advantages. Certainly a
visit to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, or even Vassar, at
that early age would have been hailed by every collegian with
keen delight. Along with others it was my good fortune to
be on several occasions a delegate to my Fraternity's Grand
Chapter Annual Convention held at one or another college,
and that contact not only increased acquaintance and strength-
ened friendship, but gave an insight to what was doing else-
where— provided more liberal views and a broader conception
210
p
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 211
of the true educational life. Most persons enjoy travel and a
visit to the unseen, likewise nearly all believers in learning have
a natural curiosity, nay inspiration — beginning early and not
ceasing with years — to see the leading educational centers of
our land. From Princeton some relatives and many friends
had graduated, which served as a stimulus for realizing an un-
fading hope, and now a nephew, for whom I had more than
ordinary ambition, was nearing the college period — that which
I preferred should be taken in Virginia, but knew would be
otherwise, as his family entertained strong Federalistic senti-
ments. He was then at a preparatory school — far from best —
and we had talked over time and again Lawrenceville, think-
ing the course there ideal, and that the stay of several years
in such close proximity to Princeton might incline towards
finally accepting her advantages. Enjoying mutual friends in
Trenton we happened one day in their presence to mention
these schools and a desire to visit them, when one of the gen-
tlemen quickly affirmed a willingness to accompany us at our
convenience. It was a golden opportunity readily and gladly
accepted — as the proffered escort was born and reared in that
city, had graduated from Princeton, following the good exam-
ple of his elder brothers, and carried a social entree that was
most delightful. His father was a man of large affairs —
prominent in the counsels of State — but it was rather early
to prejudge the son's career. He met myself and nephew
on the appointed morning at the Trenton depot (Pennsylvania
Railroad), where we took the trolley to the center of the city
and there transferred to a larger and more commodious elec-
tric car running the suburban route desired. After a half hour's
run over a well-equipped road through six miles of slightly
rolling agricultural land we reached, laying to our right, the
campus of the Lawrenceville School with its inviting open en-
trance. Just within the grounds to the right of the first road
stood a well-proportioned and well-planned brick cottage,
partly overvined and faced with a small porch upon which
stood a gentleman of middle years, with seeming intelligence
and affability. Only a few steps and we faced him, when I
introduced ourselves and asked the privilege of inspecting the
institution. He greeted us cordially, stated he was the head-
master, Dr. McPherson, and would be only too glad to go
212 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
with us through the grounds and such buildings as might in-
terest the stranger. I found him to be a Scotchman by birth,
well-informed, of strong personality and executive ability — a
strict disciplinarian, positive yet kind, evidently an ideal char-
acter to fashion manly boys. I never was impressed more
favorably with any preparatory school, as its magnitude and
equipment left little to be desired — far excelling in my judg-
ment many of our American Colleges. The hour and a half
together was spent most delightfully, as Dr. McPherson not
only gave lucid descriptions of the buildings — Foundation
House, Memorial Hall, Memorial Chapel, Upper House, Gym-
nasium, etc. — and methods of teaching used, but was friendly
enough to discuss freely several educational topics in accord-
ance with his decidedly pronounced opinions. I there saw
what I had never before— dozens of mahogany desks in ser-
vice six or eight years without the slightest evidence of knife
or other vandalic marks — only an occasional ink stain pre-
venting their acceptance as absolutely new. There seemed
little else to Lawrenceville beyond the school, which, with
tennis courts, buildings, athletic grounds, golf links, baseball
and football fields, extended a full half mile on the right of
the one (Main) street, whose center was the bed of our
electric road, while on the left the Burser's office, post-office,
a few stores and many comfortable residences with attractive
grounds, shrubbery and flowers occupied an equal distance.
Certainly it gave the one impression — simply an institutional
town without commercialism and distracting forces, perfect
qualities for the student.
Resuming our trolley ride, another six miles through fields
of growing corn and grazing herds, traversed now and then
by large, sluggish streams, brought us to our destination,
Princeton — very near the railroad station. To our com-
panion I referred several times en route to Aaron Burr, ex-
pressing a great desire to see his grave, and always received
the courteous reply : " I shall most assuredly show you that."
After passing a couple of hours in going through various
buildings and haunting grounds, and beginning to realize
fatigue, hunger and the approaching end of sight-seeing, I
reminded him again of Burr's grave, only to bring forth the
reply: " That is now very near." We were then about finishing
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 213
the Dynamo, Engineering and Chemical buildings, and im-
mediately proceeded to the extreme east of the campus, along
Washington Street southward to the Infirmary and that
beautiful boulevard, Prospect Avenue, whose level sides were
graced with students' club-houses and professors' homes — all
in well-arranged floral plots and verdant grounds. Just be-
fore reaching this latter street we came to a standstill under
a good-sized tree, with extensive foliage canopying a solitary
neglected grave, modestly enclosed by small cedars or arbor
vitae, and marked by ordinary much-discolored and mutilated
white marble slabs, the foot one being almost invisible.
The head was westward and carried by far the larger vertical
slab — about three feet six inches high, two feet wide and two
inches thick — bearing upon its eastern face this epitaph : " The
remains of Catherine Bullock, daughter of Joseph and Esther
Bullock, of Philadelphia, who, after a tedious illness which
she suffered with exemplary resignation, died June 7, 1794,
aged 22 years." As we approached the spot our companion
with confidence and emphasis ejaculated: " This is the grave
of Burr." My great surprise can well be imagined upon find-
ing it the resting place of another — that in which our friend
shared to the extent of positive embarrassment. After a
ruminative period we concluded that Burr must lay in the
town cemetery, often called " America's Westminster," where
a later hour was arranged to be spent, and where on June 26th
(1908) was laid at rest our much revered ex-President,
Grover Cleveland. We next visited his club-house (Colonial)
and the Infirmary, then accepted an hour for dinner (Nassau
Inn — the Princeton Inn being closed and under repairs — ),
after which a team conveyed us to the more remote points —
Bayard Lane homes (Mr. Cleveland's, Dr. Van Dyke's, etc.),
Theological Seminary, Moses Taylor Pyne's, Athletic grounds,
Cemetery, etc. To this latter entrance was gained by a small
gate on Witherspoon Street, and once within no difficulty
was experienced in finding along the south boundary graves of
many distinguished dead — those who had held with signal
ability most important positions in the College, Seminary,
town, county and State. Near the corner of Wiggins Street
was one of the oldest treasures — the discolored and almost
illegible tomb of Dr. Thomas Wiggins — " many years a dis-
2i4 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
tinguished and faithful physician in the town." Close by
and eastward was the Stockton lot containing graves of
Commodore Richard Stockton and members of that noted
family. But the one adjoining — College lot — was of most
interest, as there rested so many of her illustrious presi-
dents and their intimate associates. The west boundary was
marked by a row of fourteen graves, each two or three feet
apart and covered almost uniformly with full length horizontal
white marble slabs upon marble coping, or brick covered
with cement, about two feet high. The most northward
was that of the elder Aaron Burr, followed by those
of Jonathan Edwards, Samuelis Davies, Samuelis Finley,
Joannis Witherspoon, Samuelis Stanhope Smith, Walter
Minto, Ashbel Green, Mary — wife of James Carnahan,
Jacobi Carnahan, Joannis Maclean, Johannis Maclean, M. D.,
Mrs Phebe Maclean, William Bainbridge Maclean. Many of
the epitaphs were entirely Latin, some so lengthy as to fill
completely the slab, but those of Aaron Burr and Jonathan
Edwards seemed most difficult to decipher owing to greater
discoloration and mutilation. At the foot of these two graves,
nearly centering the continuous four-foot inter-space, but
slightly nearer Jonathan Edwards, stood the vertical tombstone
of Aaron Burr's son, Aaron — once our vice-president — con-
sisting of a white marble slab four feet high, twenty-one inches
wide, and eight inches thick, with edges channeled, set into a
slightly broader block of similar marble — two feet wide, ten
inches thick and high — which in turn rested upon a granite
slab three feet long, twenty-two inches deep and eight inches
high. Near the top the eastward face bore this inscription:
" Aaron Burr, Born Feb. 6, 1756. Died Sept. 14, 1836. A
Colonel in the Army of the Revolution. Vice-President of
the United States, from 1801 to 1805." It is said that some
lady admirer erected this monument incognito two years after
his death, it being conveyed to the cemetery and mounted in
the stillness of night without even the knowledge of residents
or town authorities. Just opposite a few feet — northeast
corner of the lot — stood by far the most imposing tomb —
granite monument — bearing upon its westward face the in-
scription: "James McCosh, D. D., LL. D., D. S. Born
Ayrshire, Scotland, April I, 1811. Died Princeton, New Jer-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 215
sey, Nov. 16, 1894. Therefore are they before the throne of
God, and serve him day and night in his temples." In strolling
over towards the entrance driveway we noticed to our left
what was possibly the graveyard's most imposing monument,
having on its summit a life size statue in frock-coat and skull-
cap, and on one face the inscription: "Paul Tulane, 1801-
1887. Founder of the Tulane University of New Orleans."
Near here we encountered several colored men busily improv-
ing the appearance of various lots, and of one I inquired the
direction of Professor Guyot's tomb, only to provoke con-
siderable hesitation, but finally the exclamatory reply : " Oh,
yes, it is over yonder " — pointing somewhat northward. He
soon desired to know why I asked for that gentleman, as in
his memory I was the first so to do. I could not suppress
my regret that the man and name, Arnold Guyot, for thirty
years a Princeton professor, and a world-renowned naturalist,
ranking possibly next to Agassiz in their day, should have
left in this land of adoption such a fading memory.
I have related this experience to show that it is possible for
an intelligent young man to spend four years at Princeton, to
graduate, to pass by the supposed grave of a great man several
times daily without the interest or curiosity to verify an im-
pression, to keep all that time without the cemetery walls, and
to know not where rest, at least, some of her noted dead. And
here I wish to draw a happy contrast — that in contact with my
fellow students I never encountered one who admitted having
been drawn to the University of Virginia alone by its reputa-
tion as a teaching institution, knowing nothing previously of
Mr. Jefferson's identity with it. Not only this, but they
realized with considerable pride, that on the crest of the near-
by towering peak to the east, Monticello, he lived, died and
rested. Nearly every school history of that day gave, if not an
illustration, some reference to Monticello, the home of Jeffer-
son, while »the two names at Charlottesville and the University
were linked so inseparably that we students somehow imbibed
very early the Jeffersonian spirit — that which still pervaded
thoroughly the atmosphere, causing us to consider their palmy
days not remote and of the greatest historic interest.
At Princeton it seemed very different with Mr. Burr and
his resting place — a man certainly to whom the institution
216 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
and students owed indirectly not a little — for his father, Aaron
Burr the elder, had been the College's second president and
had rescued it from its predecessor, Jonathan Dickinson, just
in time to save it from possible extinction and to assure it
thereafter a substantial existence — that which it had never
enjoyed. Therefore, if not its founder he was its life saving
spirit, and, upon meeting an untimely death, was succeeded
by his renowned father-in-law, the saintly Jonathan Edwards,
who aided in making the family connection and dependence
all the stronger. Beyond that the younger Aaron Burr was a
graduate of the College and became distinguished in politics
— strangely enough a contemporaneous party rival of Mr.
Jefferson — the two running together, 1800, on the National
ticket for President and Vice-President, the one securing sim-
ply the larger electoral vote to occupy the higher office. It
is true then came the tie vote contest occasioning the House
of Representatives to make a decision, by only one plurality
in favor of Mr. Jefferson being President and Mr. Burr the
Vice-President, a result in exact conformity with the peoples'
wishes; that Mr. Burr was accused at that time of chicanery
and trickery to thwart public will in his behalf, and that later
he had headed a conspiracy against his country, but the fact
remained — that at one time they both had about an equal
hold upon the confidence of their countrymen. Although it
is easy to draw between these two noted characters a kind of
parallelism in some respects, yet to-day all recognize them to
have been widely different — one living nobly and solely for
others, the other, Aaron Burr the scoundrel as Fiske puts it,
intriguingly and strictly for self.
No one, therefore, need be surprised that even at Prince-
ton the name and deeds of Mr. Burr count for little, while in
Virginia those of Mr. Jefferson still remain near the hearts
of his people, old and young — worshiped by many, praised by
all, condemned by none — and that one of the earliest ambi-
tions of first year students at the University was to make
during the pleasant autumn weather a journey to his home
and tomb. The distance by road was considered four miles,
but a little less by foot when passing in a straight line over
fields, fences and ravines. As a rule youth has no aversion
to long and rugged walks — those recognized advantageous to
health and development. Indeed, the more difficult the pas-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 217
sage the more tempting the undertaking, space figuring little,
as each boasts himself capable of walking the entire day with-
out serious inconvenience from fatigue. Inasmuch as every
week-day carried its full quota of work, the Sabbath alone
was left for such a required absence and diversion, so that
during the week small parties arranged for these Sunday
trips, weather permitting — a clear, bright day being preferred,
as only then we chanced to see the smoke of Richmond, nearly
a hundred miles away, and the dim outline of the slightly
nearer " Peaks of Otter," the highest point of the Blue Ridge
in Virginia (southwest). Several of us made plans for the
fourth Sunday in October (2yth), but the early morning rain
rendered roads muddy and walking heavy, so we postponed
the trip a week later, November 3rd, which proved all that
could be desired. I take from my diary notes of that date,
important facts which I have thought wise to revise and am-
plify: Burrus and I started for Monticello at 11.30 o'ck. ;
stopped at Ambroselli's for oysters and waffles, knowing we
would miss regular dinner; left restaurant an hour later and
journeyed the usual route to Charlottesville, thence out by the
depot, the only one in those days over the railroad tracks by
the private road, on the crest, through Mr. Ficklin's two farms,
thence up hill and down dale to intersect the regular winding
road around the base and in the notch between the higher Car-
ter's Mountain on the south and Monticello, reaching the lat-
ter's summit by a tortuous road over its southwestern slope.
Our pace was rather rapid until nearing the mountain's base
we encountered an unexpected obstacle — a good-sized stream
without bridge or foot-log. This vehicles easily forded, but
none of these was in sight, nor likely to be on the holy day —
a time not justifying much passing to and from the town.
While deliberating our troubles two students joined us having
in common the same destination, so we four proceeded up
the stream until a point was reached with many bed-rocks pro-
truding above the running water and sufficiently close to-
gether to be reached by forced effort in jumping. This en-
abled our safe passage and the entrance shortly thereafter
upon the ascent of the mountain side covered densely with a
growth of small and larger trees. Hill climbing at best re-
quires the expenditure of much energy — means work — but to
pull one's self up that narrow, poorly made and kept rocky,
218 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
precipitous road, taking cross-cuts whenever possible, sug-
gested early the nature of our impending task and the wish
that the summit be less remote. After tugging quite an hour
we came upon the graveyard, laying near to and on the right
(east) of the road, an area of more than a hundred feet
square enclosed by a brick wall of at least eight feet high. An
iron gate slightly higher than the wall and about ten feet wide,
constructed of three horizontal and many vertical rods four
inches apart, guarded the entrance on the roadside (north-
west), which was locked securely. We stood a while gazing
through these wide meshes, and except in the immediate front
the view was that of a neglected wilderness — thoroughly
covered with an undergrowth of grass, small and large bushes
and a few stately trees. In the foreground several feet from
the gate and about its median line stood a modest monument,
obelisk, eight feet high, with square base three feet broad and
two feet high, surmounted by a tapering rectangular shaft
with base two feet and apex ten to twelve inches, the latter
beveled on all four sides to form an obtuse point. To our
left could easily be seen several graves covered with full-sized
horizontal marble and slate slabs, and in the rear wall one or
two disintegrated crumbling spots, by which we concluded an
entrance might be effected without risk or injury — a surmise
well-founded as in a few minutes we faced the lettered side
(east) of the monument. On the granite base could partly be
made out in three lines:
Born April 2d.
1743, O. S.
Died July 4th, 1826.
In the main shaft above was an indentation, into which was
fastened originally a white marble plate or slab bearing the
following inscription — that which Mr. Jefferson during life
purposely wrote and placed in a certain private drawer along
with various souvenirs, including an ink sketch of the monu-
ment he desired:
Here was buried
THOMAS JEFFERSON,
Author of the Declaration of American Independence,
Of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom,
And Father of the University of Virginia.
There was not a vestige left of this inlaid slab, but it must
have conformed in outline to the full tapering face of the shaft,
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 219
nearly two feet wide, and have been that high, as the visible
recession extended from within three inches of the base to
the shaft's median line. Of course the marble slab, soft com-
pared with the rest of the monument, had been broken and
chipped off by the relic hunters, whose ruthless hands ceased
not even there, but had made disfiguring inroads upon all
four of the square corners, these being irregularly broken their
entire length. Seeing what others had done — set a vulgar
example — encouraged me to possess a similar memento of my
visit, so with various pieces of rocks lying around I attempted
to break off small fragments, but in vain as the harder granite
sternly resisted the violence applied. I did, however, find
within twenty feet of the grave a straight growing scion,
which I cut, had ferruled and capped, to serve me many years
as a curio walking stick. Although Mr. Jefferson lay buried
between his wife and daughter, Mary, with his eldest daughter,
Martha, across the head, all having had appropriate marble
slabs, yet only a few fragments of Martha's, the longest sur-
vivor, remained to tell the story. To the left of the gate a
number of graves of still older dates had been more fortunate,
as their slate and discolored marble slabs had been unmolested
— belonging to family members less known and revered by
the general public. Slightly to the right and near the center
of the enclosure stood that stately oak, whose branching foli-
age covered the remains of Dabney Carr, and extended to
the edge of the Jefferson group. Under this canopy of nature,
removed from all earthly disturbances, these two youthful
spirits, so congenial in feelings, tastes, principles and pursuits,
sat daily upon a rustic seat of their own construction studying
and discussing their Bracton, Coke and Matthew Bacon, crit-
ical of the past, dissatisfied with the present and apprehensive
of the future. In death they rested together — the slab of Carr
covering their favorite spot and bearing this inscription :
Here lie the remains of
DABNEY CARR,
Son of John and Jane Carr, of Louisa County, Who was born
1744, Intermarried with Martha Jefferson, daughter of Peter
and Jane Jefferson, 1765 ; And died at Charlottesville, May
16, 1773, Leaving six small children.
To his Virtue, Good Sense, Learning, and Friendship this stone
is dedicated by Thomas Jefferson, who, of all men living,
loved him most.
220 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
After carefully inspecting everything considered of interest
we rescaled the rear wall and continued our steps to the
slightly more elevated summit, not more than a fourth of a
mile distant, which we found practically level for a space of
six hundred feet north and south by three hundred east and
west, to serve as a lawn, the sides of the mountain gradually
sloping therefrom. Stately trees stood here and there, and
near the center the neglected mansion, facing north — more
accurately northeast — to whose approach a straight indented
but thoroughly overgrown walk led from the lawn's edge.
It seemed closed and unoccupied, but upon walking around to
various points of advantage, talking considerably, and show-
ing signs of curiosity, an elderly white man made his ap-
pearance. He was the keeper living on the premises (several
south rooms), having the privilege of certain tillage and the
revenue from showing visitors through the house — that for
us being the modest sum of fifteen cents each. In this capacity
he had acted for years, knew considerable Jeffersonian history,
and delighted to communicate it. The mountain has a height
of about six hundred feet and contains two hundred and
twenty-three acres, only one-half being subject to cultivation.
The building, externally Doric, internally Ionic architecture,
is constructed of English bricks, much discolored, apparently
a single story with balustrade around the almost flat roof
cornice, and consists of one large octagonal pavilion sur-
mounted by a circular dome, having wings north and south,
and projecting porticoes east and west — each cross-section be-
ing about one hundred feet. The north and south wings each
terminate in a piazza, with same floor elevation as the house,
three feet, supported by brick arches, and opening on to a
terrace, one-third above and two-thirds under ground — whose
floors are of the same level as the cellar with which they com-
municate, and whose nearly flat roofs are on a line with the
first floor, thus enabling their use for promenading in evenings
and damp weather. These terraces extend to the brow of
the mountain on either side, having their two projecting ends
terminating in additional storied turrets or pavilions, twenty
feet square, both having been used by Mr. Jefferson as offices
— the south one in winter, the north one in summer — where
he was accustomed to sit bareheaded until bedtime with
University — Lewis Brooks Museum
(Erected 1875-77)
FACING 22O
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 221
friends, tmannoyed by dew and insects. The north one was
occupied many years as an office by his grandson, Thomas
Jefferson Randolph, and it was through one of these, possibly
the southern, that Mr. Jefferson, when Governor, made es-
cape, thus evading capture by the British under Tarleton.
The mansion contains thirty-six rooms, small and large, and
has two almost similar entrances — east and west — the former
considered front, having a portico receding six feet within
the wall, thereby giving it a depth of twenty-five and a width
of thirty feet, covered by an angled roof supported by four
stout stone pillars resting on the floor, three feet above ground,
and reached by five or six low stone steps extending its entire
width. It was through this our guide admitted us, entering
first a lofty nearly square hall or saloon having balcony to
the right, connecting the upper story and originally intended
an avenue of reaching the first floor by ornamental stairways
— those that never were erected. On one side is an old bust
of Mr. Jefferson and opposite stands one of Hamilton, both
mounted on large pedestals ; over the front door built into the
wall is a good-sized clock, which had to be wound standing
upon a ladder — this latter being in normal position and claimed
to have been made by Mr. Jefferson himself ; the hands stand
at 7.34 o'ck. From this hall we passed through folding
glass doors into an octagonal parlor or drawing-room, twenty-
six by twenty-three feet, opening out upon the rear or west
portico, so that these two large rooms comprise the entire
depth of the house. The parlor is adorned with several
pictures, and French plate mirrors extending from ceiling to
floor, the latter being tessellated or parqueted in ten inch
squares of wild cherry (mahogany color) with four inch
borders of light-colored beech, finished with a glossy surface.
From these two large halls or rooms we entered the other
living apartments — from the east hall by a passage on the
right to two bedrooms and the piazza, by one on the left
(south) to Mrs. Jefferson's sitting-room, library and piazza;
from the west hall (parlor) we entered on the right (north)
a good-sized dining-room furnished with a handsome crystal
chandelier and busts of Washington, Lafayette and Voltaire,
while just beyond (northward) is an octagonal tea-room,
used alone by Mr. Jefferson, opening out upon the north
222 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
piazza; from the parlor on the left (south) was Mr. Jefferson's
room, which entered, as did the adjoining passage, into the
library — a room extending the full depth of the building and
opening by glass windows and doors upon the piazza, enclosed
with glass for a conservatory. The upper story, reached by
a very narrow, dark, winding stairs admitting the passage
of only one person at a time, is divided into a number of
small irregular shaped, poorly lighted and ventilated rooms,
several having alcoves with slats fastened into them for beds,
like unto the bed-chambers on the lower floor The dome
room is octagonal, large and commodious, without any par-
titions, being used in its palmy day as the " ladies' drawing-
room," but now the repository of one solitary article of more
than passing interest — the sulky or gig body in which Mr.
Jefferson made frequent trips to Richmond, Washington,
Philadelphia, etc. In one of the upper bedrooms a member
of the family died, when it was found necessary to lower the
body through one of the front circular windows, the stairs
being too contracted for that purpose. Upon approaching by
the front entrance the octagon with its circular dome is
scarcely visible, as that occupies the rear half of the building,
but looms into conspicuous prominence and effect when one
approaches from the graveyard or rear.
Monticello of that day was a total wreck, as many years
had passed without the slightest effort at repairs; the shin-
gles of the roof were so decayed as not only to admit rain and
snow but the rays of sunlight; many window panes, slats and
shutters were broken or missing; the paint of former years
was scarcely visible, and everything, once bright and beautiful,
was stained and effaced. The old English bricks, as durable
as time, were darkened by exposure, while the covered ways
(terraces) were coated with mould and green deposit, the re-
sult of dampness, darkness and neglect. The front was carved,
penciled and disfigured with the names and remarks of many
who could not omit registering the delightful occasion of
their visitation.
That day's experience at Monticello was attended with no
little sadness, indeed, depression, for everything observed
belonged to a passed generation, had apparently seen its day
of usefulness and was on the rapid road to extinction. No
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 223
one, seemingly, was left with sufficient means, interest or
patriotism to stay the inroad of decay, and the entire moun-
tain top stood in our minds hopelessly doomed. One could
scarcely realize the historic side of the place, especially the
facts: that there possibly above all other private spots in
America had been assembled most love of liberty, virtue, wis-
dom and learning-; that it had been the home of Mr. Jefferson
for sixty years, forty of which, having been spent in higher
positions of public trust, had occasioned a certain degree of
entertaining unsurpassed in its day; that Madison, Monroe,
Wirt, Henry, Randolph and others had used so frequently its
hospitality as their own, while Webster, Paine, Priestley, Tick-
nor, Wayland, Lafayette and hundreds of more or less emi-
nence had wandered around those grounds as were we that
beautiful afternoon of perfect sunshine. Although this was
my maiden trip to the " bleak house on the hill top," yet no
year passed during my stay at the University without making
at least one visit to that sacred shrine. It was the custom of
quite a number of us students and many fair daughters of
Albemarle to unite in giving upon those spacious and secluded
grounds annual May-parties, and the days thus spent stand
out now in after life with unusual brightness. Each year
we found it the same dilapidated, heartrending object, ex-
periencing no change save for the worse, presided over by the
old keeper, more dead than alive, ever glad to greet a strange
and youthful face, and when in numbers, as on those festive
May occasions, his joy knew no bounds, for we not only
brought him abundant sunshine, but what possibly was more
appreciated and to his liking — many dainties and dimes. No
one enjoyed more than he the coronation of May Queen and
the reverberations through that grove and palatial mansion
of music's sweet strains furmShed by the Charlottesville String
Band.
It certainly is very gratifying to realize that the "little
mountain " top of to-day is not what it was then ; that the
deadly pall no longer enshrouds the historic home, for in the
hands of its present owner, Mr. Jefferson M. Levy, it has
been restored to its original condition, so that life and manners
seem again to flourish there as in primeval times. The
little graveyard now is not quite the neglected and despoiled
224 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
spot as then, for happily by order of Congress, 1882, the
original much defaced and unlettered monument was replaced
by one carrying strikingly the same outline but greater pro-
portions (granite, twelve to fifteen feet high, two and a half
feet at the base tapering to fourteen inches at the summit),
and bearing the Jeffersonian epitaph — identical with that
originally inscribed on the marble slab set into its predecessor.
With this order also came the removal of the crumbling and
disintegrated brick wall around the enclosure, and the sub-
stitution of a more attractive and durable iron railing, with
gate bearing the Latin proverb — Mr. Jefferson's crest motto :
" Ab Eo Libertas, A Quo Spiritus." Monticello of to-day
needs no apology, the wrongs have been arighted — she lives
as does her immortal Jefferson.
Home-letter, Sunday afternoon, November 24th, 1872. My dear
Grandmother: As it was your request that I write my only "dear old
grandmother" soon after reaching the University, I am going to devote
at least an hour of this beautiful afternoon to its fulfillment. The work
here keeps me very busy, causing the weeks to pass in rapid succession,
so that these together form my apology for what you no doubt have
considered already an unnecessary delay — possibly a violation of a prom-
ise. This I trust, however, though late, will atone for any entertained
misgivings. As a matter of fact, I have recounted about all of my doings
since leaving home in weekly letters to mother, and as you see each
other often I am confident their contents have furnished material to a
certain extent for conversation. But at the risk of repetition I must
express to you direct my very great satisfaction with the University,
where I think one may gain as much, if not more, knowledge than at any
other institution in our country. Here we all are southerners together
and extremely friendly to one another. The morals of the young men
are exceedingly high and nowhere I fancy could be surpassed. . . .
We are located practically among the Blue Ridge mountains, which make
it cool in both winter and summer. Upon my arrival their crest and
slopes were clad in verdant grass, but already several times snowy white-
caps have been visible. Winters here, however, I am confident are less
severe than with you. . . . The buildings of the University were con-
structed by Thomas Jefferson, and to-day they stand, with a few addi-
tions, a gigantic monument to his wisdom and greatness. Their descrip-
tion can better be told than written,, so I will wait and do that at Christ-
mas. Nor can I write much of the town — I understand an incorporated
city — of Charlottesville, from which we are one mile distant, for as yet I
know only a few students who reside there and have enjoyed no visiting
among her people, that which is quite essential in order to speak intelli-
gently of a place. We walk there nearly every afternoon for exercise,
and it seems right active in business, having many stores, two newspapers,
Chronicle and Jeffersonian, half a dozen churches, town hall, Court House,
and claims a population beyond five thousand. . . . This climate seems
to favor typhoid fever, as a number of students have already had it this
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
225
session. Whether they came with the seed of disease lurking in their sys-
tem or contracted it here is to be determined by the physicians of the
University. One student died on Thursday and his remains were sent
home to South Carolina on the noon train yesterday, several students
going along. The funeral was preached in the hall of the Washington
Literary Society, and there were no family mourners, the long distance
preventing any one coming from his home. All the others are reported
as improving. Personally I am well, but at first had a slight attack of
malaria, which soon yielded to a physician's treatment. ... I am
looking forward with much pleasure to spending ten days with you all
at Christmas, so will then report to you often with tongue hung in the
center. . . .
The new student soon heard much of the many secret fra-
ternities and the two open literary societies — Jeff, and Wash.
— and observed that while fraternity membership depended
upon good fellowship, social qualities, creditable class stand-
ing and thorough acquaintance — commendations requiring
time for development, unless one's favorable reputation as
gained elsewhere had been heralded in advance by kind friends
—that on the other hand membership in either literary society
carried no such restrictions, they being accessible from the
very first to every matriculant desiring to sign the constitution
and pay the initiation fee of ten dollars. Both societies, as
far as merits, advantages, weekly debates, prominent members
in the present and past, and aspirants for positions of honor
received not a little general discussion, often furnishing much
of our table talk.
The Jeff(erson) was established during the first ses-
sion of the University, July 14, 1825, at No. 7 West
Lawn, having as its object the promotion of debate and literary
improvement, and at first had the phase of secrecy, which was
abolished after a time. Its badge was a scroll breastpin of
polished gold, about an inch long and fully half that wide,
bearing upon the front the inscription: Jeff. Soc. U. V.,
crossed pens and three Greek letters 0 K S, and upon the re-
verse side, Haec olim meminisse juvabit, together with the
individual's name.
The Wash(ington) was established during the session
1834-35, by the merging of two other societies that had ex-
isted several years, having a similar object, purpose and man-
agement to the Jeff., but usually a slightly less membership,
which in each approximated one hundred.
226 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
For years each of these societies gave Intermediate and
Final Celebrations, but in my day only the latter were ob-
served— during Commencement Week — the Wash, selecting
Monday evening, the Jeff. Tuesday. These entertainments
consisted strictly of society talent, except the music, opening
prayer and benediction — the former generally furnished by a
Baltimore, Washington or Richmond band; the latter by the
University chaplain — and lasted about one and a half hours,
during which the president delivered an address of welcome to
the audience, showered kind expressions upon fellow students,
and introduced the orator, who spoke twenty or thirty minutes
upon some entertaining or otherwise subject. The president
then conferred in complimentary sentences the debater's medal
upon the selected recipient, who, with a five or ten minute
speech concluded the program. Thereafter came an open air
band concert from the stand erected for the occasion on the
Lawn, about two hundred feet from the Rotunda, during
which a general promenading around the brightly illumi-
nated (Chinese lanters, etc.) arcades, and attendance upon
one or more receptions, given each night by the several pro-
fessors, were enjoyed. It may be of interest to recall the
method employed at that period of selecting the President,
Orator and Medalist for the functions — a balloting vote of
the members — so analogous to pure and simple politics of
our maturer years.
The aspirants for the presidency usually were scarce, as
the position exacted a particular kind of man — one with a
social and friendly nature, clever and frank manners, and
abundant time for indulging these qualities without the re-
semblance of abuse. He must be always urbane and polite,
avoiding excessive demonstration ; manly and constant, never
allowing the feelings to measure the degree of affability or
the weather to influence the hand-shake — in being warm, never
cold. He could not afford to turn the back when the face
was needed, nor use the tongue save in praise and defence —
mollifying at all times various aspersions and the venomous
sting of slander. Added to all this he should possess money
and a willingness to spend it, not only in an occasional cheap
supper, but in the complimentary payment of initiation fees
under extenuating circumstances. The question of fraternity
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 227
membership played little advantage — indeed, the rivalry be-
tween these sometimes weakened chances of success, favoring
those not so entangled. After all it was the natural born
politician, with time and money at his disposal that stood
farthest from defeat — possessions that fell to the lot of few
in those unsettled days. Thus there were three ways of com-
manding leisure: an unusual intellect, a short course, and
indifference to class standing — the former alone commending
itself to the students, the latter two simple possibilities to
those so inclined. The monetary power, however, could play
but little part, being beyond the grasp of the great majority,
as southern finances were depleted and nearly every represent-
ative stood for — the most knowledge in the least time — to
become all the sooner a money-maker rather than a money-
spender. The system was wrong and denounced by many,
but retained from precedent, knowing nothing better. Just
to think of the several contestants and supporters so embittered
against one another as scarcely to speak in passing — an en-
mity extending in a few cases over a large portion of their
University career — and you have the situation. A regular
political campaign with its excitement and consequences. Un-
fortunately youth is. intolerant of adverse opinions, relentless
and unforgiving in strong differences, so that contests of this
kind engendered more harm than good, and it was only by
making one's better manhood assert itself that those most in-
terested in time resolved to forgive and forget. Happily the
position demanded some literary ability from which there was
no escape, and every would-be applicant knew the danger of
overestimating personal fitness, as that had to be passed upon,
publicly, at the Saturday night meetings throughout the ses-
sion— when he entered into debate and speech-making. Some
gave numerous demonstrations, in fact too many for their
own good, others were contented with two or three.
The position of orator seemed to elicit least concern, rivalry
and rancor, the 'aspirants experiencing little difficulty in at-
taining their ambition, chiefly because we recognized orators
to be born and not made. It was an acknowledged fact that
the best talent in this line lay in the law department among the
second year men, who had enjoyed Moot Court and other spe-
cial training, but most of such were handicapped by being
228 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
applicants for graduation, in which they preferred to take no
chances by diverting sufficient time to familiarize, write and
memorize a speech containing original and wholesome material
upon a subject affording pleasure to and praise from the pub-
lic. The possible honors being considered problematic — much
work and little glory — when one announced his desire to be
our orator he generally received unanimous support, especially
if he be a law student of good standing and address, and could
convince us in one or more efforts of ability to speak with in-
telligence and composure. There was one other restriction
with which the orators had to contend — that of submitting
their manuscript to a Committee of the Faculty for approval —
a custom inaugurated only a short while before my entrance,
and made necessary through the unwillingness of the young
Southern enthusiasts immediately after the war to let bygones
be bygones, continuing to harp upon what they believed its
injustices, political wrongs and reconstruction crimes, to the
displeasure of the Faculty and the great majority of the older
heads. It was related with considerable gusto that during the
preceding summer (1872) when one of the orators visited
Professor Holmes, Chairman of the Approval Committee, and
laid before him the pages of his proposed speech, the profes-
sor remarked : "Now, I do hope you have not condescended
to select a subject of low order, particularly one pertaining to
the late bitter strife, or one that might compromise our insti-
tution in any way." To which the young man replied : " Far
from it, far from it Professor, I have not touched a single
thing on this mundane sphere ; I have restricted myself entirely
to celestial bodies " — The night brings forth the stars.
The position of medalist was guarded with far greater care
and interest, being the most desirable within the gift of the
Societies, and stood not only for high excellence in debating
and speaking, but backed by a fifty dollar gold medal — a glit-
tering and durable testimonial of ability well-expressed. Here
usually was centered even more excitement and rivalry than
around the presidency, as the contestants were of greater
number and their merit less easy to judge with equity and
justice. Each entered many general and specific debates, pre-
pared and unprepared, affording abundant opportunity for a
fair estimate of capacity, strength, weakness and unfitness,
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 229
and whatever may have been the kindly feeling towards any
special one, it may be said to the credit of his admirers
and companions, that they would withhold support unless he
was found to possess a certain degree of natural talent — as
otherwise the reputation of the Societies and University would
suffer, that which we recognized was our highest and lasting
duty to protect. The chief fault was in allowing friendship
sometimes to go so far as to be satisfied with less than the
greatest available merit, but here, as with the President and
Orator, I never saw a Medalist an indifferent debater, or fail
at the Final Celebration to give general satisfaction in his
speech. However, the truth remained, that occasionally we
did not choose our most gifted members, and in consequence
of that injustice both Societies were well-pleased when the
Faculty two years later took matters into its own hands and
announced a plan for the future which would serve the best
interest of all concerned.
CHAPTER XII
LITERARY SOCIETIES; DEBATES AND CELEBRATIONS
Became a member of the Jeff. ; recorded many of the debates, excerpts
from a few — Wickes, Saunders, Smith, Herron, Brent, Green, Clark,
etc. ; trip home at Christmas ; excerpts from diary ; sickness and death
of Professor McGuffey ; accident to room-mate — Pearce ; closing weeks
of the session ; remained for Commencement ; sermon by Rev. J. Wil-
liam Jones; Wash. Celebration — Richard H. Maury, John W. Stephen-
son, Fergus R. Graham; Jeff. Celebration — B. Chambers Wickes, Wil-
liam R. Alexander, John Sharp Williams, etc.
SOME months before entering the University, in looking
over the catalogue I noticed the name of the only student that
lived within reasonable distance of my home, Mr. B. C. Wickes,
whom I surmised a son of Judge Joseph A. Wickes, a member
of the Maryland Bench, a gentleman of good legal attainments
and sound judicial ability — highly respected, honored and be-
loved in his Court circuit. With him my father was well
acquainted, but whether the supposed son intended returning
to the University was unknown to me for at least a week
after my arrival there, when he made a social call at my room.
He spoke of having seen a recent newspaper notice of my
proposed entrance ; that he had inquired of several concerning
my arrival and location, and hoped we would be friendly and
companionable during our sojourn together. It happened that
he also roomed on Dawson?s Row, not far from me, and
took meals at the same boarding house (Ross'), so that
throughout the session, his last, we saw not a little of each
other. As developments proved there was a stronger ulterior
motive connected with Mr. Wickes' initial visit than the es-
tablishment of simple friendship, since he had an ambition to
become Final President of the Jeff., and was leaving nothing
unturned in securing new members. He was what I call an
impulsive politician, but possessed many forceful qualities — •
visited freshmen as early as possible, gave fraternal advice,
impressed the necessity of joining a literary society, and the
230
University — McCormick Observatory
(Erected 1882-83)
University— Madison Hall— Y. M. C. A.
(Erected 1905)
FACING 23O
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 231
great advantages of the Jeff, over the Wash., not as he con-
ceived them, but, as he said, they really were. From the first
he insisted upon proposing my name for membership, offering
gratuitous initiation fee, which I declined but otherwise will-
ingly followed his pleasure. Having joined I naturally thought
it a duty to attend the regular Saturday night meetings,
which I found entertaining in the knowledge gained from in-
telligent and spirited debate. The hall, located about midway
West Range, was furnished suitably with carpet (red), dra-
peries, desks and chairs, well heated and cared for, and as it
was colder in the rear near the door, I usually occupied a seat
towards the front where by paying moderate attention most of
the arguments could easily be followed. The next day (Sun-
day) I would spend an hour in writing down the salient
points of the discussion, and referring now to that note book,
I find only one record of Mr. Wickes having taken active
part, February 22, 1873, which I distinctly remember was
styled then by some, a final trial-contest to prove his meriting
the honors sought — that disputed by some, but happily estab-
lished on this occasion to the full satisfaction of his many
friends. A portion of these notes, in spite of youthful crudi-
ties, may be reproduced here in order to show what impression
those debates made upon me and what subject-matter I then
considered worthy of transcribing:
Jeff. Society, Saturday night, February 22, 1873. Ques-
tion : Which is the more pernicious vice — flattery or slander?
Mr. Saunders (Aff.). — Opened debate by declaring, that
some considered prefatory remarks inelegant, but on this oc-
casion he regarded them eminently proper — far better than
pleading not having given the subject any thought, or claiming
to be absolutely unprepared. He rejoiced in being assigned
to his side of the question, convinced that much could be
made out of it by the right parties, whereas the negative had
little, if anything, to commend it; claimed that all important
nations had attained their greatness chiefly through flattery
and praise, and that the perpetuity and success of the human
race had been due to its power and influence. After reciting
many quotations from the Bible and without special credit for
the effort, he yielded the floor to his associate.
Mr. Smith (Aff.). — Charmed us with eloquence, spread-
232 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
ing himself like the limbs of a big bay tree as he gave his
several illustrations. Mentioned a certain scholarly gentle-
man, who, having been elevated to the Senate and acquired
a fortune, was brought by merciless slander to an untimely
death; a lady, who, with beauty and purity unsurpassed, was
pining away the few remaining days of life amid solitude
and melancholy due to that defaming monster — slander;
claimed it impossible to arouse feminine emotions through
flattery, and that every living soul preferred it in a generous
degree to the mildest slander. Often teachers in the hope of
encouraging pupils, even those not yet beyond the obstacles
of the speller, make the boldest assertions — work a little
harder, put in a trifle more time, and you will accomplish the
difficult task, perchance become President of our great coun-
try— mindful all the time of a lurking falsehood in their
statements, but condoned as a piece of flattery that may lead
to good results. Often mothers sacrifice comfort for our
pleasure, and how few of us show the least signs of gratitude,
far less give a complimentary or flattering word! But what
a difference when outsiders do us the slightest favor, as then
we overwhelm them with flattery and praise — that which
usually is not to their dissatisfaction. After a young man with
several rivals succeeds at their expense in winning the object
of his affections, how often those outwitted extend profuse
congratulations and best wishes — far beyond the heart's im-
pulse— which is infinitely more generous than words of dis-
approval and resentment. Mr. Smith in his second speech
replied to several caustic references made by Mr. Wickes, and
reaffirmed his conviction that no virtuous woman had ever
gone morally wrong through the single agency of flattery, but
invariably by having the emotions aroused by other kinetic
influences; that although she be flattered to the extreme, yet
finally it would reflect negatively upon the one conferring it.
He cited a case of two gentlemen visiting a certain lady,
wherein the discarded lover, imitating the handwriting of
the one accepted, wrote forged letters of a contradictory sen-
timent that seriously suggested to the lady a vacillating dis-
position on the part of the true lover, resulting in distrust,
denouncement and alienation on her side and suicide on his —
all the result of slander.
Mr. Wickes (Neg.). — Began with many eloquent and fan-
ciful appeals, and, somewhat embarrassed at the start, made
several minor errors in statement — one against Mr. Saunders
having to be retracted in his final summary. He thought
Mr. Smith had gotten far from truth in the assertion — one
deprived of his reputation is robbed necessarily of his char-
acter; that he had given this phase of the subject considerable
thought, even had consulted Professors Holmes and McGuf-
fey, who were of the contra opinion — believing that one who
possessed a bad reputation in a. certain locality might seek
another and by a new order of conduct create a different
impression, secure a creditable standing, and thereby prove
the ever-presence of character. He believed flattery had
brought the sunny South to her present condition by praising
and overvaluing her strength, and had beguiled many fair
maidens into leading immoral lives. Claimed that Aristides
and other noted Grecians and Romans, humbled by adversity,
had been led by flattery to be so self-assertive and intolerable
as to be banished or put to death; that all great empires and
nations had fallen through the agency of conceit and flattery.
In his second speech he replied most forcibly to the arguments
of his opponents and concluded with the inquiry : Which was
it, flattery or slander that caused Adam and Eve to be driven
from the Garden of Eden? Upon submitting the question to
the society for decision, the vote stood eighteen to eighteen,
but when that of the president's was recorded in the negative,
Mr. Wickes and his friends knew apparently no bound of joy.
This debate occasioned no little talk on the outside, as some
claimed that Mr. Wickes had taken much of his argument
from a certain " Debating Manual," of which many students
had copies, but his manly reply completely disarmed the evil
tongues of his traducers, since he freely admitted using the
work referred to and named several others in his possession
that had given him valuable information, without whose aid
no sensible young man should attempt publicly any intelli-
gent discussion.
Jeff. Society, Saturday night, March I, 1873. Question:
Should judges be appointed or elected?
Mr. Herron (Aff.). — Claimed that no government had
stood for any length of time that elected its judiciary — the
234 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
republican perishing sooner than the monarchical; that in all
Europe the higher positions are filled by the King or Queen
— the judges being appointed for life unless conduct decreed
otherwise; that mighty Rome, the city of heroes and learned
men, where the great Cicero had his rearing, fostered the
election of judges by the populace, while noble Athens, though
largely through Roman jealousy, declined and fell adhering
to similar principles; that all republics, English speaking or
otherwise, having judges selected by the people, are doomed
to dissolution and extinction. It is perfectly evident that the
rank and file have not sufficient good judgment to exercise
properly the elective franchise ; that where a ruler, uninfluenced
by party feeling, appoints judges the result is better for the
welfare of his nation and people. Washington when elected
President appointed his cabinet and able assistants in pursu-
ance of a most liberal policy — not alone those of his own
faith but the best throughout the land, irrespective of tenet
or creed. His example, although most worthy and com-
mendable, has not been emulated by any successor, showing
the proneness of even the great to fall in narrow lines and
pervert that which is best. We see in our day the climax to
which party strife may reach ; how those in power tolerate and
perpetuate evil doings in office to the extent of diabolical cor-
ruption and rottenness — all the outgrowth of political hatred
and prejudice through public ignorance. Those who run for
office are often not the ones who should have the honorst but
if the promotion was alone through a Supreme Chief — whose
judgment is wise in foretelling qualifications, possessed and
required for filling various positions — then results would be
far more healthy and satisfactory. Indeed, men of true char-
acter, in these times of feverish activity, are not office seekers,
as there is no incentive for those desiring to preserve the in-
alienable principles of the government to enter politics. At
present there is no honor in being elected judge, as one-third
of our voters are illiterate, consequently know not the quali-
fications for a judgeship, the nice distinctions between men,
and how to act at the polls with intelligent judgment. Our
government is departing fast from its former high ideals, and
in time we will find ourselves under a dominating power vastly
different from that of our early fathers. Certainly as a nation
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 235
we are losing our purity of act and thought, while the impulse
to do good for the nation alone is sadly lessening. George
III., although rather a bad ruler himself, did not fail to give
good advice and laws by which the people might be governed,
not they govern themselves, and one was the desirability to
appoint and not to elect incumbents to higher offices. Little
did Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Madison think when
forming this government and its constitution that the present
conditions would ever exist — that their hopes and realizations
would be so disappointing. They believed that whenever
judges and important leaders are to be elected by general vote,
then the masses should be well-informed and educated — re-
moved from a contentious, short-sighted animus, above self-
interest and the doing of public wrongs, actuated by honorable
principles in guarding the enforcement of the people's will —
then and only then is a republic superior to a monarchy. As
a matter of fact, however, there has never been a nation
whose people measured and lived up to these higher ideals for
a long time, so we must conclude, that the government using
mostly cautious appointing power is the one that endures
longest by virtue of having its affairs managed best.
Jeff. Society, Saturday night, March 15, 1873. Question:
Is our country (nation) on the decline?
This debate was opened affirmatively by a gentleman having
at least twenty-five pages of manuscript with an unnecessary
introduction: Little did he think, when a few weeks ago he
permitted himself to become a member of this society, that in
so short a time he would be assigned such onerous duties as
lay before him to-night. He considered the question of great
scope, requiring several subdivisions and much preparation
for its proper discussion. Claimed that while our home com-
merce was increasing, our foreign had greatly diminished
since the Civil War, although prior thereto it had shown a
gradual and satisfactory growth ; that through the Suez Canal
many ships pass daily bearing produce of other countries,
but scarcely any of our own ; that Great Britain, Germany and
France surpass us in the general interchange of world com-
modities; that we are increasing rapidly in population, not
only with our Anglo-Saxons, but with many mingled races —
Irish, Germans, Italians, Chinese, Bohemians, Poles, Norwe-
236 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
gians, Russians, Swedes, Celts, etc., yet as a fact this cannot be
considered an advantage, as all ancient and modern history
shows that no nation has survived long with a composite popu-
lation. As we are now on equality with all, it cannot be
doubted but that in time we will be the conquered race — pos-
sibly the negro the ruling one. In 1800 our population was
three and a half millions, to-day it is forty millions, and if
our increase for the next century be in the same proportion
we will have one hundred and fifty millions. The great and
important point to be considered here is the direction in which
this increase is to take place — our own race blood predomi-
nating, so that we may derive good and not evil. I agree with
Henry Clay and many other great men — that the increase of
dominion will not aid our prosperity, but may involve us in
untold expense and complication. Mr. Clay advocated our
boundaries to remain as they were — the Pacific on the west,
the Atlantic on the east, the Gulf of Mexico on the south,
and the great lakes on the north — believing the less we possess
the greater the ambition to improve it. I also agree with many,
that our country is degenerating morally and politically — a
fact that needs only proof in the persistent endeavor of the
North to oppress the South, and in the determination of our
President to retain in office those having dishonest, insincere
and sinister motives, rather than those willing to stamp out
corrupt and fraudulent practices.
Mr. Brent (Aff.). — Affirmed his intention to discuss only
the political disposition of our government, as upon party
purity the success or failure of our nation necessarily depends.
He compared us to ancient Rome, believing against hope that
our fate was to be similar ; he recognized the fundamental prin-
ciple of our government, the foundation of the constitution,
as framed by Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Madison,
to be centered in the one idea, states-rights — a fact our present
rulers seem determined to deny and disregard. Certainly it
is a paramount question, otherwise it would not have been
such a bone of contention these many years, for even in the
days of the great trio, Clay, Webster, Calhoun, the Senate
was in continuous agitation over measures impinging more or
less upon it. It has furnished the great dividing line between
the North and South, and although Mr. Webster became a
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 237
bold and fearless advocate of his people's sentiments, yet he
was simply their mouth-piece and servant, as at heart he sym-
pathized with the South, believing in her claim and that she
was contending only for that vouchsafed by the constitution.
There lived in Pennsylvania one time a man noted through-
out the country as extremely large and handsome, who, ac-
cused of treason and brought to trial, made such a hasty and
reckless entrance into the court-room overcrowded with ladies
and gentlemen, as to crush to the dirty floor a man of much
smaller size, who upon gaining his feet demanded of the giant
Adonis the right and reason for such a brutal act, only to
bring forth the defiant reply : " I am the handsome man who
is to be tried here to-day for treason, get out of the way or
take the consequences." This desire of the strong crushing
the weak has been manifest in our recent war, as the North
has let the edict prevail — we will make the South feel what we
are — and those living in this pillaged land sadly realize the
force of that sentiment. The party now in power pretend to
have been trying to restore the Union for the past seven
years, but how fruitless has been the effort ! Mr. Grant upon
becoming President recommended that the South elect her
governors and legislatures, but afterwards, under pressure of
his party-mongers, ordered all those elected to abdicate office
in order that he might fill those positions with northern car-
pet-baggers, who have not only misruled, but have suffered
our country to be robbed and plundered in a most ruthless
manner. The President is now on his fifth year and we are
informed that he made his maiden speech a few days ago,
reading it from manuscript — a sad commentary upon the kind
of intellect gracing the position — and though the simile is
ungenerous I am reminded of what we are told in the New
Testament : That Balaam's ass opened its mouth and spoke,
whereupon it was recorded marvelous and wonderful. So
may this utterance of the President's be preserved in history
as most strange and remarkable. He also may go down to
posterity as a lover of bull-pups, although the papers say the
last one sent was refused acceptance owing to expressage not
being prepaid but upon learning it had a long and valuable
pedigree hastened to reclaim it from a friend to whom he had
given it in lieu of conveyance charges.
238 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Jeff. Society, Saturday night, November 15, 1873. Ques-
tion : Should capital punishment be abolished ?
Mr. Green (Neg.). — Impressed the fact that as time glides
along we are too apt to forget the laws and commandments of
our forefathers, for certainly this question needs no settle-
ment from our hands to-night, as our progenitors in the dis-
tant past, after great thought and concern, have determined
for always, that wherever civilized communities exist none
can make progress without some dreaded restraining power
over those inclined to violate law and order. Surely anything
short of capital punishment would be inimical to a nation's
safety and advancement — for the atoning of one's crime with
life, that to which every sane person clings most tenaciously,
is a powerful curbing agency to the lawless inclined. In spite
of its known efficacy some states, notably Ohio, have abolished
it, accepting instead life imprisonment, while only a few years
ago a bill was before Congress to have it apply to the whole
country. This fortunately was defeated, although by a small
majority, but this national expression does not determine the
approximate or real value of the two methods for all times
and nations, as under certain quiescent periods in every coun-
try the lighter punishment might suffice, while under ex-
tremely turbulent conditions the more severe would only meet
the demands of justice. In our country I believe capital
punishment to be absolutely imperative in order that the chas-
tity of the home be maintained and the purity of society
guarded. He alluded to the circus man and to Myers, who was
imprisoned five years on the testimony of one claiming to
have heard his voice in the crowd where the murder was com-
mitted. Two other men also were arrested, but released shortly
afterwards, when public feeling had largely subsided. Here
hanging would have been a great injustice, as the evidence
was vague and hypothetical. I admit, like all questions, this
presents two sides, and that the negative will plead the hu-
manitarian and utilitarian interests — the removal of a hus-
band or father to a destitute and otherwise dependent family
being an unnecessary sorrow and loss when a penitentiary
service for life might be turned to state profit and revenue.
But this phase fades into insignificance when compared with
the moral degeneracy all communities would experience from
5
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 239
what many culprits consider not an objectionable method of
paying penalty.
Messrs. Smith and Clark (Neg.) — Both spoke along paral-
lel lines, believing that capital punishment was instituted not
only to atone a specific crime, thereby preventing the same in-
dividual committing others, but by example to deter those of
similar evil impulses from taking fatal steps. They referred
to Salorn's case, who murdered his brother and mother, and
after two trials released, possibly to kill some one else or com-
mit other dastardly deeds; also mentioned the Stokes' and
Walworth crimes— -how defiant and indifferent the latter
seemed when facing death, kissing his mother as under no
unusual stress of mind. Mr. Smith claimed that hanging is
recognized more generally by the press than the mere sending
of a convict to penitentiary for life, thus making the incident
wider known and its influence stronger felt. He did not be-
lieve criminals generally had large families, or contributed
much to their support, hence hanging provides a good rid-
dance.
While these debates were primarily for scholarly improve-
ment, they had injected into them often much laughter
and amusement, as many members indulged in sarcasm, in-
vective and ridicule — the more poignant affording the great-
est enjoyment to the listeners. Among the debaters themselves
this was accepted as no intended insult or reflection — -simply
an opportunity to sharpen wits at brilliant repartee, that in
which some were well-gifted.
Most of the speaking was extempore, often with attempt
at highly gestured oratory, but some was more quiet and dig-
nified from notes or full manuscript, with the exception of
anecdotes and jokes. It was so soon after the Civil War,
in the days of reconstruction, that many subjects discussed
were of a partisan nature calculated for the introduction of
wild, ill-timed and rancorous criticism — that which became
greatly modified towards the close of my period, and at best
amounted to nothing more than a wrangling of words, as all
thought alike upon such topics. There was no one to convince.
While assembling an abundance of good cheer, smoking and
friendly conversation prevailed, but the moment the gavel
sounded all was attention and order, which usually continued
240 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
throughout the exercises. Seldom was there needless talking
or whispering, as every one seemed intent upon developed ar-
guments and expected witticisms, ever ready to punctuate by
foot and hand demonstrations — such as most speakers expect
and feel disappointed when suppressed. The kindest feeling
prevailed between the two societies, and as no rivalry existed
there was much reciprocal visiting, according to the prefer-
ence of program and fancy for those taking part. Conferences
between representative members were held often, looking to
the betterment of the organizations, and the adoption by one
of any good measure was certain of being followed by the
other. Although the law students were in most evidence as
speakers, yet other departments furnished quite a number,
who did not suffer by comparison. All things considered, the
general work in these societies was of high order, serving
well to develop minds in the polemic direction. I am confident
we all look back upon this affiliation with no little pleasure —
considering it a feature in University life and training highly
necessary if not absolutely essential.
This was my longest time and distance from home, and a
visit thereto with the approach of Christmas seemed a fore-
gone conclusion, in spite of having only the one day holiday
and otherwise lectures pushing along at their usual rapid
pace. As there was no way of getting full value of these
save by attendance, the missing of a week or more meant al-
most an irreparable loss — a fact sadly recognized and pre-
venting extreme enthusiasm over such an alloyed vacation.
The only palliation possible lay in borrowing upon our return
the note books of others containing leading essentials but not
the endless detail so important for perfect understanding —
such as most individuals trust the mind to carry. Indeed,
the Faculty disapproved home-going at this season, or any
other, owing to the likely discouragement from once getting
behind and the usual demoralization an interregnum tends to
create, but upon application the Chairman of the Faculty
would issue to any one for a reasonable time a " leave of
absence" of the following form: University of Va., Dec.
19, 1872. We concur in the application of Mr. David M. R.
Culbreth'for a leave of absence of two weeks. Report your
return promptly to the Chairman, Chas. S. Venable, Chair.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 241
When you secured to this the signature of the various profes-
sors by whom instructed, you were beyond the University re-
strictions for the specified time. Beginning with this permit
I take from my diary a few abstracts:
December 19, 1872. Left University for home to-night,
6.30 o'ck. ; reached Central Hotel at 7.10, where I sat in
the office by a hot coal stove until 8.45, when a servant showed
me to room No. 48, which I found without fire and very cold.
Lost some time in getting to sleep, possibly from anxiety of
trip, missing train, etc. Was called at 1.20 A. M., but train
being late did not leave until 2.10. Rained and snowed nearly
all the way, while between Fairfax and Manassas our train
killed several cattle causing us to stop, as one of the animals
became mangled in the engine. Had quite a talk with the
conductor, etc.
December 2oth. Reached Alexandria at 7.25 A. M., but left
ten minutes later for Washington where we arrived at 8.
Had a buss transfer ticket from the Baltimore and Potomac
depot to the Baltimore and Ohio, where I took an express
that reached Baltimore at 9.30. Found the streets very sloppy
and muddy, but walked up to Uncle's alone, etc.
December 2ist. Left Baltimore, President Street station,
for home at 7.25 A. M. After watching the boats moving in
and out of the harbor and river I looked over The (Baltimore)
Sun, and within the hour observed Judge Wickes sitting alone
a few seats to the rear, whom I joined and engaged in con-
versation. He was anxious about his son's progress, so I
emphasized his popularity and the belief of him doing good
work; that I knew he was gaining knowledge of his studies
and an experience with the world. Well, he said : " ' Chamb '
is spending too much money." Many students on the train
going home for the holidays. Father met me at the station,
3.35 P. M., etc.
December 25th. The past few days have been spent quietly
at home conversing with parents and friends who called. To-
day we had a family reunion at grandmother's, where all of
her six children and most of her grandchildren were gath-
ered. All had a royal time.
December 29th. To-day the family reunion was at our
house, where all members assembled except grandmother,
242 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
who, owing to cough, never goes from home during winter
months (October- April). The day was pleasant and all ap-
peared to enjoy themselves. We spend to-morrow at Uncle
Edward's.
January I, 1873. To-day is Wednesday and how beautiful
for winter! Took train at 10.15 A- M- f°r Baltimore, on my
return to the University. Left the car several times to recog-
nize familiar faces at stations. Had a long wait at Clayton,
11.30-1.55, so did not reach Baltimore until 8.30. Went at
once to Uncle's.
January 3rd. Left Baltimore at 2 p. M., reached Wash-
ington at 4, took supper at the St. James Hotel in time to catch
the 6.55 train from Baltimore and Potomac depot for Char-
lottesville, where I arrived at 12.40, and at my room three-
quarters of an hour later, where I retired a few minutes there-
after much fatigued and sleepy.
January 4th. Arose at 7 o'ck., breakfasted at 7.30, reported
to Latin and Natural Philosophy ; was even called upon in the
latter and only avoided a " cork " by the prompting of Peteet,
who caused me to acquit myself with considerable credit.
Green and LeBourgeois dropped in a short while after supper.
I wrote Latin exercise and retired at 10.30.
January 6th. This is Sunday so did not arise until 7.40;
breakfasted at 8, which was enjoyed to an unusual degree
owing to its very satisfactory quality. Rained nearly all day
and have spent most of it on Math.
January gth. Reported at Latin, 8.50, was called upon with
good results.
January I2th. Breakfasted at 7.25 ; spent morning in read-
ing Latin parallel.
January I5th. This is Monday, cold and bleak; spent most
of the day on Math. In going to lecture met Professor Ven-
able, so we chatted pleasantly on our way to the Rotunda;
found lecture-room very hot which made my feet almost burn
up in rubber boots — no good in winter.
January I7th. Friday — arose at 6.35, breakfasted at 7,
studied Math, and mineralogy all morning; had "boss" for
dinner; reported to Math, at 3.30.
January 2ist. Tuesday — reported to Latin at 12.30; had
" boss " for dinner ; Dr. Witherspoon called on us during
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 243
the afternoon ; read Latin parallel and worked out exercises in
Math, until 2.
January 24th. Monday — breakfasted at 7; went to Math.-
drill at 8, came to room and studied Math, until dinner.
January 26th. Sunday — breakfasted at 7.10; had buck-
wheat, sausage, hash, etc. Spent a part of the morning with
many companions sliding down the hill just beyond the par-
sonage— used our split-bottom chairs for sleds, to which it
was death, but all had much enjoyment. Wrote to mother;
studied some.
January 28th. Tuesday — reported to Latin at 12.30, but
a note pinned on the door called lecture off, owing to sickness
of Professor Peters.
January 29th. Wednesday — arose at 7, breakfasted at 7.10;
reported to Math. -drill at 8; read Latin parallel from I to 2;
while writing this the first bell has rung, it will soon be time
for the second.
February 2nd. Sunday — breakfasted at 7 ; spent the day in
reading Latin parallel, writing mother, and attending chapel
at night ; returned thereafter to room, 9 o'ck., and worked on
Math, until 11.30.
February 9th. Sunday — breakfasted at 7.10; read Latin
parallel; left for my second trip to Monticello at 12; took
dinner at Ambroselli's, reached the summit at 3; cut our-
selves some hickory sticks.
February loth. Monday — arose at 6.45, breakfasted at 7;
reported to Math, at 3.30; studied Latin after supper, and
wrote up geology notes.
February i8th. Tuesday — arose at 6.40, breakfasted at 7.10;
reported to Latin in the morning, and played baseball in the
afternoon.
February 2ist. Friday — breakfasted at 7.10; reported to
Math.-drill at 8, and geology at 12.30; was called on in Math,
and got through all right.
February 22nd. Saturday — arose at 7, breakfasted at 7.30 ;
reported to Latin at 9 and to Natural Philosophy at 1 1 ; at-
tended Jeff. Society at night, but got back to my room at
10.30.
February 23rd. Sunday — arose at 6.30, breakfasted at 7;
attended church in Charlottesville, 10 to i.
244 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
March ist. Saturday — breakfasted at 7; reported to Latin
at 9 and to Natural Philosophy at n, but there was no lec-
ture in the latter owing to sickness of Professor Smith; at-
tended Jeff. Society at night; retired at 11.30.
But enough of these youthful excerpts that have little spice
and variety, since days, weeks, nay years, were almost dupli-
cates of one another, so that the chronicling was largely re-
iteration.
Near the first of April the University and Charlottesville
communities were saddened by the sickness of Professor Mc-
Guffey which, after various stages of hope and despair, ended
in death on May 4th. He was our oldest professor, whom all
students loved, and followed to the grave with a sorrow kin-
dred to paternalism.
About the close of my first week at the University a young
medical student, Pierce, who occupied alone the upper north-
west room, House B, suggested that I move in with him as he
believed a companionship would be beneficial to us both, while
the elevation of his room had an advantage over mine. We
mutually agreed the change advisable, so passed the session
together satisfactorily, in spite of our departments possessing
little in common and his necessitating often a dwelling with
unclean bones and desiccated muscles of the recent dead. He
like myself had been reared in the country by good, industrious
parents, and fortunately shared equally with me quiet, studious
habits. We confided not a few of our family matters, yet for
want of time seldom discussed them. Our tastes were plain,
simple, clean and moral, so there was little to produce friction
and discord. Beyond the care of our room by the attendant
a few minor duties fell to our lot, performed in turn alternately
according to understanding, among them — going to the post-
office daily at 3 o'ck, for the mail. On one of my mail days I
brought him a letter from home, which conveyed the pleasant
information that on a certain day and train in the near future
a couple of friends would pass through Charlottesville by the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, en route for some point west,
and that they would be pleased to have him meet them at the
depot for a few minutes' conversation. He seemed gratified
at the opportunity and gladly made good the appointment,
but in order that the agreeable talk and companionship might
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 245
be prolonged determined to remain on the train while it pulled
through the town and by the junction jumping off when he
reached the University crossing, then at the same grade as the
public road. By most of us this was considered a dangerous
experiment, although the train's speed seldom exceeded at
that point twenty miles per hour — usually less — yet the curv-
ing grade, road bed and shallow cuts filled with various-sized
loose and fixed rocks, made leaping with the train's motion
in expectation of landing on one's feet, thence for a rapid
run, likely to be disappointing. At home where the road-sides
were soft and rockless I had performed the act many times
successfully, where even a fall meant little or nothing, but
under such changed conditions would never have had the cour-
age to attempt it. As a vivid warning against liberty with
moving trains all of us students had fresh in mind the sad fate
of Arthur L. Coleman, a gifted and accomplished student of
the two preceding sessions, who just a year before, April 13,
1872, was mangled to death near the same spot. Up to that
occurrence the Chesapeake and Ohio passenger trains made a
short stop at this crossing, a convenience appreciated by the
University community, but abused by some who continually
rode to and from town, passing through the coaches in hope of
seeing some friend or acquaintance and often delaying exit
until the train was well under way. Following this custom
young Coleman in hastening to get off missed his grip on the
railing and fell between the cars to his destruction. He was
buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, and to his memory
admiring fellow students of the University erected during my
first month, October, 1872, an appropriate monument. All of
these facts came before our eyes from time to time, especially
through various issues of the Magazine, subscribed to and
read carefully by most of us. Regardless of these lessons my
roommate considered himself on this occasion equal to the
acrobatic feat without serious harm, but upon trial found saclly
his mistake, as at once he was taken off his feet and thrown
violently to the earth against a boldly protruding rock, in-
flicting an ugly hip laceration and several minor wounds,
which rendered him helpless and semi-unconscious for a time.
Within an hour he was conveyed on a stretcher to the Infirm-
ary, where Doctors Cabell and Davis made careful examina-
246 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
tion, hesitating to give much encouragement owing to the
supposed serious possibilities at the hip. Fortunately no com-
plications arose, so that in four weeks he could hobble around
on crutches, but concluded to do no more studying that ses-
sion and left for home two weeks before its close. During his
stay at the Infirmary I paid him almost daily visits, ministered
to his wants as best I could, and for the first ten days, so long
as he was restricted to the recumbent position, attended to his
correspondence with his parents and friends.
Towards the middle of June, owing to the severe heat and
a disinclination to study, many were found turning faces home-
ward, thinking the attendance upon Commencement played no
part in the duties and pleasures of the year — that from which
I dissented, believing that the final week's exercises, coming at
the conclusion of the year's hard work, could not be otherwise
than beneficial, restful and enjoyable. In addition to the
goodly number of distinguished visitors, alumni, friends, par-
ents and relatives of the graduates, from near and far, with
some of whom contact was unavoidable, there was delivered
two addresses by men of national reputation and about six by
as many of our best trained students. To listen to these re-
lieved and refreshed by strains of sweet music, the compan-
ionship, conversation and laughter of fairer saints, always so
much in evidence, could not fail to make the few included
days far from stupid — in fact highly inspiring — therefore,
during my entire University residence I never missed one of
these functions, even remaining to see the " Final Ball " well
under way and sometimes ended. Apart from this personal
inclination there were two specific reasons that well-nigh im-
pelled my stay at this, my first, Commencement — that of my
distinguished fellow-stateman, Hon. Thomas F. Bayard,
being the joint orator before the two Literary Societies, and
that of me being on the Final Committee of the Jeff. — a posi-
tion it is true more honorary than active since the Chairman,
as in all cases, personally looked after most of the detail ar-
rangement, but after all carried some duties if one cared to live
up to and discharge them. Owing to Mr. Bayard's high char-
acter, eminent position and service already rendered the South,
as well as that about to be performed for us, I, the only
student from Delaware, had been the recipient during the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 247
session of no little favorable notice from companions, who, I
felt confident would have, at least, been surprised had I not
remained to be one of those to receive him.
Commencement or Final Day then was the Thursday before
July 4th, which fell that year, 1873, on the 3rd, but the week's
exercises began the preceding Sunday night, June 29th, with
a sermon in the Public Hall before the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association by Rev. J. William Jones. It was the first
time I had heard that gentleman, so that his well-worded sen-
tences, profound earnestness, and rather high, penetrating
voice made upon me a strong and lasting impression on, " The
Blessedness of Religion."
Monday night — Wash Celebration. Unfortunately in the
late afternoon a thunderstorm made the outlook unfavorable
for a large attendance, but in spite of no signs of clearing until
after 7 o'ck, the Public Hall by that hour was filled comfort-
ably with the younger life that seemed fearless before the ele-
ments and determined to make the evening a success. The
officers this year were: President, Mr. Richard H. Maury,
Miss.; Orator, Mr. John W. Stephenson, Va. (subject — Na-
tional Literature) ; Medalist, Mr. Fergus R. Graham, La. After
these gentlemen had discoursed to their full credit and Weber's
Germania Band had rendered appropriate selections, the as-
semblage according to honored custom repaired to the Lawn
beautifully illuminated with hundreds of gas-jets and Chinese
lanterns, under whose mellow light were to be enjoyed for a
couple of hours a continuous promenading of the arcades and
triangle, stirring strains of music, pleasant conversation and
short calls at the homes of the several professors who were
entertaining.
Tuesday night — Jeff. Celebration. This was clear and beau-
tiful, and during the heated day many visitors arrived includ-
ing Senator Bayard, Ex-Governor Swann, Governor Walker
and Lieutenant-Governor Marye, whose son, Willie, was one
of our popular students. While the evening before I had been
simply an interested spectator, on this it was very different, as
my committee membership placed me here in the role of a mar-
shal, with the implied expectation of solving properly the an-
noyances and perplexities of the many late comers insisting
upon, sometimes demanding, seats well towards the front.
Another member and I took charge of the left-hand (west)
248 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
aisle, and were happy in offending none knowingly and in
the manifest appreciation by the fair ones of our proffered
gallantry. The Public Hall was soon overcrowded with an
anxious and restless audience awaiting the coming of the
stage-lore, which in procession, two by two, at 8.30 o'ck, began
to enter with rhythmic step to the martial music, in the order
of the Board of Visitors, Faculty, distinguished visitors, offi-
cers of the two societies, orators and medalists escorted by
the marshals and passing up the center-aisle under the arched
batons of the chief marshals to occupy the stage.
The officers this year were: President, Mr. B. Chambers
Wickes, Md. ; Orator, Mr. William R. Alexander, Va. (subject
— What has been belongs not alone to the past) ; Medalist, Mr-
John Sharp Williams, Tenn.
The President's style was a trifle hurried and bold, his
enunciation clear and matter well in mind. The Medalist, at
all times a quick somewhat nervous speaker and conversation-
alist, endeavored in no appreciable degree to have freedom
therefrom on that occasion, but this was no weakness as it
stamped individuality and the fire of true oratory, so that
with his closing declaration — he would prize the medal not for
what it is but for what it teaches — rounds of applause testified
to universal approbation. The writer has not seen Mr. Wil-
liams since those commencement days, although in full knowl-
edge of his attained honors and positions, and while testifying
with much delight to his earlier recognized powers, it has been
a far greater pleasure to see his words a " living truth " — the
medal standing for what it teaches. For he has gone forth
from that youthful stage to the highest forum of our land
to defend humane rights as he conceives them, to take the
side of the plain people, as did the illustrious Jefferson in whose
school he was taught, and, like him, to implant his name upon
the " Temple of Fame." During the day I saw not a little of
the orator, who, while walking together, lamented his legal
studies having prevented a mastery of his oration, that which
evinced itself at several points in the delivery, but not sufficient
to provoke merited criticism. The following newspaper clip-
ping at the time will not offend or reflect owing to its ludicrous
witticism : " His address was well written, his manner good,
and was listened to by those who could hear him. The fair
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
249
ladies listened with rapt attention, and drank in every word
spoken by— their gallant escorts. Instead of a thousand fair
and lovely maidens ' hanging entrance on the lips of one ora-
tor,' they hung entrance on the lips of a thousand orators —
every orator had an auditor and every auditor an orator. The
speaker was interrupted frequently, not only by the applause
from the galleries, but also by the entrance of tardy belles and
beaux, the rustling of dresses, the tramp of polite marshals
eager to show seats to the blushing late-comers, and lastly by
the merry hum of the audience. Under these circumstances,
what youthful orator ' with soul so dead ' who would not feel
inspired to soar to the loftiest heights of impassioned elo-
quence ? "
CHAPTER XIII
COMMENCEMENT — ADDRESSES AND BANQUET — SESSION
1872-73.
Commencement of 1873 continued; memorial address on Professor Gess-
ner Harrison, by Rev. John A. Broadus; Joint Celebration — Hon.
Thomas F. Bayard; Commencement or Final Day — alumni address
by Ex-Governor Thomas Swann; alumni banquet — to which a few of
us students were invited to enjoy the good things and speeches; es-
corted two of the honored guests, Senator Bayard and Ex-Governor
Swann, to Professor Venable's home ; death and funeral of Mr. Swann,
etc.
WEDNESDAY was beautiful, clear and hot, but its diversified
entertainments served to veil all personal discomfort. In the
morning, 1 1 o'ck, we met in the Public Hall to hear a memo-
rial address on our late Professor Gessner Harrison, by Rev.
John A. Broadus. Up to that day I knew little of Professor
Harrison except through his Latin Grammar — An Exposition
of Some of the Laws of the Latin Grammar, Harper Brothers,
1852 — a work of which Professor Peters had spoken several
times in class with a commendation that led me to purchase
and use a copy with decided benefit. I further knew that Pro-
fessor Smith's wife was a daughter, and had seen around the
University another daughter, Miss Harrison, afterwards the
wife of Professor Thornton, and a son whom I thought about
thirty years of age.
On this occasion the portrait of Professor Harrison, be-
longing in the library, was suspended over the stage amid
evergreens and flowers; the stage was filled with professors
and visiting dignitaries, and the main floor with an attentive,
intelligent audience. After prayer by our new Chaplain, Rev.
Samuel A. Steel, the Hon. B. Johnson Barbour, a short and
rather compactly built gentleman of about sixty, then President
of the Alumni Society, arose and in a deliberate conversa-
tional style said : " The Alumni are to honor themselves in
honoring a great and good man — great in the fullness of his
knowledge and good in all that constitutes the true Christian
250
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 251
gentleman. At the request of the Alumni, their honored
brother has come with full knowledge and filial love to tell the
story of his noble life. I take pleasure in introducing Rev.
John A. Broadus, of the Southern Baptist Theological Sem-
inary."
I had never seen or heard Dr. Broadus before, but later had
the good fortune to attend several sermons and lectures, and to
meet him socially. On that day he appeared about forty-five
years of age, five feet eight inches high, and to weigh one
hundred and fifty pounds. He had a fine suit of black hair
parted well to the left and worn a trifle long, short chin and
side whiskers of similar shade slightly sprinkled with gray —
no moustache; his forehead was broad and full, but not high,
which inclined to give the square upper face; nose shapely,
well-proportioned with full apex ; mouth and lips of good size,
the latter when closed indicating firmness, resolution and posi-
tiveness; voice clear, sonorous, of abundant volume and
depth, easily filling the remotest part of the Hall. His dress
was of the provincial black broad-cloth, coat-skirt closed in
front and of moderate length; turned-down collar and small
black cravat hand tied. He arose without hestitation and was
absolutely at ease in reading his manuscript in a serious style
for more than an hour. To me there was something pleasant,
yet sad, in his face — even his voice and every slight gesture,
for these were few, seemed to carry an element of pathos and
seriousness, a deep feeling for the personality under consider-
ation. I recognized from the start that it was no ordinary
man speaking or being spoken of, so quietly sat near the front
to imbibe the beautifully expressed thoughts. Mr. Bayard,
who sat upon the stage in my easy view, pronounced it the
finest panegyric to which he had ever listened, and I a youth
was made almost to realize that Gessner Harrison had been a
part of and inseparable from my own life.
I shall never forget how realistic he portrayed in smooth,
rounded sentences the outer and inner life of his great teacher
— one of the three first medical graduates of the University
(1827), who, in addition to and coexistent with his profes-
sional studies, pursued and mastered Latin and Greek to such
a phenomenal degree under that great scholar George Long —
the University's first professor of Ancient Languages — as to
252 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
be considered by him, when recalled to England for the pro-
fessorship of Greek in the University of London, his only
worthy and suitable successor — a preference when conveyed
to the Board of Visitors that found a speedy and favorable
recognition. Nor can I pass out of memory the vivid descrip-
tion of that great man's kind and gentle nature, gifted intellect,
scholarly attainments, generous impulses, self-sacrificing char-
acter— his life mainly for others, his death for another, his un-
stinted endeavors for the stimulation of thorough scholarship,
his very blood for bettering the University he so loved and
cherished during the thirty or more years of active and con-
tinued service, in much of which he discharged so satisfactorily
the additional and onerous duties of Chairman. Who of those
present can fail to recall portions of that masterly effort?
He fell amid the storm of war. Three years earlier and
the death of Gessner Harrison would have stirred the whole
South but he fell almost as unnoticed as falls a single drop into
the stormy sea. To this day it is sometimes asked by intelli-
gent men where the famous professor is, and what he is doing.
Already when he died the hearts of men were becoming filled
with the love of our great military leaders, that love which
afterwards grew into an absorbing passion — inter arma silent
litter ae. And so it is likely that the young of to-day can
scarcely believe, the old cannot without difficulty recall, how
widely known, how highly honored and admired, how warmly
loved, was the mere civilian, the quiet and unpretending Pro-
fessor of 1859. It is surely worth while, then, not only out of
respect for his honored memory, but for our own sake, and for
sweet learning's sake, that we should spend an hour here, so
near to his old lecture-room, to his home, and his grave, in
reminding ourselves and telling to all whom our voices can
reach what a man he was, and what a work he performed . . .
There was nothing very striking in the appearance of young
Gessner Harrison when he came to the University. He was
rather below the middle height, with a low forehead, and a head
whose general shape was quite an exception to the rules of
Phrenology; his lips were too full for beauty, and the face
altogether was homely, with one exception — his dark eyes were
sincerely beautiful and expressive. In truth, that eye would
express, all unconsciously to him, not only meditation, but
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 253
every phase of feeling ; and, as the years went on, it seemed to
a close observer to hide, in its quiet depths, all he had thought,
all he had suffered, all he had become — the whole world of his
inner life. Those fine eyes, which were, no doubt, a little
downcast when he first diffidently met the Professors, with
the ruddy cheeks which had pleased the school-girls, and a voice
most of whose tones were quite pleasing and some of them
exceedingly sweet, made no small amends for his general
homeliness. . . .
Gessner Harrison and his brother would neither visit or
study on Sunday, so when, in alphabetic sequence, they re-
ceived from Mr. Jefferson their invitation to dine with him on
a certain Sabbath, they wrote declining the honor, with full ex-
planation of their strict training and a hesitation to displease
their father. At this instance of filial piety Mr. Jefferson, in
a note to them, expressed much gratification, and insisted that
they come on a certain week-day. They went, were received
with singular courtesy and spent hours of great enjoyment,
being, as the Faculty, in a tribute to Mr. Jefferson's memory
the following year, said had often been true of themselves —
instructed and delighted by the rare and versatile powers of
that intellect which time had enriched with facts without de-
tracting from its luster, and charmed with those irresistible
manners which were dictated by delicacy and benevolence. . . .
There is something sublime in the spectacle of an unpre-
tending, quiet, but deeply earnest and conscientious man,
with the classical education of a great commonwealth or of
the whole States, resting upon him, and slowly lifting up
himself and his burden towards what they are capable of reach-
ing. It was thus that Gessner Harrison toiled and suffered in
this University for thirty-one years. And not in vain. Dur-
ing the latter years of this period, he was accustomed to say
that pupils were coming to him from the leading preparatory
schools with a better knowledge of Latin and Greek than
twenty years or so before was carried away by his graduates.
It is marvelous to our older men, when they remember how
generally and in how high a degree the standard of education
was raised in Virginia and in the South, between 1830 and
1860. Let it never be forgotten that the University of Vir-
ginia did this; and there is no invidious comparison in saying
254 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
that, far beyond any other man, it was done by the University
Professor of Ancient Languages. His two scholarly succes-
sors have often remarked — we hardly know how we could get
on at all if it were not for what Dr. Harrison did before
us. ...
In his teaching Dr. Harrison promptly turned away from the
existing English methods of classical instruction — viz., teach-
ing the mere facts of Latin or Greek usage as facts and strove
after the rational explanation and philosophical systematiza-
tion of these facts. Hence, he turned with lively interest to
what the Germans were beginning to do — using it as materials
and encouragement for his own laborious studies. He had al-
ready been several years at work when the modern Science
of Language had its birth and fully recognized that one had to
learn Sanskrit in order to understand and explain the classic
languages. This is now universal among respectable profes-
sors, but for years and years it was applied in this University
alone of American institutions. In fact, he was pushing these
applications when they were still unknown in the teaching
of English Universities, and existed at only a very few points
in Germany.
It may be added that as a lecturer, Dr. Harrison's style,
though peculiar and having obvious faults was much better
than in writing. He had not a ready command of expression ;
and his first statements of an idea were often partial, involved,
and obscure. But he perfectly knew — a thing not very com-
mon— when he had and when he had not, made himself clear,
and never relinquished his efforts until the greater part of his
audience saw clearly. He made constant use of the blackboard,
often drawing quaint diagrams to assist the comprehension
of the abstractions of syntax and he enlivened attention by
frequent and apparently spontaneous gushes of homely humor,
as racy as it was peculiar.
For nothing was he more remarkable than his robust com-
mon sense — that which he applied not merely to common
things, but to his philological studies. The inductive method
of inquiry means common sense, as opposed to mere speculative
theorizing, and he studied language in a plain, common-sense
way. Along with this he had a very sound judgment, so when
he thoroughly understood a question and had patiently consid-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 255
ered it, his judgment was exceedingly apt to be correct, and in
this those who knew him had the greatest confidence. His ex-
amination of all questions, in study or practical life, was
marked by patient thinking, that sublimest of intellectual vir-
tues ; and his studies were all conducted with the steady indus-
try which ought to be so common but is so rare, which is the
condition of accurate scholarship of all substantial and sym-
metrical knowledge. It is true that in apparent contrast with
these qualities, he appeared given to procrastination — due to
his being overworked. He possessed great courage, both phy-
sical and moral, and was as unflinching as a rock. He had an
unutterable contempt for sham and pretentiousness, and him-
self never failed to speak and act with sincerity and candor. He
had a generosity of nature in the broadest sense, and that beau-
tiful delicacy which we so much admire in women — delicate
consideration for the feelings of others, and delicate tact in
sparing their feelings, even when something difficult or painful
has to be said. His family-relations were simply charming.
His daughters — and that is one test of a man's character —
regarded him not with mere ordinary filial admiration and
affection, but with unutterable reverence, and, at the same time,
a passionate fondness. His sympathies were as prompt and
as tender as a woman's, and from him all friends sought coun-
sel when in trouble and never in vain. Nor did he wait to be
sought, as upon a newly arrived family it was his delight to
call and extend pleasantries of conversation as well as material
comfort. A foreigner with apparent good was given counte-
nance, and the wounded Union soldiers, brought to the Uni-
versity after the first battle of Manassas, were visited repeat-
edly in their dormitories by him, who, although then only
himself a visitor there and intensely Southern, administered
to their wounds and their spiritual good. . . .
With such abilities and attainments, and such a character,
it is not strange that Dr. Harrison so powerfully impressed
himself upon his pupils. Not only the hundreds of those who
are now professors or other teachers, but many who are occu-
pied with matters widely remote from Latin and Greek, are
still constantly recalling his favorite ideas and characteristic
expressions, and, what is of more consequence, their minds
have taken shape and their characters borrowed tone from its
256 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
influence. In every grade of teaching it is even more important
to consider what your teacher is than what he knows. Two
years more and it will be fifty years since the University of
Virginia was opened. In this checkered half-century it has
achieved results which, considering all the difficulties of the
situation, form a just occasion for wonder and rejoicing.
A truly great institution of learning cannot be created in a
short time. It must grow ; must gradually form its atmosphere,
gather its association, hand down its honored names and in-
spiring traditions. The life we have been considering is, per-
haps, more closely connected than any other with the history
of this University and the constitution of its prestige. But
Gessner Harrison is only one of the many noble men who have
spent their strength in advancing its usefulness and building
up its reputation. The noblest legacy they have left us is this
— that the very genius of the place is work. No professor or
student of susceptible soul can establish himself here without
feeling that there breathes through all the air this spirit of work
— a noble rage for knowing and for teaching. This is the glory
and the power of the institution which boasts so many illus-
trious names among its Visitors, its Faculty, and its Alumni.
And let it be the last word spoken here to-day concerning
Gessner Harrison, spoken, as it were, in his name to the pro-
fessors and the students of the University he loved so well
— Sirs, Brothers, " fear God and work."
Dr. Broadus married for his first wife a daughter of Gess-
ner Harrison, and, therefore, in the dual relationship of pupil
and son-in-law was fitted singularly, perhaps, beyond all
others, for correctly unfolding the life of one bound by such
close and affectionate ties. His admiration and reverence
for the man never diminished, in fact increased with years,
and when he came to dedicate what might be termed his
master work — Commentary on Matthew — it was in these
words : " To the cherished memory of Gessner Harrison, M.D.,
for many years professor of Ancient Languages in the Uni-
versity of Virginia. At your feet I learned to love Greek, and
my love of the Bible was fostered by your earnest devoutness.
Were you still among us, you would kindly welcome the fruit
of study, which now I can only lay upon your tomb; and
would gladly accept any help it can give towards understand-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 257
ing the blessed word of God, the treasure of our common Chris-
tianity, whose consolations and hopes sustained you in life and
in death, and went with you into the unseen and eternal.
Nomen multis clarum et venerabile.
Mihi adhuc magister atque pater."
Wednesday night — Joint Celebration. This annual enter-
tainment was the result of the combined efforts of the two
literary societies, Jeff, and Wash., and had for its chief attrac-
tion an address by some distinguished personage — this year
by Senator Bayard, of Delaware. Here also I was one of the
marshals aiding as best I could in disposing satisfactorily —
an impossibility — of a more than comfortable number to fill
the Hall, many, myself included, having to take refuge in the
windows. The colors of the two societies, having their re-
spective mottoes inscribed in gold letters hung over the stage
in graceful folds, while on the stage sat the professors and
other eminent gentlemen, including Gov. Walker, Ex-Gov.
Swann, Rev.. Dr. John A. Broadus, Rev. Dr. J. L. M. Curry,
Thomas Jefferson Randolph, Lieut-Gov. Marye, Hon. B.
Johnson Barbour, etc. After prayer by Dr. Curry, the speaker
was introduced in a few well-chosen sentences by Mr. William
Cooper, S. Ca., Chairman of the Joint Committee.
Mr. Bayard arose with a pleasant smile, first addressing
himself, with a slight bow to the stage occupants and then the
audience. He was in the regulation evening dress, and held
in his hands a very thin black portfolio containing the manu-
script of his address, which he untied and opened as he ad-
vanced towards the small stand placed for its support. To this
he referred frequently, reading page after page, but occasion-
ally gave emphasis to favored and telling passages in delightful
extemporaneous oratory. He stood erect, being at least six
feet one inch high, forty-five years of age, and weighing two
hundred pounds. His shoulders were broad, thick and square ;
face clean shaven, bearing in repose a kind, gentle expression;
nose well-developed, slightly of the Roman type; mouth and
lips of good size ; eyes bluish-gray, bright and penetrating ;
complexion clear, healthy, bordering on the sanguine; hair
abundant, chestnut-brown, parted well to the left and slightly
long. His subject was, " True education and personal honor,"
258 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
and throughout the hour he delighted every one present
by his clear resounding voice, well-accentuated English, noble
and lofty sentiments. We can only include here a few ex-
cerpts :
The duty here commenced is to cease only with your lives
— and your efforts should be to discipline your reasoning
powers ; to raise higher and higher the standard of excellence ;
to enlarge your sympathies with the most gifted minds of all
ages ; to learn the history of what man has been and has done,
as the evidence of what he may be and can do. These are
paths in which the further you advance the more worthily
will you deal with the gifts of reason, thought and language —
of leisure and opportunity. Latin and Greek now and ever
will continue to form the essential basis of a truly liberal edu-
cation and the only sound basis for an accurate comprehension
of the two requisite modern languages — French and German ;
and whilst language continues to be the organ of human
thought and human influence, they will be necessary to every
system of higher education.
The lever, pulley, wedge, screw, wheel and axle, and incline
plane, form the basis of all mechanical arts, and all power ar-
ranged in defiance of, or in disregard of these simple primary
principles, will be in vain; so likewise in this life of ours, in
all our social and political relations, in order to proceed with
usefulness and safety our action must be based upon true prin-
ciples. You will soon be called from these calm shades into
the turmoil of active life where you must deal with, and have
effect upon the passions, interests, vices and virtues of your
fellow-men. Do not forget or underrate your responsibilities,
as you are " select men," to whose custody severally a " talent "
has been entrusted ; it is yours, not alone for safe keeping, but
for increase. It must be employed ; if idly laid away, judgment
of condemnation will be pronounced against you. A nation
cannot be elevated in its culture and character from below, but
from the upper table-lands of thought, feeling and knowledge ;
and hence arises the grave importance of the example set by
those in authority to the people, and which, for better or for
worse, will insinuate itself into the mass.
The low morals, manners and habits of a ruler may filter
down and degrade his countrymen, so that succeeding rulers
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 259
may be chosen through depraved judgment and sentiment.
The effect of a complicated mass of machinery in full motion
is similar to that which you will experience upon your entrance
into the busy workshop of human affairs. You will be con-
stantly mistaking effects for causes, weaknesses for powers,
and shams for realities. But experience will enable you to dis-
cern the true conditions upon which human affairs are trans-
acted. As in physics so in human government, a few pri-
mary principles, certain and necessary virtues must be found
and observed, or the objects for which government was or-
dained among men can never be accomplished. The founders
of our government were truthful, honest, constant, frugal, in-
dustrious and brave — adversity had been their nurse — and
naturally they based their organic laws on these principles, so
that they became its motive power, the inspiring sentiment of
the entire scheme. And it is upon the preservation and con-
stant exercise of these simple virtues of the founders that the
happiness and safety of our country depend. It was designed
for a people like themselves, totally unfit for a people unlike
them, and any attempts to engraft upon it a government of
different ideas and principles can be but the commencement
of loss, sorrow, and certain failure. If our Constitution has
been irreparably invaded, it has been because the virtues which
gave it birth have fallen into disuse, and the hands and brains
of the invaders have been actuated more by hatred than a
love of justice, by a love of gain than a love of truth, and by a
fear of temporary local discontent rather than the courage
necessary to enable them to stand by their duty. Virtuous
qualities, which alone can create and keep a State, are personal
and individual, and when possessed by leaders influence the
masses, but above these virtues floats that fine aroma of senti-
ment and character — personal honor — delicate and sensitive
yet more powerful than armies, without marketable value
yet outweighing all things purchasable, undefined and perhaps
undefinable, but always accurate, the first born child of good
faith and kindly feeling, which guides good men when their
mental powers are obscured by doubt, and to deny the exist-
ence of which would involve the degradation of the human
species; this is the moral conscience of the great, occupying
the place of virtue, and gives birth to the noblest deeds. These
26o UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
essential qualities are in great danger of falling into disuse
in the government of this country, since now the real govern-
ing powers are not those which are apparent, owing to the sys-
tem of incorporation being so widely extended as to allow the
aggregation of wealth, consequently power, in the hands of
certain artificial persons, as contradistinguished from natural
persons, thereby enabling them to exert an influence not con-
templated by our constitution of government, which bids fair
to build up a power behind the throne greater than the throne
itself, and to control the States and the general government
by the creatures of their own laws. While our system nowhere
warrants the execution of political power by a corporation,
yet, in fact, corporations do hold, through their agents and
members, political powers at this day never dreamed of by
the founders of our government, and but little comprehended
by the people of our time. A nation devoted to money-get-
ting must rely upon mercenaries to protect its wealth, and oft-
times falls a prey to the very baseness it has invoked to its aid.
And such, I fear, is one of the greatest difficulties which you
will be called upon to meet — the regeneration, purification and
elevation of our political system. No one virtue is a greater
necessity in human society than simple truth; surely no social
crime is more dangerous than a lie, and the man who utters it,
or palters with the truth, should be considered a public enemy,
unworthy of any post of honor or profit. Truth in the his-
torian, ruler, legislator, and the affairs of men is the keystone.
Do not accustom yourself to consider debt only as an incon-
venience— you will find it a calamity. Let it be your first care
not to be in any man's debt. Happiness flows from constant
industry; labor is the creator of all the benefits we enjoy;
there is no cure for low spirits like being at hard work, and
never was there more need for it than now and here in the
South. But great as is all the scattered wealth of Virginia,
you have a moral inheritance infinitely greater and more
valuable, in the memory and character of the great and good
men whose forms have once again been clasped to the breast
of the land that gave them birth, and which so many of them
died to defend. " We would not give our dead Lee for any
living soldier," is the proud response of every true Virginian.
And what wonder? Even he, conscientious as he was able,
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 261
and modest as he was brave, was never so powerful in life
as now in death. His pure spirit, freed from earthly contact,
speaks in tones of gentle admonition to us all — aye, to all. Let
me, then, leave you with him, in the hope that all may emulate
his illustrious example and attain his greatest ambition:
Who misses, or who wins the prize,
Go, lose or conquer as you can;
But if you fall, or if you rise,
Be each, pray God, a gentleman.
After the applause had subsided from this very acceptable
address, Professor Holmes announced the fortunate winner
of the Magazine 'Medal, and conferred the same upon Mr. R.
T. W. Duke, Jr., Va., who in a few minutes' speech delighted
the audience with brilliant thoughts and beautiful delivery —
gifts which in later years have grown so much brighter and
made him the distinguished Virginian that he is.
At the conclusion of these exercises as the audience began
dispersing, I recognized it a favorable time for presenting
myself with congratulations to Mr. Bayard. Some days
before I had received from my uncle, Ex-Gov. Robert J. Rey-
nolds, of Delaware, a very warm letter of introduction, which
was in my pocket, and while waiting and watching for a pause
in the almost ceaseless hand-shaking, I happened to see Pro-
fessor Venable beckoning to me from the stage, and as I
responded to his summons he carelessly placed his arms, around
my shoulders, saying : " I want you to meet your Senator and
Gov. Swann, who are now talking together and stoppirg with
me." A moment later in presenting me he added a word of
pleasantry, " This is the only Blue Hen's chicken we have had
during the present session." After a courteous bow and a
hearty shake of the hands, I supplemented the personal intro-
duction with Uncle's letter, which Mr. Bayard hurriedly read,
then expressed pleasure in having his State represented by a
nephew of one he so highly esteemed. His manner towards
me was thoroughly cordial and friendly while that of Ex-Gov.
Swann was correspondingly reserved — almost frigid. We
conversed for five or more minutes, until the Hall was cleared,
drifted out behind .the crowd, and in bidding good night he
expressed the hope of another interview before returning
northward.
262 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Thursday Morning — Commencement or Final Day. At 10
o'ck. the students assembled on the Lawn in front of the
Rotunda, where they and others formed in line and order —
Board of Visitors, Faculty, Alumni, graduates, proficients,
those of distinction, and the general body — and proceeded to
the Public Hall, where the diplomas of varying rank were to
be conferred. The exercises were opened with prayer by Rev.
S. A. Steel, after which the Chairman, Professor Venable,
called in turn the names of the successful candidates in each
department, who, one by one, responded by walking upon the
stage to receive from his hands the evidence of their hard-
earned honors. This distribution continued for, at least, an
hour, and after a half hour's intermission, slightly beyond
midday, the Alumni, friends, and students again assembled in
the Hall to hear the annual address by Ex-Gov. Swann, of
Maryland. After an invocation by Rev. Dr. John A. Broadus,
the Alumni Society's President, Hon. B. Johnson Barbour, in-
troduced the speaker in a happy manner : " It affords me great
pleasure that one of our most distinguished and busy members
has thrown off the mantle of toil for a brief spell in order to be
with us to-day to play the major part in these exercises. He
comes to us no stranger — a Virginian by birth, a Marylander
by adoption, who in his affiliated State has been the recipient
of unusual confidence and honors, since he has occupied many
of the most exalted positions in the gift of his people —
President of -a great railroad, banker, legislator, Mayor of a
great city, Governor, Senator, and Congressman. I take great
pleasure in introducing the Hon. Thomas Swann, of Mary-
land."
Mr. Swann arose deliberately, bowed slightly, and advanced
to the small stand upon which he placed his printed manuscript,
and, with eyes seldom diverted read closely its context for
nearly two hours. His personality was well-calculated to
impress the youthful as being somewhat phlegmatic and slug-
gish, possessing a sanguine temperament, about sixty years
of age, beyond the average size — weighing possibly two hun-
dred and twenty pounds — broad square thick shoulders, large
straight face without angles, lower portion full ; forehead broad
and prominent ; eyes clear with deep orbits ; nose straight and
well-formed; moustache and beard heavy, the latter of good
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 263
length, hair abundant and parted well to the left. He had
a stern positive look, deep sonorous voice, but articulated
rather indistinctly, somewhat muffled, allowing those in the
remote distance to catch easily the sound but not the clear
interpretation. We include here a few excerpts :
Education, freedom to all men, and the unrestricted bless-
ings of religious toleration, comprise the immortal legacy,
which Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of In-
dependence bequeathed to his countrymen. I must not, how-
ever, overlook, as co-laborers in the great field of human prog-
ress, the cherished names of Washington, Madison, Henry,
Monroe and others, now sleeping within your borders, whose
fame is interwoven with the glory and renown of the whole
country, as well as the triumphs of free government through-
out the world. The Federal Constitution was not the result
of untried experiment, and at that early period of our exist-
ence it was not easy to define where the powers of the Federal
Government ended, and at what point those of the States be-
gan. The framers of the Constitution looked to no contin-
gencies as possible to spring up from this source, nor did they
believe that any conflict of jurisdiction was ever likely to occur.
In guarding against centralization they retained the local
jurisdiction of the States, but did not provide with equal ex-
plicitness for the dangers to which they were exposed under
a just and equitable construction of the powers of the States
in their claim to unlimited and absolute spvereignty. Could
this adjustment have taken place at that early day, what sacri-
fice of life and wealth would have been avoided.
The condition of the world now points to a steady advance
of all those improved ideas which have marked the progress
of free government heretofore. England, France, Germany,
Spain, and other countries, are fast yielding to new and more
liberal theories of government, through a desire to recognize
the growing power of the people, who insist that the past
errors of the world be corrected. The Roman government was
the first to strike the mask from the false theories and corrup-
tions which had so long prevailed, but flushed with greed for
conquest and dominion her ambition knew no bounds, until
the dying admonition of Augustus came as a warning against
their mad career of universal dominion. Our American Revo-
264 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
lution was the next advance of popular (Republican) Govern-
ment, when it made its last grand rally, long after Carthage,
Greece, and Rome had yielded to the corruptions of a licen-
tious age and existed only in the magnificence and grandeur of
their ruins.
The arguments against territorial enlargement, and the
danger of expansion in a Republic, has already been refuted
successfully. The theory of Hamilton and Montesquieu —
that a Republic should have a small territory, or it cannot
exist — in our experience has been proven obsolete and erron-
eous, since steam, telegraphy, electricity, eager exchange of
scientific, mechanical and industrial thought, tend to annihilate
space and to bring distant points together. The Monroe
doctrine — that no foreign potentate or power will again be per-
mitted to acquire a foothold upon this Continent with institu-
tions hostile to our own — was then, and continues now, the liv-
ing test of American statesmanship in controlling the destinies
of this whole continent. Even Canada, the established strong-
hold of Great Britain, must sooner or later yield to the inevi-
table laws of progress, and I need not ask how such a struggle
is likely to terminate? Cuba and Mexico in due time will fol-
low the same example. The advantages of our institutions,
climate, soil, and the incalculable wealth of our agricultural
and mineral resources have made the march of empire con-
tinuous— oceans have been chained together while men have
been sleeping, by the increasing pressure of inevitable expan-
sion. Our natural possibilities are beyond computation, and
always at ready command, so that hostile invasion would be
absolute madness. With inducements held out, and the irrita-
tions convulsing the Old World the close of this century may
find us with a hundred million souls, and large territory for
increased numbers. Our people have achieved astounding
success in the mechanical arts, practical inventions, navigation,
agriculture manufacturing, mining, and the various uses of
applied chemistry. Our signal service anticipates heat and
cold, protecting persons and property against dangerous sur-
prises. How far these developments are to go before reaching
a culmination is hazardous to conjecture, but certain it is that
the future is more full of hope than the past, prosperous as it
has been.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 265
We are destined to become the strongest maritime power of
the world, as the territorial policy of England will prove a
source of weakness and cause the scepter she now holds to fall
into our hands. Our scientific fortifications and coast defences
make us impregnable, and limit our warfare to the sea. We
recognize the need of no foreign power as a support, being
absolutely self-reliant and entirely independent of all. We
need concern ourselves little whether our advance march meets
with interference, or whether a large standing army and
navy be maintained, as under all circumstances, without the
least delay, all contingencies can readily be met from within.
The American people will submit hereafter to no compromise
of freedom. Her foundations have been laid broad and deep,
and they will be strengthened as the claims of humanity and
universal equality, in all nations and among all people strug-
gling for liberty, may demand our sympathies. With such an
inheritance we are not without responsibility for increased vigi-
lance, that our duties are not overlooked or treated with in-
difference, for we are admonished by the experience of all
ages, that the tendency of human power has ever been to steal
from the hands of the many to the few. The States must
ever constitute a most important and conservative agency in
our complex system, and must be protected in the exercise of
all the rights secured to them by the Constitution, as the surest
means of protection against anarchy and usurpation. The
transfer of the powers of the States to the central government
cannot fail to lead to the most perilous results, if permitted to
go on, and even to complication in the end, which may effect
the duration of the Republic. The people cannot watch with
too much jealousy this tendency to consolidation in a govern-
ment like ours.
To-day under a common flag, with the past forgotten and
every star in its appropriate sphere, we may be permitted to
rejoice together in that glorious future which I have en-
deavored feebly to foreshadow. Thanks to Almighty God,
we are still Americans, all; and the fiat has gone forth
throughout this land, that the heritage bequeathed to us by
the blood of our fathers can never be permitted to pass into
other hands.
Scarcely had the echoes of applause ceased from Mr.
266 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Swann's address when loud and repeated calls were made for
Gov. Walker, then the chief executive of the State, who,
without hesitation, advanced to the front of the stage and
expressed something beyond delight in being present at the
Commencement. That his public duties were many and while
this attendance might be considered one, he accepted it far
more as an unalloyed pleasure ; that according to his conviction
there were only three institutions in our country to which the
friends of highest learning could look with confidence, and this
University is one of those — the only one in the South, etc.
We undergraduates of the academic department were im-
pressed less favorably with Mr. Swann's address than that of
Mr. Bayard's — a fact, no doubt, largely due to the two subjects,
the one somewhat heavy and appealing to the legal and his-
torical mind, the other more buoyant and susceptible of easy
digestion and assimilation by the average student. At the
same time there was a great difference in the manner of de-
livery and personality of the two men — Mr. Swann with a cold
austere inanimate expression, a deep monotone voice soft-
ened and modulated seldom, and that upon a subject, and at
an hour, little calculated to inspire a high degree of apprecia-
tion ; Mr. Bayard, the evening before, with a natural vein of
humor, pleasantry, younger life, and timely smiling, indicative
of an inspiration from the occasion, as though joyed and in
sympathy with the surrounding atmosphere he breathed. Be-
yond this, however, the record of the two in public life bore
strong contrast, that which was known to most of us — Mr.
Bayard had always championed the " Southern Cause," and
whether in or out of office never failed in effort to ameliorate
the suffering and to lighten the yoke of adversity thrust upon
her people ; Mr. Swann had been loyal to the Union, had little
sympathy with the South's struggle for freedom and inde-
pendence, had been the Republican governor of Maryland, near
the close of the Civil War, when most of her honorable citi-
zens were disfranchised owing to their southern sentiments,
and while Governor had abandoned the severe radical princi-
ples of Republicanism for those of Democracy, then gaining
ascendancy — a sagacity resulting in his being sent to Congress
by his new affiliated party, having just been re-elected the pre-
vious fall for a third term. In spite of these youthful impres-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 267
sions, however, his address was pronounced by those of ma-
turer years to have been timely, encouraging, and handled
masterly without giving the slightest offence — indeed, with
the realization of intervening occurrences it was filled with
prophetic visions.
About 4 o'ck. that afternoon the Alumni assembled at
Massey's dining hall, north end of West Range, for the
annual banquet, which extended over a number of hours —
far into the night — when also came into being the student's
farewell function of the session — Final Ball— which was
held in the Rotunda (Library room) and for whose pleas-
ures most of our social contingent had not only remained over
but had been instrumental in having present their own and the
other fellows' sisters, in whom they took more than a passing
interest. In addition to this influx of fair strangers came
others — annual pilgrims to the Mecca, who, from previous
years' experience, accepted gladly renewed invitations to visit
professors' and other families to whom they had the good
fortune of being connected by ties of relation or friendship.
It was a season when every one at the University, and many
in Charlottesville, kept open house, dispensing hospitality
without reserve, thus contributing easily with the local de-
butantes nearly a hundred fair ones, possessing- in high degree
grace and charm — mostly ultra-dressed and bedecked with a
profusion of jewels and flowers — that gave a brilliancy and
redolence singularly delightful. Truly it was here that stout,
chivalrous and manly hearts met, charmed, courted, loved and
won fair maidens — the beauty and pride of famed Southland.
During the few hours between dinner and supper I made
ready for leaving on the late train (1.45 A. M.), storing for
safety the several room articles to be used in subsequent years,
packing my two trunks and grip, and sending these to the
depot in Charlottesville to await checking upon my arrival
near train time. After taking supper, the last meal served at
the dining hall that session, several of us assembled in a fel-
low-student's room on West Range, and while chatting there
over our parting, those not to return, our likely vacation
doings, etc., we all decided to go around to the Ball Room to
see its degree of readiness — decorations, metamorphosed con-
dition, cleared for foot rather than head action, illumination,
268 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
etc. — and en route we purposely passed the Alumni banquet-
ing hall, which had windows down from the top and curtains
to veil the lower sash, thereby cutting off most of the public
gaze. Attracted, however, by the audible speaking and noise
within we ventured upon the small porch on the north front
of the hall, and slightly opened one of the double doors in
order to see more and not be seen. Professor Southall was
responding to a toast in a most eloquent manner, and as he
neared the finish, Professor Venable, seeing the door ajar and
portions of several faces in the darkness, arose from his table
and came over towards us in order — we thought to close the
door — to invite us within as partakers of the good things he
and they had already enjoyed ad nauseam. At first we hesi-
tated, but he was so insistent, in fact commanding, that there
was nothing to do but accept, consequently the six or eight
of us filed in and seated ourselves at one of the round tables
to the right of the door, where in a few moments he assigned
two waiters, whom he directed to look after our comfort by
serving as much as desired of the bountiful overflow. For
more than an hour we enjoyed to our heart's content the
tempting viands spread before us, some even imbibing the
sparkling wines that seemingly flowed continuously as from
a bubbling fountain. But beyond the precious morsels for the
body came that delightful wit and humor of the speakers for
the mind — surely a happy combination, and one the more ap-
preciated since it came as a complete surprise, and to me a
first introduction to postprandial delights.
When nearing the close, shortly after 9 o'ck, I approached
Professor Venable, who stood with a party of gentlemen in
conversation, to bid him good-bye and to express thanks for
this last evidence of generous hospitality, whereupon he laugh-
ingly remarked : " One good turn deserves another ; won't you
see that Senator Bayard and Gov. Swann get to my house
safely? I will be detained here with the Governor (Walker)
and a Committee for fifteen or twenty minutes, after which
I will join them." Of course I was only too delighted to ac-
cede to the request, and at once acquainted the two gentlemen
of the service assigned me and that I awaited their pleasure.
I dare say that Professor Venable well-remembered my refusal
of wine at his own table, and felt in a measure relieved in hav-
University — Medical Class
(1876-77)
FACING 268
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 269
ing found one who, without fear or favor, could act as pilot
to those that had smiled too often in the face of Bacchus. On
the way we three, perforce, were very close friends, but it
remained for me to do most of the talking, until by slow
steps we had nearly reached Jeff. Hall, and the movements
of the distinguished were becoming more unsteady, when Gov.
Swann had coherent presence of mind to say : " Why Sena-
tor! If this were day strangers seeing us might think our ir-
regular gait due to excessive drink rather than to the very
uneven pavement." Over this they chuckled not a little, think-
ing possibly thereby that the innocent had been deceived. I
must confess to a sense of relief when I had landed safely my
precious charge at their destination. Since then it has been
my good fortune to meet Mr. Bayard a number of times,
the last shortly before his death, 1898, when our conversations
were most entertaining and enjoyable, as his vast experience
and knowledge of people and places ; extraordinary memory for
names, faces, dates and instances; affability and sincereness;
fluency and ready inclination to have others share his knowl-
edge, rendered him always a charming personality, a courtly
gentleman, an unforgetting friend. I never saw Mr. Swann
after bidding him farewell that night. He died near Leesburg,
Va., July 24, 1883, and two days later was buried in Green-
mount Cemetery, Baltimore. Near noon of his funeral day
I happened to be walking down Charles Street, and when
approaching Saratoga Street saw a hearse and several car-
riages drive up in front of Old St. Paul's Church. It was a
beautiful day, not excessively hot, so I patiently waited the
entrance into the sanctuary of the cortege with its few at-
tendants, and inquired of an officer standing near, whose
funeral it was, only to receive the surprising reply : " Governor
Swann's." Out of respect to his memory and our slight ac-
quaintance I entered the church and remained until the service
was concluded, and while there could not help being impressed
with the fact — how transient is greatness ! For a man in life
to have sustained to the State and city, during so many years,
such close relationship, to have occupied the many exalted
positions of trust and confidence — gifts of corporations as well
as of the people — now in death to be allowed to go to his
final rest followed by a mere handful of mourners and friends
270 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
seemed truly sad, yes, almost incredible, but such was the
irony of fate. That night after leaving these two gentlemen
at Professor Venable's I went to the Library, where finding
the Ball in full swing, I remained until I o'ck, then hastened
to the depot for my homeward train — thus ended my first
session.
CHAPTER XIV
INCIDENTS AND COMMENCEMENT OF SESSION 1873-74
Session of 1873-74; democratic set of students; Professor Noah K. Davis;
excerpts from home-letters; Gen. Wade Hampton's lecture; death of
Mrs. Venable, also Dr. Henry Howard; Jeff, and Wash, interests;
Episcopal Convention ; Commencement — sermons by Revs. T. D. With-
erspoon and James A. Duncan; Wash. Celebration — T. L. Raymond,
R. A. Saulsbury, J. St. Clair Brookes ; Jeff. Celebration— F. F. Reese,
M. W. Ransom, Jr., J. A. Powell; Joint Celebration — Hon. John
Goode, Gen. Jubal A. Early; alumni address — Judge J. H. Kennard;
session 1874-75; Semi-centennial; Bayard Taylor, Daniel B. Lucas;
Jeff, and Wash, changes; Rev. Dr. Steel's marriage; Mrs. Cabell's
death, etc.
THE leading incidents of my first University year have been
recounted with seeming fullness, as it marked a new era in
my career, but as those that followed were largely a recasting,
much savoring of sameness can well-afford to be omitted.
While there existed among the students of the University,
as a body, a decided esprit du corps, yet there prevailed be-
tween individuals much formality and manly decorum. As
an institution it gathered within its fold sons of the represen-
tative men of the South — those that had been reared in luxury
and power, knowing well the meaning of family and paternal
fame. The senator, congressman, cabinet-officer, governor,
lieutenant-governor, legislator, general, colonel, judge, min-
ister, lawyer, doctor, professor, president of corporations,
banks, etc., whether residing in one or another state, appar-
ently had the same ambition for their sons of promise — that
they be educated at the University founded by Thomas Jeffer-
son. In spite of this large element of royal gentry, as a mat-
ter of fact, the majority of our numbers came from the more
humble walks of life — many even having earned by teaching
and other avenues sufficient to defray their University course.
Drawing thus from these extremes might suggest the creating
and existence of two distinctive and recognized castes, but
such happily was not the case, as no individual student paraded
in the slightest degree his ancestry, or masqueraded on the
271
272 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
name of some distinguished relative. A close association of
several years never disclosed from young1 Barringer that his
father was a brave general and his mother the only sister of
Mrs." Stonewall " Jackson ; nor did Tyler boast himself the son
of an Ex-President ; nor Stuart of a father who was Secretary
of the Interior; nor would you have ever known from Dab-
ney, Emmet, Hunton, Ligon, Mahone, Marye, Memminger,
Ransom, Seddon, Wilmer, and many others, that their inherit-
ance was other than the rank and file of humanity. Even
wealth had no effect or advantage save the self-satisfaction
it might possibly engender. There were few opportunities for
extravagance or anything else except work — the sole atmos-
phere we breathed, making everyone meet on a common plain,
educational. It is true there were friendly groups — the result
of either relationship, family friendship, fraternity ties, pre-
paratory school associations, or kindred local residence — but
none of these precluded in any sense an unrestricted sociability
with others less favored. To the latter class I undoubtedly
belonged, standing alone from my State, without a vestige
of following save a personality far more reserved than aggres-
sive, so that whatever friendships were formed came solely
through innate and not ulterior influences. That I had es-
tablished such during my first year to an extent worth con-
sidering was foreign to my belief and expectations, until my
return at the beginning of the second year, October i, 1873,
when much to my surprise nearly every one of the older and
more substantial students greeted me with many words of
delight — as though I were one of the chosen. This kind recep-
tion was indeed gratifying and proved conclusively that we
cannot always estimate correctly the value others place upon us.
During the second week our newly elected Professor of
Moral Philosophy, Noah K. Davis, delivered his introductory
lecture on the " Life and Work of Aristotle," at which were
present the Faculty, their families and nearly all the students.
He dwelt upon the influence of Aristotle on the mind of the
world, believing it to have been greater than that of any other
person, despite the fact of Socrates and Plato, in order, taking
approximate rank.
Home-letter, Sunday afternoon, December 14, 1873. My dear Mother :
" I must relieve one kind of intellectual labor by another, and turn from
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 273
studies to your weekly letter. This morning I attended the Bible class
and thereafter the Episcopal Church in Charlottesville. Heard the same
old minister, Rev. Dr. Hanckel, seemingly a good man, but one who has
seen his best days of usefulness, and possesses such a monotone voice
that time alone can make acceptable — reminds me of olives, for which a
fondness is acquired only through persistent tasting. Beyond these di-
versions nothing of moment has claimed my time during the week except
regular duties. Yours was received Wednesday and thoroughly enjoyed
despite its sentences of reproof for mistakes — that which I shall accept
kindly, in the spirit it was intended. Christmas will soon be upon us, a
week from next Thursday, and if I were going home most of my arrange-
ments would have already been thought out. In spite of the great desire
to be with you then, I feel the loss of lectures, the demoralization occa-
sioned by rest, and the attending expense are elements in the aggregate
that should be supreme. The weather so far this session has continued
to be perfectly beautiful — so warm and spring-like that I have made no
change from summer clothing, simply waiting from day to day for the
colder turn to come. A little out of the regular line, we had the pleasure
of hearing Gen. Wade Hampton, of S. Ca., speak last night in the Public
Hall. Professor Venable introduced him in rather flattering language —
as a great military chieftain, whose name would ever be held dear by
those loving liberty, justice and honor; so the General in his prefatory
reciprocated the laudatory strain — referring to the Professor as being in
war the intrepid aide-de-camp to the immortal Lee, and in peace the most
distinguished professor of mathematics in the South, whose fame had
spread to other lands than our own. His subject was 'The Southern His-
torical Society.' . . . We have so many lectures in course that you
might think an extra one now and then by outsiders would meet with
little favor, but that is far from truth, as in reality it seems our nature
and business to gain knowledge upon every possible subject, and when it
comes so easily as by popular lectures, we willingly, yes, with unusual
delight, attend all that offers." . . .
General Hampton was no stranger to us students, as he
visited not infrequently his brother-in-law, Col. Thomas L.
Preston, who resided just northeast of the University grounds.
The two families, Hampton and Preston, were bound by very
close ties — marital, political and social — since Gen. John S.
Preston of South Carolina, a brother of Col. Thomas L.
Preston, married Caroline Hampton, an aunt of Gen. Hamp-
ton's, while the latter for his first wife married Margaret,
a sister of the two Prestons. I had, however, never heard
Gen. Hampton speak — indeed, regarded him simply as an
aggressive fighter, without forensic attainments, and upon this
occasion was most agreeably surprised at his easy diction,
ready wit, rapid, enthusiastic and forceful manner of delivery.
After affirming his allegiance to our University, the foremost
in his land — his own being dismantled by the ravages of war
—he vividly narrated the creation and objects of " The South-
274 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
ern Historical Society." To collect, classify, preserve and
publish all documents and facts pertaining to the Civil War
that may illustrate the nature of the struggle, define and vindi-
cate its underlying causes and principles, and mark the stages
through which it was conducted to its issue. That its labors
were not to be sectional or partisan, but to bring to light all
antecedent and subsequent facts from the point of view of
both contestants, not for immediate use, but for the future
architect, having truth as his model, to erect an edifice which
shall be an enduring monument of the valor of the heroes
whose deeds it commemorates and whose fame it perpetuates ;
of the heroic and self-sacrificing devotion of the fair women
of the South, whose gentle hands and kind hearts ministered
to the sick and suffering, and which shall be a fitting memorial
of the unnumbered dead who sleep " on the vast battle plains
from the Susquehanna to the Rio Grande." He thought no
nobler work could enlist sympathies of the living, or call forth
stronger the virtues of humanity.
Home-letter, December 21, 1873 : " Several of us this morning at-
tended the Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, and despite the beau-
tiful sunshiny day the majority wore overcoats. . . . It is needless for
me to reaffirm how much I would enjoy being with you for the holidays,
but all things considered it is best that I remain here at the post of
duty. I shall think of you all many times Christmas Day, and I fancy I
will not be forgotten in thought, even though the intervening space be
considerable. . . . Many of the students are anticipating, at least, some
gayety for themselves on that day — either through the hospitality of town
friends, or their own improvised apple-toddy, eggnog, and other liquids of
greater strength. As usual, I shall try to keep myself clear of such temp-
tations. ... I regretted to see a few days ago the death of the great
Professor Agassiz of Harvard, for beyond doubt he was the most re-
nowned scientist of our country, .even though he firmly believed in the
'immutability of the species,' as opposed to the Darwinian theory— that
which brought him no disgrace, as there are so many able thinkers on both
sides. Our Professor Smith referred to him many times last year in the
department of mineralogy and geology, and always in commending terms."
Sunday afternoon, January 25, 1874: "This cold spell has continued
so long that the University ice-houses have all been filled, and we students
have enjoyed much skating on the pond. Several of the more venture-
some broke through the weak spots, greatly to their discomfort, but noth-
ing serious happened. A number of ladies also have participated in the
sport under the escort of experienced friends — one had the misfortune of
taking the cold dip with her beaux companions, but was not intimidated,
as on the morrow she again led the procession. ... It was so cold
this morning that I did not attend church, but will to-night, as the Rev.
Dr. Fox is to lecture in the Public Hall, where it is the aim of the Y. M.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 275
C. A. to have one lecture a month by some distinguished divine of the
South, thus acquainting us students with their personalities and original
thoughts, since an invitation to preach here stimulates most ministers to
do their best. I know you were pleased to receive the photograph of Dr.
McCosh from one of his pupils. Although a Scotchman by birth and edu-
cation, barring slight pronunciations, he has become thoroughly Amer-
icanized, and his numerous works of merit have served to increase largely
Princeton's reputation. Of one of his recent books, 'Christianity and
Positiveism,' there occurs in a late number of the Southern Review, a
criticism by Albert Taylor Bledsoe, now the editor of that journal, but for
some years professor of mathematics in this University — a man possessing
a mathematical and philosophical mind, broad and deep, yet little tolera-
tion for opinions and theories at variance with those he believes correct
and true. As I have before me a copy of that review I will transcribe a
few paragraphs : ' Dr. McCosh in his preface uses this sentiment : " A
good cause must have its martyrs before its triumphs. John Brown has
to be put to death before the manacles are struck from the slave. Your
Abraham Lincoln is shot in the midst of the shouts of victory — . Verily,
verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, it
abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.'" Now this is
Mr. Bledsoe's reply : ' We humbly confess that we do not see how Abra-
ham Lincoln's death was necessary to the " triumph of his good cause,"
especially as he fell amid the very " shouts of victory." We are inclined
also to doubt the propriety, or at least the good taste, of introducing into
a defense of Christianity the death of John Brown as a martyr to the
" good cause," seeing that he was guilty, not only of the treasonable de-
sign of overthrowing the Constitution of his country, but also of the
crime of midnight assassination, for which he was fairly tried by the
laws, condemned, and executed as a criminal. Is it not sad, inexpressibly
sad, that a horse thief, a murderer, and a traitor should be sainted as a
holy martyr ^lo the " good cause," and that, too, by a philosopher and
Christian divine?'"
From the earliest days of the session we often heard of the
precarious health of Mrs. Venable, understanding her trouble
to be consumption (phthisis pulmonaris). She was no longer
seen out with the Professor, a privilege she rarely enjoyed
during the previous year, but instead he was accompanied
frequently by his two daughters, then about nine and twelve
years of age. The father gave every evidence of that care
and endearment for his children, so essential in view of what
he alone of the family realized must be the inevitable in the
near future, and although he brightened their daily paths and
lessened their childish burdens as best he could, yet he went
his way visibly depressed by a palling cloud. The increased
cares and responsibilities of the home had largely been the
cause of his relinquishing the Chairmanship of the Faculty the
year before, and now to the outsider he seemed each day more
thoughtful and serious, but in spite of all he continued to per-
276 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
form the exacting duties of his chair in an unrelaxed manner
— struggling to shield the inward feelings from students and
those with whom he came in contact. The end came Thurs-
day morning, January I5th, and the funeral was held in ac-
cordance with the following:
FUNERAL NOTICE.
The funeral of Margaret Cantey McDowell, wife of Prof. Chas. S.
Venable, will take place from his residence, at the University of Virginia,
at 3 P. M., to-morrow (Friday). The friends of the family are invited to
attend.
January I5th, 1874.
All lectures were suspended on Friday and the students at-
tended the funeral in a body, proceeding thereafter to the
University Cemetery for the interment. The day was dis-
agreeable— damp, cloudy, penetrating — and as snow had
fallen there was much moisture in the freshly upturned soil
around the grave, to the right and near the entrance gate,
where I took a position of advantage in full view and hearing
of the service by Rev. Dr. Woods.
Home-letter, Sunday afternoon, March 8th: "I attended last Tues-
day the funeral of a former professor, Dr. Henry Howard, who held the
Chair of Medicine here, as did the great Robley Dunglison, for thirty
years, but since the War, owing to age, now being nearly eighty-five,
resigned in order to have rest and no work. Since then he has boarded
at one of the hotels in the town, busying himself little with worldly
affairs He was buried in the University Cemetery by the side of his
first wife, who died in 1843, and now is survived by his second wife. By
the former he had two daughters, who in turn married Professor McGuf-
fey, whose death you remember occurred nearly a year ago. The pro-
fessors' families seem to believe in intermarrying — proverbial propinquity
— so that many of the older ones are related in some way, which fortu-
nately results in making the professorial colony one large family. What im-
pressed me most, as I stood by his open grave, was the small number
present, and especially the few that appeared interested. Professor Ven-
able and several other teachers, along -with a handful of students and
outside friends, made up the full complement, so that I could scarcely
comprehend how such an important man to the University for an entire
generation, as I understood him to be, could have received at death so
little marked respect and expressed sentiment." . . .
While at that youthful period I failed to comprehend the
slight effect of Dr. Howard's death, yet now, in the light of
experience, the solution is not difficult — he had outlived his
generation, as only a small portion of the then professors had
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 277
been associated directly with him, and none for the past ten
years, while to the students he was an absolute stranger — few
ever having seen or heard of him — and owing to age, retire-
ment and living beyond his cotemporaries, there remained
scarcely any friends having in him special interest. Why I
should have been one of those present I fail to recall, but
distinctly remember seeing the funeral notice posted, therefore
fancy I attended out of respect to what he had been to the
University, as I knew nothing of his personality and reputa-
tion until after his death. The burial lot is in the rear portion
of the Cemetery, on a line with and near that of Professor
McGuffey's, and his grave was marked shortly afterwards by
a simple vertical slab bearing the inscription : Henry Howard,
M. D. Born in Frederick Co., Md., May 29, 1791. Professor
of Medicine in the University of Virginia, 1839-1867. Died
March i, 1874. " Them also that sleep in Jesus shall God
bring with him."
Home-letter, Sunday night, March isth : " I have seen sufficient
since a student here to convince me of our standard being the equal,
if not superior, of any other American college or university. Two of our
last year's graduates, Wilson and Stover, have just graduated from
Bellevue Medical College, New York City, after a five months' course,
and on their return homeward stopped off with us to see old friends
and to give an account of themselves since leaving here last summer.
One of these gentlemen sat at my table for several meals and delighted
us in substance with the following: I reached New York one Wednesday
night last fall, and on the next day visited Bellevue, where I interviewed
several professors, telling them I was a graduate in medicine — University
of Virginia — to which came the reply: You have graduated from the
best medical institution of this country. I was excused from attending
lectures on chemistry, anatomy and physiology, as well as examinations
in same, but this latter privilege I refused to accept, desiring to make in
them more than a mere passing mark. After graduation the Virginia boys
were congratulated on the high character of their work by the same pro-
fessors, who stated that, all things considered, their papers were the best
out of the eighty graduates; that they considered it an honor to have
University of Virginia graduates, and that they would always be received
with delight."
Sunday morning, April ipth : " We continue to have beautiful spring
weather, and I often feel like breaking away from study in order to
tramp the hilly paths far into the country, where I could remain alone
the live-long day to commune with nature. This, however, might prove
an unsafe procedure, as something would be missed here, and at this
stage of the session one can afford to neglect nothing. . . . Already
many show evidence of that dreaded contagion — spring fever — and its
cure can only come with the Final Day — too late to save themselves and
278 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
those allured by their winsome charms. . . . Several parties recently
have insisted upon me joining them in another visit to Monticello, which
I intend doing, even though it be deferred until next month, when many
of the young people of Charlottesville make their annual pilgrimage to
that sacred spot, to celebrate May Day and crown the selected May Queen.
. . . You would enjoy reading the life of Mr. Jefferson by his great
granddaughter — a small volume containing many hitherto unpublished
letters, and good illustrations of Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Jefferson, the Univer-
sity and Monticello mansion, including diagram of its first floor with
location of furniture and ornaments. I read it the early part of last ses-
sion greatly to my profit. . . . Professor Peters gave us a cruel
scathing on Friday, emphasizing our deficiencies and lack of thoroughness.
' Whom the Gods love they first make mad/ surely is verified in this case,
as he certainly is fond of us all, and for that grieves over our defects;
it seems near impossible to do as well as the professors desire, conse-
quently many become discouraged, and even I sometimes feel that there
will be few regrets when ' Father Time ' closes this session as an irrev-
ocable chapter — a feeling that may be followed by bitter remorse, since
the passing of each year means one less mile-stone in life to pass."
Towards the last of March politics in the Jeff, and Wash.
Societies began to be very absorbing, so that great efforts
were directed in securing new members and having old ones
renew their membership at a reduced fee of two and a half
dollars. Many of us became much interested in our favorite
candidates for the honors, and worked faithfully to increase
our numbers, which by May reached in the Jeff, one hundred
and forty-three. In the hope of mollifying the intense feeling
incident to these canvasses several innovations were suggested,
such as having all meetings secret, therefore very quiet, of
abolishing the medalist, etc., but all upon final test met with
defeat. The election of presidents and orators took place
April 4th and of medalists May 2nd, with the following result :
Jeff. — President, Mr. Frederick F. Reese, Md.; Orator, Mr.
Roger Johnson, Va., who resigning was succeeded by Mr.
Mat. W. Ransom, Jr., N. Ca. ; Medalist, Mr. James E. Pow-
ell, Mo. Wash. — President, Mr. Thomas L. Raymond, La.;
Orator, Mr. Robert S. Saulsbury, Ga. ; Medalist, Mr. John
St. Clair Brookes, Va.
Home-letter, Sunday night, May 3rd: "The election in our two
societies came off last night, consequently I retired quite late — it being
after midnight before I got away from the hall. Many of the members
afterwards enjoyed a champagne and beer supper — the meeting of ex-
tremes— so you can fancy what that meant. All this morning things
around the University looked unusually dull, as scarcely a handful of
students were up and doing. Mr. Saulsbury, of Georgia, is to be the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 279
orator of the Wash. His father is a cousin of our Delaware Saulsburys,
and the young man himself seems a fine fellow — affable and quick in form-
ing friends — so that we feel sure his speech will do himself and the
society great credit. Mr. Powell, one of the present Magazine editors,
was elected medalist in my society, Jeff., winning by a plurality of thirteen,
which is considered exceptionally large. In his efforts at thanks — thought
by some very good — he made an introductory somewhat puerile and com-
monplace, using strange similes as these : ' I feel like a cow in a parlor,
a junebug on skates, etc.' But with it all he managed to produce much
laughter, and finally to get down to a great deal of serious matter. I
supported him, and he is very popular with the students."
Sunday morning, May 24th : " The Episcopal Convention met this
week in Charlottesville, consequently gentlemen of the clerical cloth have
taken possession of the town and University community. This body is
composed of delegates — many conspicuous and prominent — from several
southern states, and its meeting is always an event in the life of any
place it may select. To-day, both morning and evening, all pulpits of the
town, irrespective of denomination, will be filled by Episcopal ministers —
a happy circumstance in that it marks the liberality in thought and opinions
of our age. ... A circus is expected this week, the first in years,
as in the dim past a student was killed in an altercation with one of the
circus attaches, thus causing such shows to be tabooed ever since in this
section. . . . With the coming of longer days and hot weather our
supper hour has been changed from 6 to 7 o'ck, and as darkness comes
so late there is little left of the evening for study before the sand-man
puts in an appearance."
Sunday afternoon, June I4th : " There is little occurring now with
us worth relating, and that little will keep easily two weeks, when I can
talk it over in person. . . . About every one that now remains is
either busy making ready for, or standing examinations. Yesterday was
our Latin — translation and meter — which taxed a profound knowledge of
the language. . . . The weather is still very hot, but some relief
comes nearly every afternoon through a thunder storm, which fortunately
serves to prevent a positive spirit of indolence and indifference — at best
one must possess a fine self-training or mastery to study these days."
Commencement this year began Sunday, June 28, with an
address in the morning before the Young Men's Christian
Association, by Rev. Dr. T. D. Witherspoon, and the annual
sermon at night in the Public Hall, by Rev. Dr. James A.
Duncan, President of Randolph-Macon College. This gentle-
man was rather compactly built, well-proportioned, smooth
roundish face, clear complexion inclining to be florid; hair
dark, longer than the rule and combed back from the forehead.
His voice was pleasant and sonorous, language full, chaste and
elegant — speaking without manuscript or notes to the delight
of every one present.
28o UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Monday night — Wash. Celebration. After prayer by Rev.
S. A. Steel, the President, Mr. T. L. Raymond, La., in a
felicitous manner introduced the Orator, Mr. R. A. Saulsbury,
Ga., who delighted the audience upon the subject, " The Char-
acter of the Institutions and Celebrations of the Ancients,
Compared with Those of the Present Times." The President
thereafter presented the debater's medal to Mr. J. St. Clair
Brookes, Va., who made a short but highly appropriate ac-
knowledgment.
Tuesday night — Jeff. Celebration. After prayer by Rev. S.
A. Steel, the President, Mr. F. F. Reese, Md., in a happy vein
introduced the Orator, Mr. M. W. Ransom, Jr., N. Ca., who
discussed intelligently, " The Power of Will, as Illustrated in
the Life of Napoleon Bonaparte." The President thereafter
conferred the debater's medal upon Mr. J. A. Powell, Mo.,
who accepted it with a short but graceful speech. At the conclu-
sion of the exercises receptions were held at the homes of Pro-
fessors Peters and Schele, where hundreds accepted most
generous hospitality. My invitation to these functions, as
usual, came through the mail and read as follows :
" Col. and Mrs. Peters, At Home, Monday Evening, June
29th, University."
" Mrs. Schele De Vere will be happy to see Mr. David M. R.
Culbreth at her reception on Monday Evening, June 29th.
University, June I9th, 1874."
Wednesday morning — Alumni Meeting. Here Major
Green Peyton submitted a report of the Committee on the
Semi-Centennial Celebration — next year : i, That the Alumni
have two orations on the occasion (the Literary Societies dis-
pensing with their usual address).
2, That Hon. R. M. T. Hunter (a member of the first class
that ever matriculated at the University) be invited to make
the historical address; that Gen. John S. Preston (one of the
earliest students) be invited to deliver an address, and that
Daniel B. Lucas, Esq., of Jefferson County, be invited to com-
pose a poem suitable to the occasion.
3, That a catalogue of all the Alumni from the foundation
of the University be prepared by the time of the celebration.
4, That a central committee be appointed of which the presi-
dents of all the clubs shall be ex-officio members, and that they
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 281
shall have charge of the arrangements and devise the measures
necessary to raise the funds needed.
Wednesday night — Joint Celebration. The audience was
large and brilliant, attracted chiefly by the great desire to see
and hear Father Ryan, the priest and poet in which all were
doomed to disappointment, as on the previous day he tele-
graphed from Albany, N. Y., where he had been taken ill sud-
denly, that he would be unable to fill his appointment — a fact
unknown generally. After prayer, the Chairman of the Joint
Committee, Mr. Frank P. Brent, Va., expressed to the multi-
tude the universal regret at the absence of Father Ryan, but a
high sense of gratification in being able to present such a
worthy substitute in the personage of a great Virginian,
scholar, orator and patriot — Hon. John Goode, of Norfolk.
Mr. Goode expressed deep sympathy with the audience in
the disappointment of the expected speaker, to the hearing
of whom he himself had looked forward with so much pleasure,
but in spite of deficient oratorical powers he could not refuse
the unexpected call made upon him last night by the young
men to play substitute, and therefore stood in recognition of
their wishes and the high compliment they had paid him. He
queried, what he should say in the halls of this noble Uni-
versity— in the presence of their able teachers — and to those
young men who are about to go forth to the great battle of
life? He ought to be able to catch inspiration from the bril-
liant scene before him and the hallowed associations of the
spot on which he stood, and to speak with more accustomed
fervor on the theme he had chosen, " The Claims of the South
on her educated young men." He gave a vivid sketch of the
condition and wants of the South since the war; spoke of the
peculiar responsibilities of those who live in this age of
material progress, but insisted that the greatness of a "State
depends upon the character of its people; vividly and scath-
ingly rebuked the political and social corruptions of the times,
and eloquently exhorted the young men to avoid these cor-
ruptions, to appreciate their obligations to the land of their
birth, and to meet with brave hearts the duty of the hour.
While denying that the sword can ever settle abstract rights,
he brought out the point that the late war had settled that we
are to have but one nationality, and eloquently urged that we
282 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
should imitate the example of our immortal chieftain, General
Lee, think it no dishonor to follow where he led, and having
acknowledged our allegiance to the American Constitution, to
remember that we have duties as American citizens. He
would not counsel the young men to enter upon the devious
paths of politics, but he would exhort them to meet their full
share of the responsibility in stemming the tide of centraliza-
tion now setting in, and to bring the country to the Con-
stitution as our fathers framed it. He next discussed what
these young men could do; and eloquently insisted that noth-
ing is necessary to lift the South from the dust and restore
her to pristine glory and greatness but a resolute purpose and
earnest effort on the part of her sons. If the young men who
are now entering upon the theater of life will determine not
to shrink from honest toil; if they will seek employment, not
only in the learned professions, but in the useful departments
of commerce, mechanics and agriculture; if they will carry
into these departments not only strong arms and stout hearts,
but skilled labor, trained intellect, and incorruptible integrity;
if they will imitate the primitive simplicity and old-fashioned
homely virtues of their ancestors — in a word, if they will ex-
hibit the same high qualities in peace which illustrates tlje
conduct of their elder brothers in war, our beloved South will
once more " bloom and blossom like the rose." In conclusion,
he noticed the splendid advantages which the young men of
this University had enjoyed, and exhorted them that in going
forth to meet their obligations : they should first seek that best
of all, wisdom, which " cometh down from above." Mr.
Goode was interrupted frequently by applause and took his
seat amid wild plaudits of the audience.
At once followed loud and continuous calls for Gen. Jubal
A. Early, who was seated upon the stage — an ovation that
caused him to respond somewhat hesitatingly : " I came here
not to take public part in these exercises, but to listen to that
orator and poet priest, who has done so much in prose and
verse to perpetuate and keep green the memory of our noble
Confederate dead. I have listened with very great pleasure
to the eloquent words of my friend from Norfolk, and his
sentiments of love to the Commonwealth found an echo in
my heart. After thanking his hearers for the high and un-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 283
expected compliment they had paid him, he would only detain
them to say (though he could not say it in the eloquent words
of the great statesman who had uttered the same sentiment last
summer) — that he had hope for the country's© long as we
have so many noble women to strew with flowers the graves
of our martyred dead, and to teach to coming generations the
principles for which they died. For myself I have faith in the
women, and in their ability as well as willingness to preserve
our principles. And if this be treason, then they may make
the most of it." The General from his first sentence caught
the sympathy of the multitude and sat down amid the loudest
applause.
The Magazine medal was then conferred by Professor
Southall upon Mr. William W. Thum, Ky., author of the suc-
cessful article, " The Death of Marlowe," who acknowledged
it in a short but graceful speech that, coupled with his youth-
ful size and appearance, elicited rounds of demonstration. At
the conclusion of the exercises a reception was held at Pro-
fessor Mallet's, where many journeyed, while others mean-
dered the Lawn and byways in the sound of delightful music.
Thursday morning — Commencement or Final Day. At 10
o'ck, the entire University contingent, including many
strangers, assembled in the Public Hall for the usual conferring
of diplomas and certificates of proficiency — an exercise that
lasted about two hours. This over, together with a short in-
termission, we all reassembled at I o'ck, to hear the very
able address before the Alumni Society, by Judge Kennard
of New Orleans, La.
That afternoon I arranged for leaving on the late train,
and after supper loafed with a few companions until the Ball
began, where I spent several hours very delightfully — those
even to this day pleasant to recall.
Inasmuch as fifty years had rolled-by since the University
was opened for instruction, March 7, 1825, the second page
of this year's catalogue, session 1873-74, contained the fol-
lowing announcement:
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
In the year 1875 the University of Virginia will have been in opera-
tion fifty years, and it is proposed to celebrate the event in a becoming
284 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
manner. Due notice will be given of the time and manner of celebrating
the anniversary, and all former students of the University are cordially
and urgently requested to be present.
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CATALOGUE
A catalogue of all students who have attended lectures at the University
of Virginia during the last fifty years is in course of preparation. It
will contain, not merely their names and course of study, but also short
notices of their subsequent career. All who can furnish information tend-
ing to make the list in any way more complete and valuable are re-
quested to send it to the Secretary of the Faculty.
In spite of this great prospective event in the history of the
University, the session of 1874-75 differed little from those
that immediately preceded or followed, as students according
to custom went their busy way, intent solely upon daily duties,
apparently unmindful of any " casting of shadows before."
It is true, however, that the numbers were increased slightly
over the few previous years ; that several fraternities held con-
ventions and reunions, bringing together from distant parts
men of more or less reputation, and that the Young Men's
Christian Association had an unusual list of distinguished
divines to make public addresses, but otherwise the session was
unmarked until the Ides of Commencement.
The first memorable event came early in the session, Sun-
day night, October nth, when the venerable " blind preacher,"
Rev. Dr. W. H. Milburn, for many years chaplain to Con-
gress, delivered a most impressive discourse upon, " Vanity of
vanities, saith the preacher (vanity of vanities) ; all is
vanity." During the week he also gave a series of sermons
in Charlottesville, which attracted multitudes that were
charmed by his matchless oratory, rare descriptive powers, and
profound familiarity with the sacred writings.
On Thursday night, October I5th, the Delta Kappa Epsilon
fraternity, in annual convention, held an open session in the
Public Hall, which was attended by most of the students and
many visitors to their unbounded delight. Here for the first
time the majority had the pleasure of seeing and hearing the
two literary celebrities — Bayard Taylor and Daniel B. Lucas.
The former gentleman presided at the meeting, and seemed to
be about fifty years of age with Teutonic characteristics — pos-
sessing a commanding appearance and physique, kind frank
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 285
face covered largely with moustache and beard, good suit of
hair inclining to be curly, an affable smile and pleasant man-
ner. His address was the embodiment of eloquence and ora-
tory, his language inspiring, chaste and simple, his delivery
easy and graceful, and his tribute to youth highly encourag-
ing, especially in the sentences : " Rivalry in the race of dis-
tinction, friendship that wholly confides and believes itself
eternal, manly honor and honesty — these are no illusions!
Let the cynic sneer and the philosopher smile! We will
cherish these attributes of youth until they turn age itself into
an illusion."
After this came an oration by Mr. Henry Wickham, outlin-
ing the principles and aims of the Fraternity, which, to every
one's delight, was followed by a song of the muse — a poem,
" The Love of Letters," by Mr. Daniel B. Lucas, a gifted
gentleman, our University's product, who had only come
home to bow at the mother's knee, as he again did several
months later at the Semi-Centennial, and to add fresh garlands
to his favorite temple of knowledge. He was about forty
years of age, possessing a large head covered with a heavy
suit of hair parted on the left and brushed upward ; broad fore-
head and cheekbones, square broad chin, thick moustache.
Unfortunately his body was dwarfed somewhat through a
permanent spinal injury produced in infancy, by the proverbial
fall from a negro nurse's arms. A few stanzas may well be
reproduced here:
Peace to affairs of State, and sale of gold,
Silent the busy hum of wheel on wheel
We sing to-night these great High Priests of old,
Who wrote and sang, and taught mankind to think, and feel!
Praised be our Goddess! and her altars crown
With secret rite, and revelry, and feast,
Till powers, to her, and potentates fall down
Like Agamemnon to Apollo's priest!
And here, beneath the shelter of her wings,
Our gifts of song, and speech, and pen are brought;
For books are more than multitudes or kings,
And Letters are the Avatars of thought. *
The method of electing the Final officers in the Jeff, and
Wash. Societies at last became so discreditable and unsatis-
286 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
factory that at a Faculty meeting, November 2nd, the follow-
ing regulations were adopted : " Whereas it is made the duty
of the Faculty to regulate the public exercises of this institu-
tion ; and whereas the working of the present method of elect-
ing the representatives of the Societies is unsatisfactory, the
Faculty deem it due to the interest of the University and the
welfare of the Societies to appoint the following plan of select-
ing the orators and medalists for the final celebration : At one
of the meetings in November, each Society shall appoint a com-
mittee of five members to select three members of the Faculty
for each Society, to act in the character of an electoral commit-
tee, to select the final orators and medalists of the Societies.
The electoral committee shall attend at least four meetings of
the Societies — say one in January, one in February, and two
in March — after the last of which the selection of medalist and
orator of each Society shall be made from the debaters and
speakers of the Societies by the electoral committee. The
selection of medalists and orators by the electoral committee
shall be final."
These regulations were addressed to each society, and rati-
fied by overwhelming majorities — the Jeff, selecting Profes-
sors Cabell, Smith and Southall — the Wash. : Professors
Holmes, Venable, and J. S. Davis.
As I glance back to those turbulent days and society elec-
tion-nights prior to this new regime I fail to recall the inau-
guration of a more salutary change, or one hailed with greater
delight by the better thinking students. For while it was true
that the presidents were still to be elected by the members, the
severity of the contest had been minimized by delegating to
wiser heads the filling of the most responsible positions — those
that formerly had caused endless contention and strife.
Our chaplain, Rev. Dr. S. A. Steel, took unto himself a
life partner, November 5th, the fortunate lady being Miss
Mollie Burns, of Petersburg, where the ceremony was per-
formed.
An event that cast a gloom over the University community
for a period was the sickness and death, November 7th, of Mrs.
Margaret N. Cabell, wife of our much beloved Dr. Cabell.
She was a lady possessing many sterling qualities — unusual
grace of person, mind and heart, whose every instinct implied
President Edwin A. Alderman, LIv.D., at forty-four
1861—
Inaugurated April 13, 1905
FACING 286
See page 349
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 287
that which was noble, generous and elevating. Her funeral
was attended largely by the student-body and those who treas-
ured highly a friendship in life. The interment was in the
University Cemetery by whose side her venerable husband
was laid a quarter of a century later.
In accordance with the spirit of the Faculty's decision, the
two Literary Societies at one of their meetings in December
announced the dates, subjects, and participants for the de-
bater's medals :
/eff. — January i6th. Was the execution of Lord Stafford justifiable?
February 27th. Do the advantages of war compensate for its evils?
March 27th. Does general education promote public morality?
April 23rd. Was the institution of chivalry beneficial to civilization?
Contestants : Messrs. J. R. McD. Irby, Leo. N. Levi, G. S. Smith,
Lyon G. Tyler, W. D. White.
Wash. — January 23rd. Is the example of the United States, according to
present appearances, likely to increase the favor of mankind
toward Republican government?
February 27th. Does morality increase with increase of civilization?
March 20th. Were the charges of Lord Macaulay against the Duke of
Marlborough just?
April i6th. Has the law of primogeniture, been productive of more
good than evil to society?
Contestants: Messrs. T. E. Blakey, I. R. Faisen, H. J. Huck, J. E.
Mason, C. E. Nicol, A. D. Pace, H. C. Stuart, N. E. Yasser,
N. S. Walton, A. M. West.
CHAPTER XV
INCIDENTS AND COMMENCEMENT OF SESSION 1874-75
Session 1874-75 continued. Address of Rev. Dr. Randolph H. McKim:
Selection of Jeff, and Wash, officers. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Robert L.
Dabney. Sermon by Rev. Dr. R. N. Sledd. Typhoid epidemic; Base-
ball games. Commencement — Semi-Centennial Celebration : Sermon
by Rev. Dr. W. T. Brantly; Wash. Celebration— Geo. Ben. Johnston,
Henry C. Stuart, Charles E. Nicol; Jeff. Celebration — Benj. Fitzpat-
rick, A. M. Robinson, Leo. N. Levi. Alumni Celebration — Daniel
B. Lucas, Gen. Jubal A. Early, Robert M. T. Hunter ; 'Commencement
Day — Gen. John S. Preston ; Alumni Banquet ; Final Ball, etc.
ON Sunday night, January 3ist, Rev. Dr. Randolph H. Mc-
Kim, a distinguished alumnus — one who had seen active serv-
ice in the Civil War — delivered the sermon before the Young
Men's Christian Association in the chapel to a packed audience
composed of students and the University colony. His theme
was, " False Views of Life and a True One," which beyond
able composition and thought had a delivery of rare force and
strength, inasmuch as few approximate, far less equal, that
speaker's manner and personality — both lending a charm of
sincereness and power that carried conviction. He was at
that time Rector of Old Christ Church, Alexandria, Va., but
during the year received a call to a more important field in
New York City; about thirty -five years of age, tall — at least
six feet one inch — compactly built without superfluous flesh,
weighing one hundred and ninety pounds. His face was
bright, reflective and observant; chin and upper lip smooth,
but side whiskers cut well back; strong nose and forehead;
enunciation clear, deliberate, earnest and engaging ; voice deep,
rich, sonorous and delightful. As this was the only sermon
published during the session, we give here a few excerpts:
I am to speak to young men, before whom the vision of life
has just opened — who are indeed standing already upon the
shores, and looking out upon its sparkling waters, eager to
launch forth upon them — and it shall be my effort to expose
the unseaworthiness of some of the vessels in which young
288
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 289
men are tempted to embark in life, and to indicate one to which
I think a man may commit himself with a fair prospect of
reaching safe harbor at last. The purpose of life is what I
call the vessel to which he commits his fortunes, and in which
he launches out when he leaves the university. A mistake
here may be fatal, at least productive of great loss. Mere
pastime or pleasure is not the proper end of existence — it is a
leaky vessel that must be abandoned with the toys of the
nursery — for the first results of liberal culture is to emancipate
the mind and heart from the dominion of the senses. Nor
is the accumulation of wealth the proper end of existence —
it also is a leaky vessel, that gauges our civilization by its
material rather than its intellectual and moral development,
that suffers virtue, integrity, public and private honesty to
decline for material prosperity. All the lessons of history, the
records of past valor and patriotism, the evidence furnished
by the remotest ages of their perpetual effort to escape the
bondage of mere material things, in order to pursue the ideal
image of truth and beauty and goodness which has floated like
an angelic vision before the soul and has captivated its deepest
affections — these elements of university culture, to say nothing
of the study of mental and moral philosophy, exercise a most
potent influence against the materialistic idea of life. The
seeking of material happiness is not the end of human life, for
its unsoundness must be apparent at a glance. A civilized com-
munity must rest on a large realized capital of thought and
sentiment; there must be a reserved fund of public morality
to draw upon in the exigencies of national life.
Society has a soul as well as a body; the traditions of a
nation are part of its existence. Its valor and its discipline,
its religion, faith, venerable laws, science erudition, poetry,
art, eloquence and scholarship, are as much portions of its
existence as its agriculture, commerce, and engineering skill.
Happiness is an incident in life, not the object of it — a way-
side flower, not a parlor exotic. If sought for its own sake,
it will mock us like the mirage in the desert ; but if a man have
chosen a Noble Aim to lead him, Moses-like, through life, his
happiness will follow, as the smitten rock followed the Israel-
ites through the wilderness, and ever and anon, as he journeys
forward, will open for him its crystal fountains. Nor do I
290 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
consider culture — education, intellectualism — the meaning and
object of life, for it is a leaky vessel of which a man should
beware, if he would not make shipwreck of the most precious
part of the cargo of life. . The moral powers and spiritual
faculties are nobler and command higher consideration than
the intellectual, since the latter implies the culture of self, by
self and for self, the former not self-culture, but self-sacrifice.
Human life is not complete in itself, it is a fragment of another
life — the germ out of which that life is to be developed. That
which we call life is but the introduction to life — the Porch
of the Temple — and not only so, the Temple will be in keep-
ing with the Porch. The life that now is shall determine the
life that is to come ; it is this that gives such inestimable value
to the brief span of human existence — a shadow that flits
across the dial-plate of Time, a frail flower soon to be cut
down ; but what seeds has it left in the soil for eternal germina-
tion?
Our life stands related to the Author of Life, and being his
gift it is reasonable to suppose it must be used with a view
to His good pleasure. What was the Divine purpose in be-
stowing life? What is the Divine idea of its significance?
Life is God's training-school for human souls — a University
in which man is to become fitted to enter upon a higher and
better life hereafter. It has many schools, and the Divine
Educator places each in those which are best suited to his
nature and his destiny. According to this view, the great
guiding principle and aim in life should be to submit ourselves
to this Divine will, to receive and obey the Divine teaching.
In the University of Life, the Great Educator has room for
all — there is a place for each, and none is left out. The cul-
ture here of first importance is character. Misfortunes, re-
verses, disappointments do not overturn the purpose of life;
rather they help it forward, for, under this sharp discipline,
character is matured; and that is the human side of the
purpose of life, that is God's purpose for the disciples in His
school. Death does not prematurely arrest the educational
process, but only calls the faithful student to an upper form,
to a higher school.
Let the great thought of God come into your life! It will
be like the light of morning upon the landscape. Then you
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 291
will perceive that there is nothing1 irrelevant, or purposeless,
or insignificant in life; that study, business, labor, recreation,
riches, poverty, sickness, health, prosperity, adversity, success,
and failure, are all parts of a Divine plan by which the great
educational process is carried on. Let me remind you, how-
ever, as in this University, so in the University of Life, the
learner must co-operate with the teacher. God's plan of train-
ing1 is to give every learner in His great school a work to do
— " to every man his own work." God has a place and a
work for each one of you — let it be vour first and chief care
to find it, and, having found it, to do it. There is no such
thing as incompetence or incapacity here. You, and you alone,
are competent to do the work God has appointed you to do.
You may each differ in talents, but they are God's gifts, be-
stowed to qualify men for the work He designs them to do;
and consequently no man has more than enough ability to do
his work, nor has any man too little to do it.
There are two thoughts which should stimulate every one to
grapple earnestly with the work of life:
1. That in doing, each his own work, " we are laborers to-
gether with God."
2. That the Divine Educator bestows His rewards, not ac-
cording- to natural talents, nor even according to positive
achievements, as must generally be the case in our schools,
but according to the fidelity with which each has labored.
If then your life-work is to be a success in any true and high
sense of the word, it must draw its inspiration from the Cross
of Christ, for only there can the spirit of man be rid of the
tyrannous bondage of self, and made free to work for God
and Truth alone. *
On Sunday night, February 28th, Rev. J. William Jones
delivered a lecture in the Public Hall on the " Character of
' Stonewall ' Jackson, in its religious aspects," when the larg-e
and appreciative audience seemed thorousrhlv delighted at the
many related evidences of the great soldier's moral and reli-
gious life.
The two Literary Societies elected their Final Presidents on
Saturday night, April 3rd, and in the few weeks preceding not
a little of the old time party spirit and favoritism were de-
veloped, but nothing in comparison to what had prevailed in
292 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
former years. The honor in the Jeff, fell to Mr. Benj. Fitz-
patrick, Ala., and in the Wash, to Mr. Geo. Ben. Johnson, Va.
A short time thereafter the " Electoral Committees of the
Faculty " rendered their decisions, in reference to those so-
ciety members deserving honors, as follows: Jeff. — Medalist,
Mr. Leo N. Levi, Texas; Orator, Mr. L. G. Tyler, Va., who
resigning, the Society elected Mr. A. M. Robinson, Texas.
Wash.— Medalist, Mr. C. E. Nicol, Va.; Orator, Mr. H. C.
Stuart, Va.
The distinguished scholar and Presbyterian divine, Rev. Dr.
Robert L. Dabney, Professor at Hampden-Sidney College, de-
livered the Y. M. C. A. sermon for April in the chapel before
a large and appreciative audience. The Doctor had a son, Mr.
Charles W. Dabney, then attending the University, while he
himself had graduated therefrom with highest honors a gen-
eration before, had been chaplain to " Stonewall " Jackson's
command, and was recognized throughout the South as a pro-
found theological thinker as well as an exceptional speaker.
The sermon for May before the Young Men's Christian As-
sociation was given by Rev. R. N. Sledd, of Petersburg, his
subject being, " The Witch of Endor," in which he defined
clearly and forcibly his position on modern spiritualism, mak-
ing all who heard him delighted with his eloquence and descrip-
tive powers.
In early April typhoid fever broke out among the students,
which happily was checked in time to prevent a serious epi-
demic, but- not until a number had suffered weeks of sickness
and a few sacrificed their lives, causing the mortality to exceed
that of all my other sessions combined. The prevalence of
this malady made those with aches and pains unusually ap-
prehensive, so that some tarried not for developments but
hastened home, where, in event of something dangerous, they
might have, according to their belief, the best attention and
skill. In most of these cases it was a needless alarm, so that
some returned for the last few weeks of the session and the
Semi-Centennial Celebration.
On May I4th, a very spirited game of baseball took place on
our grounds between the Washington and Lee and our own
(Monticello) nines, in which we were victorious by a score
of 27 to 21. At night the visitors were given an enjoyable
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 293
supper down town, Daniel Brothers, where delicious solids,
liquids, and gases (speeches) were indulged in until a very late
hour.
The Commencement this year differed somewhat from the
two preceding ones, it marked the fifty-year mile-stone in
the University's life — an event that proved to be highly com-
memorative. The buildings, fences, grounds, walks, and
roads had been looked after with exceptional care during the
previous weeks that gave the historic place an air of freshness
— as though presided over by extremely watchful and pains-
taking eyes.
Regardless, however, of the unusual occasion quite a con-
tingent of students departed previously for home, in which
seemingly they then had the greater interest, but this clearing
out was compensated for largely by the return of many former
graduates, desirous of showing filial loyalty to their Alma
Mater in this exceptional birth-year. The personnel atmos-
phere assumed an uncommon complexion, as a number of
strange and beautiful ladies came from near and distant points
seeking enjoyment and holding a higher ambition of making
the event ever memorable, while, instead of the preponderating
bright, quickly stepping, beardless youths, there came in view
at every turn the more somber, quietly moving, gray-haired
and bearded man. A few had been absent forty to fifty years,
others twenty to thirty, and some only one, two, five or ten,
but each and all united in the pleasant memories of student-
life, and for the time lived in delightful companionship. Dis-
tinguished characters in various lines were much in evidence —
not only graduates of our University, but those who had been
trained at other institutions — ministers, lawyers, doctors, edu-
cators, scientists, men of state and men of affairs. Certainly
to the then youthful student, unaccustomed to so much dig-
nity, distinction, and greatness, in years and calling, it was a
most inspiring scene — one calculated to cause thoughtfulness,
serious reflection, a spirit of emulation, a hope to follow in the
wake of their footprints.
Sunday night, June 27th. The annual sermon before the
Young Men's Christian Association was delivered in the Pub-
lic Hall by Rev. Dr. W. T. Brantly, a celebrated Baptist
divine of Baltimore, who, after being introduced by our chap-
294 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
lain, Rev. S. A. Steel, discoursed for an hour, to every one's
delight, on the subject, "The Temporal Value of Christian
Ethics."
Monday night — Wash. Celebration. After prayer by our
chaplain, Rev. S. A. Steel, the President, Mr. Geo. Ben. Johns-
ton, Va., in a short speech, presented the orator, Mr. Henry
C. Stuart, Va., who entertained the audience with his studies
upon the words of Hannibal, " Beyond the Alps lies Italy."
He described the beauties of Italy that made it the ideal land
— the world of mind — that which every ambitious student
should strive to possess, even though literary pursuits imply
many formidable obstacles. As Hannibal avowed to followv
in the footsteps of his ancestors, so we students should emulate
the examples of our older and illustrious alumni.
After this the President conferred the debater's medal upon
Mr. Charles E. Nicol, Va., who received and acknowledged
it in a brief valedictory to his fellow-students — Votaries at the
same shrine, and citizens of the same grand Republic. The
usual Lawn illumination and promenading followed, with
sumptuous receptions at Professors Holmes' and Schele's.
Tuesday night — Jeff. Celebration. After prayer by our
chaplain, Rev. S. A. Steel, the President, Mr. Benj. Fitzpatrick,
Ala., introduced the orator, Mr. A. M. Robinson, Texas, who
delighted his hearers to a rare degree with his beautiful flow-
ery style, on the theme, " Blessings brighten as they take their
flight." After this the President conferred the debater's
medal upon Mr. Leo. N. Levi, Texas, who in his acceptance
speech excelled any undergraduate effort in the memory of
the oldest. His beautiful language, forceful delivery, long ac-
centuated sentences, and deep stentorian voice, enforced pro-
found attention and delight — that so seldom accorded at
similar functions. Immediately thereafter Professor Holmes
awarded the Magazine medal to Mr. Marcus B. Almond,
Va., who owing to sickness was absent, and the Magazine
scholarships to Messrs. Robert M. Cooper, S. Ca. and Lyon
G. Tyler, Va. Later in the evening a reception was given
at Professor Minor's.
Wednesday morning — Alumni Celebration. At 10 o'ck,
the entire University community, alumni and friends as-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 295
sembled in the Public Hall, when after prayer by Rev. Dr.
T. D. Witherspoon, the President of the Alumni Society, Hon.
B. Johnson Barbour, made a short but beautiful address of
welcome, introducing at its conclusion the poet of the day, Mr.
Daniel B. Lucas, W. Va., who delivered the " Semi-Centennial
Poem," of which we reproduce here some stanzas:
" As desolate, lonely, and broken,
The Greatest American stood,
Full-voiced as Uriel, a token
Came out of his favorite Wood :
Or as words of Egeria spoken
To Numa the Good.
He had written the Charter of Treason,
Defying oblivion and death :
He had spoken, (Apostle of Reason!)
" Let Conscience be free as the breath,
That the way of the Truth be not hidden,
And the Earth be not barren of Faith ! "
But the spirit that slumbered within him
Besought him to ponder again ;
The Spirit of Greatness within him,
Unnamed in the language of men :
Build me a Temple of Learning, said she,
Build me a Temple of stone —
Build for all ages : assuredly,
Build for man's Reason a throne;
For Freedom and Truth shall prosper
Where Knowledge and Science are known!
Build me a home, said the Spirit,
Where the coin of all tongues shall be good —
All speech that the nations inherit
Shall be spoken, in fashion and mood,
From the youngest and poorest in merit,
Through the oldest and best understood,
To the murmurs of all creation,
And the infinite sounds of God! . . .
Let her teach and inspire a yearning
Of the knowledge concealed in the earth,
Of the love of preadamite learning,
And significant monster birth :
Of seadrift, and waters subsiding,
And landrise, and glacial domes,
And species extinct, or abiding,
Rockbound, in their cavernous homes;
For the crust of the earth is scripture,
And her rocks are magnificent tomes!
296 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Let her teach there the forces of nature,
With more than an alchemist's wand;
And the station and rank of each creature,
That inhabits the sea or the land;
From the lowest in life and sensation,
Through the highest embraced in the plan
Of the speechless in God's creation,
To the marvelous germs that are hidden
In the innermost spirit of man! . . .
And there, let them teach in their glory,
Those Rights which the world has denied,
Which the States shall deny, (the old story
Repeating itself far and wide).
Until from the Porch you will build me,
The minds of Republic ascend
To the height of the truths which have thrilled me:
For wherever the future may tend,
Be you sure what the Seedsman hath scattered,
Will prosper, and grow in the endl . . .
As this is her youth, I sing of her birth,
And not her majestic prime —
For an hundred years is a day upon earth,
And Fifty a morning in time ;
Through many and many a lustrum,
While governments rise and decline,
Perpetually young like the planets,
This Temple of Learning shall shine:
And Mother! Fair Mother! thy children
Shall return, and bow down at thy shrine! . .
And beloved round thine altars maternal,
The forms of thy first-born appear,
Whose fame with thine own is eternal —
Thy Hunter and Preston are here!
When the volume is full, then their story
Shall honor thine Hundred years;
For the dead gather harvests of glory,
Where the living sow sorrow and tears;
And Mother! Fair Mother! our children
Shall thank thee for lessons like theirs! ... .
For now at this Semi-Centennial,
We return to the arms that have nursed;
To thy breast, as a fountain perennial,
To quench an undying thirst:
While we drink of the dew of such fountains,
We know that our strength shall not fail:
From cities and valleys and mountains,
We bid thee all hail! all hail!
Alma Mater, amata! returning,
We bid thee all hail! all hail!
Professor Charles S. Venable, LJ^.D., at forty-nine
1827-1901
See pant; 373
FACING 2)b
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 297
After Mr. Lucas had finished and the applause had softened
in tone, the Hall rang with many voices for Gen. Jubal A.
Early, who at once arose from among the dignitaries and
responded in a brief, witty manner: " I take this call as no
empty compliment to myself, but as an expression of fidelity
to the cause you all love and cherish. As this is an era of
Centennial Celebrations, and I could not go conscientiously
the whole figure, I thought I would come down to this Semi-
Centennial, hoping that if I lived to the end of the next cen-
tury I might then be prepared for even a Centennial. In
joining in the congratulations of this occasion it is to me a sad
reflection that this noble University is all that remains of the
works of its great founder. It ought to be distinctly under-
stood that Virginia will never consent to occupy the place of a
repentant rebel, and that if she is to have a place in national
processions, she must not be led in chains, however they may
be gilded by kind words and fraternal embraces."
Wednesday night — Alumni Celebration. This was set
apart for the address of Hon. Robert M. T. Hunter, whom,
after prayer, the Hon. B. Johnson Barbour introduced as
" Virginia's honored son."
The speech of Mr. Hunter was valuable from its historical
side, inasmuch as it outlined the establishment of the Uni-
versity— the obstacles encountered by Mr. Jefferson and his
distinguished coadjutor, Joseph C. Cabell, towards higher edu-
cation, the wise innovations introduced into the management
and arrangement of studies, and the great advantage the Uni-
versity had been to the State and the South. A few excerpts
will illustrate its character :
The patient energy and uncomplaining zeal of Mr. Jeffer-
son, who never faltered in his purpose until he had established
the grand institution, which, by force of its internal constitu-
tion, was to live and grow with such scanty support as the
State of Virginia could afford it, and to furnish the highest
degree of instruction in all the most valuable branches of
human knowledge, were worthy of all praise. The first was a
problem hard and high for any man, but not insoluble to one
of so much insight into the character of human government;
the second required a superiority to the utilitarian tendencies
298 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
of an age which would dwarf the spiritual growth of man in a
base subservience to mammon, and sacrifice the worship of the
beautiful and true to the sordid love of gain. But happily
for Virginia, fortunately for mankind and the larger interests
of human progress, the man had hold of the subject, who of
all on the continent, was probably best fitted by energy and
wisdom to grapple with the difficulties of the situation.
He provided that the professors be paid in part by a fixed
salary from the State and the residue from the students' fees,
thus making it the professors' interest to keep up the Uni-
versity, and maintain its value and popularity. He introduced
another regulation, of which this institution furnished the first
example — the elective or voluntary system, which seems to be
slowly but surely making its way amongst the colleges of this
country. This innovation was at first received with distrust
by many of Mr. Jefferson's friends, but its growing success
has only served to increase still further our faith in his rare
sagacity and skill in the organization and government of men.
Unwilling to bind the intellect of all men to the procrustean
bed of a curriculum, or to establish an average standard of re-
quirement, whose measure might be conformed to the average
capacity and opportunities of a class, he boldly declared that
no man should be required to study anything but what his own
talents, tastes, and opportunities should suggest and prescribe.
He established another innovation which was much more dis-
trusted— the principle of self-government — abolishing the testi-
mony of one student against another and substituting therefor
the power of well regulated public opinion among the student-
body.
Experience, I think, may now entitle us to compare this with
any school in the Union for good order and studious habits.
Indeed, I heard a distinguished gentleman some time ago, who
now has a son here, say he had never seen a school in which
the public opinion of society was so distinctly pronounced in
favor of good order and studious habits. He said it seemed
to him that the point of honor was to behave well and study
hard, and to such a degree was this character impressed upon
the school that he believed there was no place where a young
man was likely to make so much progress in mind and manner
as here. What higher compliment could be paid to Mr. Jef-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
ferson's experiment than this? At the time this institution
was founded there was a general disposition in this country
to adopt the utilitarian standard as a test of the merit of edu-
cation, particularly in the sections of country where Franklin
was the model man. Having no knowledge of the ancient
languages himself, there is no evidence that he attached a
special importance to an acquaintance with them. But Mr.
Jefferson, a classical scholar himself, was not insensible to the
value of such studies. Fortunately for Virginia and the Uni-
versity, he knew that the value of all culture was to be meas-
ured by the growth which it fostered in the soul of man. He
was too elevated himself to believe education was to be esti-
mated by its money value ; he was incapable of any such intel-
lectual simony, believing with Charles V., of Spain, that every
man was as many times a man as he understood a language.
If there be some who believe that Edgar Allan Poe is ahead
of all other American poets, and speaks in American poetry
with a higher charm than any other who paints his visions or
tells his dreams to delight and instruct his readers, they will
surely believe that he owes that excellence to his having dwelt
with a truer appreciation and higher taste amongst the models
of classic literature than any other of his day. Few colleges
at that day were provided even with the proper text-books to
teach either the ancient languages or their literature. The
young New England teachers, with which the land was then
flooded, with no Greek and but little Latin, turned out a host
of pupils incapable of passing even the meagre examination re-
quired of candidates for matriculation at the University of Vir-
ginia. Of these, it was my misfortune to have been one, and
when I went to Mr. Long with a confession of my deficiencies,
he told me not to take the matter to heart, as he would prefer
to have my mind a blank page on these subjects sooner than see
it filled with the crudities and errors of ignorant or half-
taught teachers, who had so far mistaken their calling as to
have undertaken to enlighten me. How different now, when
schools are found all over our State taught by students of the
University, in which a far more competent knowledge of the
classics is to be obtained than was possessed by graduates of
most colleges in the country when this great institution was
founded. Men may not covet the possession of classical learn-
300 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
ing for themselves, but what lover of the reformation, or en-
thusiast for Christian progress, will undervalue the Latin and
Greek of Luther and Erasmus, of Calvin, or Zuinglius ? All
praise to Mr. Jefferson, to whom we are indebted for so many
other things, for restoring classic literature to its rightful place
in the catalogue of human studies, and providing means and
facilities for its highest cultivation amongst those who desire
to make it the object of their chief pursuit.
To the men who found great schools of instruction, how can
we attribute too much? Take from the history of human
progress the contribution of the great schools of the world,
and how small will be the residuum? Can there be any object
of ambition so seductive to the imagination of states and of
statesmen as the establishment of such schools as this, from
which man maintains his lookout upon the whole destiny and
fortune of his race? Here, sirs, is the stake for which Vir-
ginia is playing in these international jousts. Will any true
son of hers hint the suspicion that she will relax her energies
or grow faint-hearted in playing for such a prize and maintain-
ing the benediction for the good of the race ?
In these days of depression, doubt and unrest we must stand
by the truth — not suffer it to be destroyed or obscured by
selfish interests which disparage principles that were developed
and maintained by our fathers, nor must we suffer public
opinion to be degraded or contaminated for purposes of plunder
or oppression. To do that, we must cultivate and cherish this
grand Southern school, and make its teachings a light to guide
the footsteps of mankind. The fate of this institution will
depend upon her students and alumni — as one class disappears,
another will take its place to fill these halls. May no class
ever resign its place to its successors and leave the University
less efficient in its usefulness or disparaged in reputation, and
may each be enabled to say with pride, " I have been educated
in the school of Jefferson ! I have been animated by his spirit
while there, and trained according to his discipline and appli-
ances ! I have now stripped for the fight, hoping to conquer
a place in the estimation of the world of which neither I nor
my posterity shall ever be ashamed !
Mr. Hunter was fitted singularly for writing the historical
side of the University, being one ot the matriculants of her
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 301
first session, 1825, and knowing thoroughly her struggles for
existence and establishment by Mr. Jefferson. Not only this
— he had continued to take interest in her welfare, following
her various steps of progress up to the immediate present.
Apart from this direct identity, Mr. Hunter himself had grown
to be distinguished — none of the alumni more so — having oc-
cupied with signal ability and satisfaction, beginning with
1833, the highest offices in the gift of his people — legislator,
Congressman (eight years), Senator (fourteen years; 1846-
61), Senator of the Confederacy, and finally its very able
Secretary of State. He was unpretentious but of striking ap-
pearance, moderate size, about five feet ten inches high, weigh-,
ing one hundred and sixty pounds; smooth face, strong eyes
and orbits — the latter with well-developed eyebrows; nose
well-proportioned and rather a positive upper lip. He seemed
somewhat feeble and to have impaired hearing; his voice was
not strong, consequently those in the rear of the Hall heard
nothing save the jabber of those around them. Mr. Barbour
reprimanded the audience for general inattention and promis-
cuous conversation, but even that had little effect upon the
many lovers and sweethearts bent upon amusing themselves
in accordance with their own pleasure, irrespective of the dis-
courtesy shown their host — the University.
At the conclusion of Mr. Hunter's address, both Senator
Bayard and Governor Kemper responded to the calls of the
audience, in short but witty speeches, which brought un-
bounded delight and respectful quietness to the hitherto rest-
less multitude. After these exercises a delightful reception,
including dancing, was given at Professor Mallet's.
Thursday morning — Commencement or Final Day. At 10
o'ck, every one assembled in the Public Hall to witness the
conferring of diplomas and certificates of proficiency, when,
after prayer by the chaplain, Rev. S. A. Steel, the Chairman
of the Faculty, Dr. Harrison, announced in proper groups the
names of those who had won University honors, presenting
each, with the able assistance of the venerable Mr. Werten-
baker, a sheepskin in testimony thereof — concluding his duties
with a short address filled with wholesome advice. After a
recess of an hour, during which many repaired to Jefferies'
Dining Hall — the Alumni luncheon headquarters — or else-
302 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
where for something light to eat and drink, all reassembled, in
spite of the excessive heat, in the Public Hall, i o'ck, to enjoy
the last chapter of the Semi-Centennial Celebration — the ora-
tion of Gen. John S. Preston, of S. Ca.
After prayer by Rev. Dr. T. D. Witherspoon, President
Barbour introduced the distinguished speaker in very compli-
mentary terms, who upon arising elicited no little applause,
for his physical form was thoroughly impressive. He seemed
several inches beyond six feet, symmetrically and powerfully
built and was winning from the very start. His voice was
strong, beautifully modulated upon long rounded sentences
framed for euphony as well as meaning ; his entire delivery was
with unaccustomed earnestness and eloquence, and his subject
— appealing to the sentiments if not the judgments, half-way
acceptable to every one but thoroughly believed out of tune
with the place and occasion — contributed a fascination that
carried the audience to the finish amid surprise, awe and de-
light. The address might well have been titled, " A Fervent
Conviction in the Right of Secession," and that afternoon many
comments were heard concerning it, while at the Alumni
Banquet that night Senator Bayard and Governor Kemper
feelingly opposed the wisdom of harboring and expressing
such sentiments — they being out of joint with the time, that
which had long since passed. Even the Faculty deplored the
General's lack of discretion, and did much in repressing the
speech's publicity, never allowing its publication for general
distribution. The Radical newspapers, however, throughout
the country accepted it as another morsel against the South
to feed upon — some giving it the strongest partisan interpre-
tation, others considering it simply as a joke, the outburst of
a diseased and perverted mind. We reproduce here a few
excerpts :
The whole brood of nurslings, the offspring of fifty years'
annual parturition of the foremost school of letters, science and
philosophy of this New World, has called me, one of the first-
born and humblest of the flock, to stand here by our nursery
cradle and speak. It is the most notable honor of my life,
and I undertake it with tremulous reverence for the high
responsibility it reposes. My foster-brothers are the wise,
the heroic, the elders and teachers of the land, the intellectual
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
303
and social " conscript fathers." Coming out of the obscurity
of age and of a lost country I have been at a loss to divine a
theme with which to celebrate the presence of the Alumni of
this great University; but the literature, science, philosophy,
and the embodied thought of the last fifty years have given the
world themes so varied that I fear I have been more troubled
in selecting one than in the treatment of it. I might with
nimble fingers unweave our thread of fifty years from the
warp and woof of the world's history, and hang our joys on
its golden tissue, like rich jewels, or our griefs and woe on its
torn and jagged shreds. But I believe such themes are only
for our sympathies ; they are the fond words of a lullaby that
could be sung here at our mother's cradle only to soothe those
who cling to her breast. The coming world — the after to-day
— may better appreciate them. But with us graybeards, stand-
ing on the silent, solemn shore of the vast ocean on which we
must soon sail ; we who see the harvest sickle glittering in the
hand of the Great Reaper, the stern present and the immutable
past, must now prominently prevail. I ask you, my hearers, to
be charitable to the gray hairs of one who offered his life and
gave all the rest that you might be free, and lost all save the
poor and woeful remnant of life. The purport of my theme
is to measure the deep relations of right and wrong, of justice
and liberty, and of such I shall talk here to-day, before these
altars and under this sky, for I cannot stand in the shadow of
Monticello with my heart overflowing with sacred memories
and not ease it by utterance. . . .
The Mayflower freight, under the laws of England, was
heresy and crime; the laws and usages growing out of the
charters of English liberty consisted only of crude and shallow
systems of theological, philosophical, and political fictions,
scarcely above the vain babblings of mediaeval speculations,
mingled with the poisons of licentious fanaticism, establish-
ing upon them municipal forms of mere superficial restraint
and flimsy systems of educational training, calculated to per-
petuate ignorance and substitute individual craft for public
virtue.
The Jamestown immigrant, on the other hand, was an Eng-
lish freeman, loyal to his country and his God, with English
honor in his heart and English piety in his soul, and carrying
304 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
in his right hand the charters, usages and laws which were
achieving the regeneration of England.
The people of New England are adverse to the principles of
English constitutional liberty and of English religious free-
dom. They came not as refugees from unlawful persecution
and tyranny, but as escaped convicts from the first penalties
of a turbulent heresy and an ambitious rebellion, which sought
by violence to enforce their conscience on England's law.
Their feud began beyond the broad Atlantic, and has never
ceased on its western shores. No space, or time, or the
convenience of any human law, or the power of any human
arm, can reconcile institutions for the turbulent fanatic of
Plymouth Rock and the God-fearing Christian of Jamestown.
You may assign them to the closest territorial proximity, with
all the forms, modes, and shows of civilization; but you can
never cement them into the bonds of brotherhood. Great
Nature in her supremest law forbids it. Nature in her various
recondite, inappreciable, but most potential organizations, im-
poses conditions evolving necessities and results which the
arbitrary or conventional institutions of man cannot control,
and fail even to assimilate. Her stern decrees forbid man's
resistance, and punish his violations of them.
General Preston then in most feeling and eloquent sen-
tences descanted upon the question : " Whether one man's
liberties ought to be judged forever by other men's con-
sciences," and appropriately quoted St. Paul's words of almost
the same tenor continuing thus: While I consider this a
divine injustice, yet has the South done her best to keep
command; has she done so piously, wisely and valiantly, in
full measure of the magnitude and appreciation of its tran-
scendent value? Have we done all those things we were
commanded to do, and have we done that which it was our
duty to do ? Tenderer and more devoted, stronger and purer,
higher and holier than aught on earth save a mother's love
for her child, is the almost divine sentiment which makes us
love and live for the land 'of our birth. But above all this,
above all the earth, is that feeling which makes us reverence
with worship and cherish by devotion the truth which is trans-
mitted to us by our fathers; for that is the filial obedience
shining in the same sphere with immortal love. This holy
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 305
sentiment, in all its most heroic forms, developed into action
all the virtuous energies of the men who had won the liberties
of America, and with wise, ardent and valorous devotion they
went on building up a grand and glorious structure on that
foundation, strengthening and adorning it with the pillars and
muniments of the right of self-government and the mighty
prerogative of the freedom of conscience.
They were grandly inspired architects, those master-builders,
who came out of the first war for civil independence in this
New World, and in fifty years they completed an edifice dedi-
cated to civil freedom and free conscience, whose foundation
was a continent, whose boundaries were boundless seas, and
whose turrets aspired to heaven to catch the light and blessing
from a God of Truth. This was the temple which was to
become the pride of history, the joy of a great and happy
people — " the joy, the pride, the glory of mankind " — in which
no man's liberty was to be judged by another man's con-
science. For this sacred purpose the covenants were placed
upon the altar, the gates were opened to the people, and they
went in and prayed with thanksgiving and hymns of praise,
and renewed the covenants, and the world began to know them
and called them blessed —
!
In one loud, applauding sound,
The nations shout to her around,
How supremely art thou blessed/
How awful the holy purity, how wonderful the grandeur of
this temple dedicated to truth, to liberty, and to free conscience
—a temple fitted for the crowned truth to dwell in forever.
After the great struggle for civil liberty — Washington was
dead. His robes of unsmirched purple stolen and misfitted
for a time, were again worthily on the shoulders of Jefferson ;
and here white handed hope waved her scepter of faith, and
liberty sat smiling beneath the bright enchantment, or serenely
and grandly seemed to move onward to the anointing and the
coronation. . . .
With bated breath I plead the duty of the Alumni of this
great ^University, evolved by the immortal Jefferson, the
splendid harvest of fruit that has come from that great man's
design. It is for you to transmit to posterity the true narration
306 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
of the facts and the irreversible logic of these three score and
ten years, and with it exhibit the seemingly dying- effort of
moral, civil and religious truth in its struggle with fierce in-
tolerance and greedy fanaticism, sustained by merely mechani-
cal and physical forces and energies, and thus to justify before
God and posterity how valiant, how virtuous and how heroic
men, women and children may be who, inheriting the promises
of God's holy spirit to an illustrious ancestry, impelled by filial
piety and sustained by the divine sentiment of patriotism, in
asserting that their liberty shall not be judged by other men's
conscience. This narration will unveil the foulest crime which
stains the annals of human history; it will put upon record
that less than seven decades and a lustrum sufficed to uproot
and dispel all veneration for the past countless centuries and
to engraft upon the chronicles and the civilization of the
nineteenth century of grace, as its most vital attribute and
essential element and power the most unnatural crime God
has permitted man to perpetuate. Remember the North's
great desire — to extirpate the people of the South, and to
scatter salt over the land. Oh, my countrymen, it is a sorry
sight to see the toil of ages won by our forefathers — their
pride, their supreme joy, their triumph — sunk to desolation
by our failure, leaving us where all our talk is of graves and
wounds and epitaphs, and all our prayers for oblivion — " a
realm of tombs." . . .
But for you nurslings of to-day, still at our mother's breast,
I would change this sad and weird lament, this gloomy chant
of woe, and strike the resounding chord which sent forth the
bold anthem of hope, and give you a cheering and living echo
from the dark vault of the past. Once I dreaded lest the womb
of Virginia had been seared to barrenness, and her fountains
of nurture all dried up, and hope itself banished from her
sphere. But when I look at you to-day, and see your earnest
and pious souls gleaming forth in your eager bright eyes,
and when I stand here in these lovely and hallowed places,
with this sky and this land about me, and their breezes fanning
my brow — here in the shadow of Monticello — here where we
now, decrepit fragments, were nurtured in that ennobling lore,
and gathered that truthful spirit which led us to give ourselves
and all our hopes in the fruitless struggle to keep you as
Professor William TV. Peters, L/L.D., at forty -three
1829-1906
See pas e 37 S
FACING 3o6
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 307
free as our fathers have made us — I cannot but feel that the
sacred spirit is still alive in your hearts, and will again ap-
pear and move in you to a triumphant ending.
The Alumni Banquet, in the late afternoon and evening,
5-10.30 o'ck, participated in by about four hundred, was a
most brilliant and enjoyable affair — not only from the de-
licious morsels it furnished for the body but from the post-
prandial efforts for the mind that followed in the order here
named: i, Alma Mater (Mr. W. C. Rives); 2, Thomas
Jefferson — Father of the University of Virginia (Col. Thomas
Jefferson Randolph) ; 3, Virginia (Gov. T. L. Kemper) ; 4,
Knowledge and Virtue (Hon. Thomas F. Bayard) ; 5, Our
Students of 1825-26 (Professor Henry Tutwiler) ; 6, Our
Former Professors (Professor William B. Rogers) ; 7, The
Orators of Our Celebration (Gen. John S. Preston and Hon.
Robert M. T. Hunter) ; 8, The Visitors and Faculty of the
University (Col.W. R. Berkeley) ; 9, The Dead of Our Alumni
Brethren (Mr. Daniel B. Lucas) ; TO, Our Young Alumni (Mr.
A. P. Humphreys) ; n, The Faculty and Reception Commit-
tee ( — volunteered, Mr. H. Clay Dallam). Letters were read
from Mr. John H. Ingraham, London, editor of Poe's works ;
Robert Mallet and George Long, London ; Charles W. Eliot,
Harvard; Noah Porter, Yale; Robert E. Rogers, University
of Pennsylvania; Gen. Francis H. Smith, Virginia Military
Institute ; Andrew D. White, Cornell, and others.
The concluding function of the Commencement was, as
usual, the Final Ball, which loomed into existence for the
more youthful just as the " dying embers " of the banquet — for
the more aged and dignified — " wrought their ghosts upon
the floor." The Ball itself differed little from others save in
the preponderance of pretty and attractive maidens along with
their several escorts tending to overcrowd the room and thereby
render round dancinp- less satisfactory. Until midnight square
dances and waltzes were the order, but after supper, which was
served in Wash. Hall, the more acceptable " German " was
indulged bringing to many appropriate " favors " that have
remained ever since pleasant souvenirs.
CHAPTER XVI
INCIDENTS AND COMMENCEMENT OF SESSION 1875-76
Session 1875-76: Sickness, death and funeral of Thomas Jefferson Ran-
dolph. Home-letters — another visit to Monticello ; failure of the
Charlottesville National Bank; Bible classes. Former and present
chaplains; Davis becomes business editor of the Magazine. Professor
Thornton succeeds Professor Boeck. Election; Christmas; Earth-
quake ; social pleasures, dancing. Edward H. Squibb Gymnasium.
Literary Societies. Davis — Sunday School Supt. at Chapel. Visit
to Rev. John T. Randolph's. Religious meetings. John Jasper's
sermon; Commencement — Ralph Waldo Emerson, etc.
I REACHED the Parish Hotel for the session of 1875-76, Wed-
nesday night, September 29th, and began the next day getting
my room, 50 East Range, in habitable shape — possibly ex-
celling in comfort and expense those of previous years.
Scarcely had our student duties been resumed when it was re-
ported throughout the University community that the much
distinguished and revered Thomas Jefferson Randolph lay
dangerously ill at his near-by residence, Edgehill, and that
approaching death was inevitable. He was no stranger to
the older student-body, at least that was our feeling towards
him, as most of us had been impressed with his tall, erect
and stately form — six feet four or five inches — on his oc-
casional visits to Charlottesville and the University. Whether
at near or far range no one saw his conspicuous figure without
an interest and inquiry as to the personality. We recognized
that his life, more than any one then living, had been linked
inseparably with his grandfather's, Mr. Jefferson, by whom
he was called affectionately " the staff of my old age." We
also knew that he had discharged voluntarily at great sacri-
fice, consuming thereby most of his own estate — forty thousand
dollars or more — every pecuniary obligation left by Mr. Jef-
ferson, so that his illustrious name might be held untarnished
by posterity ; that as legatee and executor, he had published his
grandfather's " Memoir and Correspondence " in four vol-
umes, had been Rector of the University seven and member of
308
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 309
the Board of Visitors thirty-one years, had always taken the
keenest interest in the welfare of the institution, and at its
last Commencement (Semi-Centennial) banquet had responded
to the toast : " Thomas Jefferson, the Father of the Univer-
sity of Virginia." We repay his love with our gratitude, and
strive to vindicate his wisdom by our works. But as predicted
the final chapter of his long and useful life, having already
passed his eighty-third year, was soon to be written, for on
Thursday afternoon, October 7th, just as " the sun went
down," as was true of his close and kind friend, Dr. McGuffey,
two and a half years before, God touched him and he slept.
Two days later, Saturday morning, gth, his funeral was held
in the Episcopal Church, Charlottesville, where the services
were conducted by the venerable rector, Dr. Hanckel, for
many years his warm personal friend and spiritual adviser.
On that morning Charlottesville sent a committee of her good
citizens to Edgehill as a respectful escort to the funeral cortege,
which along the route became augmented by kind friends
on horse, foot, or in carriages. At the eastern limits of the
town many citizens aligned themselves on one side of the
public road, opposite the University professors and students,
and stood with uncovered heads until the procession passed,
then joined it. The church was crowded, many stores were
closed and most of the business of the town suspended during
the solemn hour. Afterwards the procession proceeded to
Monticello, where, in the neglected but hallowed graveyard,
near-by his illustrious grandfather, father and mother, and
many others so near and dear, the remains were interred.
His eight grandsons were the pall-bearers, and the last touch-
ing service at the grave was the singing of a hymn by his
former slaves, and the hiding from view of the earthly mound
by beautiful flowers contributed mostly by the young ladies
of his daughter's school in recognition of a respect and love
for him kindred to filial affection.
Home-letter, Friday, October ist. "Little has transpired since my
postal of yesterday. Continue to meet many familiar faces that gladden
our hearts, and even more unfamiliar ones that ever extend the hand
of proffered friendship. Quite a number of us journeyed to the depot
this noon to see others arrive, among them my friend Davis, who is such
a fine fellow, but unfortunately of a very nervous temperament, and
therefore requires absolute quietness for successful study and results.
310 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Our rooms, however, in juxtaposition and in the supposed most quiet
spot of the University, will prove, I trust, all that is desired and needed.
I am sandwiched between him and Harding — both moral, honorable and
nard students, so you can judge your son ' by the company he keeps.' "
Sunday afternoon, October loth. " My last visitor has just left, so
will turn to your letter. . . . We all have now about dropped into
working form, as the professors are hurrying along at a rapid pace,
but not beyond our power of endurance. I have purchased several good-
size pictures — Monticello, Perry on Lake Erie, etc. — so that with my large
map of North America, numerous framed photographs, arranged mostly
in groups, hanging book-shelves, clock, festooned mirror, easy chair, large
center-table — made of two ordinary tables joined together — with red and
black cover, argand-burner — for I now burn gas in addition to my student-
lamp — curtains and drapery to window, red and green carpet, etc., my room
presents an air of decided comfort, indeed, a positive attractiveness to
me, in consequence of which I am always glad to return to it and there
stay, especially at night when the abundance of blended light lends ad-
ditional warmth and charm. . . . You may say to Mr. Watts, that
he is unfamiliar with facts, when he says Randolph-Macon College is
the equal of the University, and that any knowing Virginian could soon
convince him of his error, provided he is open to conviction. I am
intimate with several here now who were once students there, and they
imply a vast difference in favor of the University." . . .
Sunday night, October I7th. "The bell has just rung for evening
Chapel service, but having attended two Bible classes and heard one
sermon, will forego this evening's service in order to write to you.
Yours was not received until 5.30 o'ck, yesterday — the three hours'
delay being due to an accident to the mail train — engine jumping the track
somewhere between here and Alexandria, an occurrence no means rare
on this poorly equipped and engineered road, as scarcely a week passes
without some sort of serious irregularity. The night before reaching
here this session an engine blew up while in rapid motion, killing several
train attendants, but this must not alarm you. ... So far we are
being fed very satisfactorily this year — tomatoes, corn, sweet and Irish
potatoes being the stand-by vegetables, while mutton, beef, veal, turkey
and ham include our meats. My appetite is keen and my weight one
hundred and fifty-two pounds, which may increase eight or ten more by
Christmas," etc.
Sunday night, October 24th. "The clock has just struck seven, and
now will spend an hour with you in spite of feeling rather tired after
another trip to Monticello. I went to the early Bible class with Davis
and thereafter we walked down town to church, returning at i o'ck.
After dinner friend Wilson, from Alabama, and I left on our tramp in
which we suffered from the heat as though mid-summer, but in spite
of that reached the mountain's summit ten minutes after four, and a
few minutes later found us again going through the dismantled mansion.
It is still kept by the same old white man, grayed and enfeebled by years,
who with his family are the sole occupants. He knows much Jeffersonian
history, some a trifle mixed, imbibes the spirit, but carries in his veins
not a vestige of the immortal blood. The house is even more dilapidated,
if possible, than at my last year's visit, as no one yet drives a nail or
makes effort at the slightest repair. Most of the glass in the windows
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 311
and doors is either cracked or entirely out, so that the chilling blasts
of the approaching winter, as in the past, will continue to chant its weird
song. The old man gave me a very small piece of wood from the dis-
integrating sulky body, stored in the attic, in which Mr. Jefferson made
distant trips — to Richmond, Philadelphia, etc. Nothing remains of the
gate at which he and Lafayette embraced each other in tears of joy-
where his servants pulled him from his carriage they had pushed up
the mountain, after disengaging the horses, upon his return as Minister
to France, and conveyed him on their shoulders to the portico — except
a single post, while the walk thereto only retains a graded impression,
being overgrown and untrodden. The graveyard is still the same neglected
spot, only one fresh mound with its wilted flowers marking any perceptible
change — that of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, whose body was interred
there a couple of weeks ago. After spending something over an hour,
we retraced our steps, reaching the University in exactly one hour, which
we believe to be a record breaker. Nearly every one had finished supper,
so we ate by ourselves, being content with milk and small sugar cakes,
that which we have at every Sunday tea. . . . The Charlottesville
National Bank closed its doors last Wednesday, producing quite a busi-
ness commotion in the community. Most of the professors had stock
as well as deposits, and the report prevails among us students that Pro-
fessor Cabell may lose thirty thousand dollars, Professor Minor and Dr.
John Staige Davis each twenty thousand, Professor Peters three thousand,
and others, less amounts. Two of my friends had deposits there — one for
over a hundred, the other far less, and it is uncertain how much will be
returned to them. The money of the University, fortunately, is deposited
always in Richmond banks, consequently she does not suffer directly,
but it certainly is a serious blow to Charlottesville and her people." . . .
Sunday night, October 3ist. "There is very little transpiring in the
University precinct to abstract our attention from study, but in the town
much goes on to interest and attract, especially at the Town Hall, where
something in the theatrical line can be enjoyed several nights each week.
Besides these, numerous entertainments and sociables, in the homes con-
tribute much pleasure to a certain society set. ... I was called on in
the Bible class this morning and answered, I think, to general satisfaction.
This class is taught by Professor Minor, 9-10 o'ck., who includes only
the New Testament, while that in the afternoon, 3.30-4.30 o'ck., by Pro-
fessor Davis, is restricted to the Old Testament, including the life of
Abraham and Christ. ... I am not using a stove this year, as mine
was nearly worn out, but an open grate with soft coal instead, which is
claimed to be cheaper and more healthy, while the open blaze adds much
to the general cheerfulness. I wish you would get from the small desk
in my room Fewsmith's English Grammar and my diplomas, and send
them to me by express. ... I have just purchased a new paragraph
Bible, the first I have ever seen, and like it better than my old one with
divided verses. I enjoy reading them in comparison — concordance.
The weather here this entire month has been ideal, scarcely a day without
complete sunshine and a cloudless sky — in my memory unprecedented.
Jack-frost, however, has made his appearance, so that in the crisp early
mornings and late evenings we take to our overcoats. . . . For exer-
cise we still accept mostly the walk down town and back between five
and six every afternoon — that being more enjoyable from so many
journeying together but in small groups. Many students went to Rich-
mond this week for the Fair and the unveiling of the Jackson statue, etc.
312 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Our former chaplain, Rev. T. D. Witherspoon, delivered
the October Y. M. C. A. sermon in the Public Hall on the
text, " What shall I do, then, with Jesus, which is called
Christ ? " This kindly gentleman I found chaplain upon reach-
ing- the University in 1872, that being his last session, but the
associations of those two years were so pleasant and the mem-
ories so dear that he willingly returned now and then to per-
form a Christian service.
Our new chaplain for the coming period, Rev. Robert J.
McBryde, the immediate successor of Rev. Samuel A. Steel,
preached his introductory sermon in the chapel, Sunday morn-
ing, October loth, from the text, " For we preach not our-
selves but Christ Jesus the Lord." The doctor was rather
tall and slender, with a strong, clear voice, and entered heartily
into the activities of the University as well as the companion-
ship of the students.
Early in the month my boon companion, Davis, was elected
business editor of the Magazine, and in commenting upon his
selection the editors in the November number gave among
others this commendable sentiment : " His energy and en-
thusiasm are known to all of us, and when we say that he
has already, by his own unaided efforts, secured us seventy
subscribers, we say enough to prove his eminent fitness for the
position." Not only was he successful in getting subscribers,
but equally so in advertisements from merchants and trades-
men of the entire community. Our daily afternoon walks
together down town invariably carried some specific mission
besides exercise — that pertaining to the welfare of our publi-
cation, either in subscriptions, advertisements or arrangements
with the Chronicle's foreman, Mr. Ackerly, concerning print-
ing and payments. Davis was a thorough business man,
having enjoyed some years of active experience before seeking
a University training, which with his age — twenty-six or
seven — sprightly manner and natural tact caused him to be
well-rounded by a generous contact with men of affairs. He
touched nothing half-heartedly, or that failed; lived up to
every obligation, misrepresented nothing, did friendly acts
wherever he could, and was always the same — true as steel.
The Magazine made a most happy choice in him, as he not
only liquidated its previous year's indebtedness of more than
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 313
a hundred dollars, but passed over to his successor a substan-
tial sum.
We regretted to see no longer around the University the
familiar form of Professor Boeck, whose resignation had been
accepted during the summer. His position was not filled until
the middle of October by the appointment of Mr. William
Mynn Thornton, a very brilliant former graduate, who had
only left us two years before, consequently was well-known to
many of us older students. Contrary to expectation we heard
nothing more of Gen. Preston's Semi-Centennial speech. It
surely was a thing of the past and had only produced momen-
tarily a slight ripple upon the quieting waters. The Alumni
had published in separate pamphlets Mr. Hunter's address and
Mr. Lucas' poem, and these alone were intended to perpetuate
the literary efforts of that historic occasion.
Home-letter, Sunday night, November I4th. "The election passed
off quietly in Charlottesville, resulting in two white and one colored
man for the Legislature. I am glad the State has gone Democratic,
that which was somewhat in doubt owing to the very large negro popu-
lation. Sorry that Ohio, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania still remain
in the Republican ranks, but that is nothing more than can be expected
when we consider their past history and present interests. My next door
neighbor, Harding has discontinued the Scientific American in favor of
the New York Tribune (semi-weekly), and this he frequently passes
over for my pleasure. He is a fine character — quiet, thoughtful and
thorough — always striving after both sides of a proposition. The one in
politics he gets from his home papers, the other he certainly finds in the
Tribune, which is partisan beyond reason, often causing us to dissent —
he, though a Virginian, less than I. It is now filled with the great Repub-
lican gains, possibilities and merits, much to our disgust, but we are hope-
ful that it will soon tire of such wasted energies. ... I understand
that our former Professor Boeck is in Philadelphia endeavoring to secure
a position as mechanical engineer, or as one of the supervisors of Ma-
chinery Hall during the Centennial. I hope he will be successful, for he
possesses much merit and ability, although oftentimes misapplied and
directed, but under certain powers of limitation could make himself
most useful. He needs the revenue, for while not absolutely improvident,
he has never husbanded his resources when they were abundant in order
to bridge over the proverbial rainy day that seemingly from necessity
drops into so many lives." . . .
Sunday night, December I2th. "This has been an ideal winter day,
but in spite of the low temperature I have been mostly on the go. At-
tended the morning Bible class up here and the Episcopal Church service
down town. After dinner took a healthy walk with Wright, but returned
in time for Professor Davis' Bible lecture. He is still on Genesis — the
book of so many improbabilities from the finite standpoint — which he
elucidates beautifully, using comely explanations, his own and others,
314 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
that cannot fail to reconcile and satisfy the rational and willing mind
even in this day of advancement, higher-criticism and unbelief. I have
already begun to count the days before reaching home, in spite of the
doubtful wisdom of taking the week off, and I trust it will add strength
to my half contention — that each year of a student's life should be marked
prominently and pleasantly by at least one event, and nothing is so
well-calculated to do this as Christmas vacation. Anyway, I feel confi-
dent the loss can be made, up satisfactorily, and you know, where there
is a will there is a way. My next door neighbor, Davis, is a much closer
student than I, and he has decided to spend four or five days with his
sister at Hollins Institute, Botetourt Co., where she is a student and where
they give two weeks' holiday. The homes of many girls are even too
remote to get much out of a visit of such length, so they remain at the
school to enjoy themselves after the fashion laid out by their principal,
Mr. Cocke, who I understand is a very considerate and resourceful man,
allowing those under his charge to receive attention, during festive sea-
sons, from their own and others' brothers. Davis has insisted many
times upon me joining him on the trip, predicting, in fact promising, a
royal time for us both, and while I recognize that such an outing would
be delightful, I equally realize my first duty is to parents, etc."
I procured from Dr. Harrison, Thursday morning, Dec.
23rd, my leave of absence for eight days, and in the afternoon
secured thereto the signatures of Professors Mallet, Holmes
and Smith. As my train did not leave until after I o'ck,
that night all duties were performed as usual up to near that
hour, when a little time was taken to say good-bye to club-
mates and friends, and in packing my grip so as to leave my
room precisely at midnight — that being considered abundant
time for walking leisurely to the depot. At the appointed mo-
ment, when everything had been put to order in my room —
window-shutters closed, fire and gas out — I picked up my traps,
opened and passed out the door, giving it not an intentional
hard pull, but one in reality that appeared to make an unus-
ually loud noise. At the same moment I experienced an un-
steadiness on my feet, and heard, as though coming from out
of the valley in front, a distinct rumbling report, which I ac-
cepted to emanate from the near-by Southern Railroad — either
an explosion of a locomotive or a terrific impact of freight cars,
whose counterpart in less degree I hitherto had occasionally
experienced. The hour otherwise was deadly quiet and seem-
ingly only myself and the myriads of twinkling stars stood
visible sentinels of what had occurred. In a moment I re-
opened my room-door with night-latch key, but finding nothing
wrong or disturbed within, hastily re-locked and turned my
steps trainward. As I proceeded in the dark and quiet the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 315
thought of a possible earthquake never suggested itself, nor
did it until next morning when reaching Washington the
penetrating monosyllabic songs of the newsboys proclaimed
the fact. A paper soon aroused my lethargic mind to the sig-
nificance of my midnight realization, as I read the bold head-
lines: "Earthquake at 12.02 o'ck, A. M. Felt throughout
Virginia, Maryland and the South. The most severe in years,
etc." Happily this so far has been my only vivid experience of
earth's tottering equilibrium.
After a delightful visit of a week I left home on my return,
Jan. i, 1876 — a day ever memorable with me from its beauty
and mildness, one of the dozen to which I frequently refer
as possessing some striking characteristics beyond all others.
I found Davis and most of the Christmas absentees back in
harness, and soon pulled myself together as though nothing
unusual had come into my plodding life.
In spite of the severities of January and February weather,
the 5 o'ck. walk to and from the town was omitted seldom,
as heavy overcoats, shoes and rubbers amply protected against
any possible risk. Indeed, this form of exercise seemed re-
ligiously observed by the majority — as though essential, like
food, for material preservation and existence.
Harding was not a member of any fraternity, having boldly
resisted the importunities of many, including the best, while
Davis belonged to one and I to another. Yet we three ap-
peared perfectly congenial, which, together with proximity of
rooms — in regular sequence, 49, 50, 51 — made us see more
of each than of others, and occasioned little surprise at our
journeying to meals and elsewhere in companionship — a trio
often observed alone at the beginning of a stroll but usually
with augmented numbers at the finish, including fraternity
members and other friends. Harding also was a confirmed
recluse from ladies' society, and, although polished, agreeable,
affable and thoroughly acquainted with social amenities, al-
ways declined alike the bidding of young and old — even a
beautiful coquette possessed for him no attraction, far less a
charm. It was here that he again differed somewhat from
Davis and myself, since we unhesitatingly accepted in that
direction " a night off " whenever its passing- was believed
to carry a compensating pleasure. While recognizing our
3i6 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
residence there primarily for study and a university training,
we did not consider that to be all of a rounded education, but
this to be made up of many elements, one of which — contact
with ladies and their homes — ought not to be neglected, by
no means despised. Of course, this trivial difference in taste
had not the slightest influence on our fondness and friendship
for one another, as it seldom was referred to and only then
for amusement and laughter.
Home-letter, Sunday night, Feb. I3th. "A kind of dancing academy
has been started in Charlottesville, and as I know little and Davis less
of the art, some of our friends have insisted upon us joining. There is
so much dancing here in its multiple forms, and Davis, observing the same
conditions at Holliris Institute when there at Christmas, seems quite anx-
ious to learn. Before taking the step, however, he thought it best to
advise his father and at least get his approval, so wrote him among other
things, ' that in order to go in the first society of Virginia one must know
how to dance,' whereupon, with much disappointment, his father replied,
' if dancing is a requisite for the first society of Virginia, I want you to
go in the second.' This has checked a much-contemplated pleasure for
him, and I am glad that you never had any objection to me Cultivating
that line of amusement. It is usually simple and innocent, but like every-
thing else can be the cause of physical and moral harm, etc."
Sunday night, Feb. 27th. " Intermediate examinations are absorbing
now most of our thoughts. I am through with two but two more come
within the next month, after which I shall enjoy a short breathing spell
— until nearing the Finals. Apart from study some of us continue to ac-
cept a few worldly pleasures in sight, and this week has been unusually
active, as several lady friends in the town have given receptions to which
I was invited. The one of greatest proportions was that of Miss Emma
Antrim's, who, owing to natural gifts, educational accomplishments,
abundant wealth and handsome home, possesses all the essentials for
elaborate entertaining. She certainly tried herself on this occasion, pro-
viding something beyond the average function here. Music and dancing
were the leading enjoyments, although a splendid spread was served,
this being furnished by a Richmond caterer. Miss Antrim has some
staunch friends among the students, several of whom are invited on Sun-
days to dine with herself, mother and father — the latter- a venerable, fine-
looking gentleman. I was one of the fortunates several weeks ago, etc."
Among the new students of this year was Mr. Edward H.
Squibb, Brooklyn, N. Y., who, rinding us without any per-
manent gymnasium, generously offered to provide the neces-
sary outfit if the University would house it. During the early
part of the previous session the Dining Hall at the south end
of East Range, kept for many years by Mr. Jeff cries, was
closed, he disposing of his lease to the proprietors of the other
Professor Francis H. Smith, IvIy.D., at forty-three
1829—
See page 384
FACING 316
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 317
two hotels — the one Miss Ross, the other Mr. Massie — and they
taking care of his patronage. This hall was considered the
only available and suitable room, consequently Mr. Squibb
had installed into it all the appliances and apparatus it could
accept conveniently, presenting the same to the University,
thus establishing the first permanent gymnasium under the
name of, " The Gymnasium Association." This was opened
without form or ceremony shortly after Christmas, and there-
after many accepted there the various forms of exercise in
preference to the hitherto accustomed walks, especially on
rainy days. The room was accessible between the hours of
7 A. M. and 7 P. M. to all those paying the annual membership
fee of one dollar and the monthly dues of fifteen cents.
Rev. W. U. Murkland, a prominent Presbyterian minister
of Baltimore, delivered the February Y. M. C. A. sermon in
the Public Hall, upon the career of Solomon. His beautiful
flow of English and varied styles of oratory had seldom been
surpassed in my day at the University, sufficing to please a
very large and appreciative audience.
The Faculty, in December, recommended to the two Literary
Societies that the prize debates be two instead of five — the
number last year — a step gladly acquiesced in and the source
of no surprise, as even one of those long sittings, from 4 to 1 1
o'ck, P. M., with a short intermission for supper, was no
doubt quite sufficient punishment to older men, as a rule in-
tolerant of youthful effusions and oratorical short-comings.
This year Professors Gildersleeve, Holmes and Venable consti-
tuted the electoral committee of the Jeff., and Harrison,
Smith and Southall that of the Wash., while the societies at
one of their November meetings announced the dates, subjects
and contestants for orator's and debater's medals:
Jeff. — Dec. i8th. Should a representative be bound by the instructions
of his constituents?
Feb. 26th. Would centralization of power in the hands of the Fed-
eral Government be advantageous?
March 25th. Should the National Government have a monopoly of
the railroads and telegraph lines?"
Contestants: Messrs. L. M. Kean, B Peyton, A. P. Thorn, Lyon G.
Tyler, W. D. White.
Wash. — Jan. 2Qth. Is there more to admire or condemn in the character
of Cromwell?
318 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
April I5th. Had Queen Elizabeth a valid title to the Crown of
England ?
Contestants : Messrs. T. E. Blakey, J. D. Colley, J. S. Glaze, B. W.
Hirsh, J. H. L. King, R. S. Minor, W. McK. Murrell, G. D.
Peters, N. B. Wescott, C. R. Whipple, L. Wood.
These societies elected their Final Presidents by open ballot,
Saturday night, April ist, the events being marked by un-
usual quietness and well-tempered feeling, resulting in favor
of Messrs. H. H. Downing, Va. (Jeff.), and F. E. Conway,
Ark. (Wash.). And the "Electoral Committees" of the
Faculty exercised no delay in announcing their awards to the
most deserving: Jeff. — Mr. Bernard Peyton, Va., medalist;
Mr. Lyon G. Tyler, Va., orator, who resigning, Mr. A. P.
Thorn was selected upon a third debate. Wash. — Mr. T. E.
Blakey, Va., medalist;1 Mr. J. D. Colley, Ga., orator.
Near the middle of the session Davis assumed the Superin-
tendency of the Chapel Sunday School, which compelled him
to miss thereafter Professor Minor's Bible Class — both com-
ing at the same hour, 9-10 o'ck, A. M. — although I con-
tinued along in the good work.
Home-letter, April i6th. " This has been a typical spring day, and
with it Davis and I donned our new suits, he to attend the Sunday School
and I the Bible class, but afterwards to join each other for down town
church. We heard a Baptist sermon but immediately thereafter slipped
over to the Episcopal Church to witness its outpouring — a favorite trick
of many students — after enjoying a good sermon at either the Presbyterian
or Baptist Church, where the ministers are more youthful, modern and to
our liking, to seek the Episcopal, having longer service, in order to
watch the Edgehill and other pretty girls, of which there is quite a sprink-
ling, march out. There is to be a baptism at the Baptist Church to-night,
where several will by that act be consecrated to the faith, and we expect
to attend. I was present some weeks ago when one of our mutual lady
friends accepted the immersion — to me seemingly a cold procedure for
other than mid-summer weather. The dipping font is under and back of
the large pulpit, being several feet long, wide and deep, with sufficient
water to drown oneself should that be attempted or desired." . . .
Sunday afternoon, May 2ist. " This is truly a fine summer day, and
its brightness has been enjoyed thoroughly after nearly two weeks of
cloud and rain. Despite a slight mist on Wednesday afternoon quite a
party of us drove out to Verdant Lawn, the home of Rev. John T, Ran-
dolph, to partake of the season's first cherries, of which his farm produces
profusely the best. Several ladies were visiting there thus making the
occasion most delightful all around. Mrs. Randolph is a very hospitable
hostess, and her young daughter, Julia, possesses many attractions that
charm and fascinate. . . . Davis insisted this morning that I go around
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 319
to Sunday School with him and attempt to manage the organ. The hymns
were familiar and simple so I stumbled through them in some fashion,
but near the close the regular organist, Steele, made his appearance, when
I gladly turned over to him the final notes of praise, remaining, however,
until the end to share in the singing. Afterwards we attended church
down town. , . . There is considerable talk among the students about
the Centennial, which most are planning to visit sometime during its prog-
ress. Many will go home next month by way of Philadelphia, some will
take it in during the summer and others on their return here in the fall.
Anyway, I expect to see many familiar faces there in the coming vacation
months," etc.
Throughout April and May evening religious meetings were
held in the Chapel under the supervision of the chaplain and
a number of the more capable and devout students. The ex-
ercises consisted of singing, prayer and a short talk upon the
chapter read by whoever in rotation had charge. Davis was
always one of the master-spirits, who often influenced me to
be his companion, and the half-hours there spent in worship
were always serious, delightful and healthful. The attendance
usually was large, resulting in a decided power for good to
the student-body. I only recall one departure from the golden
rule — a perversion of the Chapel's sanctity— when a ripple of
laughter pervaded the entire assemblage, occasioned by the
nervous trepidation of a student called upon to lead in prayer.
With the first few sentences his voice became more and more
tremulous until he was so choked as to be unable to articulate,
and after a minute's silence some one wisely relieved the em-
barrassing suspense by exclaiming boldly, Amen, thus allow-
ing us all to uplift our bended heads in a reverential mood
mingled with considerable merriment. In conversation after-
wards with the unfortunate young man, he was unable to
explain the mystery of his faltering.
Home-letter, Sunday afternoon, June 4th. "I see from fhe papers
that the Maryland Democrats met in Baltimore last week and selected
delegates to the St. Louis Convention — probably to support Mr. Bayard
for the Presidency. Many other states are having conventions for a
similar purpose, which I hope will be fruitful of a Democratic President.
Mr. Blaine seems to be spoken of most prominently as the Republican
candidate. . . . Everything here is passing along pleasantly, although
it has been very warm for the past week, conflicting seriously with one's
inclination for study. To-day has been murky and rainy, though now it
looks like clearing, which has had one good effect— laying the dust that
had become quite an inch deep. The country looks beautiful and active,
as fields of corn five or six inches high, alternating with those of green
grass, orchards, or yellowish wheat, and others of freshly prepared red-
320 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
dish soil in readiness for seeding, suggest much industry as well as
present a happy contrast in the undulating landscape. . . . Davis and
I indulged during the winter in apples and many pounds of dates, as
they regulated our systems incident to a sedentary life, but now we are
enjoying strawberries and cherries — the former coming to us on the
table twice a week. I am quite well again, feeling king over last Sunday
when I wrote you. Time is drawing near to a close for hard studying,
as I have my last examinations next Saturday and to-morrow Week," etc.
Tuesday night, June 2Oth. " I stood my last examination yesterday —
went into the room at 8 o'ck, A. M., and came out at 6 o'ck, p. M.,
feeling pretty well fagged out. A good night's rest and a lazy day
have made me myself again. I have stood the ordeal this year better
than ever before — one year you recall I missed them all owing to a spell
of sickness that confined me to the Infirmary. . . . Davis and I went
down town to church Sunday, and remained until afternoon, taking
dinner with one of the ministers, Rev. Dr. Tupper. At night we heard
a very enjoyable address in the Public Hall, by Rev. Dr. Hawthorn, of
New York, although originally from the South. The 'Finals' begin next
Sunday, lasting through Thursday. Many students have already left for
home, some going by the way of the Centennial and others will follow
right after the Commencement. Davis leaves us to-morrow, and you
cannot imagine how I grieve to see him go. He is down town to-night
getting ticket and making other necessary arrangements. He goes to
Hollins Institute for its Commencement, and thence accompanies his sister
the journey homeward. I am confident he dislikes to leave us all — it may
be forever," etc.
During these University years considerable was heard of
the eccentric colored divine of Richmond John Jasper, pas-
tor of the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church whose one sermon
— The Sun Do Move — had brought him before the world's
footlights more in the sense of ridicule than otherwise. His
untenable and defiant position, however, had not failed to ex-
cite in most of us a degree of pity as well as amusement, and
a decided curiosity to see and hear him plead his cause when-
ever an easy opportunity presented. This came to me by
mere accident one Sunday late in June, when several of us
were returning together from church in Charlottesville, upon
reaching Mudwall (called improperly Midway by most of us
— a large, solitary, unattractive brick building near the present
Union Station, whose lower floor was used as a colored Bap-
tist Church, Delavan, now replaced by a very creditable
worshiping edifice), we observed an overflowing multitude and
heard floating in the air the familiar phrase — The Sun Do
Move. At once taking in the situation we turned left down
the slight incline and began quietly edging our way through
the crowd into the church, where after a fashion I found
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 321
myself standing in front of the noted minister. It was near
the beginning of his sensational career, and the colored people
of Charlottesville could wait no longer the expounding of his
theory, consequently had invited him for that purpose and
occasion. I never saw him except the once, and the interim
has effaced some of the detail, but I remember him as a typical
negro — no mulatto — of good size, strong, massive face, re-
clining forehead, large feet and hands, voice strong and used
with much enthusiasm, vocabulary often falsely applied and
pronounced, to the extent of provoking, at least, latent smiles ;
manner dignified and earnest, compensating for many other
weaknesses — age about sixty-five. He repeated often his text :
Exodus, chapter XV, verse 3, "The Lord is a man of war;
the Lord is His name," and quoted many Biblical verses per-
tinent to his theme — showing the power and greatness of God
— among them the following:
Revelation, chapter VII, verse i, " And after these things I
saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth,
holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not
blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree."
Psalm, chapter CXIII, verse 3, " From the rising of the sun
unto the going down of the same the Lord's name be praised."
Psalm, chapter L, verse i, "The mighty God, even the
Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the
sun unto the going down thereof."
Malachi, chapter I, verse n, "For from the rising of the
sun even unto the going down of the same My name shall be
great among the Gentiles, etc."
Ecclesiastics, chapter I, verse 5, " The sun also ariseth, and
the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose."
Judges, chapter XIV, verse 18, " And the men of the city
said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down,
What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a
lion?"
Joshua, chapter X, verses 12, 13, 14, " Then spake Joshua
to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amor-
ites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of
Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon ; and thou, Moon, in
the Valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon
stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their
322 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the
sun stood in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down
about a whole day. And there was no day like that before
it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man ;
for the Lord fought for Israel."
Upon these passages he made some very potent comments,
affirming that: "according to the scriptural words, we were
living on a four-cornered earth, and if that be true, my friends,
tell me how in the name of God can an earth with four corners
be round ? This theory of mine is supported by the Bible and
it is true, for if the earth was like other people, who differ
from me, say it is, they would be compelled at some places to
walk on the ground with feet upward, as flies on the ceiling
of a room. I prove the fact — that the sun moves — by the
highest law given to man. We do not know the distance of
the sun from the earth, as there is no way by which a person
can measure it, because no one could take enough food along
to last all the way. How can a man take a tape line and
measure from the earth to the sun ? I appeal to you to search
the Bible for all this evidence, and if you fail to find it hold
me responsible," etc.
The Commencement was ushered in on Sunday, June 25th,
a beautiful day, as were the two that followed, but by Wednes-
day " Old Sol " seemingly raised the lid throughout the entire
eastern section, and so held it for nearly four weeks, when he
granted only a temporary relief to sweltering humanity. The
chaplain, Rev. Robert J. McBryde, delivered in the chapel the
regular Sunday morning sermon, but the great event came at
night, in the form of Annual Address before the Y. M. C. A.,
by Rev. Moses D. Hoge, a noted Presbyterian divine of Rich-
mond, possessing a strong personality — tall,- slender, well-
marked facial lines; voice decidedly deep, attractive and son-
orous; language and delivery imposing, oratorical. His sub-
ject, " Nobility of Labor," was handled forcefully, and as it
was unhampered by manuscript or notes, became a veritable
delight to those present.
Monday night — Wash. Celebration. After prayer by Rev.
Robert J. McBryde, the President, Mr. F. E. Conway, Ark., in
a neat and taking speech introduced the Orator, Mr. J. D.
Colley, Ga., who delivered a beautiful address upon " National
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 323
Progress." The President thereafter conferred the debater's
medal upon Mr. T. E. Blakey, Va., who received and acknowl-
edged the same in a brief but highly appropriate speech.
Tuesday night — Jeff. Celebration. After prayer by Rev.
Robert J. McBryde, the President, Mr. H. H. Downing, Va.,
in several well-rounded sentences introduced the Orator, Mr.
A. P. Thorn, Va., who, taking for his subject, " The Influence
of England's Universities on England's Greatness," showed a
remarkable familiarity therewith, as well as a scope of much
reading and thought. Afterwards the President in some com-
plimentary words conferred the debater's medal upon Mr. Ber-
nard Peyton, Va., a son of our Proctor, Major Green Peyton,
who in acceptance made the most manly and substantial speech
I ever heard from an undergraduate. He was a beautiful de-
bater— well-read and resourceful under pressure, deliberate and
self-possessed under all conditions, and had often in my pres-
ence been pitted in the Jeff, meetings against those in some
respects worthy of his steel. But of all he seemed to possess
most stability, regard for adversaries and innate power to con-
vince others to his way of thinking. The great philosopher
and sage, Ralph Waldo Emerson, was upon the platform that
night and apparently took delight in listening to Mr. Peyton's
remarks, congratulating him thereafter with a hearty hand-
shake in public gaze. This young man would have had a
brilliant career and the University an unusual shining mark,
had he not a few years thereafter met an untimely death in a
railroad accident.
Wednesday night — Joint Celebration. Undoubtedly the
great drawing card of this Commencement was the address
of Mr. Emerson's. This visit South was his first since the
Civil War, and was given much publicity through press and
speech, so that those present, in fact many throughout the
land, had a high degree of expectation, which unfortunately
in a way was not realized. He was accompanied by his
daughter, as traveling companion, a seeming necessity from
his age and physical infirmities, and upon them reaching Char-
lottesville about 2 o'ck, the day before, quite a number of
us students were at the depot, and at his first appearance upon
the car platform readily recognized him from the strikingly
accurate portraits that had come under our notice. Professor
324 , UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Holmes, who entertained them during their stay met and took
them to his home, and was noticeably attentive at every func-
tion. It certainly was a tall, gaunt trio that filed into the
carriage at the depot and drove away to the University, ap-
parently in haste to partake of the good things prepared and
awaiting, and as they from time to time stalked the arcades
and various University walks their statures diminished not the
least — ever commanded a reverential respect deserved by the
distinguished.
In spite of intense heat the Public Hall that night was
packed to overflowing with young and old — all in perfect
resignation to any bodily discomfort in lieu of the unusual
treat in store. I was one of the marshals and after my sup-
posed duties were over sought the only available spot — west
window nearest the stage — where an occasional gentle breeze
made it possible for one's brain to accept slightly the literary
food dispensed. After prayer the presiding officer, Mr. Miles,
introduced Mr. Emerson, who arose with a thick manuscript
of the larger size paper in hand, which he placed on the stand
provided for the purpose and at once began its reading. Every-
thing was breathless silence for a few moments and thereafter
modest pandemonium reigned, as his subject was treated philo-
sophically and through such a thin, weak, low voice that those
near were unable to follow with any satisfaction and those
remote could only see his form and lip movement. He read
closely with eyes fixed continuously upon the page, apparently
not inconvenienced by the heat, but chafed a little under the
fluttering commotion and restlessness of his hearers — for each
lady had a fan and a fellow, so, deriving no pleasure from the
speaker and determined not to let the hour go idly unimproved,
fought the air with fans for physical comfort, and " spoke only
to be spoken to " for mental enjoyment. Dr. Harrison in his
brusque way plead for attention and silence, while later Profes-
sor Venable thought his word might have a soothing effect,
but young America continued to be defiant. Mr. Emerson
evidently took in the situation, for several times during the
hour, by way of reprimand or rebuke, he quietly said : " I
see you understand the drift of my thought, so I will proceed
to the next subdivision," turning over at the same time quite a
iozen pages to remain forever unsung.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 325
Mr. Emerson's address was never published, at least by the
University, and owing to his great aversion to the daily press,
the reporters present had much difficulty in catching anything
worth recording. The best account of it occurred in The
World (New York), which may well be reproduced
here:
" The World reporter called upon Mr. Emerson and asked
him what he proposed to do for the readers of the newspapers
who could not be present, offering to publish so much of his
lecture as possessed contemporaneous human interest. " No,
sir," said Mr. Emerson, " I cannot permit it. I hate the very
word paper; I don't read newspapers, and my addresses are
never reported. Now, sometimes, in my State when a new
college is started they ask me to read some of my old papers,
if nothing else. Well, I say, ' Yes, if I am not to be reported ;
keep the reporters away or out, and I will go down and read
for you.' I cannot consent to be reported, for I have nothing
to say worth reporting. So away." But I can give you some
idea of Mr. Emerson's oration, for the reporters joined forces
and obtained aid and comfort from some who sat near enough
to hear all that he said.
After a long introduction, he announced his subject as
" The Natural and Permanent Function of the Scholar," which
opened with an apostrophe to learning, science and philosophy,
in which he showed the usefulness and advantages of the
scholar, theorist and speculative philosopher. Whatever can
be thought can be spoken, articulated. Intellect is within
bounds, but the realm of thought is boundless. He reviewed
the organic nature of study, poetical successes and the pleas-
ures of poets. Americans as a people gave themselves wonder-
ful airs, but were a matter-of-fact people. He cautioned his
hearers against the busybodies in it, pretenders and dissemblers ;
against rich and official people. He animadverted on practical
men and the scholar. Men were valued according to their
power of expression. The favoritism shown poets was uni-
versal in all lands (some poets ought to be killed). The
thoughts and the pleasure of the poet were far above the sordid
gains of old money-bags. Ideas are the points of men and
things. The lecturer went delving in the depths of thought;
the feats of endurance of such men as Napoleon, Hannibal
326 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
and Columbus. " Is an armed man the only hero? " he asked.
Beating down and uprooting prejudice had its heroes, and
he is a genius who accomplishes the feat. How many are
they of whom the world has never heard? There are men
with genius in them who never had it brought out.
As to learning and culture — as many languages as a man
knows, so many times is he a man. I think there are no more
intellectual people in the world than Americans ; and then they
are so curious and inquisitive. It was said that an eminent
Frenchman was drowned in his talents. Talent was often
mistaken for genius. Newspapers, money and power carry
their ends, and so do Senators and rich men, rich men become
Senators nowadays, regardless of merit, or position, or fitness.
There is something in nature that demands the scholar to in-
terpret her laws, to see and identify their connection, where
others see only fragments. There is a great deal in nature
that all men see and admire, but it is the exclusive prerogative
of the scholar to give expression to it. The perfection of the
expression makes the perfection of the scholar. See how the
world in its progress has waited for the scholar and his com-
ing to wake into existence by his touch all the great and useful
inventions and discoveries, such as the steam engine and the
electric-telegraph ! The scholar will, of course, meet with
many obstacles that he must surmount; but let him not be
discouraged ! The key-note should be " courage " if he would
incarnate the truth, and not only make it known.
Kepler, the great astronomer, when people tried to dis-
courage him in his magnificent discoveries, said, " I will wait
a hundred years for a reader, since God has waited six thou-
sand years for an observer such as I am." Genius seeks truth
as its obj ect, and aims to give that truth express-ion ; but such
talent is too often developed at the expense of character, and
for mere gratification of pride.
Scholarship is merely a weapon or means by which we are
to do something, and achieve some desired result, but if we
stop to admire the weapon we are very apt to fail to use it
for accomplishing our purpose. If we would use scholarship
for achieving some noble object in life, the world would do it
even greater homage than is, sometimes, now bestowed. Men
still admire the true poet, the true philosopher, or anything
Professor M. Schele De Vere, J.U.D., at fi/ty-six
1820-1898
See page 389
FACING 326
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 327
else that is true ; it is only on the false or pretended that they
would fain pour contempt.
As soon as Mr. Emerson had enunciated his final word, the
audience was transferred from dreamland to a vital present by
strains of stirring music, by the bright, witty speech of Profes-
sor Schele De Vere in presenting the Magazine medal to Mr.
Leo N. Levi, Texas, and, last, but no means least, by the bril-
liant oratorical reply of that young gentleman. For between
this and the stoic platitudes of Mr. Emerson there was great
contrast — Mr. Levi being the acme of inspiration and enthu-
siasm, giving tone to every sluggish nerve by his beautifully
modulated sentences and deep sonorous voice, so that none
could escape his animated and magnetic influence, even the
Sage of Concord — who must have enjoyed ample verification
of what he proclaimed years before : Among so many students
there are at least four or five worth educating. But alas that
bright Commencement star is no longer with the living — he
survived only a short generation, sufficient, however, for gath-
ering greater distinctions unto himself and his cherished
University.
Thursday morning — Commencement or Final Day. At 10
o'ck, the entire University contingent, including many
strangers, assembled in the Public Hall to witness the usual
conferring of diplomas and certificates of proficiency, which
lasted about two hours. At the conclusion of this exercise
Dr. Harrison, who had handed each of us our well-earned
sheepskins, delivered a short address filled with good advice
and wishes, and had scarcely finished when the name of Gil-
dersleeve rang loudly throughout the Hall. This brought the
distinguished scholar to the front of the stage to say farewell
— an act performed so pathetically in manner, expression and
emotion as to bring many tears to manly eyes.
After a recess of an hour we all reassembled at I o'ck, to
hear the very able Alumni address, by Colonel F. W. M. Hol-
liday, Va., who spoke entertainingly on, " Higher Education
the Hope of American Republicanism." Professor William
B. Rogers had been selected months before the Alumni speaker,
with Colonel Holliday as alternate, but owing to continued
indisposition, long distance and anticipated heat, Professor
Rogers concluded the task hazardous to attempt, consequently
328 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
the honor fell upon Colonel Holliday, who in appearance was
rather large and commanding, with strong voice and fine de-
livery, showing, however, the ravages of war, as he carried
an empty sleeve — the arm having been lost at Cedar Run, in
1862. At night the Final Ball was held in the Library, where
many light-footed beaux and belles — including the Misses
Anderson, Antrim, Blackford, Clark, Parish, Garth, Lathrop,
Massie, Maury, Jordan, Peyton, Pleasants, Randolph, Shackel-
ford, Southall, Walker, and scores of others — enjoyed the
giddy maze until near the " break of day."
CHAPTER XVII
INCIDENTS AND PLEASURES OF SESSION 1876-77
Session 1876-77; Professor Gildersleeve missed. Sons of Confucius. Til-
den and Hayes campaign — dangers experienced. Dr. Dame's sermon.
Students' Minstrel Troup. Christmas. Dr. Witherspoon's sermon.
Literary Societies. Boat Club. Trip to Staunton. Baseball with
Washington and Lee. Lexington as a seat of learning — visit thereto;
her noted personages, living and dead. Observance in Baltimore of
Gen. Lee's death and burial — our regrets that he and Jackson had
not been connected with the University; Jackson's ambition to succeed
Professor Courtenay in mathematics, etc.
As predicted, many of us students and clubmates met dur-
ing vacation in Philadelphia (Centennial), where hours were
spent together pleasantly in seeking new and rehashing old
experiences. Personally I was there at four different periods,
consequently had abundant time for other than mere sight-
seeing. During the first — middle of July — my Fraternity's
Annual Convention convened, under the courtesy of the chap-
ter at the University of Pennsylvania, at the Amateur Drawing
Rooms, where for a week much deliberation and good fellow-
ship prevailed, as under that roof assembled members from
every section of our country, to establish a closer intimacy,
especially with those residing in and around that great city of
brotherly love.
Two of my young Delaware friends decided to enter the
University that fall — Cooper and Williams — and for the lat-
ter, according to request, he being very quiet and companion-
able, I secured the room adjoining mine — that formerly occu-
pied by Davis. His father was then a member of Congress
— the only one from Delaware, but her full quota — and as
they were in Washington the last of September the son joined
me at the Pennsylvania depot on the 2Qth, so that he might
not be alone on his maiden trip to Charlottesville.
Home-letter, Sunday night, October 8th. " Everything is passing
along pleasantly here. Nothing new beyond what occurs at the beginning
of every session. That which makes the strongest impression upon us
329
330 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
older students is the great number of new faces, as these predominate
largely, or at least seem to. ... Harding, much to my surprise and
delight, is with us again — now taking law ; a postal from Davis yesterday
noted his arrival in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., to attend Eastman's Business
College, and a letter from Wilson expressed regret at not being back
with us. I greatly miss both of these chums, for they are such fine
fellows, whose like you seldom see, and whose friendship it will be im-
possible to replace. ... I have spent much of the week in getting
my room fixed up and my course in command. Attended the Presby-
terian Church down town this morning, and enjoyed the sermon very
much, by Rev. Dr. Petrie. He is not a very large and commanding
man, but a thoughtful and impressive speaker. . . . This afternoon
three of us walked over to Colonel Duke's — Sunnyside — something over
a mile, where we spent a delightful hour. The daughter, Miss Mamie,
is a bright, animated girl, still in her teens — the idol of the home —
possessing a charm and affability of the true Southern type, and a dignity
beyond her years," etc.
Sunday afternoon, October 22nd. " It is just 5 o'ck, and must
now have my usual weekly chat with you. . . . Have been reading
since dinner the ' University Memorial,' a volume pertaining to those
former students who lost their lives in the Civil War. I took it out of
the library quite a week ago but this has been my first chance for perusal.
That so many bright and useful young men should have been sacrificed
for the sins of our fathers — that is about what it amounts to — seems
truly sad. Just to think beyond the suffering endured at home and in
the field, the sorrowed and maimed for life and the monetary consideration,
what the freeing from bondage of five million ignorant inappreciative
beings has cost this beloved land of ours — the lives of one-fourth that
number of higher beings in whose veins true Caucasian blood flowed. Our
people were wild in permitting themselves to follow such a cause. A
gradual setting free — evolution and not revolution — would have accom-
plished the purpose so much better. It is true a longer time would have
been required, but then slavery might have been settled right, that which
is not now the case — for nothing is settled until settled right. . . .
I attended service at the Episcopal Church down town this morn-
ing and heard a right good sermon, but frightfully long. To-night I
propose going to the chapel. Williams and Cooper walked over to Monti-
cello, leaving shortly after 9 o'ck. A. M., and returning at 2 — just in time for
dinner. Both were tired out but considered themselves amply repaid for
the trip. I do not believe I will ever go there again, as I have been so
often only to see invariably the same old landmarks — evidences of former
grandeur, realization of hopeless decay. . . . The weather has been
perfectly delightful so far this session, making every one inclined towards
taking long walks into the country, or down town. I sent for the Gazette
some days ago. Williams takes the Smyrna Times and Cooper the Dela-
ware an and Every Evening (Wilmington), so you see we are flooded
with Delaware news and doings," etc.
Sunday afternoon, October 29th. " Yours received Friday. Glad that
father got off to the Centennial, as I am confident he will see much to
please and cause him to pronounce it a big show. . . . Some of the
wheat around here looks well, while other fresh fields have just been
seeded, presenting a grateful contrast between red and green. . . . Am
getting along very well with my studies, but spend most of my time in
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 331
the laboratory — blowing glass, making thermometers, barometers, etc.,
where often I find fingers apparently thumbs. Have attended a few politi-
cal meetings in Charlottesville. The Tilden Club meets on Friday nights,
when the brass-band makes deafening music and the politicians ranting
speeches. Cooper is daft on politics — by the way, is a very good extempore
stump speaker — and his enthusiasm often stimulates Williams and I to
follow him. . . . Williams is now in my room debating whether or
not he will write to his sister," etc.
From the beginning of the session one familiar personage
was missed greatly — Professor Gildersleeve — whose presence,
somehow or another, we innately fancied necessary for the
completeness of the University circle. His pavilion was now
occupied by Dr. Page and his chair by Professor Price, so
nothing remained to disclose the personality except a beauti-
ful memory of. his worth and work — that which he left behind
in the fullest abundance. His successor — much the smaller
physically — came to us with a highly creditable reputation for
erudition and scholarship, that which he notably evidenced in
his inaugural address to the full satisfaction of the many
present.
In the early days there was one initiation into the " Sons
of Confucius," Charles Steele acting as the " Great Re-
corder." The ceremony took place on the plot of ground be-
tween the wood and road beyond the baseball grounds, this
side of the cemetery, and was attended by some in oriental
costumes, and many bearing fire-brands, tin-pans, horns, bells,
etc., all manipulated energetically so as to produce a grand
pandemonium. This was the only installation into the Order
I ever witnessed, for which I am thankful, as it was a grave
piece of misconceived fun since it misplaced the innocent dupe
before his college-mates, giving him a prominence — stigma —
which he never could evade or unload, be his after career ever
so creditable and enviable.
The interest and enthusiasm that pervaded our country over
the Tilden and Hayes campaign found a hearty response among
us students, as nearly every one was in full expectation that
their standard bearers — Tilden, Hendricks and Reform —
would come out winners. From the beginning of the session
to election day, Nov. 7th, much discussion of possibilties was
indulged and great eagerness was shown in the political meet-
ings of Charlottesville and elsewhere. While our studies
were not neglected seriously, we kept in the knowledge of our
332 ! UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
party literature, ever mindful of the pending upheaval through
which we were passing. We recognized that the colored ele-
ment, including our waiters, with an occasional exception like
Tom Barbour, was dead opposed to our hopes and way of
thinking. But in spite of this and their great numbers we at
all times expressed ourselves boldly and defiantly, as though
they did not exist among us — a fact that tended to inspire and
perpetuate anything other than a kindly feeling towards us.
Nor did this antagonism pass with the election day, as at
once thereafter the validity of the vote of Louisiana, South
Carolina and Florida was challenged, and several weeks
elapsed before the contest was narrowed down to a possible
electoral vote of 185 for Mr. Hayes and 184 for Mr. Tilden,
which in turn was followed by the appointment of an " Elec-
toral Commission " that did not pass final judgment until
March 2, 1877. During the first fortnight of this period of
uncertainty there was much unrest in the University territory
between the two races. We students would go down town
every night to visit the telegraph and newspaper offices, in
search of the latest and most reliable news, and in open speeches
proclaim to our willing hearers the special reports that had
come direct to each of us from our respective States. It was
in one of these extemporaneous efforts that my friend and
fellow State-man, Cooper, who, always lisping a little, inno-
cently filled us with laughter when, in defence of Delaware's
attitude towards the South during the Civil War, he gave ex-
pression to that afterwards much quoted sentence of allitera-
tion, from its numerous words beginning with the letter " s "
— Who did not send a single soldier to subjugate her .Southern
sister States.
Our coming and going was always in crowds, most of us
being armed with a reliable, sure-triggered pistol. These
precautions were considered necessary for our own protection,
as the negroes were much more insolent than usual, and lay
in ambush with deadly weapons to resent anything from us
they might regard as insult to their people or political creed.
More than once I have seen in the dim-lit hovels, slightly re-
mote from the roadside, colored men prostrate upon their
stomachs on a bed or couch pulled near the window raised
sufficient to admit the passing of their guns, ready to be dis-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 333
charged, simply awaiting the least provocation in the form
of some slight demonstration from us of the cause we espoused,
as hurrahing for Tilden, Hendricks and Reform. I shall
never forget two or three nights when we students had to
call out the " Monticello Guards " to escort us back to the
University, as upon reaching the triangle at the brow of Vine-
gar Hill we found awaiting us hundreds of negroes armed with
various kinds of deadly weapons, including good-sized pieces
of macadam-rock, of which loads had been dropped on the
south side of the road for repairing purposes, and over which
they stood high guard. On one of these nights, just as we
were opposite this great crowd, firing began, and, being on
the inside, I leaped over the seven-foot closely boarded fence,
only to grope my way through back yards and by-streets
to the Parish Hotel, where I spent the night out of harm's
way. On the moment I considered " discretion the better
part of valor," and, rather than continue to face a wild, ex-
cited negro mob, with no value of their own or others' lives,
preferred to seek safety where I " might live to fight another
day."
On Sunday night, Nov. iQth, Rev. William M. Dame, of
Alexandria, delivered the first sermon of the session before
the Y. M. C. A., having as a text, " For even hereunto were
ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps." He was a very ac-
ceptable speaker, said to resemble Gen. Lee, and the large
audience highly appreciated his management of the theme.
Home-letter, Sunday night, Dec. 3rd. " The weather here for the
past few days has been severe, more so, I believe than in my memory.
. . . The University expects to begin in the morning to cut ice from
the pond, so that will for the time being put an end to our skating
there, but we can go even to a better pond, Cochran's, a mile beyond
(northeast) Charlottesville, which the young people of the town use and
delight in having us join them. This is the spot where last summer I
witnessed the baptism of so many colored people. . . . After giving
the subject considerable thought I believe it would be best for me^to
remain here during Christmas. The trip home is not only expensive
but means not a little loss from the laboratory. Several fellows are
anxious for me to go with them to Richmond at that time, but that is
attended with the same drawbacks. ... I wish you would send me
my Ganot's Physics, Silliman's Principles of Physics, and Deschanel's two
volumes — one on heat, the other on electricity and magnetism — as I need
them for reference. Williams received a letter from his father yesterday
stating he would be down this coming week, when they could decide about
334 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
going home at Christmas. He also said that Miss Rosa Saulsbury was
not expected to live," etc.
Sunday morning, Dec. I7th. "Williams and I have just returned from
a nice long walk, which we thoroughly enjoyed from the crispness. He
has concluded to go home for the holidays, and will leave here next
Friday. Cooper will remain with us, having no special reasons for leaving
his duties. He is a good fellow, and I like him, but apparently he has
little attachment for his home or parents, only writing to them every four
or six weeks. . . . We have a Minstrel Troupe composed of students
that gave an entertainment Thursday night at the Town Hall for the
benefit of the Charlottesville poor. They cleared over three hundred dol-
lars— a very good sum for a very worthy object. Some of our boys make
up into capital negroes, consequently the whole affair was a pronounced
success. . . . The University ice houses have all been filled, but in
the doing one colored man, of heavy weight, fell from the high scaffold,
breaking both legs and arms, causing one or two amputations. This fur-
nished some practical surgery for Dr. Cabell and the young ' Meds,' in
spite of which their patient passed away on Tuesday. The new museum
building is progressing nicely, and when finished will be quite an addition
to the University. What a strange idea of the donor to conceal his name,
for sooner or later, like murder, it will leak out. We learn very little of
the presidential muddle, but believe that Mr. Hayes will be inaugurated
President in conformity with the bold determinations of the Republicans.
Gen. Wade Hampton was inaugurated Governor of South Carolina last
week and from the papers must have had quite an ordeal in taking the
seat to which he had legally been elected," etc.
Sunday morning, Dec. 24th. "This is another Sabbath and with it
Christmas Eve, which makes the University atmosphere seem very quiet,
as so many have left for their homes. In fact, it almost impresses one as
another place, proving that after all in this life, it is friends not places
that contribute our pleasures. . . . The trunk came safely to hand
Thursday, and the contents brought me great joy. The wrapper is per-
fectly grand — so warm and comfortable in weather like this. I have not
indulged much in the tempting eatables, but the sponge cake is delicious,
and just as soon as all my friends return I will invite them around for
a good feast. . . . Williams left for home Friday noon, seeming in
great glee for him. I went down town last night with clubmates and
others, but upon finding they were in the Christmas spirit — bent on cele-
brating it in good old royal style, as they called it, thoroughly contrary
to my liking — I soon returned to my room and put in a good night's rest,
that which makes me feel this morning far better than they. If Tuesday
is pleasant I may run down to Richmond and return with my friends
the last of the week," etc.
Sunday morning, Jan. I4th, 1877. "There is nothing happening in
our lives worthy of special note. All have returned from their holiday and
once more pursue their accustomed duties quietly and faithfully — as
though the break had never been. Several dances this week have given
pleasure to many, while sleighing has been indulged in freely by those
with a fat pocket-book — for that sport here is an expensive luxury. The
turn-outs, however, offered at enormous prices are far from attractive,
as neither horses or sleighs approximate the highest order. . . . The
papers this week have been filled with the Bennett-May duel, and I sup-
Professor Basil L,. Gildersleeve, L/L.D., at forty-five
1831—
See. page 397
FACING 334
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 335
pose you even know more about it than they contain, as it took place
so near home. Our students have taken considerable interest in the affair
owing to May at one time having been a student here, while I have gone
so far as to write up his University career for the Gazette — a copy of
which will be sent you in -the near future," etc.
Of those who completed their University course the pre-
ceding June, three had been close companions : Davis was to
engage in business — mercantile and banking — with his
father, and feeling the need of a few months' contact with a
business college had sought Eastman's at Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Wilson, in spite of holding a civil engineering degree, had
entered upon teaching, with the intention of posting up along
certain desirable lines, while Wright had gone abroad to per-
fect himself in modern languages. These young men were
sound morally and mentally — delightful associates and sincere
friends — with whom a correspondence continued throughout
the session, indeed, much longer, until the activities of our
business lives, along with newly established relations, precluded
such enjoyment. To show the kindly spirit existing between
us extracts may be taken from their earlier letters:
POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. Nov. I7th, 1876.
My dear Old Friend:
Yours of the I2th, to hand, and although overrun with duties must
hasten an acknowledgement of reciprocal friendly feeling. So much would
I like to grasp your hand again ; so much would I like to talk to and be
with you as in days gone-by. . . . Success to you. Stick to the right
and to principle in all that you do. Ask the blessing of Providence, and
doing the very best you can, rest assured of success. Above all, Dear
Friend, let not the cares of this world and the pressure of worldly duties
keep you from securing an interest in that inheritance prepared for the
Children of Christ. I write to you as to a brother, for I know you will
listen to me kindly. Tell dear old Harding that my love for him is
sincere and warm. Pleasant was our association, and my heart yearns
toward him. Oh, that I could sit with him, as we once did, and drink in
the information and sweetness with which his conversation was replete.
. . . May the blessings of Heaven be upon you. Sincerely and affec-
tionately, CHAS. A. DAVIS, JR.
RUSSELVILLE, ALA., Jan. 8th, 1877.
My dear Culbreth :
I have to-day been looking over some old notes in my chemistry
notebook, and came across your writing and name, which set me to
thinking about you and wishing to see you, so I have determined to do the
next best thing — write and inquire how everything is going with you?
I would so much like to hear about some of our mutual friends — Davis,
Harding, John Harris, etc. . . . My school pays me about one hun-
336
dred dollars per month with a likelihood of more next year, but its de-
mands do not suit me, so I shall get into something nearer my direct
line. ... I expect you have frequently used the polariscope or sac-
charimeter ; if so kindly give me some hints about its use, especially all
you know in determining units of sugar and molasses. Have studied
up the subject and think I understand it, but nevertheless would like to
have your views, as you might have something new. Also tell me a good
book giving details of sugar manufacture. . . . Would like to meet
you in St. Louis next August. You might go there and after joining the
Scientific Association return home free of any railroad expenses. . . .
Write soon to your true friend. M. C. WILSON.
LUNEBURG, PRUSSIA, Jan. i6th, 1877.
My dear Culbreth:
Your much welcomed and appreciated letter received a week ago, and
you cannot imagine how much I enjoyed its reading, for when finished
I felt as though it had been a delightfully long chat. How I long to be
with you all and especially in the Chapter Room. I am so glad our
Fraternity is in such a flourishing condition, and I hope it will never have
to go through a year like that of 1875-76. True we brought her out
with flying colors, but you know the trouble we had. . _. . My German
life is an improvement in some ways over that at the University, especially
in rooms and board. Living here, however, is so different from that _ in
the States, as Irish potatoes and pork seem the prevailing diet — that which
at first came rather rough. But having become accustomed to this, now
I relish a dish of potatoes no less than a German. As a nation I don't
consider them clean or wise in many of their customs. Thus boys and
girls are strictly kept apart, enjoying little in common, as walking, riding,
talking, etc. When engaged it is published and then you may go with
your fiancee unguarded-y-even kiss her before the " Old Folks." Engage-
ments here mean marriage and they are seldom broken. I told Mrs.
Lauenstein that her niece was very pretty only to make her horrified, thus
one must be guarded even in paying deserved compliments. . . .
Luneburg is a very old place with attractive environs, and its people,
like those throughout this land, have no respect for Sunday — stores being
open and business never ceasing. They consume much beer, I even in-
dulging an occasional glass, but the working classes take considerable
rum. Christmas, which I am glad to say is over, has a greater recognition
than with us. It began on Christmas Eve with every household illumin-
ating their Christmas tree — that which all have, the poor as well as the
rich. And they think there are no trees outside of Germany — but how
mistaken, as even ours are much prettier. Christmas Day was jolly cold
— 20 degrees below zero, Reaumur, how much in Fahrenheit I don't know.
Snow lay on the ground, but it was too cold for sleighing. I had three
invitations out, and managed to accept two. New Year's Night I at-
tended a supper where a number of young ladies were in attendance
with whom I spoke their language to my heart's content. I missed Mas-
sie's good dinner — mine being the same as every day. There were no
fireworks, and although I enjoyed my German Christmas I decidedly
prefer our way of observing it. I had my first experience at a German
ball several nights ago. The ladies came with mamma, papa or brother,
and we gentlemen with beaver in hand met them in the dancing hall.
This beaver must be kept in the hand until beginning to dance — what a
foolish custom. We started with a polonaise — a walk round, in which all,
old and young entered; then came a waltz, at the rate of a mile a min-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 337
ute, and after going around the room once I had to stop for a breathing
spell. I was so tired and others seemed like me. There were only two
square dances, the rest round. At supper I played escort to a blushing
girl — not eighteen but twenty-eight, after which repast came three waltzes
and the cotillon — our German. The girls cannot compare to ours, as I
did not see one that I called pretty. The nobility here are distinguished
by the prefix Von, and I have had the honor, if it may so be considered,
of dancing and talking with many of that coterie. I am afraid you
fellows are taking too much calico, but hope when the time comes for
studying you will give the former a rest. ... I trust the performance
of your minstrel troup was good — tell me all about it in your next. I
suppose Fawsett still plays funny for East Range. He is a great fellow.
Give abundant love to all our companions — Harding, Davis, Campbell,
Shawhan, Barringer, Shackelford, Turner, Marshall, John and Tate Har-
ris. Hope to be able to give you a German letter next time I write.
Answer soon, telling me all the news.
Your sincere friend and bro. in Tau Kappa Phi,
C. B. WRIGHT.
Home-letter, Sunday morning, February 4th. " To-day is beautiful
as has been the past week, but a trifle warm for the season, and no doubt
will set farmers to thinking about spring crops and work. It certainly
has made studying more difficult, as we incline to enjoy the open sun-
light strolls and the beauties of nature. I trust a change will soon come,
when we can get back to accustomed ways and make up for lost time.
Examinations are approaching and I certainly must pull myself together
if I am to pass them with credit — so let the colder weather come right
along," etc.
Sunday morning, February i8th. " There is nothing new with us
consequently little to write about of special interest. Everything moves
along smoothly and pleasantly, so we all seem happy and contented.
Quite a number of the boys have already begun loafing, which they will
likely continue until the end of the session. . . . Fruit buds are now
so far advanced that I fear a cold snap would be serious, hence for your
sake I trust the pleasant weather of the past few weeks will continue.
I have no fire — there being abundant heat from the sun — and we sit much
of the time with open doors and windows. . . . Williams and Cooper
took a long walk this morning over the mountains — were gone four
hours, keeping continuously on the move — and have just come in com-
pletely fagged out," etc.
On Sunday night, January 28th, Rev. T. D. Witherspoon
delivered in the Public Hall the Y. M. C. A. sermon from the
text, " But my servant, Caleb, because he had another spirit
with him, and hath followed me faithfully, him will I bring
into the land whereunto he went; and his seed shall possess
it." As on other similar occasions our former chaplain was
received with a hearty welcome, his address being highly
appreciated for its words of wisdom so beautifully expressed.
The early spring-like weather stimulated many students to
338 i UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
indulge in out-of-door sports, especially baseball, of which
during February and March there was much promiscuous
practicing. In the latter month a permanent club was organ-
ized and thereafter the process of weeding and selecting the
best began to take definite shape. On March 3ist, we met
defeat at the hands of the Charlottesville team — 9 to 6 — but
this served well to show our weak points and to impress the
necessity of their correction, as far more important games
were scheduled to follow.
Owing to so many diversions and influences the Literary
Societies this session seemed to suffer somewhat in popularity
and attendance, but the same kind of work continued only in
less degree. After the usual amount of campaigning and fev-
erish excitement the Final Presidents were elected: Jeff.,
April 7th, Mr. Benj. D. Whiteley, Md. Wash., April 28th, Mr.
Frank P. Parish, Va. The contestants for the medal and
oratorical houors were: Jeff. — Messrs. C. A. Culberson, C.
Denny, J. G. Garrison, A. G. Stuart, S. B. Woods; Wash. —
Messrs. J. F. Ellison, V. M. Potter, Junius Rochester, W. W.
Walker. The " Electoral Committee " of the Faculty after
some deliberation made the awards as follows : Jeff. — Medal-
ist, Mr. A. G. Stuart, Va. ; Orator, Mr. C. A. Culberson,
Texas; Wash. — Medalist, Mr. J. F. Ellison, Va.; Orator,
Mr. Junius Rochester, Ky.
College rowing and regattas had become so popular and
universal abroad and at home that our students often la-
mented the apparent absence with us of the two great essen-
tials— water and money — for encouraging the sport. How-
ever, early in the year we were informed that at a meeting
of the New York Alumni Society a very generous minded
alumnus, Mr. Francis R. Rives, had expressed regret over
our students having made no effort in this direction and a
willingness to give material assistance should they ever so
determine. This thought was taken up seriously by us stu-
dents, and on March 2oth, a committee of five — Messrs.
Lamb, L'Engle, Macfarland, Stuart, Thorn — addressed a let-
ter to Mr. Rives, inquiring if he felt disposed to live up to
his reported offer, stating at the same time that upon careful
investigation they had found on the near-by Rivanna River
sufficient water for a racing course, and that the students
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 339
were eager to aid liberally in establishing a rowing club.
Four days thereafter Mr. Rives remitted a check of one thou-
sand dollars in a letter filled with kind expressions for the
proposed undertaking and the great good that might grow
therefrom. A circular letter was sent shortly afterwards to
all Alumni, stating the object in contemplation, what had al-
ready been accomplished, and asking for their financial co-
operation. On April I7th, at a called meeting in the Jeff.
Hall, a permanent organization of the " Rives Boat Club "
was effected by the election of Mr. A. G. Stuart, President;
Mr. George D. Fawsett, Vice-President ; Mr. J. C. Lamb,
Secretary; Mr. W. J. L'Engle, Treasurer. At the same time
a crew of four was selected — Messrs. DeCoursey W. Thorn
(Captain), W. J. L'Engle, J. M. Macfarland, Charles Steele
— that went into immediate training, and shortly thereafter a
suitable boat-house was erected on the river's bank, a second
handed scull-racer procured and a new four-oared cedar gig
with sliding seats ordered. A challenge was dispatched to
Washington and Lee crews, expressing the desire that the
contest take place on neutral waters — James River at Lynch-
burg — but upon this invitation being declined the Tobacco
City Club of Lynchburg, learning of our new adventure and
ambition for additional honors upon an hitherto untried sea,
extended a similar challenge to us — that which was accepted
for June 3Oth.
Home-letter, Monday morning, May 7th. " I was compelled to de-
lay my yesterday's letter until to-day as a small party of us went over
to Staunton Friday afternoon and did not return until late last night.
The primary incentive for the trip was a fine musical concert that night
at their Town Hall, but secondarily we thought it a golden opportunity
to see collectively the many proverbial pretty girls attending the several
seminaries — some being sisters of our number and from whom we had
learned that a general outpouring was expected at the musical. This latter
was certainly a great success and at its close brothers and sisters, with
the consent of chaperons, interchanged slight conversational civilities suffi-
cient to institute a scheming for a general meeting on the morrow. In
spite of the incessant down-pour of this next day we kept busy at sight-
seeing and in planning to meet the girls in the evening. Both Mr.
Phillips of the Virginia Female Institute (Episcopal) and Miss Mary
Baldwin ^of the Augusta Female Seminary (Presbyterian) are very strict
with their charges, allowing only brothers or some one having a letter
from the young ladies' parents to make calls. One of our party was from
California and fancied a surprise visit would be appreciated by a lady
student from his State at Miss Baldwin's, but when he called in regular
340 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
form that morning was denied the permission of an interview. Whether
his manner was awkward or suspicious I know not, but the fact remained,
that the refusal grieved him much and stimulated us all the more to
perpetrate the following practical joke. Knowing other University stu-
dents than those with us to have sisters and sweethearts at Miss Baldwin's,
whom they came over occasionally to see, we went to the office of the
Vindicator, a newspaper there, and had cards printed with these young
gentlemen's names, so that we might impersonate them in making a
call. It was rather a daring procedure, and turned out to produce untold
apprehension, confusion and merriment, with a result altogether unsatis-
factory. I fancy so many cards staggered Miss Baldwin — although pos-
sibly she had received a cue — for she, after some deliberation, sent her
maid to inform us that only certain sisters of the young gentlemen —
those that were in fact sisters — would be allowed in the parlor. The
reception room adjoining, with portieres partly drawn, had visitors who
left early, so that the three young ladies, the home contingent of that
party, came quietly and joined us, adding universal delight. Everything
was moving to entire satisfaction until 10 o'ck., when suddenly we were
left in complete darkness, the gas being turned off from that portion of the
building. Fortunately we had abundant matches by which the ladies
managed to find the stairs and we the front door. Evidently some one
had lost sight of callers being in the parlor that disagreeable night and
began the closing process according to usual custom. The visit was filled
with incidents that can never be forgotten." . . .
Near the close of session 1871-72, immediately preceding
my entrance to the University, two match games of baseball,
of more than passing interest, were played between Washing-
ton and Lee and our own nines. That of May 8th, took
place on the Military Institute grounds, Lexington, being
won by our boys in the tenth inning, while that of six weeks
later, June 2Oth, was played on our grounds, out towards the
Cemetery, and resulted in defeat. A year later, spring of 1873,
these games were held in vivid memory, and gracefully ac-
cepted to teach a wholesome lesson — that our nine must be of
worthy material if to serve the good reputation of ourselves
and the University. As my room then was on Dawson's Row,
not far from the grounds, I remember distinctly that consid-
erable practicing went on during all the pleasant weather of
the early months, myself often participating, and that later
several contests took place with minor teams. But as a matter
of fact we believed ourselves at no time sufficiently trained to
cope successfully with such a nine as we fancied Washington
and Lee possessed, so it was regarded as puerile to think of
giving or accepting challenges in that direction. Indeed, for
several years right here an innocuous desuetude seemed to
take hold of our athletic contingent, militating against the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 341
doing of very much meriting comment — the only event being
that of May i4th, 1875, when the Washington and Lee boys
came over to be defeated by a score of 27 to 21.
Mindful of these results, and regarding themselves in the
spring of 1877 possibly a whit stronger than before, the Wash-
ington and Lee nine issued another challenge to our club,
including its usual contingent of supporters and rooters — the
game to be played at Lexington. This being my last year at
the University, and knowing well the personnel of the team,
accounted for me making a bold effort to realize the hopes of
years — a visit to that historic spot. I feel sure that no student
ever entered the University without considerable knowledge
of at least three towns bearing that name — those of Massa-
chusetts, Kentucky and Virginia.
My first geography, as with many others, pictured and
described the Natural Bridge as one of the greatest curiosities
of nature in the world, giving as it did the name of the county
of Virginia in which it was located — Rockbridge — whose chief
town, Lexington, named after the one in Massachusetts, was
the seat of the county as well as of Washington College and
the Virginia Military Institute. To the preface of my physi-
cal geography was signed not only M. F. Maury, but also
Lexington, Virginia, in consequence of which the names be-
came indelibly impressed at an early age. At the approaching
time to enter college every thoughtful youth in those days
secured various catalogues, by whose comparison he hoped to
form a preference, if that had not already been determined
by some other cause or circumstance. Unfortunately the
North and South still were divided widely in sentiment, and
young men sought their educational training according to
environment and feelings, so that the southern inclined stu-
dents became more or less acquainted on paper with the work-
ings of the Lexington institutions. Personally I had a trite
family episode and youthful experience that fixed Lexington
strongly in my mind. An only remaining single aunt, Frances
(Fanny) Reynolds, was married Oct. 4, 1870, to Mr. William
L. Clough, a gentleman then about forty, who had seen three
years of active Confederate service. During those days in
Delaware all wedding trips were directed northward — no one
considering the South a desirable territory for a pleasurable
342 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
honeymoon — but this wise couple planned from the first to be
exceptional, to do not as others — by spending three weeks in
southern travel. My uncle Luther (her eldest brother) and
wife came from Baltimore to attend the wedding festivities
and remained thereafter a few days to visit, according to cus-
tom, other brothers, sisters and friends, and when ready to
turn homeward I, much to my delight, was invited to share the
vacant carriage seat — that to which my parents readily con-
sented, thinking the absence of two weeks from school not
serious, as upon my return an industrious effort would make
the necessary amends.
We left my parents' farm, Robinson's Plantation, early
Sunday morning, Oct. 9th, — a day bright and beautiful with
roads in prime condition and horses seemingly inspired to cover
quickly the forty miles separating our destination, Oxford,
Maryland, near where on a fertile farm resided another uncle,
Thomas G. Reynolds, with whom we were to spend the night,
and where, as planned, we arrived at 3 o'ck, that afternoon.
Next day about noon we boarded the steamer Kent, team and
all, for Baltimore, reaching there shortly after dark.
The newspapers day by day gave accounts of Gen. Lee's
indisposition, while those of Thursday, I3th, were in mourning
lines and contained little else than that pertaining to the great
Commander, whose character, deeds, motives, ambitions, dis-
appointments, religious tendencies, manly probity and exam-
ple they not only discussed and commended, but caused them to
be by all the leading subjects of conversation. In fact the Civil
War period and its experiences had a revivification, being made
to exist as in the yesterday ; buildings, large and small, through-
out the city were draped profusely in black, entwining fre-
quently in modest relief the Union and Confederate emblems —
indeed making Baltimore Street appear almost its entire length
a veritable palled avenue ; business seemingly took a partial
rest, and people went their accustomed ways not with usual
energy and rush but in a spirit of sober meditation and humil-
ity. On Saturday all activity ceased, causing one to imagine
the funeral taking place in our midst, and I was so im-
pressed with passing events as to retain the papers of that
week, which to this day are well preserved. None was issued
then on Sunday, so a short extract from Monday's Gazette
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 343
(i7th.), the first following the burial at Lexington, may serve
to convey the expressed sentiment of the place and time:
" Never in the history of Baltimore has there been an exhibition
of more earnest grief than has been inspired by the death of
General Robert Edmond Lee. As soon on Saturday morning
—the day of his funeral at Lexington — as the action of the
two Branches of the City Council was known, the flags on
the public buildings and shipping were hoisted at half-mast,
and, before noon, many of the principal houses on Baltimore,
Charles, Hanover and other streets were appropriately draped
in mourning, evincing the sorrow and grief which the death
of that noble patriot and Christian gentleman had spread
throughout the length and breadth of the city. Those who
shared with him the perils and privations of war walked the
streets with heads bowed down and countenances saddened
by the loss of one who had so often led them to victory and
had spoken to them words of consolation after they had fallen.
At noon the bells of the city tolled solemnly, indicating that
the mortal remains of General Lee were about to be consigned
to mother earth. Throughout the entire day there was a gloom
over the faces of men, and strong men wept that one so great
and good has been called from earth, where his noble character
and exalted virtues made him the beloved of all."
Memorial meetings were held in every southern city and
town, where resolutions of respect and sorrow were adopted,
and appropriate eulogies pronounced by judges, jurists, gen-
erals, and others who knew and loved the illustrious dead,
while to Lexington hundreds journeyed to take part in the
funeral obsequies — Richmond appealing in vain for his body
to rest finally in her favorite Hollywood.
Enough when it is said that each and every phase of honor
paid the great man had a full corresponding space in the
papers, which from careful reading inclined my mind to asso-
ciate with General Lee a certain divinity and infallibility, and
to his resting place, Lexington, an unusual degree of interest
and respect. In entering the University two years later it
was not likely that any of this sentiment had abated, but on the
contrary that it had either remained constant or become
strengthened. One thing certain — I had not been at the Uni-
versity many months before recognizing that our student-body
344 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
knew of and appreciated thoroughly the deserved popularity of
Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military
Institute — considering them ideally located at Lexington, in
the beautiful " Valley of Virginia," to whose fame and up-
building they had been prominent factors. I also observed that
from both of those institutions students every year came to
us, if not for higher, at least for specific training, and while
these were loyal to their newer seat of learning they possessed
sufficient manhood to not forget or seriously disparage the
older, where possibly most of them first saw the true light
of an education — a sentiment that went far towards strength-
ening an already good reputation. I remember one or two in
their comparisons inclined to make our University suffer,
with what justice I was unable to determine intelligently, but
there was never any contention concerning the relative merits
or standing of the various institutions in the State. All
contributed students to the University, and as the converse
was not true we somehow intuitively accepted our institution
to be the universally recognized head, as Mr. Jefferson de-
signed, of the State's educational system, and like of old, " all
roads lead to Rome," so all schools in Virginia were more or
less preparatory to her University. As a fact, we had too se-
rious troubles of our own to waste time and thought upon
that subject, being convinced that every institution, large and
small, high and low, played equally an important part in the
great system, that there was no intentional overlapping or ab-
sorbing the province or functions of one another, that each
endeavored to do effective work in preparing men for the
greater walk of life, and that whether they alone, or in con-
junction with the University, produced " shining lights," all
were willing to claim with pride the creditable product as a
common inheritance. We had the impression somehow that
after West Point the Virginia Military Institute — the West
Point of the South — was the best military school in this coun-
try, and that in Virginia next to the University came Wash-
ington and Lee, and here the matter rested defying and need-
ing no controversy.
Many facts existed about Lexington and its literati of which
most of us were ignorant : I do not recall a familiarity then
with its somewhat classic nom de plume, " Athens of the Old
Professor John W. Mallet, IJV.D., F.R.S., at forty-five
1832—
See page 404
FACING 344
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 345
Dominion," with its educational jewels and economic settings ;
or to any extent with the forceful and significant writings in
prose and verse of Margaret J. Preston, the estimable wife of
the distinguished Military Institute professor, John T. L. Pres-
ton, and the sister of the first Mrs. " Stonewall " Jackson,
both ladies being daughters of Dr. George Junkin, President
of Washington College, 1846-1861, the immediate predeces-
sor of General Lee. Nor did we know much of Gen. Francis
H. Smith, Superintendent of the Military Institute since 1840,
except to consider him a great man, and to bear the same name
as our beloved Professor of Natural Philosophy, the middle
letter, however, of the one representing Henney, of the other
Henry; nor of General R. E. Rhodes, the noted professor in
the Military Institute with " Stonewall " Jackson, both sacri-
ficing lives in the Confederate service; nor of Matthew Fon-
taine Maury, save through his geographies which were then
reaping deserved popularity and praise ; nor of General G. W.
Custis Lee, a man of such distinguished parts that Mr. Davis
would have placed him in command of the Army of Northern
Virginia in the event of accident to its great commander — ex-
cept that he was President of Washington and Lee University,
the successor and son of General Robert E. Lee; nor of Rev.
William S. White, for years a resident of Albemarle County,
where he contributed successfully to the proper development
of youths committed to his charge, ministered with self-sacri-
ficing Christian spirit, as did the " Good Shepherd of old," to
the betterment of his country mission, acted twice as chaplain
to our University, presided over the Presbyterian Church in
Charlottesville, and then, shifting his field of labor to the
Church of similar faith in Lexington, became the religious
companion and adviser of " Stonewall " Jackson, preaching
his funeral, performing the final solemn rights at the Lexing-
ton church and cemetery, and assisting in similar services
over General Lee at the College chapel; nor of Rev. William
N. Pendleton, the founder of the Episcopal High School, Alex-
andria, since 1853 rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Lexing-
ton— where General Lee held membership and worshiped —
during the Civil War a Confederate Brigadier-General, and
with three exceptions in every battle fought by the Army of
Northern Virginia from first Manassas to Appomattox, where
346 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
with Generals John B. Gordon and James Longstreet he was
appointed to negotiate the terms of surrender, after which he
returned to his Lexington Church, became the social and
spiritual companion of General Lee throughout his later years,
reading at his funeral the Episcopal service — the only sermon
of the occasion — and two years later officiated at the final cere-
mony of Commodore Maury; nor of Professors Nelson,
Joynes, Kirkpatrick, Humphries, White, Johnston and Tucker,
save to accept them as standing high at and from home —
faithful teachers of Washington and Lee. Even though some
of these and other detailed facts came to many of us late in our
University career, or not until that had closed, yet none while
there, and that from the very beginning, failed to realize a few
manifestations of the " fortune of fate " against our Univer-
sity. Of this from our selfish standpoint two notable examples
created in our disingenuous youthful minds a certain degree
of covetousness, pardonable if not laudable, against the Lex-
ington institutions — the one for her Lee, the other for her
Jackson. Indeed, I do not believe there were many of us who
failed to appreciate as unfortunate the Board of Visitors letting
escape when presented the proffered opportunities of connect-
ing those great men with our University — certainly as " a tide
in the affairs of men, omitted." Jackson made no secret of
his ambition when he affirmed : " I desire to be transferred
to my State University, as I regard it the duty of every man
to seek the highest cultivation of his powers, and the widest
sphere of activity within his reach."
The untimely death of our gifted professor of mathematics,
Edward H. Courtenay, at the University, December 21, 1853,
opened, as Jackson thought, a possible vista to his cherished
promotion. Professor Alexander L. Nelson, for the past fifty
years chief of the mathematical department at Washington
and Lee University, then one of our promising Alumni, was
selected to take charge temporarily of Professor Courtenay's
course for the remainder of the session, June 1854, when the
Board of Visitors would elect a permanent successor. The
applicants were numerous, and among them Jackson, then
thirty years of age, whose application was accompanied with
many letters from persons of distinction testifying to his com-
petent scholarship, energy, devotion to duty, courage, etc.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 347
Upon entering the Faculty of the Military Institute, July, 1851,
Jackson declared to a friend : " I know war is my true voca-
tion, and my constant desire in life will ever be the career of
the soldier, and I am only accepting this scholastic occupation
during peace in order to enjoy a continued practical acquain-
tance with the art of the artillerist." When it became known
that he wished to be associated permanently with the Univer-
sity, this same friend said to him : " Have you not departed
here from what you told me, upon coming to this Military
School, was the purpose of your life? " Whereupon this reply
came : "I avow that my views have changed ; while I still
believe I am adapted specially to the soldier's life, yet my con-
victions concerning war as a pathway to distinction have
greatly been modified, and I would now by no means accept a
commission in any war the Government might wage, irrespec-
tive of its morality. If my country was assailed in such a way
as to justify an appeal to defensive war in God's sight, I should
desire to return to military life; but unless this happens I will
continue a simple citizen." Jackson's hopes for the University
professorship were not realized — the appointment falling to
Albert Taylor Bledsoe, professor of mathematics in the Uni-
versity of Mississippi — but he repined not the least the failure,
rather sanctified the slight disappointment to the better train-
ing of a liberal and manly character. Professor Bledsoe only
taught seven years at the University, and although the pos-
sessor of a powerful intellect, abstract and concrete knowledge*
mathematical and otherwise, his mind was more philosophical
than practical, so that the latter side of instruction did not
appeal to him strongly — that which was just the opposite with
Jackson. Mindful of how events have shaped themselves
there is little doubt but that Jackson would have given the
University an inheritance ^of greater value — an asset of per-
manent endurance and perpetual good.
CHAPTER XVIII
INCIDENTS AND COMMENCEMENT OF SESSION 1876-77
General Lee's possible identification and association with the University;
deaths of Commodore Maury and Mrs. Lee. Off for Lexington, via
Goshen ; pleasant midnight reception, and sight-seeing of the next
two days. Gen. Hunter's destructive visit in 1864; Baseball game and
banquet. Commencement, June, 1877. Address by Maj. John W.
Daniel. Final Day and Ball. First regatta at Lynchburg, crowned
with accident and defeat, etc.
ALTHOUGH General Lee and his eldest son were graduates
of West Point, his second was educated at Harvard, and his
third — youngest and namesake, Robert E. — was sent to our
University, where he spent two sessions, 1 860-61, 1861-62,
and from where he entered the Confederate service, a very
young man, in the spring of 1862. These facts made the
University, with her traditions, influence and faculty, thor-
oughly known and respected in the Lee family, and by none
more so than the General himself.
In the spring and summer of 1865 the University, perforce,
went through a process of reorganization and reassembling
of its teaching staff preparatory to reopening on the first of
October. Only the older members of the faculty had remained
at their accustomed posts during the belligerent years, most
of them serving the Confederacy at home or abroad in one or
another capacity. But nqw after the restoration of peace it
was quite natural that all would incline to return in order to
put forth their strongest energies in re-establishing the famous
institution along lines that might, perchance, even increase its
former greatness and usefulness. It was a crucial period with
General Lee, as with thousands of willing hearts and hands
who anxiously stood ready to contribute, so far as possible,
thought, word and act towards his welfare — him whom they
loved, honored, yes, worshiped. To him during these several
months a number of more or less tempting opportunities pre-
sented themselves, but as it was not the dollar and cent co-
efficient— material remuneration — that played the strongest
348
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 349
part, it was difficult to make a final decision from his view-
point— moral sense of obligation to his fallen country. This
final selection had to be solved correctly according to his own
question — What may I do that will bring the greatest im-
mediate and remote good to my humbled people ? Not a few
thought this high conception of duty might best be realized
by a connection with the University in some capacity — that
from existing conditions seeming impossible, at least perplex-
ing. The University, according to Mr. Jefferson's wish, had
never been governed by an executive head or active president,
and possessed unfilled no department in which General Lee
had shown his greatest strength or would probably grow into
liking. It was said that even the faculty disapproved an in-
flection of Mr; Jefferson's original plan of government — Pro-
fessor Schele being the most pronounced and outspoken. Gen-
eral Lee, if consulted at all upon the subject, no doubt ex-
pressed himself as believing that his connection with the State
University might have in the eyes of some an eleemosynary
savor, and that others for his personality might incline to with-
hold substantial aid from anything receiving the fostering care
of the State. We students knew most of these facts in the ab-
stract, and, although possibly in error, felt absolutely confident
that had General Lee been approached by the right power, in
the right way, at the right time, he would not have hesitated
a moment in waving such conceived vagaries and in taking up
the presidency of the University — a great work found neces-
sary for some one to assume forty years later. He was a man
thoroughly open to convincing and telling argument, with a
vision of light that readily dispelled all mellow shades of dark-
ness; he only desired to be certain where duty lay, and any
half-way persuasive counsel might have gone far towards
shaping his interpretation of that duty to be at the University.
The postponement of a President was simply an unwise delay
— " hope deferred (that) maketh the heart sick " — the result
of inefficient forethought and intuition on the part of those
then in power. Oh, that they could have possessed a mystic
inspiration, a prophetic dream, of the future and its revela-
tions! Later came the accepted offer from Washington Col-
lege, the most wise step in its history, as at once it took on
new life and position, soon became recognized highly through-
350 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
out the country, and to-day furnishes the chief asset — more
than all others combined — upon which it continues to feed and
thrive. Had his life been spared another decade, even duly
acknowledging the subsequent wise and aggressive adminis-
tration of that institution, one can scarce predict accurately
the progressive steps of its onward march ; or instead, had his
life's crowning work been ordered amid our University com-
munity, and there been bequeathed the perpetual touchstone of
his living personality, what even greater strides she might
have taken towards imperishable fame and renown! Every
student took one or more newspapers, daily or otherwise,
while those of Virginia, especially Richmond, were to be found
in many rooms and always in the library. Those of early
February, 1873, announced the death, after several months of
severe illness, of Commodore Maury, professor of physics and
meteorology in the Military Institute, Lexington — a position
he had occupied with signal ability for four years, becoming a
most popular teacher and esteemed citizen, and whose death
was deplored throughout the scientific world. His body was
placed in the Gilham vault of the cemetery on the hill, opposite
the grave of " Stonewall " Jackson, where, according to his re-
quest, it reposed until spring and then was taken by way of
his beloved Goshen Pass — famed in prose by his own writings
and in verse by those of the gifted Margaret J. Preston, and
decorated for the occasion not alone by nature but addition-
ally by the willing effort of loving hands — to Goshen, and
thence by the Chesapeake and Ohio train to Richmond, to find
a last resting place in consecrated Hollywood, among legions
of other distinguished dead. In early November of the same
year Mrs. Mary Randolph Custis Lee, widow of General
Robert E. Lee, also died at Lexington, causing the press to
pay lengthy and deserving tributes to the memory of her noble
character and life, at the same time recounting much matter
incident to her distinguished husband and other members of
her illustrious family.
Thus it seemed in those days a student at the University
was meeting continually something that called his attention to
the small, quiet and cultured valley town fifty miles away, such
as intensified a desire for a visit — that which would be ac-
cepted at the first favorable opportunity. While a several
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 351
days' absence from lectures always implied much, it was far
more serious in the latter part of May, when cramming for
examinations was in order. But in the lives of every one
there are times for chance-taking, and as these already had
occasionally come my wayv I felt again ready for such a de-
mand— thus willing to make the trip with the baseball team.
I indulged in many delightful anticipations during the few
preceding days and in most respects there was no disappoint-
ment. My leave of absence bears the names, in their in-
dividual writing, of Jas. F. Harrison, Chai., J. W. Mallet,
F. P. Dunnington, J. S. Davis, and was secured hurriedly
the morning of departure. Our journeying party consisted
of about thirty-five, but fully an equal number formed an
escort and assembled at the depot to encourage, show interest
and wish us Godspeed in the coming contest. Indeed not a
few became enthusiastically demonstrative, expressing sincere
regrets at not having arranged to go along.
Our train, amid many noisy exclamations from ourselves
and those left behind, pulled out of Charlottesville shortly
after 2 o'ck, p. M., the day being balmy and ideal for the
full enjoyment of such a trip. Most of us had been grinding
faithfully over studies for the past months without any " sur-
cease of sorrow," and now felt keenly a delight over the forth-
coming needed pleasures. A number of us being on an un-
frequented route desired to make the most of it and occupied
the rear platform of the last car, where could best be viewed
the landscape becoming more and more picturesque as we sped
to higher altitudes. The scenes continued to vary as the many
view-points changed from the incessant curving of the road,
each more impressive until the climax was reached near the
mountain top (Afton), when was unveiled below a panorama
of outstretched valley lands intuitively unsurpassed by anything
in the world. Plots of stately trees, green cereals and grass,
intermingled with the many fields that had recently been fal-
lowed for spring crops, all so diminutive from the elevation,
lay spread out as far as eyes could range in beautiful contrast,
yet grateful harmony. It was the famous and fertile Pied-
mont Valley, revealing itself fifteen hundred feet below like
one vast garden covering many miles, dotted with peaceful
homes, fruitful orchards and vineyards — those giving to the
352 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
world the celebrated Albemarle pippin apple and the delicious
Monticello brands of wine. To our immediate left towered
the mighty cliffs around whose tapering sides we had made
gradually a struggling ascent, while on the right high ranges
seemingly extended into infinite distance. Onward we pushed
to be shut in by huge boulders and a cloudless sky, to be
appalled by a long damp dark weird tunnel, and delighted by
an escape into the stately mountain peaks dissolving themselves
into the far-famed Shenandoah Valley. In quick succession
followed the newly established junction (Basic City) with the
then Shenandoah Valley Road, the yellowish south-fork of the
Shenandoah River skirting the western slope of the Blue
Ridge, the prosperous village of Waynesboro, where on March
2, 1865, Gen. Sheridan's victory gave the Federal Army there-
after sole control of that entire territory, and finally the hilly
town of Staunton, noted so favorably among us students as
the center of southern female education. An hour later, 6
o'ck, brought us to Goshen, a small station partly bordered
by woods, consisting of several dozen modest frame houses
occupied by its entire population of one or two hundred. This
was the nearest railroad point to the Rockbridge Alum and
Jorden Alum Springs (ten miles), and to Lexington (twenty-
one miles) — all three having to be reached by private convey-
ance or public stage. The hotel was rather an indifferent
whitewashed building in close proximity to the north side of
the track, but here we enjoyed a good substantial supper, tak-
ing thereafter stages for our destination that lay in a south-
ward direction through a rugged mountainous country over a
rough and tortuous road. As our journey, " like a wounded
snake drew its slow length along," in the glimmer of that beau-
tifully clear and starlight night distinctive outlines could be
seen of the many towering cliffs and stately boulders. All na-
ture seemed silent and at rest, save our little caravan and an oc-
casional beast of burden or bird of prey, whose mingled shrill
and mellow notes apparently bid us here and there a friendly
welcome. As for ourselves, we were a noisy and mirthful
band overflowing with pleasures present and those considered
in sight. Viewing picturesque scenery — that of the Goshen
Pass excelling all other — singing college songs and sacred
hymns, telling jokes and stories, running and walking, all
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 353
served in turn to pass acceptably the earlier hours, but as it
grew late even such a diversified program almost ceased to
amuse, so that none of us regretted when our drivers shortly
after midnight pulled up at the brick hotel on the south side
of Main Street, Lexington. The Washington and Lee boys
were out in force, and also a few from the Military Institute,
to extend the late but hearty greeting, while our souls were
thoroughly responsive to the genuine cordiality of the occasion.
A rest lasting far into the morning completely invigorated
the body and mind, so that the day broke in only to find us
ready and eager to accept every avenue of profitable enjoy-
ment according to individual taste and preference — walking,
driving, riding horseback, visiting friends and ladies, inspect-
ing graves, churches and things educational. In the very
shadow of the hotel, slightly to the north and east, were the
grounds, chapel and various buildings of Washington and Lee,
while in a continued line eastward along the same ridge and
road, separated simply by a skeleton fence and gate, stood
those of the Military Institute — none having been seen by
most of us until the dawning of that Sabbath morning, and
possessing for each an endless interest susceptible of being satis-
fied only by personal inspection. Nor were the graves of Lee
and Jackson remote — the former in the rear of the chapel on
the University campus, shortly within the enclosure and to the
right of the road ; the latter in the cemetery on the brow of the
hill at the western outskirts, to the left of Main Street as you
leave the town.
Then again the several churches were presided over by
clergymen of more than local distinction, the Episcopal and
Presbyterian being noted especially — the one for the associa-
tion of General Lee, the other for the many years of personal
membership and attendance of General Jackson. On this
morning the bells rang out their clear resonant sounds, appeal-
ing alike to all humanity, strange and familiar, and I was not
long in deciding that the sacred line would be most resource-
ful to me. As a result several of us went first to the Pres-
byterian Church, a red brick building of creditable age and
size on the east side of Main Street slightly west of the hotel,
where entering the east door and accepting the last seat — not
intending to remain through the entire service — we heard the
354 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
greater portion of a scriptural sermon by Rev. Dr. Kirk-
patrick. After leaving here we visited the Episcopal Church
and the University Chapel in time to witness the dispersing of
those in attendance, so that in comparing notes at the dinner
table we all were gratified in having accomplished so much
to our liking — heard many good words of advice, saw strange
students, cadets and pretty girls galore, and also at close range
most of the important and noted personages of Lexington, in-
cluding General G. W. Custis Lee, his two sisters, Mary and
Mildred, General Francis .H. Smith, Margaret J. Preston, J.
Randolph Tucker and other professors, with their families of
the two institutions. In the afternoon some of us walked out
to the cemetery, where rest many who had contributed their
energies to the upbuilding of that educational center and town,
finding it an inviting, well-cared-for enclosure of several acres
with a few gravelly and grassy walks, much shrubbery and a
number of smaller trees. Only a few lots had railing or cop-
ing, but all a goodly covering of grass with one or more
graves marked with suitable slabs. The " Stonewall " Jackson
grave in the Jackson lot, of course, claimed most interest and
at that time seemed in hopeless neglect, barring the well-worn
path thereto which gave evidence of the extreme respect and
homage paid by untold journeying pilgrims. This lot, as I
remember it, was in the southeastern section of the cemetery,
not large but enclosed by an iron fence having several broken
stiles and a gate bearing the name Jackson. Within were
several graves — his own, nearest the east fence line and the
town, was unmarked, except by a green mound bearing some
faded flowers, while those at his side, first wife and small
child, had plain marble slabs much discolored by the ravages
of time. After an hour we retraced our steps down Main
Street through the town, and on our left first entered by an
unpretentious wooden gate the University campus, following
a road — the common artery of the two institutions — which
with slight ascent bore to the right, thence eastward in a
straight line through a second gate into the Military Institute
grounds. To the left of this road and parallel with it, but at
some elevation and distance, stood in a straight row the Uni-
versity buildings, General Lee's residence and those of several
professors; to the right in close proximity was the Chapel,
Professor George Frederick Holmes, LJv.D., at fifty-five
1820-1897
Sfi- page 408
FACING 354
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 355
library and General Lee's tomb, and nearly parallel with it,
but further onward within the Military Institute grounds, a
row of cottages occupied by its professors.
Although the day was a holiday, on which ordinarily the
buildings would be closed, the janitors in consideration of our
visit stood ready to direct and admit us to all that could pos-
sibly be of interest. Here, of course, the Chapel and General
Lee's tomb claimed first attention — the former being of good
proportions and design, possessing to an unusual degree an
air of brightness and comfort. The galleries on either side
were low, supported by round columns and terminated with
curved ends near the rather high and deep platform spanning
the entire southern end of the room. This platform was fur-
nished with a red carpet, a lecturing stand in front, a sofa and
several chairs back near the wall, and above on the wall hung
portraits of Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Marshall and
other great men. Under the Chapel was a basement of which
the south room was used by General Lee as an office that
obtained light from southern and western windows, being en-
tered by a door on the east. The room was of good size, low
ceiling, white walls and furnished with several heavy antique
pieces — desk, center-table, small bookcase, sofa and chairs
upholstered with green leather — and the contents were claimed
to have remained untouched since General Lee's death, every-
thing being just as he left it the day of his final sickness.
The southern or rear wall of the Chapel building being down
a hill was some feet higher than the front, and as General
Lee's room and the library occupied the lower floor it was
found possible to construct in the library area, in contact with
this southern wall, a vault whose top when covered with the
white marble lettered slab was level with the library floor.
Here a few feet from his working office reposed his remains,
also those of his wife and daughter (Agnes), which long since
have been transferred to the other side of the wall where has
been erected a beautiful mausoleum, the corner stone being laid
November 29, 1878, whose lower story is a crypt of twenty-
eight burial chambers — intended to be solely the Lee family
vault — and whose upper story is continuous with chapel room
— being connected therewith from its platform by a graceful
arched entrance, first into the smaller ante-room, thence into
356 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
the larger monumental chamber where rests the sarcophagus
surmounted by a beautiful white marble recumbent statue of
General Lee, head eastward, chiseled by Valentine, Virginia's
noted sculptor.
This statue was conveyed from Richmond to Lexington,
April, 1875, creating at the time no little favorable comment
and respectful attention from our student-body, and on this
occasion of our visit received from each of us close inspection
in its temporary well-guarded room. I distinctly recall ex-
tending a finger within short range of the right arm of the
statue with the remark — in this arm old Traveler broke a bone
during the summer of 1862, seriously handicapping the General
at Antietam — whereupon the attendants quickly seized my
arm, imploring to keep hands off as the oil in the body might
discolor.
On the upper (north) side of the sloping lawn, just opposite
the Chapel and at a higher elevation, stood the main Univer-
sity building, about two hundred and fifty feet long, of brick
construction, and of irregular height and depth. The three-
story central portion, with cupola and tall round columns, pro-
jected a few feet in the foreground beyond the adjoining sides
with square columns, and these three portions were connected
by smaller and lower links. While the lines were decidedly
broken, yet the tout ensemble was far from bad — indeed rather
attractive. It was this building that General Hunter, during
his encampment in Lexington, June 12-15, 1864, ordered to be
burnt along with the Military Institute and Governor Letch-
er's residence, but fortunately was rescued (the others meet-
ing the designed sadder fate) through the merciful interven-
tion of subordinate officers, who seemingly possessed a greater
respect for education and the memory of Washington. They
were helpless, however, in preventing the destruction of its
apparatus, books and other useful interior furnishings, as well
as much valuable property that contributed to the material
worth of the community. On this visit we found lecture
rooms, apparatus, laboratories, museum, and hall of literary
societies all thoroughly equipped as though forgetful of the
direful past.
From here we leisurely walked eastward by several resi-
dences, including General Lee's, and intersected at an angle the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 3.57
roadway running south, entering the adjoining Military In-
stitute campus through a gate, indicating the dividing line be-
tween the contiguous properties. The imposing main granite
building, beautifully elevated as a tower of strength to the over-
looking southward valley, four or five stories, and several
hundred feet square with fortress-like turrets unfurling flags
straight to the breeze, a cannon here and there, and manly
uniformed cadets at every turn, made our approach on that
Sabbath afternoon ever grateful and lasting in memory. It
was in this building that " Stonewall " Jackson had taught for
ten years and from whose halls hundreds had gone forth well
equipped to bear with distinction the trials of bloody warfare.
Indeed, it was her battalion of youthful cadets on that memor-
able May 15, 1864, that went far towards making New
Market a signal victory, and for several months thereafter
continued to be an element of usefulness. But the further
service of this building was doomed to be of short duration,
as General David Hunter, the immediate successor of General
Franz Sigel — the Federal commander at New Market — was
not unmindful of that defeat and the part played thereto by
the gallant young men of her training, and determined if
opportunity presented her career should cease. He had been
directed to advance from Staunton to Lynchburg by way of
Charlottesville, through Rockfish Gap, but fancying this
strongly guarded diverted his order by accepting the course
up the Valley, via Lexington, Buchanan and Peaks of Otter,
applying the firebrand at every turn and leaving merciless des-
olation in his wake. At Lexington he halted several days,
quartering his men in and around the handsome Military In-
stitute building, and upon evacuation paid the miscreant's
gratitude for a tenure of hospitality by firing it in numerous
places only to leave as pathetic sentinels the tottering walls.
Thus perished that around which clustered in the hearts of so
many an inseparable sentiment — a choice library of ten thou-
sand volumes, the teaching rooms and philosophical apparatus
of " Stonewall " Jackson, museum, chemicals and all that con-
tributed to a properly assembled teaching equipment. Surely
vengeance was his — Shylock-like he demanded his pound of
fair flesh and received it together with its veritable life's
blood. But Phoenix-like, it arose from its ashes, as on this
358 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
memorable visit there was nothing to remind one of that sad
epoch — for through the munificence of Virginia everything
had been restored to its pristine glory, barring possibly slight
improved changes in the interior spacing. Indeed, the lecture
and living rooms, laboratories, engineering and drawing de-
partments all showed age, use and abuse.
Monday morning was taken up largely in retracing some
steps of the yesterday, visiting spots of minor importance and
walking to points of vantage to view the surrounding country,
so beautiful and picturesque. Some of the players went to the
ball-grounds for preliminary practice; many of us talked and
speculated on results, while a few supported their favorite
nine with small monetary consideration — betting without odds,
thus indicating supposed equal strength. Our colors — (card-
inal) red and (silver) gray, could be seen here and there upon
the fair as well as sterner sex, but naturally the blue predomi-
nated. The game was called shortly after 3 o'ck, and con-
tinued for three hours with unabated interest — often wild ex-
citement. The attendance was considered large and represen-
tative, the nines well-matched, and the result in positive doubt
until the last man was out — when the small contingent of red
and gray gave a deep sigh of relief over victory being theirs,
with a score of 19 to 17. The Military Institute following
proved most loyal friends, doing much to encourage and make
us realize that we were not altogether strangers in a strange
land, while the Washington and Lee boys that night took us
again into good fellowship with a finely prepared supper,
at which toasts, songs, jokes and unbounded merriment pre-
vailed. Late hours found us seeking and leaving bed that
morning, Tuesday, and the afternoon hour , for leaving,
2 o'ck, dawned upon us sooner than could acceptably be
realized.
The return trip homeward was largely a repetition of the
going, except daylight and nightfall were happily interchanged
upon the extremes of the route — thus affording full view of
the rolling valley lands, running streams, Goshen Pass and
other rugged mountainous scenery as we slowly journeyed
along the uneven and tortuous pike. Every soul seemed self-
satisfied and joyously contributed his share of fun-making to
the pleasant passing of the hours. Goshen was reached about
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 359
dusk, where, after taking supper, we boarded our train for
Charlottesville, arriving there at midnight. The end had
come and with it no sorrow ; victory had been won and the
University's good reputation sustained. Practically two days
of student-life had been sacrificed, but we were more intelligent
beings, as a veritable equivalent of knowledge in another direc-
tion had been gained — that which at the time was helpful and
diverting, and has continued to shed occasionally pleasant
recollections along the many intervening years.
Home-letter, Sunday night, June 7th. " Providence certainly has
been very kind to me while here in ordering my social ties — those that
have been most delightful and sincere. As large and small communities
usually divide according to religious belief, so in Charlottesville this is
not only true but very noticeable, giving a kind of class distinction which
I understand is in conformity with other portions of the State. The
Episcopalians seem most prominent and select, although the Presbyterians
are a very worthy second, while the Baptists — most numerous — Methodists
and Catholics take position as named. Through some fortuitous power I
affiliate to the extent of my limited time, with all alike, visiting homes
irrespective of faith, and making it a point never to discuss seriously
religion or politics. I must specify several families whose confidence and
hospitality I frequently enjoy. Of the Episcopal I may begin with Mr.
Antrim's, whose daughter, Miss Emma, possesses a strong cultivated
mind, coupled with striking animation and sparkling wit. Their residence,
in the rear of the Episcopal Church, is commodious, attractively furnished,
and occupies a large plot of ground filled with shrubbery, flowers and
trees, so that one feels amid country although in the heart of the town.
Another home of equal charm — The Farm — is that of Mr. Parish's, on
the eastern outskirts, whose grounds of several acres are covered with
stately oaks, ornamental walks, rustic seats, trellises, etc. Although his
older daughters, Anna and Julia, are ladies of much dignity and intelli-
gence, it is the younger, Miss Emma, that has most attraction — she being
of bright mind, vivacious manners and strong womanly personality —
characteristics that surround her with not a few appreciative gentlemen
friends. Mrs. Parish was a Miss Stockton, of New Jersey, and now
beautifully maintains the dignity and grace for which many members
of that family have been noted. Of the Presbyterians I am most intimate
at Colonel Duke's, whose home — Sunnyside — is located quite a mile
northeast of the University. Here myself and clubmates always find a
happy greeting, since the two sons, Tom and Willie, are active members,
while the only daughter, Miss Mamie, is ever loyal in the defence and
admiration of her brothers' affiliation and friends. Of the Baptists I
have found the home of Mr. John T. Randolph's — Verdant Lawn — a most
delightful spot to visit. This is three miles from the University, just at
the western base of Carter's Mountain, which lifts its green serpentine
crest to a lofty altitude reflecting throughout the valley below in striking
contrast the shadows of frequent passing clouds. The daughter, Miss
Julia, is very refined and attractive, with good musical talent and lovely
disposition — the possessor of many friends." . . .
Home-letter, Sunday afternoon, June I7th. " I finished my last ex-
amination on Friday, so I am resting upon laurels won or lost — time alone
360 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
will reveal which. Two carriage loads of us club-mates drove out to
Rev. John T. Randolph's yesterday afternoon, where we spent delightfully
a couple of hours. I am invited to spend several days there this week,
previous to Commencement which begins next Sunday. The Regatta comes
for some reasons that this is my last year here, but I feel equipped, after a
little rounding, to take my place in the field of laborers, and now being
twenty-one I recognize it a duty to launch out in order to produce rather
than consume. If one is unable to bring success after having enjoyed
my advantages then I will be surprised beyond measure. We must talk
over and reason concerning my future possibilities as soon as I reach
home — let us have a conclusion, the sooner the better. ... I could
have made more out of my years here by grinding continually over books
and lectures, but I am perfectly satisfied with results. I have preserved
a happy medium — neither bored myself or others, attended to my own
business and let others alone, had much pleasure and learned a very great
deal. Education is not altogether centered in books and what wise men
say, for it is my belief that such matter is only of value to the extent it
becomes assimilated and creative of mind development, fertility and orig-
inality. With or without knowledge the personal equation counts for
much, so that mother-wit and inheritance may shine brightest, if it shines at
all. I feel ready for the fight — it is only health I ask."
Commencement this year began Sunday, June 24th, when at
night Rev. Dr. John A. Broadus delivered the annual sermon
before the Y. M. C. A., in the Public Hall, which was packed
with an intelligent and cultivated audience. This gentleman
on several previous occasions during my University career
had delighted the students with his forceful reasoning and
thought, and this time proved no exception.
Monday night — Wash. Celebration. After prayer by Rev.
Robert J. McBryde, the President, Mr. Frank P. Parish, Va.,
in a neat speech introduced the Orator, Mr. Eugene Williams,
Ala., who emphasized the fact that the orator selected by the
Committee of the Faculty had resigned several days before,
and that he under solicitations but disadvantages had consented
to take his place. He soon announced his theme, " England's
Conquered Neighbor, Poor Downtrodden Ireland," laid special
stress upon the lack of interest we feel towards Ireland, gave
a vivid account of her conquest and the harsh laws by which
she is governed, eulogized her orators, statesmen, poets, war-
riors and patriots, and predicted the coming of her disinthral-
ment at no distant day. While this oration was brief it was
well-written, well-delivered and frequently elicited ripples of
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 361
applause. After this the President conferred the debater's
medal upon Mr. J. F. Ellison, Va., who received and acknowl-
edged the same in a short but highly creditable speech.
Tuesday night — Jeff. Celebration. In spite of the rain the
Public Hall was crowded, and after prayer by Rev. Robert
J. McBryde, the acting President, Mr. J. Allen Southall, in
the absence of the regularly elected President, Mr. Ben. D.
Whiteley, introduced the Orator, Mr. C. A. Culberson, Texas,
who at once announced his subject as, " The French Revolu-
tion." He eloquently insisted that the excesses of the Revolu-
tion were merely incidental and that the hearts of the French
people longed for freedom — that for which they were willing
to die; he sketched the Revolution giving an analysis of the
principles which guided the revolters, recognized their denial
of the truth of revolution and the rock on which they split,
admitted the errors and crimes of their many leaders, but held
up Lafayette as a better product of revolutionary principles,
comparing him, to the unbounded applause of the audience, to
our own beloved — General Robert E. Lee. After this the
President conferred the debater's medal upon Mr. A. G. Stuart,
Va., who, in the presence of his honored father — A. H. H.
Stuart, Secretary of the Interior under President Filmore —
made an exceedingly felicitous response in which he pledged
himself not to regard the prize as the goal but as the starting
point of his aspirations.
Wednesday night — Joint Celebration. The address before
the two societies this year was delivered by one of Virginia's
most gifted sons, Maj. John W. Daniel, then spoken of gen-
erally as the next governor of the State. He began his ad-
dress with a beautiful allusion to the circumstances which
surrounded him and the hallowed memories which clustered
around the place where he stood, and then graphically intro-
duced his theme, " Conquered Nations." In substance he af-
firmed: While in one sense there is no conqueror but God,
and the hand of God could be traced in all history, yet he pro-
posed to show that the fate of the South had been but the fate
of the whole human family, and that solace and hope may be
gathered from well-nigh every page of the world's history.
That America is the spoil of conquest and the refuge of the
conquered and oppressed, and that the settlers of New Eng-
362 , UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
land, Pennsylvania, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia
were all conquered peoples fleeing from oppression. He then
inquired into the origin of the conquering English, and showed
how they, too, had been conquered, and how the rule of the
Norman conqueror had been " woe to the vanquished." Then
followed a vivid picture of the doings of " Norman carpet-
baggers," and the sportive cruelties and cruel sports of the
conquerors, showing at the same time how this state of things
developed the " English Kuklux," whose existence is verified
by better testimony than that of a partisan congressional com-
mittee. He portrayed the benefits which the Normans brought
to the English, and how Norman and Saxon blood gradually
blended together until " conquered England came to the front
as conqueror." Magna Charta was wrested from the barons,
great ideas of constitutional freedom were generated, and the
conqueror's yoke became at last the triumphal arch of free-
dom. He snowed all nations to be conquered nations, illus-
trating his position by reference to Scotland, Ireland, France,
Spain, Carthage, Rome, Greece, Egypt, Arabia, Asia Minor,
Turkey and Prussia. He drew illustrations from history to
show how frequently the little nations are the conquerors, and
argued that " the survival of the fittest " is the true philosophy
of conquest. He deduced a number of " truths of conquest,"
illustrating and enforcing them by bright historical examples,
showing the results of conquests. He alluded to the results
of our own late war, and the effort to enthral the Southern
mind by partisan conquerors, showing that while the intelligent
master was stricken down, the rude, untaught slave was ele-
vated to the highest places of government. He argued that
physical geography, to a great extent, conquered the South,
the configuration of the continent to a large extent preserving
the unity of the American race. Then he related the great dis-
advantages under which the South went into the war, and de-
clared that the wrath of the tremendous revolution left -no
condition of her people at its close which the beginning found.
Between North and South the war eliminated, annihilated its
cause. What was that cause ? Slavery was the material bone
of contention ; secession was the formula fiction of law adopted
in pleading for its defence. The war ended, but slavery has
departed for evermore, and by the arbitrament of battle seces-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 363
sion was buried with it in a common grave, and there is noth-
ing more to divide us. He further ably argued the duty of
the South in the present crisis, and declared that the South -is
rising up, and emphasized the sentiment — let the gallant South
and generous North rejoice alike that the South is looking up.
" Standing side by side by the bier of the honored dead, let the
North and South alike raise their eyes to the mild and gentle
majesty of true faith; with one voice let them speak faith and
friendship between North and South for evermore — there is
no conqueror but God." At the conclusion of this brilliant
address, Professor Thomas R. Price conferred in a happy
manner the Magazine medal upon Mr. William P. Kent, Va.,
who made an appropriate speech in acknowledgment of the
honor.
Thursday morning — Commencement or Final Day. At 10
o'ck, the entire University contingent and numerous strangers
assembled in the Public Hall for the usual conferring of diplo-
mas and certificates of proficiency, which lasted about two
hours. At night followed the great event to those fond of
the terpsichorean art — Final Ball — which, owing to the near
completion of the museum building, was held there amid many
of the specimens that rested here and there in temporary
position.
Every student this session had great expectation of our
boating crew, for we had followed in a measure the gallant
four in their daily training — that prescribed in the gymnasium,
on the path and at the oar — and felt convinced if honest effort
and well-seasoned muscle meant anything it was soon to have
a creditable manifestation. It was our first attempt at gaining
laurels on the high-sea, and thus knowing our honor bearers
we believed they would bring new distinction to the Univer-
sity. While, as usual, many of our number returned to their
homes several weeks before Commencement, yet the great
majority of those remaining were interested sufficiently in the
cause and crew to accompany the latter to Lynchburg, the
scene of contest. Although an excursion train was scheduled to
leave Charlottesville on Saturday morning, June 3Oth, and re-
turn the same day after the race, many of us preferred to make
the downward trip Friday afternoon on the regular southern
train from Washington, especially as the railroad management
364 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
had side-tracked a couple of cars for such a contingency. Our
party was rather numerous, consisting not only of students but
their lady friends chaperoned by matronly ladies, all grouping
themselves in the cars according to most congenial companion-
ship, fully alive to the fact that it was a lark in support of our
University colors, and that we were to enjoy several days to-
gether at hotels or the homes of mutual friends. Senator and
Mrs. Daniel who had been with us several days, he having
delivered the Joint Address, returned home in our car, and
others were along with sober and settled tastes, but all seemed
in the spirit of youth — possibly through propinquity or the
imbibition of sparkling vivacity — and repressed not in the
slightest the gush of enjoyment. The day was beautiful —
clear and hot — as were those that immediately followed, so in
spite of the pleasures of the hour we all were right glad to
reach, shortly after 4 o'ck, our destination when a refreshing
bath and a change of linen could be indulged. Most of us
stopped at the Norvell House where our University contingent
of boys and girls spent delightfully the two days as one happy
family. The first night and next morning passed too quickly
in visiting, seeing that hilly town's various points of interest
and making arrangements to attend the race in the afternoon.
A canal boat took us up the river about 2 o'ck, to the grand
stand erected on the southern bank near the beginning of the
race course, where we accepted positions of advantage as best
we could. To most of us the view was perfect, the start satis-
factory, and as the crews passed us on the upward lap they
seemed evenly matched, pulling with a firm, steady and de-
liberate stroke — evidently reserving all spurting for the home-
ward stretch. Every one seemed wild with excitement, con-
taining themselves with great difficulty, little conscious of any-
thing save the pending contest and result. The stake was
reached when all eyes watched intently the turning in the dis-
tance— some to say beautifully done, others, a foul — and soon
the prows seemingly advanced side by side, saying apparently,
" all is well," but in reality a far different story, for in turning
the power exerted by our men was so great as to cause one of
the sliding seats to slip its bearings, thereby deadening its oc-
cupant the rest of the course. But onward they came with
this complete breakdown, the remaining three struggling as
Professor John Staige Davis, A.M., M.D., at fifty-two
1824-1885
See page 412
FACING 364
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 365
best they could, frightfully unbalanced — two on one side pull-
ing against one on the other thereby taxing the coxswain and
adding excessive resistance — until near the finish, when, re-
linquishing all hope and effort, they allowed themselves to
come limping along far behind their competitors much to our
audible expressions of mortification and sorrow. For a brief
time we were ignorant of the cause of defeat, believing it a
case of pure exhaustion on the part of our crew and of superior
strength in the winners, but when the truth became known a
sentiment of disgust prevailed, as virtually it was no contest
at all — only a sham combat between the able and disabled, the
afflicted and well. And yet no one censured our contestants
for claiming victory, nor would we have permitted them to
have done otherwise, but what we wanted and expected was
an honest exhibition of training, skill and strength — that
which failed to be realized. " What is one man's meat is
another's poison," so the cause that grieved us delighted the
town-people, consequently we had to accept the situation with
becoming grace and magnanimity. We decorated ourselves
with large and small badges of black mourning, assumed a
more modest and quiet attitude, and entered into the gayeties
offered as though we were the victors. Everything was done
by the citizens of Lynchburg to make our visit pleasant while
our crew by defeat made it all the more memorable. Sunday
morning found us more reconciled to the inevitable and with
a disposition to turn homeward — that which we did shortly
before noon, leaving behind ineffaceable pleasure and regrets.
CHAPTER XIX
PROFESSORS — PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS
The Professors — Mr. Jefferson's high ideal; a noble band of faithful,
painstaking workers, especially interested in industrious students to
whom they extended social courtesies; our appreciation of their
talents and personalities — profound attention and respect in class, etc.
Charles S. Venable — appearance, dress, quick insight of students;
interviews and visits after my University career; his address in Balti-
more. William E. Peters — appearance and characteristics ; great in-
terest in his ambitious students — annoyed by stupid laggards. Last
visit to him, April, 1904.
" You know we have all, from the beginning, considered the
high qualifications of our Professors as the only means by
which we could give to our institution splendor and pre-emi-
nence over all our sister seminaries. The only question, there-
fore, we can ever ask ourselves, as to any candidate, will be,
is he the most highly qualified? The college of Philadelphia
has lost its character of primacy by indulging motives of fav-
oritism and nepotism, and by conferring the appointments as
if the professorships were entrusted to them as provisions for
their friends. And even that of Edinburgh, you know, is
also much lowered from the same cause. We are next to ob-
serve, that a man is not qualified for a Professor knowing
nothing but his own profession. He should be otherwise well
educated as to the sciences generally; able to converse under-
standingly with the scientific men with whom he is associated,
and to assist in the councils of the Faculty on any subject of
science on which they may have occasion to deliberate. With-
out this he will incur their contempt and bring disreputation
on the institution." Thus wrote Mr. Jefferson to Cabell,
February 3, 1824, a year before the University opened.
Passing over the brilliant array that prior to my day held in
hand the destiny of the University, according to this high ideal
of Mr. Jefferson, I approach with a respect most profound that
noble band of faithful teachers I personally found in command
— those that impressed and taught me facts as well as prin-
366
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 367
ciples which have served as useful guides throughout my life.
Yet with this pleasurable task there is associated intuitively a
slight but certain hesitation, since it enforces to a degree an
undue liberty with the personalities of the minority that live,
as well as an inadequate tribute to the majority that sleep.
To both in life such estimation from pupils would no doubt in
a measure prove distasteful, but towards only the helpless, if
need be, should protection be extended. A third of a century
has not effaced in the least their earlier impressions upon the
youth, as to-day they stand out precisely where we left them —
the embodiment of wisdom and knowledge, the students'
exemplar and guide, the possessors of ever helpful and willing
counsel for all those entrusted to their care. Some were
known only during my university life, others have been seen
occasionally at long intervals, gradually growing old as I have
been growing older, but to them all remain in strongest light
the simple personal contact of student days.
The Faculty of that period consisted of fifteen members,
each an active, healthy, enthusiastic and inspiring leader in his
department — all competent masters of the ground they trod.
For it those of other institutions entertained the highest re-
gard and respect, since they recognized it to be composed of
the broadest-typed scholarly men — such as were too mag-
nanimous to be interested in, or laboring for other than the
general good. In the South it was accepted to be the center
of higher thought and knowledge, especially learned and fitted
for training those who were to occupy honorably the leading
professional and professorial positions. This flattering rec-
ognition of our Faculty, be it to its credit, did not cause an
assumption of stately arrogance, but on the contrary rather a
courtly humility — that so well calculated to inspire an abiding
faith in the honest desire to serve others without stint or favor
in the hour of need, and never to abuse knowingly a reposed
confidence. Here truly the comity of interest and intentions
seemed centered and complete, ever void of jar and friction,
in consequence of which, whenever any teaching corps became
depleted by death or resignation, it was chiefly to the Univer-
sity and her well-trained sons that the eyes of those interested
were turned, in the hope of finding a solution in some suitable
personage.
368 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Most of its members were in their forties, several just be-
yond; none youthful, only two or three whom we considered
advanced — a commendable quality in our young eyes, as these,
somehow or another, were accepted to be the most learned and
distinguished teachers — so that as a capable teaching body we
regarded it with scarcely an equal in our land, certainly with-
out a superior. As a fact we recognized that a few of the
higher institutions had one or more equal shining lights, but
we felt convinced of our superior numbers — proud that no
other was so fortunate when considering all departments.
This sentiment was so strong that it made some of us intol-
lerant of others' views which differed from or tended in the
least to make our Faculty suffer by comparison, even though
we bore in mind times when we thought this or that professor
made his exactions and requirements unnecessarily severe, in-
deed, tempered with little mercy. At the same time we be-
lieved that they dispensed to all concerned justice as they saw,
read and interpreted it, and as a result I never heard of any
student upon failing in examination, be it ever so dependent
and vital, visiting the professor of that department for the pur-
pose of giving some elucidation and explanation that might
possibly help his cause, or with even the request of re-reading
the paper, alone or together. No more would this have been
resorted to than would an attorney appeal to a judge after his
rendering an adverse decision. When the lists were posted
from time to time and our names failed to appear we accepted
the situation manfully — without repining, with no reproach to
others and very little censure to ourselves. Under the exist-
ing conditions we knew whether or not we had done our best,
our whole duty towards any given course during the year —
for nothing less would pass us successfully — and generally we
could size up our attainments in the respective subjects suffi-
ciently well to predict final results, consequently placed crit-
icism, if any was needed, exactly where it belonged — upon
self. Even when inclined to accord ourselves passing credit
we did not wish that unless our teachers, after a careful weigh-
ing in the balance, adjudged us thoroughly deserving. For
what was a diploma without its sine qua non — knowledge —
except a lamentable mockery, a deception upon its face — that
for which we had little tolerance, and from which we were
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 369
struggling to make an honest escape. Among us there was
not the slightest disgrace attached to failing, because sooner or
later the majority did this somewhere along the line and ac-
cepted it simply as indicating deficient knowledge in the partic-
ular department — the need of adding more thereto by taking
it over. Nothing savoring of unfairness was ever ascribed
to the professors, as we considered them nearly infallible, in-
capable of doing any one of us a wrong, the impartial censors
and judges in assigning indisputable ratings, and whether we
passed or failed there was manifest rarely any dissatisfaction,
far less resentment, on the part of the students, while the pro-
fessors faced their decisions manfully, yet sorrowfully in our
temporary misfortune — which they considered small and cap-
able of easy correction in a subsequent year, possibly redound-
ing to an ultimate good.
No doubt every one is made a stronger individual by an
occasional adversity, experiences from misdirected effort, as
they usually teach a wholesome lesson that otherwise would
remain untaught — to be alert in anticipating and avoiding pit-
falls through the exercise of our best energies at the right
time. While the smooth and level road ever continuous, brings
passive satisfaction ending in ennui; yet the rugged and
slightly used leaves a more permanent mental impression and
better circulation upon those needing physical development.
If students along with all humanity would accept the good that
a failure holds out they would not look at it askant — with a
certain degree of despondency, possibly an irreparable loss.
Fortunately most of us made the best of accidental failure —
considering it a happy warning against laziness and the under-
taking of too much in a given time — and never in the least was
intimidated by it in completing our proposed university course
or in striving for success in the more strenuous walks of life.
The professors accepted us socially on a common footing
through direct or indirect acquaintance, personal letters, cor-
rect deportment, inferred kindly nature or class standing, and
whenever we called at their homes any slight embarrassment
on our part was quickly relieved by them laughingly engaging
conversation upon some subject having a common or local in-
terest. While they inclined to keep class burdens apart from
such occasions, yet sometimes reference was made to them but
370 . UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
always with added words of counsel and encouragement. At
evenings when time afforded, and that was seldom, we visited
their wives, daughters and such lady friends from a distance
as were being entertained by them for one or more weeks —
there always being a few of these domiciled somewhere within
the University precinct. Some time during these two-hour
calls the professor would make his appearance, at least for a
short spell, and thereafter excuse himself on the plea of having
work and troubles of his own to solve. This tended to make
us regard the professors just as we did other human beings of
phenomenal talents and educational position — not with a de-
gree of austereness or frigidity so calculated to interrupt that
feeling of confidence and reliance absolutely essential for the
students' best advancement. In the class-room much of the
same goodly feeling existed, although both the teacher and the
taught fully realized this to be a thoroughly business place.
In the languages, laboratories and mathematics contact with
the professors was most intimate, as during each recitation and
experimental session many of the studious members were
singled out to make difficult explanations. In the sciences
where theories were taught by lectures as well as by personal
experiments the atmosphere was more formal. Those un-
familiar with the existing conditions could scarcely imagine
the attention and respect accorded at all times when under
instruction — nothing less than that so universal in churches
on the Sabbath. Rarely was a whisper or a noisy movement
heard during the entire class-period, even the assembling and
dissembling was conducted with perfect order and dignity.
We sat through lectures as though spellbound, and when some-
one thoughtlessly punctuated the nearing end with a deep
respiration it met with disapproval and served to interrupt
very little the undivided attention of the many. Every one
was the busiest individual unto himself, catching and recording
into note-books the professor's thoughts and explanations, and
for the best accomplishment of this the strictest silence had to
reign. A more faithful set of note-takers never existed, as
each student considered it necessary to record every fact
enunciated by the professors and strove to acquire a degree of
proficiency as early as possible. Those writing well and fast
did so with pen and ink direct into strongly bound note-books
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 371
of stereotyped size, nine by twelve inches and containing 2-4-6
quires of good quality ruled paper, while those less fortunate
took down in class with pencil, as best they could, into cheaper
and smaller books, and shortly afterwards made therefrom in
their rooms a pen and ink copy into the better style of books,
adding such matter as memory correctly carried.
A good note-taker was usually popular as his talents pro-
duced worthy products — books in demand by class-mates bor-
rowing them for either comparison or absolute copying — and
while every one was careful not to abuse this privilege, lest he
be considered an impostor or bore — short of the gentleman —
yet it was availed of especially by those missing an occasional
lecture through sickness or unavoidable detention elsewhere.
The necessity of note-books and rapid note-taking grew out
of the fact that few of the professors in those days were
authors of text-books, and when recommending those written
by others — chiefly Englishmen — so added to, changed or de-
parted from the contents as often to challenge recognition.
As a result we soon learned that the professors stood masters
of knowledge in their departments, imparting in class most of
the essential material for graduation, and were not slow in
realizing the necessity of possessing this in some tangible form
for future reference — to lessen the bitter sting of preparing
for examinations. It was no wonder, therefore, that we came
to place the greatest confidence in a complete set of notes —
not those taken by others in previous years but those having
the spark of one's own vitality through self-compilation from
lectures individually attended. Indeed, one's ability to record
acceptable notes brought a kind of assurance, comfort and reli-
ance in ultimate success at examinations and consequently in
graduating in the departments desired.
The professors recognized obviously that while text-books
told the truth they did not always tell the whole truth, and it
was the few last drops of the cocoanut-milk they often consid-
ered so important for their students — an attitude very laudable
to assume but one quite susceptible of over-indulgement. Most
of them were thoroughly zealous in furthering the mental
development and progress of their students, resorting to many
extremes to stimulate, encourage and elicit co-operation. I
remember one day answering " Unprepared " when called upon
372 • ; UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
by Professor Peters to recite, whereupon his whole manner
visibly changed — as though he had another grief to bear — and
as the bell rang out the hour he boldly announced his desire to
see me. As the others filed down the center aisle I marched
up to his desk at the window on the platform, whereupon he
expressed sorrow and inquired the cause of my lack of prepara-
tion. Upon telling him a forced absence from the University
the previous day had prevented me giving that hour's subjects
proper study and expressing a willingness to stand chances
of being called upon with negative results rather than miss the
lecture, he became somewhat reconciled but did not omit the
concluding appeal — try and not let it occur again — which I ac-
cepted as a partial command and knew better than to violate
provided I wished to retain his favorable opinion.
The chief thing needed in any student was to evince signs
of comprehension — desire to learn — then one could rest as-
sured of suffering nowhere any neglect. The professors, how-
ever, were only human and naturally lost patience sometimes
in their efforts at well-doing, because there were always a few
drones ; some indeed delighting more in social than in student
life as they regarded the literary atmosphere and association
a compensating return for time expended ; others starting out
brilliantly — studiously — would gradually become tired and dis-
couraged only to lapse into innocuous desuetude, while others
would be handicapped seriously by weeks of sickness. All
such were looked after faithfully, with the same persistent
care, until the student's indifference was recognized as inten-
tionally wanton, when the professors' interest would wane, re-
sulting in a seldom call for recitation — an easy escape all
around from embarrassment — but never omitted from roll-call
as this gave a record of attendance, that which was imperative
in order to avoid a request for withdrawal or final expulsion.
The professors' individual characters, sincere, honest pur-
pose, interest in us and what they taught, their daily lives as
gleaned from continued intercourse and observation, engen-
dered, as it should, a kind of magnetism in us, an ambition to-
wards emulation — that which we felt near impossible to realize
in its fullness, but even in a partial degree a most worthy
possession. I sometimes question, which in a university train-
ing counts for more — the restricted learning from the educa-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 373
tional lectures and books, or the more liberal learning, culture,
from the educational society and atmosphere? When both
are of the highest type it is by no means certain which conduces
towards better development or claims the strongest gratitude.
It is easy enough to possess the best text-books — those com-
piled by most knowing, practical and conscientious scholars,
but it is far more difficult to find the most ennobling manhood
in professors, subjects as they are to worldly temptation and
vice, from whom the impressive example must emanate for in-
spiring the young towards good or evil. Those at the Univer-
sity in the seventies could well boast of a professorial associa-
tion of unusual distinction, morally and intellectually, for they
certainly so let their light shine that it continues yet to illumine
the pathway of thousands, who without that personal contact,
influence and inspiration would now be stumbling half blindly
or grappling slowly in the dark.
*
CHARLES SCOTT VENABLE — This kind paternal gentleman
was the first professor I met upon reaching the University —
he being the head of the mathematical department and Chair-
man of the Faculty — an incident to which sufficient allusion
has already been made. From his serious, thoughtful and re-
flective bearing he appeared to me at least fifty years of age,
although that mile-stone was not passed until my last session,
April 19, 1877. He was the only member of the Faculty
that inclined to be corpulent, but this was not to the extent
of interfering in any way with his active disposition or
physical demands. He had practically a height of six feet
and a weight of two hundred and twenty pounds, being built
strongly and compactly — broad thick shoulders, deep full chest,
slightly protruding abdomen, well-developed extremities;
rather large face of the roundish type covered mostly with
heavy brownish-black beard and moustache, the former worn
after the style, but slightly longer, of our then President, Gen-
eral Grant. His head was well-proportioned and covered
with a fine suit of brownish-black hair at times allowed a
trifle long; forehead broad and bold; nose shapely and of
proper size; eyes bright, clear and bluish; voice deep but a
little thickish, yet penetrating and sonorous; manners easy,
affable, genial and sunshiny — filled with smiles and audible
374 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
laughter when occasion demanded, the kind indicating thor-
ough enjoyment, that which no one can ever forget having
experienced its ring and heartiness; step firm, rather quick
and elastic, serving well to cover distance speedily. He was
easy of approach, seemingly appealed for recognition from
even the stranger, and yet never lost a manly, dignified and
inspiring address. He was a little careless or non-conventional
in dress, wearing usually sack coats, turned-down collars,
simple-tied black cravats, broad-toed roomy shoes, broad-
brimmed felt or straw hats — I do not remember ever seeing
him in a derby or tile — but his linen was always immaculate.
He was generous with his knowledge, delighting to impart it
to the earnest and needy in and out of season; he was a free-
giver at all times of wholesome advice, such as benefited alike
the student, the friend, the stranger; he was keenly sensitive
and considerate for the deficiencies of others, never repri-
manding so as to wound feelings; he read quickly human
nature and character, so that it was not difficult for him to
gage by short contact the caliber of those he taught — a quality
of advantage to him and a blessing to his students when as-
signing problems to any half-dozen of them at the black-
boards, as here the contingent that possessed inferential and
deductive minds had to pay the penalty of superior endow-
ments by receiving from him theorems and riders taxing their
utmost capacity, while the less favored by nature were given
usually something from the text, wherein partial or complete
solutions could be found. This intuition frequently converted
a " cork " into a " curl," produced untold satisfaction, stim-
ulated the sluggish to work as best they could — but never to
graduate — and in all prevented signs of discouragement. Al-
though recognizing thoroughly that many had very ordinary
mathematical minds, he chided them not in the least for that,
nor thought less of them so long as they were good at some-
thing else — for of their general record, especially while Chair-
man, he kept well advised. I was only under him my first
year, but he never lost sight of me or my work. Indeed, his
relative, Carrington, who boarded with him and became one
of my intimate friends, conveyed now and then throughout
my second year pleasant tidings — his delight at seeing my
very satisfactory progress in Latin, etc., as gleaned, I inferred,
Professor James L,. Cabell, LI/.D., at sixty-one
1813-1889
See pane 416
FACING 374
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 375
from the monthly reports passing under his inspection. In
class-room, second floor of Rotunda, to the left (west), Pro-
fessor Venable was always quiet and meditative, never excited
or irritated. The first few lectures after his wife's death
were conducted by his assistant, Mr. Thornton, but thereafter
he appeared regularly, more or less depressed — visibly en-
deavoring to conceal beyond recognition his mental troubles.
He kept himself busy and also those under him, and never
hesitated to tell us the necessity of putting more work upon
that in which he found weakness — always in a spirit of kind-
ness, however, far from any dogmatic edicts.
At his home on Monroe Hill he extended to all visitors that
simple and sincere hospitality so characteristic of his generous"
nature. On the highway and elsewhere he passed no one
without giving signs of recognition, usually calling your name
distinctly without hesitation, often with a halt, shake of the
hand and the inquiry: How are you getting along with your
work? I shall never forget witnessing as we all stood that
disagreeable afternoon by the side of his first wife's grave, at
a moment of most trying mental anguish and torture to him,
a manifestation of that never failing fatherly tenderness, when,
with a daughter cuddled under each arm, the son, Frank, oc-
cupying next position, he slowly lifted the younger from the
wet muddy earth and placed her little feet upon the arch of his
goodly proportioned right foot, there to remain standing
through the interment service, thus removing her as far as
within his power from the ravages of exposure. And so he
lived — ever thoughtful of his own, never thoughtless of others.
Much to all the students' regret he resigned the Chairman-
ship of the Faculty at the end of my first session, June, 1873;
consequently on Commencement Day, July 3rd, when confer-
ring the last few diplomas the Hall resounded his name from
many voices, and true to the call he stepped forward and gave
among others these inspiring sentences : " I sincerely hope
that these laurels may never fade, and that you graduates will
not strive alone to write on your banners that low idea, ' Suc-
cess in life,' but will go forth with truth, honor and duty writ-
ten on your flags and in your hearts, having as one motive in
life to walk the path of truth, and the one guiding star to direct
you through life and to the port of peace. In laying aside the
376 i UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
office of Chairman of the Faculty I desire to thank the students
for the high sense of honor they have shown for me, and for
their courteous bearing in all their intercourse with me, and
I can do no more than express the perfect confidence that you
will extend the same in your future relationship with my hon-
ored colleague, Dr. James F. Harrison, who is to be my suc-
cessor. I can say in no formal way, but from the heart,
' Farewell, God bless you.' '
We all felt it was chiefly the declining health of his wife
that necessitated this resignation, and hoped for his speedy
return to the helm of the University — that which he did, but
only for two years, a decade later.
After completing my University course, still retaining
friendly relationship with a number of students, clubmates
and families within the University circle, I returned to the
Commencements of 1879 and 1881, and then enjoyed talks
with various members of the Faculty, including Professor
Venable. In 1888 he spent several days in Baltimore, stop-
ping with his life-long friend and war-time companion, Colonel
Charles Marshall. The occasion of this visit was to deliver
the annual address before " The Maryland Line " — those hav-
ing been in the Confederate service — which took place at the
Lyceum Theater, in the presence of a large and deeply inter-
ested audience. In preparation and delivery I did not think
Professor Venable reflected laudable credit upon himself, as
he recalled now and then the precise position and doings of
certain commands, which must have left in the minds of some
a little uncertainness in events and facts as even related by an
eye witness. Indeed, was convincing that the lapse of twenty
years suffice to efface mental accuracy of details unless they
are studied over, worked out and reduced to definite writing.
At that reunion General Wade Hampton and Hon. C. R.
Breckinridge were present, while General Bradley T. Johns-
ton introduced Colonel Venable as a member of General Lee's
staff at the surrender of Appomattox, and at the then present
a professor in the University of Virginia, therefore eminently
fitted for the subject he was to discuss, " From Appomattox
to Petersburg," the story of the last days of the war. Colonel
Venable reviewed at length the situation of the two contend-
ing armies during that final week — Grant having one hundred
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 377
and sixty thousand men against Lee's thirty-nine thousand —
and then continued : " Lee looked to a junction with Johns-
ton across the Roanoke and tried to make preparations for
leaving the lines, either by being forced or to join Johnston
and strike a blow at Sherman. But sad to relate the desertions
to our army averaged one hundred a day — all brave men, yet
without sufficient devotion to keep them at the front under
such existing conditions. Lee even then said : ' If the people
were in earnest they might yet win/ Then came the necessary
retreat from Richmond and Petersburg along the south and
north banks of the Appomattox ; the misfortune of the wagon
train falling into the hands of the enemy, but happily rescued
by Fitz. Lee's cavalry in the handsomest saber fight of the
war; the disaster of Sailor's creek, where we found ourselves
without artillery to answer artillery, ours by mistake having
been allowed to pass along, for which we reaped untold criti-
cism. But it was a question of minutes and not of hours.
When such men as Ewell, Kershaw and a Lee surrendered,
the time for surrender had come. It was Lee's endeavor to
reach Farmville thus bringing the troops to the Cumberland
hills, but failing to burn the bridge across the Appomattox
after passing over it allowed the enemy to seize and use it to
our disadvantage in reaching Appomattox Court House. On-
ward we marched to Lynchburg, where was found in its de-
fence three or four batteries of artillery. There we may say
was the last battle of the Army of Northern Virginia. The
men immortalized themselves, but were overwhelmed, sup-
pressed by numbers. Lee slept that night on a hill a mile from
Appomattox Court House, and asked me for a light by which
to read Grant's letter from Farmville. I was shocked. I
thought no one would have dared to ask the surrender of
that army. I went off to sleep and I am glad I was not at
the council of war. I will give one or two pictures to illus-
trate the grand character of our commander. He said : ' I
must go to see Grant, but I would rather die a thousand
deaths.' He was thoughtful of others in the midst of the great
disaster. He told me to get my parole and go home to my
family, and send word to President Davis. He knew that the
Confederacy consisted of his army and that of Johnston's,
and that there was no Confederacy if they could not be united.
378 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Then came the thought of home and family, of the children
who did not know you, of the wife left behind so long, the
idea that there would be peace; we went home. There was
peace, but in it a great deal of bad blood and bayonets. It
was such a peace as one brother having another by the throat
and lecturing him. We went home to obey Lee. After a
lapse of a quarter of a century I hope another peace is com-
ing."
My last interview with Professor Venable was in Septem-
ber, 1894, when my wife and self called at his University
home, fourth pavilion from the Rotunda, East Lawn, occupied
in my day by Dr. John Staige Davis. Here we had a very
pleasant hour's talk upon University matters, educational sub-
jects and portions of his service in the war — the latter being
near and dear to him, and equally interesting to me, as it in-
cluded personal experiences and characteristics of his great
commander, General Lee. His mind, however, reverted sev-
eral times to his physical infirmities and decline, especially that
of one eye, whose sight was much impared owing solely, he
thought, to wartime exposure. This he pathetically affirmed,
defied all medical treatment and would in all probability neces-
sitate in the near future his retirement from active service as
a teacher. While his stately form and outline had changed
little by time, except in visible wrinkles and silvered strands,
yet it was sad to realize that powerful physique and frame
weakening under the ravages of years and pain — that beyond
which he realized the help of fellow man was without avail.
With it all, however, he still remained that same sincere, genial
gentleman, safe and wise counselor as of former years — quali-
ties that endeared him to every student and entitled them to
use with profound respect the sobriquet, " Old Ven," or with
more dignity and frequency, " Colonel Venable." Every
student knew his military record and delighted during social
visits to hear his vivid descriptions of various encounters and
personages. He, however, was no idle talker — simply for
amusement — but thought seriously and expressed himself de-
liberately with justice and mercy to all. He died August n,
1901, and was buried in the University Cemetery.
WILLIAM ELISHA PETERS — I was only at the University
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 379
three days before meeting Colonel Peters — called more gen-
erally but affectionately " Old Pete " — in his Latin classroom,
second floor of the Rotunda to the right, opposite that used
for mathematics. The first hour's contact sufficed to convince
me of his seriousness — a thorough painstaking teacher tol-
erating nothing in class except business. Although then only
forty-three years of age he certainly seemed to me more than
middle-aged. His height was about five feet ten inches and
weight one hundred and fifty-five pounds; walk erect and
graceful with a quick easy step ; eyes dark and penetrating, of
normal size; hair, moustache and beard jet black; voice mild,
clear, a little thin; nose of good size and proportion; fore-
head rather broad and full. He saw the mirthful and ludi-
crous side as evidenced by an occasional smile or subdued
laugh which never ventured into absolute heartiness. He was
partial to plain simple dress, but his small shapely feet were
clothed always in neatly fitting shoes, which in winter might
be considered thin, certainly affording much less protection
than those worn by most of us students. I never saw him
wear rubbers, that which became a necessity to most of us.
His manner was always quiet, thoughtful and reflective, but
in class he did not hesitate to reprimand in a few poignant
words whenever he considered them deserved and likely to do
good. I distinctly remember the first gibing shaft sent in my
direction the second or third week, when asking me some rule
in grammar I concluded my supposed correct answer with the
words — and so forth — whereupon he quickly retorted : It may
be the and so forth, but it certainly is not the rest you have
said. He was a very literal but beautiful translator of Latin,
rendering it, owing to his perfect knowledge of linguistic
equivalents, absolutely smooth and satisfactory without the
necessity of any additional English words. Nothing provoked
him more than slovenly translation, and explaining one's self
with the subterfuge of certain words being understood incited
his disgust, sometimes with the reminder, "you understand
nothing in Latin." When any such blunder was perpetrated,
he with a positive air of disapproval would quietly say : " That
will do, sir," and immediately call on him for the case, tense
or point of grammar with which liberty had unnecessarily been
taken, thereby disconcerting the individual and making a last-
380 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
ing object lesson to the entire class. In exercises he was
equally exacting, if possible more so, not allowing the slightest
paraphrasing of his English, which was not always the best,
even though the same sense and sentiment were preserved.
He wrote for a certain construction and point of syntax to be
covered and nothing short of that would satisfy him. The
wrong use of the infinitive, subjunctive, fore ut, etc., in the
final examination was accepted by us as fatal to graduation.
No one who came under him can fail to recall his unyielding
precision, and when discussing our exercises (composition)
how he would throw his right hand around to what he had just
written on the black-board as the best possible form, saying
with his characteristic smile, " But gentlemen, this is the
Latin ! " Nor can we forget the promiscuous use of that long
pointer, and the abundant material he would write daily upon
the black-board for us to copy — that which we did as reli-
giously as take our daily food, both being absolutely essential
to live and master the course. The task of note-taking, how-
ever, was spared the seniors my second year, when for the first
time these notes were printed. This was done in Charlottes-
ville, and each week, although the printers occasionally disap-
pointed, a single folder of four pages — the two first numbers
being of smaller size — was given to the class. Of these there
were thirty-one numbers, each bearing the same title, " Senior
Latin Class. Outline of Lectures," along with its specific
number. Unfortunately they contained many errors, owing
to the poorly formed letters of the Professor and imperfect
proof-reading, so that a little of each hour was consumed in
making necessary corrections of the part discussed and cov-
ered. Later these " Notes " were published in a more credit-
able form under the editorial management of Professor W.
Gordon McCabe, Petersburg, Virginia.
Somehow or another Professor Peters was always very
friendly to me, and my monthly reports sent to parents, yet
preserved, contained usually such pleasant remarks as : " Do-
ing well. Doing very well. Has much improved. A faithful
student and is improving. A fine student, improving rapidly.
Improving rapidly, is a fine student, etc." He, however, had
little use for those who did not try to stand well with him, and
very seldom called on such after knowing their short-comings.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 381
He had always abundant good material in the classes to answer
promptly and correctly, in whom he took the greatest pride —
a sentiment he could not avoid showing by kind and gentle
expressions of satisfaction in and out of class. As a teacher
he was ever ready to help those who would help themselves,
but there it ended. When sick in the Infirmary for a few or
more days he invariably came to see me, sometimes more than
once, and after his second marriage whatever general functions
were given by his good wife I received formal invitation.
During my first year he roomed at Professor Smith's, but
in the summer of 1873 he married a sister of his first wife,
Miss Mary Sheffey, and thereafter occupied the McGuffey
pavilion, last .or fifth from the Rotunda, West Lawn, where
he remained up to a short time of his death. At the little
office, south side of his home, I used to call whenever his
subject gave serious trouble, and there I invariably found him
most willing to supply needed help. Sometimes he would in-
troduce irrelevant subjects in order, I dare say, to draw from
me whatever information or ideas I happened to possess per-
tinent thereto ; again he would simply inquire : " Is there no
other point you wish cleared?" If I should say no, he would
arise and impress the desire of my calling whenever in need of
assistance. This I accepted to imply — he was busy — that
I must extend thanks and bid adieu. I frequently found him
correcting exercises with a liberal use of red ink — a duty that
consumed not a little of his time, but one against which I
never heard him utter a complaint, for he considered that a
part of his work and conscientiously performed it. My last
visit to him was on the afternoon of April 15, 1904, about a
year after he had retired from teaching. I found him pacing
the pavement south of his home, as was his custom so to use
his side of the triangle in my student-day, and after introduc-
ing myself he at once insisted upon me spending an hour with
him in the sitting room — that nearest the Rotunda — and there
in the face of a dying open fire, for it was rather warm and
sunny without, we talked pleasantly on various matters. His
wife was quite sick and he more or less apprehensive for her
recovery, but he would not listen to a shorter stay. He was
very solicitous of the University's future, as it so badly needed
money, and thought possibly that some Baltimoreans might
382 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
reach Mr. Morgan through his associate Mr. Charles Steele,
one of our distinguished graduates. We discussed the part
played by the University towards higher education; the great
men she had sent forth in various avenues, when he concluded
that such representatives as Hunter, Dabney and Broadus
were sufficient lights to establish forever a creditable record.
I referred to the strong Faculty I found at the University upon
entering, affirming it " hard to beat," to which he gave a
hearty assent. He alluded to his fondness for Gildersleeve,
and to the separation being a blow from which he had never
recovered — " for we were so congenial." " I would rather have
given him five hundred dollars a year, yes a thousand, from
my own salary than to have seen him leave us. I offered to
take the revenue from our two chairs and divide it equally
between us, but he would not listen to that — he seemed pos-
sessed to go. I wonder if he is really as well satisfied or
better off by the change. I doubt it." I distinctly remember
at the time (1876) hearing that Professor Peters used all
known persuasion to retain Professor Gildersleeve, such as
loyalty to the South and her great University, the urgent
need therein of the very best classical scholars, and that per-
sonally the only way he would forsake the University would
be as a dead body — an assertion afterwards verified. He also
inquired affectionately after Professor Garnett, expressing re-
gret at seeing him go from the University. He enjoyed not
a little my repeating the conversation that took place in the
Museum a few years before, when my wife and self were mak-
ing a somewhat close inspection of certain specimens, and the
janitor noticing the unusual interest came forth and inquired:
" Is you a graduate in dis department ? " Upon my answering
yes, he asked : " How long ago ? " And when I replied about
twenty years, he indifferently remarked : " It was nuffin
den." In reciting this circumstance to the Professor, I
queried : " Of course this implication holds good in all depart-
ments— that the requirements for graduation in my day and
generation were nothing compared with those of the present! "
He smiled, and ridiculed the idea, saying : " I assigned the
same sets of parallel my last ten as I did my first ten years,
and my course after the first five years has always been prac-
tically the same." During our student days we were ac-
Professor James F. Harrison, M.D., at sixty
1815-1896
See page 420
FACING 382
. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 383
quainted thoroughly with his brave war record, from which
he was called occasionally " Fighting Pete," and above all
wondered at and repeated often the Chambersburg incident —
when ordered by his superior officer to burn the town, posi-
tively refused on the ground : " He was not in the war to de-
stroy the homes of helpless women and children," an act of
disobedience approved by General Lee.
Professor Peters died of pneumonia at the University,
March 22, 1906, and was buried at Marion, Va. Of his death
The Sun (Baltimore) had the following editorial : "A
Soldier and Educator. — The death of Colonel Peters, emeritus
professor of Latin in the University of Virginia, will be re-
gretted by his large circle of friends, particularly by the
thousands of former pupils who are scattered throughout the
world. A teacher of unusual excellence, earnestness, Pro-
fessor Peters spared no pains to interest students in Latin and
was very successful. Extra hours and extra lectures were
given without stint to those who wished to make good their
shortcomings in his specialty. During the Civil War he was
similarly indefatigable, leaving his professorship in Emory and
Henry College for the tented field. Entering the army, as a
private, he rose to the rank of colonel of infantry and later had
command of the Twenty-first Regiment of Virginia Cavalry.
He was thrice wounded and once left on the field for dead.
But his vigorous constitution, fortified by years of active cam-
paigning, pulled him through, and he survived to do thirty-
six years of splendid work in one of the first educational in-
stitutions in the land. As an educator and as a soldier he
held a deservedly high place in the esteem of his contempo-
raries."
CHAPTER XX
PROFESSORS — PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS
Francis Henry Smith, characteristics, accomplishments and popularity;
loyal to his teacher and predecessor, William B. Rogers — sketch of
latter. Maximilian Schele De Vere, characteristics and popularity;
students' pranks ; last visit to him, 1894 ; his semi-centennial ; value
as an American scholar. Basil Lanneau Gildersleeve, characteristics
and traits ; war incidents ; class-room diversions ; regret at his leaving
the University; personal letters, etc.
FRANCIS HENRY SMITH — It was my privilege to receive
two years of instruction from this gentleman, a period suffi-
cient to observe and study his delightful personality. No
one could come in contact with him, for ever so short a time,
without favorable impressions, such as implied manly instincts,
moral rectitude and sincereness of purpose — the true Christian
character. And as the acquaintance became more extended
and intimate these traits appeared manifestly a part of his real
nature. He was only forty-three years of age, but, in spite
of a smooth clerical face, seemed considerably older — pos-
sibly from his quiet serious bearing and kind gentle manners.
He was already the father of a half-dozen children, some about
grown, others very small, and the health of his wife, frail,
petite and highly cultured — a daughter of Gessner Harrison —
had given him some concern. As " into each life some rain
must fall," his had been no exception, but he passed afong
life's journey with smiles that frequently broke into audible
laughter. His stature was of the smaller type— about five feet
seven inches high and one hundred and fifty pounds in weight ;
face without beard revealing a clear healthy complexion and
a gentle refined expression; forehead high and broad; nose,
upper lip and lower jaw strong, more or less positive; eyes
bright, bluish and of good size; step quick, firm and elastic.
He possessed a beautiful flow of language and a voice that was
clear, musical, sonorous with volume and power — qualities
that made him an exceptional conversationalist, an attractive
and engaging speaker. He had a heavy suit of dark-brown
384
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 385
hair, frequently worn long, which with his benign countenance
suggested the ministerial cloth. He was careful to be clean-
shaven and well-dressed, often lecturing in a frock coat and
on the street with a silk hat. I think beyond doubt he was the
most oratorical and polished lecturer then at the University,
an impression not only shared by the majority of us, but of
assured outside recognition to attract frequently to his lec-
tures strangers and former students upon return visits. The se-
cret of this high distinction lay in natural gift of voice, phrase-
ology, ready impressive convincing manner, facial expression
and a masterly knowledge of his subjects — not upon scraps of
paper or manuscript, but at tongue's end. At times he wrote
syllabi on the blackboard, incidentally working therefrom,
but such were chiefly for the students' benefit — in a measure
taking the place of text-books — as he himself never followed
them strictly. Then again his subjects appealed to most per-
sons, being susceptible of great or small possibilities accord-
ing into whose hands they fell for treatment and he fortunately
was capable of making much out of them. He was void of
sarcasm, resentment, vindictiveness and that element ungen-
erously used by some persons in trying to appear brilliant —
especially at another's expense. Be conditions and attitude
what they may he never lost his dominant individuality and
nature — the gentleman ; nor did he ever try purposely to em-
barrass students, although this was accomplished in no un-
certain way by his searching and intricate method of class in-
terrogation— that which was accepted by us to be in the line
of gaining most knowledge in his departments, and by him a
moral duty even though at the expense of our personal dis-
comfort. His class-room was immediately under the rear half
of the Public Hall, the space under the first half being divided
in the center by a six-foot hall-way, having on the left (west
side) his laboratory and apparatus room and on the right (east
side) Professor Minor's lecture room. Here he knew no dis-
tinction of personages, as every one of us was subjected prac-
tically to the same trials and tasks. When calling at his
home, third pavilion from the Rotunda, West Lawn, he was
affable, agreeable and seemingly with abundant time at our
disposal. Upon the highway he never passed by us without
a bow and smile, and if need be made a halt for a pleasant ex-
386 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
change of words. Thus under all circumstances he was ur-
bane, kind, considerate, helpful and cheerful, disliked by none,
liked by all — characteristics that went far towards encourag-
ing and benefiting those with whom he came in contact. We
gave him no nickname, as might have readily been coined —
" Old Frank " or " Old Smith " — but spoke of him always as
" Professor Smith " or " Professor Frank Smith." He was a
close and persistent reader with a quick retentive mind, from
which little escaped having value; his powers of observation,
inference and deduction were well cultivated and accurate.
The ridiculous and serious alike appealed to him — for his
liberal caliber accepted all conditions philosophically, those re-
garded necessary for a full development of manly character.
Although his duties were many, having little time for other
than preparing and making ready class experiments and lec-
tures, yet he was also a good resourceful citizen to his com-
munity and State, serving both well when occasion called.
He could become so absorbed in thought as to lose sight of
immediate surroundings, and possessed, therefore, that power
of concentration accepted by some psychologists as belonging
alone to great men. During the hour before lecture, especially
towards its latter portion, while the class gradually assembled,
I have often seen him so thoroughly absorbed in the prepara-
tion of apparatus and syllabus that he was lost apparently to
the outside world. He might happen to see one of us enter,
but the sight was semiconscious, as he seemed almost possessed
by a charm or spell, and even though his attention be diverted
by one of us approaching to ask a question, yet he did not re-
linquish himself entirely from the serious condition until the
lecture was over. It was during such a mental halo that we
always expected beautiful expressions and descriptions in En-
glish— masterly oratorical efforts — and usually there was no
disappointment. He was an ardent admirer of Newton, occa-
sionally speaking of his genius in brilliant and glowing terms
— once I distinctly remember his concluding words to have
been Pope's beautiful tribute :
" Let darkness prevail over mind and night ;
God said let Newton be, then all was light.
Such bright lights as Leplas, Lavoicier, Cavendish, Kepler,
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 387
Galileo, Descartes, Davy, Franklin, Agassiz, Dana, LeConte,
Lyell, Fraunhofer, Thomsen, and scores of others in turn came
in for a song of praise. Happily he had enjoyed for years
a close intimacy with his gifted teacher and predecessor,
William B. Rogers, whose life had been to him an inspiration
and worthy of emulation — that which he strove manfully to
approach, if not to equal. Consequently of his own country-
men none received such frequent mention or more loyal rec-
ognition of gratitude, and inasmuch as no member of the
University Faculty, past or present, has ever enjoyed such
prominence in the scientific world and had such close fellow-
ship with men of letters throughout our country, it may be
pardonable to give a few incidents pertinent to this great
teacher. Professor William B. Rogers in August, 1835, then
thirty-one years of age, was called to the chair of Natural
Philosophy in the University. During the preceding seven
years he had presided over the same department, including
chemistry, at William and Mary College, where at an earlier
period his father had been professor many years, and where
he himself along with three brothers were educated — all to
become distinguished teachers and scientists. Owing to the
malarial climate of Williamsburg Professor Rogers regularly
spent vacations at remote points and continued so to do while
connected with the University. Here he became much inter-
ested in geology, and with his brother Henry made many
summer expeditions in the Appalachian region, recording re-
sults in numerous original contributions that caused his name
to be well known then throughout the scientific world. His
natural gifts as a speaker, beautiful control of thought and
expression, and unusual attainments in everything educational
brought him in strong favor with American men of letters,
especially members of the " Association of Geologists and
Naturalists," whose annual meetings he attended and there
usually enunciated something new and interesting. Thus he
became intimate with Longfellow, Lowell, Agassiz, Sumner,
Phillips, Pierce, Gray, Wayland, Silliman, Everett, Murchison,
Lyell, Sedgwick, Darwin, Huxley, Tyndall, Faraday, Parker,
Owen, Bailey, Henry, and dozens of others who spent their
summers more or less together in congenial latitudes. His
vacation of 1845 was passed for the most part in the White
388 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Mountains in company with his brother Henry, and on the
latter part of the journey they became fellow travelers with the
family of Mr. James Savage of Boston, in whose eldest
daughter, Emma, Professor Rogers became much interested,
and finally married, June 20, 1849. His acknowledged ability
and popularity caused invitations to lecture before many large
educational bodies, including the Mercantile Library Asso-
ciation, Lowell Institute, Smithsonian Institute, etc., while
other universities endeavore'd to possess him by tempting
offers. Such a large typed man of diversified knowledge,
family ties and scholarly associates could hardly be expected
to remain indefinitely outside of a great metropolis or city-
center. Indeed, as early as 1846 he and his brother Henry
conceived the idea of establishing a Polytechnic Institute in
Boston, fashioned somewhat after the University of Virginia,
and even the year before Henry took up residence in that city.
Professor Rogers' frequent visits North convinced him of the
need and possibility of such an institution, and that coupled
with Henry's assurance, along with a desire to be with him and
other mutual social scientific friends, actuated a serious deter-
mination to resign his professorship at the University — that
which he did several times, but finally with effect in the spring
of 1853,' thence going directly to Boston. Although a few
years later Henry was chosen professor in the University of
Glasgow, Professor Rogers pushed forward his favorite
scheme with indomitable energy until he succeeded — Jeffer-
son-like— in founding the Massachusetts Institute of Tech-
nology, becoming its first president, April 19, 1862.
While Professor Rogers retained a fondness for the Uni-
versity, where he spent eighteen very active years, and con-
tinued to hold a strong liking for Southern people, yet at the
outbreak of the Civl War he took a decided stand against
slavery. Thus in relation to the John Brown episode he
wrote : " The conduct of Wise has been I think weak and
absurd; the course of the Court of Appeals harsh if not in-
iquitous." This antislavery sentiment also pervaded Mrs.
Rogers' family, even to the extent of her gifted brother, James
Savage, organizing a company, becoming its captain and a
part of the Second Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers.
He was promoted to Major for gallantry at the Battle of Win-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 389
Chester, and a short time afterwards, August 9, 1862, received
a wound at Cedar Mountain from which he died six weeks
later, October 22nd, at the Confederate hospital in Charlottes-
ville. Professor Rogers, upon learning of the injury to his
brother-in-law, set out on the hazardous journey to reach him,
but upon arriving at Culpeper and the battlefield found it
impossible to cover the remaining few miles. He, however,
wrote many letters to old friends and associates at the Uni-
versity and Charlottesville imploring compassion and mercy
in his family affliction. Thus it seems passing strange that the
field of labor, once so congenial and delightful to Professor
Rogers, should from his view-point become his enemy's camp
and the death scene of one he recognized so near and dear,
where in spite of his known disloyalty kind friends did his
bidding by tenderly nursing and endeavoring to restore to
health an uncompromising foe.
Indeed, at the close of Professor Smith's course one could
not fail knowing considerable, and wishing to know more, of
the Rogers brothers.
In hydrostatics and other connections Mr. Jefferson's genius
was emphasized favorably, his many experiments recited, his
small telescope exhibited with which he daily watched the
progress of the University buildings from his home, four miles
distant, and his great part played in advancing general science
highly commended. Professor Smith during the session had
no way of knowing the progress of his students except by the
little quizzing of each day, and as our numbers were large it
required time to make the rounds. The remarks on the
monthly reports, outside of attendance, were few, but on mine
I find several of this style : " Very attentive. Highly com-
mendable," etc.
MAXIMILIAN SCHELE DE VERB — One had only to hear a
few sentences of the first lecture under this gentleman to rec-
ognize him of foreign birth and tongue. The hissing s's, the
rolling r's, and a slight distinctive pronunciation of most words
gave evidence that he was neither an Englishman nor an Amer-
ican. From his suave manners and personal tout ensemble
many of us in our earlier days believed him to be of French
descent — that which was found later untrue. Some years
390 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
after my University course I asked him the pointed question,
when he gladly emphasized being a pure Swede. To that I
remarked : " You then have the happy fortune of belonging
to that nationality which in my judgment has furnished the
greatest naturalist, Linnaeus, that has ever lived." To this
he replied : " You certainly place a very high opinion upon
my fellow countryman — indeed, science not being my life's
work, I had not associated with him so great a distinction."
During my student life we never called him " Professor De
Vere," but either " Professor Schele " or " Old Schele," mean-
ing thereby not the least disrespect, for no professor seemed
more removed from criticism and dislike than he. In fact an
unverified rumor prevailed among us that he would not pitch
or throw any student with good class record unless his final
examinations were woefully deficient. This, true or false,
stamped him universally — professor cum laude. In spite of
his nativity he was a profound and well-trained linguist, speak-
ing fluently more than a half-dozen languages, possessing in
English a rich and choice vocabulary. His enunciation,
though clear, deliberate and distinct, carried a peculiar intona-
tion that required on our part a few lectures before becoming
satisfactorily intelligent. His voice was moderately heavy and
decidedly agreeable ; delivery filled with quiet enthusiasm, well
calculated to give inspiration and encouragement even to the
laggard ; manners refined and cultured, never losing courteous
instincts and gentlemanly bearing. He was then fifty-three
years of age, which he bore with unusual grace, heavy set,
possibly five feet six inches high, and weighing one hundred
and sixty pounds. His face was of the roundish type, with
florid complexion relieved bv a thick grayish-black moustache
groomed with much care and precision ; hair -abundant and
black mixed with gray, always neatly arranged; nose well-
formed and proportioned; forehead broad and deep; step
quick, light and elastic, carrying the body straight or severely
erect; eyes dark, penetrating and of good size; feet small and
always clothed in neatly fitting shoes of light texture. He
wore a silk hat except in summer, when it was replaced by one
of high priced straw. I never saw him move slowly when
alone, always appeared in a little haste to reach the objective
point, but when walking in the afternoon with a colleague for
391
recreation and pleasure his steps were noticeably more delib-
erate. Under all conditions he was well-dressed, observing
conventionalities in greater degree than any of his confreres.
Indeed, among us students it was understood he abhored one
indifferently clothed, as did nature a vacuum, while to be dec-
orated in a brilliant cravat (red) atoned in his sight for many
defects. For the accuracy of this legendary impression none
of us could vouch, nor did we know its origin, but the truth
was that few among us lived up to such a fancied ideal, and
the princely, few, as well as the modest clad, many, received
alike his approval for graduation.
He invariably entered the modern language room, in the one
story west wing flanking the Rotunda, a minute or two be-
fore the hour, remained standing until " Henry " finished ring-
ing the bell, called the roll deliberately, and at once began
earnest work — being all the time either busy himself or ener-
getically hastening those under him in that direction. In his
rear was a good-sized black-board, and in front a small skele-
ton table with stout rungs a few inches from the floor upon
which one or the other foot frequently rested while lecturing.
The benches to his front which we occupied were in straight
rows, each slightly elevated above the other from front to rear,
as was the case in nearly all lecture rooms, thereby affording
for all a commanding view. He was not so much given as
some others to writing set syllabi on the blackboard previous
to lecture, but when lecturing often turned around and wrote
such matter — rules, examples, etc. — as he considered most
important. He disliked all kinds of interruptions, and when a
student happened to enter late he would pause in order to
punctuate the discourtesy and to give the offender a look indi-
cating surprise and disapproval. His was rather a volatile
disposition, showing quickly dissatisfaction at one's recitation
not measuring up near to perfection — this being manifested by
insisting to the bitter end in a positive stern manner upon
having that which was correct. When this was not forth-
coming his displeasure was recognized readily, although he
never expressed madness outwardly. Perfect answering,
curl, always evoked his smile, and often the commendatory
words, " Very satisfactory."
Students inclined occasionally to take advantage of his
392 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
impulsive nature by pulling in rapid succession his front door-
bell during the late hours of night, thus arousing him from
slumbers and annoying him into calling out the window in
rapid excited phrases. One night a small goat was tied to
the bell-knob, only to have the little fellow rush frequently to
the end of his rope giving vigorous pulls, when those rooming
near and into the secret, in order to harbor the miscreants,
affirmed the scene to be highly amusing as the professor ap-
peared at the front-door and released the captive amid excite-
ment and a pyrotechnic display of dialectical English. At his
office, room north of home, I visited him occasionally, where
he was affable and friendly, with the exception of one call
made the day prior to our Junior French examination, when
my mission was to ascertain definitely whether or not we were
to be held accountable for all the irregular verbs given in his
grammar. To this he quickly affirmed : " Most assuredly,"
and in manner, I thought, indicating provoked surprise —
equivalent to a reprimand for asking what appeared to him
such a foolish question. At his home, second pavilion from
the Rotunda, East Lawn, he was a most charming host, as
was his wife a hostess, and therein dispensed to a select
coterie a decidedly beautiful and sincere hospitality. Usually
one evening during the " Finals " they gave a large reception,
and those students whose presence was desired received written
invitations delivered far in advance through the mail. Indeed,
those of us thus singled out considered ourselves rather fav-
ored and fortunate, as he was recognized somewhat seclusive
in drawing the social line. He was a fine teacher, having the
rare faculty of getting work out of almost every student,
chiefly through commanding great respect and tolerating noth-
ing that was trifling — qualities that reduced his class-failures
to a minimum. His classes were moderately large, but in
quizzing made the rounds in quick succession, thereby being
enabled along with the weekly exercises to keep pace with each
one's work and progress. My monthly reports contain mostly
the simple words, " Doing well," relieved occasionally by,
" Doing very well " and " An excellent student."
My last visit to him was in company with my wife, Septem-
ber, 1894, when we spent the evening delightfully — both he
and Mrs. Schele being at their best. As one of the collabora-
Professor William H. McGuffey, Lly.D., at seventy
1800-1873
See page 423
FACING 393
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 393
tors of the Standard Dictionary he had been busy some months
and then was about finishing the portion assigned him. We
talked not a little of the University, discussed the value of his
own efforts and faithfulness in educating the youth of the
South, while I endeavored to impress his merits as comparing
so favorably with Whitney and Marsh. His modesty, how-
ever, was pronounced, disclaiming any relative position for
himself — that which I- was equally firm in maintaining. In
appearance he had changed considerably since my student days
— more fleshy, less shapely and distingue, but that gracious
mannerism, courteous deference and open-handed friendship
remained just the same. He was loath to see us go, exacting
another call in the morning, that which we gladly lived up to.
His mind was still strong and resourceful, his body active,
healthy and responsive to will, while he expressed the hope and
expectation of performing professorial duties for years to come
— a desire unfortunately never realized. In fact he almost
quoted the language used on another occasion : " I may ven-
ture the hope that God, in his great mercy, will permit me to
devote my life and my work to my beloved new home — the
land of my choice and the people of my love — till it pleases
Him to summon me to my eternal home." A few weeks later,
September 23rd, he completed his fifty years of active service at
the University, an event that received appropriate recognition
in the form of a testimonial gift from a number of his past
and present students. This consisted of a large punch-bowl
of solid silver lined with gold, and a ladle to match, all en-
closed in a handsome quartered oak case mounted with brass.
The bowl bore this inscription : " M. Schele De Vere, Uni-
versity of Virginia, Professor of Modern Languages. Ap-
pointed 23rd. September, 1844. Presented by his colleagues
and former pupils, on this fiftieth anniversary of his appoint-
ment, in recognition of the lasting value of his Half Century
of distinguished service, and in testimony of their enduring
regard." A letter of congratulation accompanied the gift
from which a passage may be quoted : " When your graceful
contributions to literature are reviewed, your fame seems well
grounded and abiding. But your renown does not depend
upon these, for your reputation is safe in the affectionate and
grateful remembrance of your old pupils, who recall with
394 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
pride your eloquent lectures and acknowledge with gratitude
their indebtedness to your faithful instruction." The account
of this occasion would not be complete without a few para-
graphs from Professor Smith's tribute : " I knew him as his
students knew him, as a professor, and as his colleagues know
him, in the courtesies of social life. When I was a student
here he was in^the vigor of manhood, a master of English, but
speaking it with a foreign intonation, to which becoming ac-
customed it was delightful to attend his lectures. After an
unsatisfactory tussle at taking notes under a rapid talker, it
was exceedingly pleasant to pass into the modern language
lecture-room and listen, pencil in hand, to the clear and not
too fast utterance of the perspicuous teacher, who frequently
paused, of purpose and yet naturally, to pass to the black-
board and write down an illustrative word or sentence in that
well-remembered beautifully distinct and elegant chirography
of his, thus giving even the slow writer ample time to jot down
every word, both spoken and written. It was my opinion
then, and is now, that Dr. Schele was, on the whole, the best
teacher of modern languages with whom I was ever brought
in contact. He taught four languages at that time, and had
classes in all. He showed the same points of excellence in
each, as I judge from the remarks of friends who attended the
classes I did not. His bearing on the lecture platform was a
model of propriety. In the years during which I attended his
classes I recall not a single disagreeable incident. It seemed
to us students as if Dr. Schele was by general consent regarded
as the arbiter of ' good form.' What he indorsed was ques-
tioned by no one else, and what he did not indorse was, ipse
facto, of doubtful fashion. His appearance in the social circle,
his tact, his command of English, which one -would have
thought to be his native tongue but for the slight intonation,
his easy polished manners, indicating habitual contact in his
early life with people of culture in his native land, all con-
spired to make him a social leader, and endowed him with that
strange influence which culture often gives to men of less
talent than his over strong intellects."
While students, we did not look upon Professor Schele as
our most distinguished scholar, but simply one among the four
or five strongest lights. In the retrospect of years, however.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 395
an acquaintance with his writings, the versatility of his knowl-
edge and subjects, and his mastery of so many languages in-
cline one to recognize him as the most liberally educated and
cultured member of the Faculty. He was so active and in-
dustrious that his mind and hand were creating always some
contribution to literature that brought to himself and the Uni-
versity immeasurable distinction. Passing over his Spanish
Grammar (1853), several French books, and translated novels
from the French and German, his first work that attracted
attention was, "Comparative Philology," 1853; then followed
as important companions, " Stray Leaves from the Book of
Nature," 1855; " Studies in English," 1866; "Grammar in
French," 1867; "French Readers," 1876; "Wonders of the
Deep," 1869; "The Great Empress," 1869; "Problematic
Characters," Spielhagen, 1869; "Through Night to Light,"
Spielhagen, 1869; "The Hohenstein," Spielhagen, 1870;
" Americanisms," 1871 ; " Romance of American History,"
1872; " Modern Magic," 1873.
Professor Schele outlined some religious views in his " Mod-
ern Magic " to which no doubt he attached faith, and whose
summary here may be of interest : " I believe that our inner
life — including memory, imagination and reason — continues
after the body's death ; that the living soul can commune with
the outer world only by means of the body, with which it is
united in this life, but at times it may act independently of the
body — developing the forces called magic powers. When the
body becomes an instrument unfit to serve the soul the tie
formed before or at the moment of birth is gradually loosened.
The soul no longer receives impressions from the outer world
such as the body heretofore conveyed to it, and with this ces-
sation of mutual action ends, also, the community of sensation.
The living soul possibly becomes conscious of its separation
from the dead body and the world, but continues to exist in
loneliness and self-dependence. Its life becomes only more
active and self-conscious as it is no longer consumed by inter-
course with the world, nor disturbed by bodily disorders and
infirmities. The soul recalls with ease all long-forgotten or
much-dimmed sensations. What it feels most deeply at first
is the double grief of its separation from the body and its
sins committed during life. After a while this grief begins to
396 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
moderate and the soul returns to a state of peace; sooner by
those having secured righteous peace on earth, later by the
worldly and sensuous. At the same time the living soul enters
into communion with other souls, retaining its individuality
in sex, character and temper, and proceeds on a course of
gradual purification, till it reaches the desired haven in perfect
reconciliation with God. During this intermediate time these
living souls may continue to maintain some kind of inter-
course with the souls of men on earth, with whom they share
all that constitutes their essential nature, save only the one fact
of bondage to the body. Reciprocally the souls in man may
perceive and consort to a degree with souls detached from mor-
tal bodies. Man leaves behind his dead body but continues to
live a soul with peculiar powers in another world. This soul
has no longer earthly organs of sense to do its bidding, but it
still controls nature which was made subject to its will ; it has,
moreover, a new set of powers which represent in the higher
world its higher body, and the character of its new active life
will be all the more elevated, as these organs are more spiritual.
Man cannot continue to develop, grow and ripen in the next
world as he did in this; his nature and destiny are alike in-
compatible with sudden transitions and with absolute rest.
The soul must become purer and more useful, its organs more
subtle and powerful yielding a life of gradual improvement
and purification."
Professor Schele, owing to physical infirmities, resigned his
connection with the University in 1895, and accepted linguistic
work under the government at Washington, where he died in
Providence Hospital, May 10, 1898. He was buried in Rock
Creek Cemetery, where a few months later was laid to rest by
his side that accomplished companion in life whose social
charm and exquisite refinement had dominated so many years
their University home and atmosphere. When considering
his long connection with the University, and the thousands of
sons trained in part by his knowing hand, it may be said in
truth that few of her professors have brought her more re-
nown or made a greater impress towards scholarly attainments
and gentlemanly culture. It is sad that in death he failed to
find the resting place deserved — within the sacred precinct of
his life's work, under the shade of its trees.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 397
BASIL LANNEAU GILDERSLEEVE — It was my intention to
take the " green ticket " upon entering the University, in fact
so matriculated, but after attending three lectures in each
school and hearing discouraging comment by older students
upon the many inevitable difficulties of the combination, I
accepted the substitution privilege, granted alike to all, and
replaced Greek with Natural Philosophy, thereby deferring
for a year the renewal of Hellenic study. The slight contact
of that initial week with Professor Gildersleeve seemed suffi-
cient to establish me in his memory, at least, to courteous rec-
ognition ever thereafter, so that when in my second year I
came under him in reality we appeared somewhat acquainted.
He was a very familiar personage in and around the Univer-
sity, being thoroughly democratic in his ways and doings,
and showing himself without reserve at all functions of an
educational character — those calculated to bring out the
student-body and improve the literary atmosphere. He
worked hard but with method, recognizing that exercise played
no little part towards satisfactory mental activity. After-
noon walks, therefore, were indulged in daily, weather per-
mitting, sometimes along one of the divergent roads, again
on the highway toward town, in company with one of his
several colleagues — usually Professor Peters, apparently the
most congenial and healthful companion, due possibly to their
life's work being along kindred lines. Occasionally he would
be alone and then frequently absorbed in thought as to lose
sight of other than general surroundings, thus allowing those
en passant to be unnoticed. This habit evoked some little
criticism from students, giving occasion for the prevailing idea
that " Old Gil," as he was often called — but in no spirit of
opprobrium — would only speak to those standing well in his
department — an idea, although thoroughly false, that served
well in stimulating some to study in order to merit and receive
his coveted approbation. He was just forty-three years of
age, but seemed to us youthful fellows at least fifty — due
possibly to his sober reflective manner, general bearing,
favorable reputation, and what he had accomplished already in
the world of letters. He was about six feet high and weighed
one hundred and seventy-five pounds. His face was full but
mostly covered with a good growth of jet-black beard and
398 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
moustache, worn rather long and giving thereby a decidedly
distinguished appearance; forehead broad and high; nose
shapely and of good size ; hair black, thin towards the occipital
front and center ; voice of the upper gamut — clear, distinct and
penetrating; delivery thoughtful, rather slow but not tedious;
eyes darkish, clear, penetrating and of full size. His gait was
interrupted, for during the Civil War he performed double
duty — taught the sessions and fought the vacations — so that
while serving on General Gordon's staff he received a severe
wound during Early's campaign of 1864, resulting in making
his left leg slightly shorter. This, however, was not without
an element of compensation growing out of a happy romance
— if the then current impression among us students could be
credited — in that the pretty daughter of her who so tenderly
ministered to his tardy recovery found a cord of interest that
ripened into life companionship. Fortunately this halting
step was little noticed, from the higher heel worn upon that
shoe, but was sufficient usually for recognition in the dis-
tance. Truly like Tyrtseus, in body only was he a lame
schoolmaster. In an address made at Princeton in 1899, on
his fiftieth anniversary of graduation, when he was honored
with the degree of Doctor of Humanities (L. H. D.), he said
in part: " For all the kind words that have been said about
my career as a scholar and a man of letters, for the high honor
with which you have crowned that career, I am deeply grate-
ful. How far short my achievements have fallen of the aims
and aspirations with which I set out from Princeton fifty years
ago need not be recalled. I learned early from the Bishop of
Hopkins, whose teachings molded the Princeton of my time,
that it is better to limp in the right road than to run in the
wrong, and thanks to the glorious Princeton spirit, I have not
been trodden down or faltered in all this time. For that
reason, it is a great gratification to me that my Alma Mater
has found me fruitful. The sweet memories of my college
days are the cherished ones of my life."
Professor Gildersleeve dressed well but not conspicuous,
favoring the cutaway or frock coat, the derby or silk hat. At
his home, first pavilion from the Rotunda, West Lawn, he
gladly received and gave help at all available hours to those
students who called. His wife possessed personal charm and
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 399
popularity, so of evenings was not neglected by those of us
that vied in social pleasures. During these visits the Pro-
fessor would usually show himself in the parlor for a few
minutes, and those not under him, therefore unacquainted with
his ready wit and repartee, often recounted their discomfort,
not to say embarrassment, at something bright gotten off at
their or another's expense, while those familiar with his char-
acteristic gifts and inclination in never losing a good oppor-
tunity for witticism, accepted the situation with greater resig-
nation. His class-room was that usually called the " Moral
Philosophy Room," Rotunda basement, right hand (east) —
it serving conjointly the two departments — and here we found
him always serious, frequently relieved, however, by a vein of
wit, a little sarcasm, or a mild ( ?) criticism of some article,
book, or author that breathed imperfectly, from his view-
point, the Grecian atmosphere and spirit. His humor seemed
never studied, but spontaneous to the occasion — often
prompted by immediate conditions — and always found a happy
response in the class; his joking proclivity was famed, his
jokes numerous, often new, rich and laughable, going far
towards lightening the gravity of the moment by a mirthful
application to the manners, personalities, or localities of the
passages under consideration. The classes being of medium
size allowed the rounds of individual recitation to follow in
quick succession — a fact that not only marked soon for us the
good, bad and indifferent members, but gave him opportunity
for encouraging and helping along the needy. This he did
faithfully for such that snowed inclination to profit, but those
willfully and persistently neglecting duty met with a reciprocal
apathy that permitted them to remain in their seats — uncalled
and unnoticed.
Somehow or another we considered Professor Gildersleeve
our best English scholar, in spite of his having nothing to do
with that department — possibly owing to his acknowledged
beautiful equivalents of Latin examples throughout his gram-
mar— while of Greek we believed him the most profound mas-
ter in our broad land. As a teacher he required correct trans-
lation, but inclined rather to the free than the literal, thus
preferred rain to water from the clouds, as the Greeks would
have it, and in every connection an interpretation conforming
400 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
best to our language. In exercises (composition) he was
liberal in giving credit for paraphrasing his English when the
same sense was preserved, even though it evaded an idiom
or construction he desired — that from which we endeavored
to escape as a result of insufficient knowledge. I think he,
as did the other language professors, placed more importance
upon the exercises than all else combined, and certainly it
was these that gave us most concern and trouble.
A frequent posture while lecturing was to lean easily upon
one elbow resting on the desk in front, stroke his long beard,
roll his eyes upward, and slowly enunciate that which was
either serious, pathetic, or extremely amusing. When so
positioned we felt sure that extremes, or something beyond
the ordinary, were likely to happen, and as a rule we met no
disappointment. The " twinkle of the eye " along with a
smile — sometimes an audible hearty laugh — was a delightful
solace that frequently followed some slight reprimand. I do
not recall the slightest unpleasantness to have ever passed be-
tween us, although some others were not so fortunate — those
who took exception to certain manners or methods. I was
rather a faithful student, by no means brilliant, and he seem-
ingly appreciated honest effort, even though it fell short of the
highest and best results. In my monthly reports he employed
occasionally such remarks as, " Doing well " or " A good
student," but nothing more commendatory — indeed, quite all
I deserved, but sufficient to encourage me and to show that
he recognized I was doing work — not idling away time and
opportunity.
We all were very loath to have him leave us in 1876, to be-
come identified with the Johns Hopkins University, and on
Commencement Day of that year, June 3Oth, after the diplo-
mas had been distributed and Dr. Harrison was about taking
his seat, a wild cry for Gildersleeve rang throughout the Hall
— an appeal that brought forth a sad response including these
sentences : " In this Hall years ago I sat and heard Gessner
Harrison read his farewell because he could not trust himself
to speak it, and even then he scarcely could proceed for the
blinding tears. I thought at that time how glorious it must
be for a man to stand as he then stood, with such an audience
sobbing at his departure ; but I little dreamed that I too would
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 401
one day stand on the same spot and say good-bye to the same
audience; I had not thought of saying farewell to you till I
should bid the world good-night. Here to me love, labor
and sorrow have found their keenest expression, while friend-
ship for these colleagues around me has become the strongest
— as dear as between brothers — and the thought of separation
saddens my heart. I may have spoken many ill-advised words
since coming here, but have spoken naught in malice. I
think I may say without fear of contradiction that I have
striven faithfully to do my best ; I hope some of my old pupils
are not altogether ashamed of their preceptor; for them, at
least, my heart swells with pride, and if I have turned out in
the twenty years of my professional career only the one
noble scholar who is to succeed me, I shall not think my life a
failure. To the University I shall give my allegiance, her
fame is mine, and her lofty standard of morals, her unswerv-
ing adherence to truth and purity, and all high and noble
learning shall be my standard forever." It surely was a most
pathetic scene — himself very quiet, with partially bowed head,
slow, deliberate expression, evidently feeling the pathos of
each sentence, seemed all that was needed to bring tears to
many and to suppress in all a mirth that an instant before had
been so pronounced.
Since those University days I have seen far more of Pro-
fessor Gildersleeve than any other of my old teachers, as for
the past thirty years we have trod daily the same streets and
by-ways. Even our homes approximate a stone's throw, and
yet our lines of work are so divergent, our interests seemingly
so little in common, that we seldom interchange more than
passing salutations — never beyond a short hurried conversa-
tion. On one occasion he related an incident that had occurred
in the then near past, so illustrative of a phase in his person-
ality as to deserve repeating here : " When returning this
summer from the Old Sweet Springs, as our train neared the
University, I walked to the rear platform of the Pullman in
order to view better the scene of more youthful years. A
young man soon joined me, evidently desiring to convey in-
formation, who remarked, pointing with his hand, " That is the
University of Virginia " ; to which I replied, " Yes " ; where-
upon he added, " I used to be a student there," only to receive
402 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
the same monosyllabic reply, " Yes." Thus leaving the per-
sonal identity of both unrevealed."
On his seventieth birthday, October 23, 1901, I extended
him congratulations by letter, to which the following is a
reply :
Dear Dr. Culbreth: Nothing could be more gratifying to me in this
season of good wishes than your assurance that you owe something to
your old teacher. Few echoes come to the professor from those who have
sat under his teachings. Only when a memorable occasion arises does he
learn how his teachings have told on the world and his pupils. The com-
pletion of my seventieth year has brought out many expressions of good
will and many kindly remembrances not only from those whom I have
trained for my own calling but from those who think they owe more to
the man than to the Hellenin. And if it be a weakness, let it be a weak-
ness, for I prefer to be remembered as a personality than as a teaching
machine of so and so many donkey powers. I have no quarrel with those
who have not kept up their Greek studies, but those who will recognize
the idealism of the School of Greek, I hold to my heart as I have ever
done. I have read your letter to my wife who pronounces it beautiful
and who unites with me in thanking you for your tribute to your old
teacher, to whom you have ever shown a loyalty and affection that are
exceedingly precious in a forgetful world.
Yours faithfully,
B. L. GlLDERSLEEVE.
Since then, as a feeble mark of personal appreciation, I
sent him one of my medical works, and in acknowledgment
received the following:
Dear Dr. Culbreth: You may not be aware that in my youth I had
seriously considered the study of medicine as a profession. At college
there was no course that I enjoyed so much as the lectures on anatomy
illustrated by a manakin, and I have always had a fancy, though nothing
more, for botany and materia medica generally. So you see that I am
not altogether unprepared to appreciate your valuable gift, which I expect
to consult very often. But above all I prize the manifestation of your
continued interest in me and your kind remembrances of the old times.
Nothing comforts me in my old age more than the affectionate regard of
my former pupils, and I pardon most readily their exaggerated estimation
of their obligations to me as a teacher. At all events I rejoice in their
success as if it were my success, and surely the fourth edition of a good
work means success of a high order. With renewed congratulations, best
thanks and best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
B. L. GlLDERSLEEVE.
On October i, 1906, he had been professor of Greek fifty
years, an event allowed to pass unobserved until a year later
— his seventy-sixth birthday, October 23, 1907 — when he was
Professor John B. Mir or, LJ_?.D., at fifty-eight
1813-1895
See page 431
FACING 402
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 403
accorded by his many educational friends a befitting golden
jubilee. Teachers of Greek and other classical scholars con-
tributed beautiful testimonials of his life's worth and work,
while newspapers noticed the event at length in the local
columns and in brief editorially. I wrote him personally,
receiving this reply:
Dear Dr. Culbreth: Some years ago I published a criticism of a trans-
lation from Lucian. When I met the translatrix a few months afterwards,
she said to me : " You reflected on my moral character and bore lightly on
my Greek. So I suppose I must thank you for I am certain of my moral
character; of my Greek I am not certain." Now I am just the other way
except that no Greek scholar is very certain of his Greek. At any rate
I am glad that in your congratulatory letter you emphasize the value of
my example, for when we reach the age of maturity we lay more stress
on character than on talent. And if my old students think that I have
exemplified any of the cardinal virtues I become reconciled to the part
I have played despite the many shortcomings of which I am conscious.
Accept my best thanks for all the kind words you have written to your
old teacher and friend, and all the kind thoughts you have cherished of
him and his colleagues of the University of Virginia.
Yours faithfully,
B. L. GlLDERSLEEVE.
Of all my teachers, Professor Gildersleeve has lived to gain
possibly the greatest distinction. Many degrees and honors
have been conferred upon him by various institutions, and
to-day he undoubtedly stands in our country the leading ex-
ponent of the Hellenic tongue. While not following literally
the example of the more ancient Greek scholar — who, spend-
ing his life's work on the article, admitted a mistake in not
restricting himself to the dative case — he has been wise enough
to heed the fact that no person can do well more than one
thing, consequently has adhered chiefly to his chosen depart-
ment, Greek, allowing little mind-diversion in pursuing deeply
other avenues of knowledge. This strong factor fails to be
observed frequently only to lessen the possibility of renown —
for certainly the mastery of one crowns the slavery of many.
CHAPTER XXI
PROFESSORS — PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS
John William Mallet — characteristics and traits ; beautiful lecturer, accu-
rate, safe and pains-taking experimenter; fine teacher with much
dignity. George Frederick Holmes, characteristics — tall, gaunt form;
enjoyed students' applause, our strong regard for him; a public lec-
turer of merit. John Staige Davis — personal traits and magnetism,
brilliant and healthful teacher, high sense of honor, facetious humor,
kind and sympathetic. James Lawrence Cabell — distinguished per-
sonality, strong character, gifted intellect, kind, knowing physician;
personal letter. James Francis Harrison — characteristics, brusque
mannerism, popular with students and in the University management.
JOHN WILLIAM MALLET — Of the faculty, this professor
was the only one of Irish birth and English parentage, and al-
though educated in his native land and Germany he had
migrated to our country in early manhood for the purpose of
teaching chemistry — that in which he had gained already a
world-wide reputation. He possessed, however, none of the
more noticeable attributes of the typical Englishman, as he
was rather tall and slender, and without ruddy complexion or
the slightest provincial dialect. He was about forty-five years
of age, six feet high, and weighed one hundred and sixty-five
pounds. His face was of the elongated type, covered mostly
with a good growth of blackish-brown beard and moustache —
the former trimmed occasionally to prevent unnecessary
length ; forehead broad and prominent ; nose rather large and
well-shaped; eyes clear, bright and bluish-gray; head finely
proportioned, of good size, held thoroughly erect and carry-
ing a thick suit of brownish-black hair. His voice was strong
and sufficiently deep to be rich and sonorous ; language full and
elegant; manners easy, reserved, positive and gentlemanly —
qualities that never failed him during my two years' contact,
be the provocation what it may. He was dignified, possibly
a trifle formal, and while kind to students tolerated not the
slightest familiarity with them. He stood and walked ab-
solutely erect, with a quick, elastic and quiet, almost noise-
less, step. In conversation he was given to smiling only when
404
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 405
occasion really demanded, which at times ran into audible
laughter, so that with those of his age and liking he became
very agreeable and companionable. He was popular with
students despite the dignified and unbending personality, for in
him we recognized a master mind and hand — such as could
and would guide us properly, as well as do all that was
possible to promote our interest and welfare. He received
from us most universally the one title, " Professor Mallet,"
although a few accepted occasionally the liberty of, " Jack
Mallet." He dressed well, in good taste and quietly, pre-
ferring the cutaway coat and silk hat.
In spite of his three children — John, Robert, Mary — I
fancied the home life more or less retiring, as Mrs. Mallet
was understood not to enjoy perfect health or hearing. I
never called there, nor did others I fancy unless specially in-
vited, as this was not necessary in order to see the Professor —
as he spent all of his time, except evenings, in the laboratory
where he had a well-ordered office. This was accessible to
all students and here he seemed always glad to see those need-
ing advice and assistance, as well as others for a social visit
whenever time permitted. During the session, however, he
was continually busy, and could spare few moments for pleas-
urable diversion, consequently when occasion demanded did
not hesitate to excuse himself with satisfactory explanation
and apology. So far as in his power he allowed nothing to
conflict with set duties, these being performed accurately with
the stroke of the clock. In the class-room he was absolutely
self-possessed, serious and busy, never ceasing the conversa-
tional side while performing experiments, so that from the
beginning to the end of the hour and a half not the slightest
let-up or opportunity occurred for playing soldier. He neither
recognized nor accepted from himself failure in experiments,
as all such work was verified carefully in advance of the lec-
ture hour, and at the conclusion seemed always pleased to have
members come up in front of the long table to ask pertinent
questions and to inspect the products upon which he had lec-
tured. Somehow or another we felt as though behind the table
was his own private area upon which we dare not trespass,
but possibly there was no ground for this, unless it be after
the lecture on fulminates and other explosives, when for safety
4o6 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
sake we considered it best to keep a respectable distance. He
manifested no timidity in performing experiments attended
with most startling reports, or in handling chemicals that with
the slightest abuse would produce serious results; and yet he
was careful, never over-daring or inviting risk — simply did
what he regarded duty and necessary for the best exposition
of his subjects. He lectured without manuscript, but had ly-
ing before him a single sheet of legal-cap paper containing
matter desired, such as headings, divisions and quotations, and
beforehand always placed on the blackboard for class obser-
vation and profit the several needed formulae of reactions, and
outline drawings of any special apparatus involved in the pro-
cess of manufacture. Turning at a slight angle he would
refer to these, in proper connection, with his long pointer,
often without scarcely moving from his lecturing position.
He was not an orator or a flowery speaker — one to lose us
in the giddy maze of expression, as was Professor Smith —
but his clear, concise sentences were uttered abundantly rapid
and seriously, often precluding the taking down of all in our
note-books, even though writing at greatest speed. He re-
iterated nothing — that which we missed at the appointed
moment was gone, unless caught through conference or the
notes of others. His usual custom was to consume the first
half hour of each lecture in calling the roll and quizzing, but
for one or two months he tried the experiment of lecturing
twice a week (Monday and Wednesday, n to 12.30 o'ck.)
the full hour and a half, devoting the entire third period (Fri-
day) to a general quiz. This I personally did not like so well,
as it gave less variety, and required such continued high ten-
sion, each after its kind, and as this no doubt was universal,
the innovation possibly has long since ceased to prevail.
He was Americanized to the extent of appreciating a joke
or pun, at which when of merit he laughed heartily. I will
never forget how I placed (misplaced) him one afternoon
while quizzing me on the early industrial process of calico
printing, wherein wooden blocks a foot square, with raised
metal design attached to the under surface carrying the proper
colored dye (ink), were placed together with art and pre-
cision upon plain fabric, then hammered gently to make cer-
tain a perfect impression. Instead of repeating him verba-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 407
tim, " tapping the blocks gently with a hammer," I substituted,
" tapping the blocks with a little mallet," whereupon the class
quickly accepted the pun with a ripple that aroused his own
sense of humor. It was seldom, however, that he sanctioned
in class-room the slightest notice of anything irregular — a di-
version, inattention or noise — as he considered all such marked
evidence of disrespect, and no one felt sufficiently great unto
himself, or defiant, to antagonize his pleasure, or the will of
the large majority that invariably supported him. In the lab-
oratory he was extremely precise, methodical, industrious and
punctual, and in all others under him he expected the same
good qualities, or a serious endeavor in that direction. Here
he was quick in movement and thought, giving suggestions
and reasons in terse language, tolerating in himself and others
nothing except work — but notwithstanding was of easy ap-
proach and friendly. His assistant, Professor Dunnington,
assumed general charge of us, who as an intermediary left
little need of direct contact unless for personal and specific
reasons. In fact Professor Mallet remained nearly all the
time in his own private laboratory, entering therefrom the
general laboratory only occasionally each day, and then for
the briefest period. The proximity of the two laboratories —
separated by a thin wall with communicating door often left
open — served to preserve the greatest order and quietness
among the students, for none wished to annoy or disturb him
in his continuous painstaking work. I remember in making
a large alcoholic thermometer when sealing the end finally,
the bulb burst with a loud report, only to bring him to the
spot in an instant to inquire the cause and possible damage.
Nothing beyond the ordinary could go on in his domain to
which he was insensible — a fact we soon observed and accepted
as a powerful influence toward forcing us to make the best
of golden moments.
Since leaving the University I have seen Professor Mallet
several times — indeed attended a course of his popular lectures
at the Johns Hopkins University — when always a pleasant
memory and recognition was evinced for his old student. My
last conversation was in his laboratory a few years ago, where
I found him in the midst of work and apparently at a time he
could ill-afford more than a few moments, but these he will-
4o8 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
ingly gave, taking occasion to acquaint me with some of the
changes and improvements going on in his specific department.
GEORGE FREDERICK HOLMES — This gentleman was an Eng-
lish subject, being born, however, at Demerara, British Guiana,
and might readily have been taken for a foreigner or some
native eccentric personage. He was tall, lean and lank — more
so than any member of the Faculty, although Dr. Cabell shared
honors in height — and of all seemed to give the greatest evi-
dence of years, in spite of his accepted uniform good health.
He was fifty-five years of age, about six feet one inch high,
and weighed one hundred and fifty pounds. His face was
long and angular, but covered with a growth of grayish-black
beard and moustache ; hair of similar color, abundant and worn
long; forehead bold and high; mouth large with firmly ap-
pressed lips; nose thin and of the Roman type; eyes deeply
seated, large and prominent but not strong — one more affected
than the other — and reinforced by gold spectacles, which al-
ways were wiped carefully, without losing time, when begin-
ning and several times during lecture; voice strong and pene-
trating, becoming at times a little thick and husky, but used
frequently with fine effect approximating oratory. His sub-
jects, History, Literature and Rhetoric, gave opportunity and
range for the higher qualities of the speaker, and realizing this
he endeavored successfully to measure up to the possibilities.
He appeared always in a slight hurry, as though never allow-
ing sufficient time for various duties and diversions, but this
may have been second nature, acquired through necessity of
excessive work in editing his various books, which were ap-
pearing then one after another as fast as he could do the com-
piling. He was rather careless in mode of dress, as to both
fit and fashion, wearing usually a cutaway coat of longish
skirt, poorly shaped pantaloons, low crowned soft black hat,
turn-down collar and the thinnest apology of hand-tied cravats.
But when attired for special functions, in full-dress or frock
coat and silk hat, made an appearance highly creditable.
He invariably came into the class-room, Rotunda basement,
to the left (west), having under arm or in hand several his-
toric or classical works, and a somewhat worn, medium size
note-book containing his own annotations, commentaries and
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 409
memoranda — not any completely written lecture, simply the
skeleton or brief portions. He usually greeted his classes with
a smile, wiped his eyes and glasses, adjusted the latter, and at
once called the roll in a serious manner, yet never refusing
anything susceptible of a little fun. Thus I recall the rhyme
he made one morning at the expense of Mr. Berlin, who fre-
quently came in late or not at all. Every name was preceded
by Mister, so having called " Mister Berlin " with no response,
he quickly added, giving a twinkle of the eye and a smile, " He
is not in." Of course not being given to such crude liberty
with euphony, we all accepted it with a decided outburst, evi-
dently to his satisfaction. It is unnecessary to add that for
several weeks thereafter the calling of that gentleman's name
evoked some little disturbance of normal quietness. In class-
room Professor Holmes wasted no time, making every moment
count for something — chiefly discussions and criticisms of sub-
jects under review, in which we often failed to see value or
take interest. Although highly educated — indeed, a fine
scholar — I did not consider him a teacher of the highest order,
as in quizzing he extenuated errors in a canny manner and
often became so enraptured with his subject while lecturing
as to lose sight of minor violations of class decorum. His
lectures were severely didactic, containing much for which he
did not hold us accountable, and a great deal to be found in
books — it is true differently expressed and often from new
viewpoints. Of course even this quality was highly commend-
able, as it required great intuition and research to deduce
through reading and judgment sufficient knowledge to solve
accurately doubtful literary problems — such as the personality
of Shakespeare; whether his reputed writings were his own
product, or that of Bacon or some other Solon, etc. It was
questions of this character he delighted to unfathom — to be
convinced of absolute correctness — and to proclaim the results
with methods by which obtained. He was a great believer in
and searcher for truth, sparing no time and toil to reveal it.
He was rather a rapid speaker, warming up to the demands
as he advanced in the subject, and seemed delighted to hold
students somewhat spellbound as they took in quietly what he
said. He appreciated a recognition of his efforts by others —
a very common element in man's nature — consequently there
4io UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
was more demonstration and noisy punctuation of well-
rounded sentences and brilliant thoughts in his classes than
in any others. On such occasions, and they were many, no
one can fail recalling, after a continuous round of applause,
how prone he was to hold up his right hand and smile — a
modest invocation for silence, not always heeded until good
and ready, especially when the cause was rich and deserving.
There was very little note-taking under him, possibly less than
with any other professor, as we had specific text-books that
could be followed satisfactorily and considered the lectures
simply an elucidation or extenuation of their contents. But
as a matter of fact his lectures supplemented much that was
important and pertinent to places, persons, scenes, dates and
writings, which, if retained, would have been useful and help-
ful to our general store of knowledge. There was, however,
so much in the course, that most of us gladly escaped the re-
tention of non-essentials for graduation even though know-
ingly we became the weaker thereby. Owing to this fact and
his seeming indifference (?) there was more inattention and
whispering in his lectures than those of other professors, for,
unlike them, he became so engrossed, self-centered and obliv-
ious to external doings as to continue talking despite the
usual disturbing conditions. Sometimes, however, he would
awake to the occasion, pause, scan the room from over his
spectacles, only thereafter to receive perfect respect and order.
Thus it was we happily knew how far to go — simply awaited
his alarm to stop — and dared to overstep his pleasure-mark.
While he often found out what we knew, or did not know,
in his department by the regular process of examination and
quizzing — that which he continually exercised — we none could
judge his attainments in the various subjects he taught. They
were so comprehensive as to demand study along many lines,
and in any one he had given little that ever reached our youth-
ful hands suggesting great mastery. So far as we were con-
cerned a very good small History of the United States, a
commendable Series of Readers, and an average English
Grammar marked his authorship — such as in our opinion
might have been compiled by one of less reputed talent. His
voluminous writings and criticisms in educational journals,
encyclopaedias, and standard works were either then unknown,
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 411
inaccessible or unappreciated by us. The gift of repeating
from memory the stronger parts of famous compositions —
orations, poems, dramas and tragedies — seemed to us almost
essential to one occupying the chair, but all such Professor
Holmes felt satisfied in simply reading. He even rarely gave
the shorter familiar quotations — that which might have rea-
sonably been expected from one of rare literary taste and
ability. Somehow I always believed the theme or creative
cause — historic side of a work — appealed more to him than
the language or style employed. I knew several ladies at-
tending Mrs. Long's school, Charlottesville, where a portion
of their weekly work was — assigning the correct authorship to
a number of quotations, each a line or two. Sometimes I was
applied to for assistance, and whenever the various " Quota-
tion Works " in the Library failed to help me, I would after
class ask Professor Holmes, and he was never able — possibly
inclined — to give me any light beyond : " It sounds a little
like so and so." Usually he would say frankly : " I do not
know — you cannot tell where to find a thing unless you have
seen it there." This struck me as strange, coming from one
of his reputation and position, but possibly I expected too
much. He might have offered to help me out, yet this even
he never did, in spite of my enjoying his friendship in extent
equal to other class-members. For this I gave him no cen-
sure, but accepted it to imply a lack of interest in matters out-
side of his course, an extremely busy life, and a thoughtless-
ness in extending a helping hand to others. While this char-
acteristic failed to win hearts or to make him a favorite pro-
fessor, it did not create enemies — simply called forth from us
all moderate respect. We had to accept him as a fine critic,
a close and painstaking student, a widely and thoughtfully
read scholar.
I fancy he lived simply and prudently — eating to live rather
than living to eat — and therefore required little exercise, that
which he seldom accepted unless indoors, as he was seen rarely
on the street outside of duty's demand. He seldom attended
the Chapel services at which I was present, but that was con-
doned from the fact of us students understanding incorrectly
him to be a Romanist, therefore adverse to Protestant creed —
that which was not true, as he was an Episcopalian.
4i2 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
His home, third pavilion from the Rotunda, East Lawn, was
not recognized in my day a strong factor in the University
social life, although the youngest daughter, Miss Bell, still
enjoyed favor with a certain few and entertained to a limited
extent. It was here that R. M. T. Hunter (Finals of 1875)
and Ralph Waldo Emerson (Finals of 1876) were cared for
pleasantly while visiting the University, and in whose honor
beautiful receptions and other functions were given — that to
Mr. and Miss Emerson being so over-crowded as almost to
defy admission. The University certainly had a faithful and
efficient servant in Professor Holmes, who proudly endeavored
to extend her creditable reputation and add to her good name.
By his teaching, readers, grammars, histories, criticisms and
other writings he became widely and favorably known, often
receiving and accepting invitations, carrying adequate com-
pensation, to deliver courses of lectures in other institutions.
After an association of forty years he died at the University,
November 4, 1897, and at his request was buried at the Old
Sweet Springs by the wife's side, causing deep regret that his
bones should fail to repose in that sacred enclosure hard by the
spot he spent so much of life, giving to the world his richest,
best and fullest energies.
JOHN STAIGE DAVIS — While I cannot claim a strong inti-
macy with this Professor, taking in his department only
materia medica — one lecture a week for two-thirds of a ses-
sion, 1876-77 — yet every now and then throughout my Uni-
versity course I received his medical advice and treatment, a
service that brought a kindly fellowship and a grateful heart.
Indeed, no one could come in touch with him for the briefest
period without feeling impressed with his personality — those
striking characteristics that make the true man. Although
deep in his power of apprehension, penetration, absorption and
retention, yet he was no enigma to others, as they could un-
derstand and comprehend readily his manly nature. He pos-
sessed nothing hidden or secretive, but his ambitions, desires,
intentions, hopes and methods were held in the open — figura-
tively, " worn upon the sleeve." Whatever was equitable, hon-
orable, just, right and best for all concerned — not for himself
alone — was advocated always by him, in fact written legibly
Professor Noah K. Davis, UV.D., at sixty
1830—
See page 436
FACING 412
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 413
in his face. One had only to inquire of himself the truth —
not superficial — and merits of a given case or condition in
order to predict the attitude of Professor Davis towards it.
He was, like all wide-awake, observant men, thoroughly con-
versant with the corrupt doings of his day, and fully realized
that thereby many seemingly benefited and prospered, but that
was no incentive for him to emulate the example — if anything
it stimulated him all the more to tread the narrow path of
strict integrity and morality. Of course he liked money, but
not in the prevailing spirit of to-day — whether obtained by
methods questionable or otherwise — consequently he could not
have been tempted into any kind of transaction savoring of
indirectness, that which happily his intuition was sufficiently
acute to detect and to vouchsafe always a high sense of honor.
I never saw a person more eager to discharge what he con-
ceived to be the whole duty — not a part — and this alone made
him a very careful, painstaking imparter of knowledge, never
being satisfied with his part until it was comprehended and
mastered properly by his students. He was just fifty-two
years of age, well-proportioned and compactly built, about five
feet nine inches high, and one hundred and sixty pounds in
weight. His face was full and smooth, with determined verti-
cal upper lip and strong angular lower jaw; forehead broad,
full, vertical and high ; nose of good size and outline ; hair
abundant and dark ; voice rather fine, soft and effeminate, but
agreeable, penetrating and with volume; language concise,
clear, never over-abundant, but beautifully expressive and ex-
planatory; manners courtly, affable and friendly — never fa-
miliar. His dress was plain, neat and fresh — mostly black
suits, sack or cutaway coats, turn-down collars, soft felt or
straw hats. In meeting him casually one would not probably
feel himself in the presence of more than an average indi-
vidual, as his general appearance and behavior suggested little
other than the polished, refined gentleman — .never aiming at
personal show or advantage. Indeed, he was a modest and
retiring man with mild, precise speech, but in thought and ex-
pression how different! — aggressive, impressive, concise, orig-
inal, incisive, witty and sarcastic — sarcasm, however, not
willingly intended to injure or offend, but which sometimes
left momentarily a sting upon the deserving and extremely
414 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
sensitive. This truly was a natural gift, one, in spite of fall-
ing occasionally on unwonted soil, to discomfort the few, that
made no enemies and always brought some amusement to the
many. There seemed no better place than the class-room for
giving vent to this proclivity, where alone most of us chanced
to meet it, and we invariably expected some manifestation,
especially when quizzing. On one occasion I remember he
asked a stalwart Texan the dose of digitalis tincture, and
upon getting the reply — one to two tablespoonfuls — simply re-
torted : " Alas, doctors will differ." Again upon inquiring
the treatment for aconite poisoning, and receiving a lengthy
preamble with a hesitation, he queried : " Well, what next ? "
Whereupon the young man continued to a finish, when the
Professor remarked : " Oh, indeed, no need for that, you
would already have caused a funeral." Again when asking
the dose of croton oil he received the reply — one to two tea-
spoonfuls — and with uplifted hands coupled with an expres-
sion of sad disappointment, if not disgust, he quietly remarked :
" In this class we have no reference to lower animals — that
quantity would even make a goat pass its horns." This type
of incorrect answers doomed the perpetrators for that day, as,
without further interrogation, they were allowed to rest on
their laurels — sad object lessons for themselves and fellow
classmates. These terse, pithy remarks served as caustic rep-
rimands, and, beyond avoiding a waste of time at correction
and discussion, forced the lame to seek out for themselves at
the first opportunity correct knowledge, driving it home not
soon to be forgotten. He never referred by word or act to
any of the " flings " passed, but met us afterwards in the same
urbane manner that characterized his life — just as though
nothing beyond the ordinary had occurred. In no place did he
show to greater advantage than the sick-chamber, where it
was my lot — unfortunately several times at examination sea-
son— to fall under his care. One could not forget, even with
effort, his easy manner, beautiful sympathy and paternal watch-
fulness at the bedside — always bright, kind, cheery, talkative,
encouraging and inspiring — causing joy at the coming, sorrow
at the going. The middle of one June I found myself with
headache, fever and lost appetite, and, without knowing or
sending for the physician in charge, marched over to the In-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 415
firmary, related my troubles to the matron, Mrs. Brown — a
very sweet, affable, oldish lady, ideal for the position and
known to me through former tender manifestations — and re-
quested a room as well as medical attention. In the natural
sequence of duty it happened to be Dr. Davis's month, who
upon entering my door first inquired : " How did you get
over here? who told you to come? " Both speech and attitude
were as though somewhat aggrieved — that his prerogative
had not properly been observed — but when I appealingly
looked him in the face with the reply, " Don't criticise the
liberty taken, Doctor, I am so sick," his entire mannerism
changed, so that in a moment he was feeling pulse, looking at
tongue and seeking other diagnostic symptoms. It proved
only a case of. remittent fever aggravated by the prevailing hot
weather, consequently ten days saw me well and out again.
During one of the " Finals " we chanced to meet on East
Lawn, near the Rotunda, when he stopped me to say he had
mutual friends, Whiteleys, stopping with him for the occasion
who would be glad to see me. Later in the day I received a
written invitation to a function on the morrow, 4 o'ck, p. M.,
after which he placed the word — sharp. Few men ever lived
who observed and desired promptness more than he, and, real-
izing the average youth's proneness to violate the social law
of time by five or ten minutes, he did not hesitate to emphasize
the hour of engagement.
He enjoyed far more than a local reputation, received solici-
tations for city practice, and invitations to join Faculties of
other medical institutions, but all such were declined invari-
ably on the ground that he was doing good and satisfactory
work, was happy and contented, and his own University
needed him most. I met him for the last time in the summer
of 1 88 1 at the Rockbridge Alum Springs, where he was the
resident physician and had been for many years. Having
our party of young friends and seeming plenty to pass the few
weeks together pleasantly I neglected to call at his cottage the
first few days, and did not see him until one morning we found
ourselves on the same path approaching each other. At once
he extended his hand with the query : " Why have you not
been to see us ? " His recognition was so cordial that for the
moment I was confused into admitting the truth, " Well, Doc-
416 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
tor, I thought you had long since lost sight of me in the mul-
titude of students and that it would be a kindness not to
annoy you unnecessarily." At this he disclaimed the possi-
bility of such forgetfulness, became a trifle generous with
pleasant memories of the past and insistent upon seeing much
of me during my stay. It is scarcely necessary to say that
thereafter we came together frequently, always to interchange
kindly greetings and congenial thoughts that made me feel the
better.
His life was cut off unfortunately in the midst of its greatest
activity, after having served the University he so much loved
twenty-nine years, as professor of anatomy and materia
medica. He died July 17, 1885, in his sixty-first year, and
was buried in the University Cemetery near by many faithful
friends and co-laborers, within the sound of the bell that ever
continues to summon ambitious students to the same old sub-
jects he so ably taught.
JAMES LAWRENCE CABELL — Some days after entering the
University I began to feel more or less languid, and, in spite
of symptoms differing somewhat, to apprehend intermittent
fever — that which in the autumn was so prevalent around my
home, and in previous years had given me no little annoy-
ance. Another more hopeful solution of the malady was that
due to climatic differences, such as was to be apprehended —
indeed, previously commented upon — in going southward for
the first time. As days brought no relief and as my many
duties demanded a sound mind in a sound body, I determined
to seek medical advice, and upon learning that Dr. Cabell was
the visiting physician for October, hastened one morning
shortly after breakfast to his office — first door south of his
home, first pavilion from the Rotunda, East Lawn. I had
never seen him before, and though a stranger, he was not
long in removing all incidental feeling by friendly talk and
interest in me. He inquired minutely concerning my home,
State, family, and finally myself, with the conclusion that my
symptoms were of the trouble surmised — malarial and atmos-
pheric. He cleared the prime? vice, prescribed additionally
a dozen quinine pills and a half-ounce of Fowler's Solution, to
be taken in five-drop doses with a little water, three times
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 417
daily — remarking it was poisonous and the quantity must not
be exceeded. I followed his directions to speedy cure, and
the circumstance has always remained vivid from it being
my initiative need of a physician's care — all previous ailments
having been simple and amenable to mother's treatment. In-
deed, she was not only a kindly nurse, but possessed fair ac-
quaintance with medicines and diseases — children and adult
— causing others besides myself to have abiding faith in her
powers. After this event Dr. Cabell and I always knew each
other, although likely he failed to carry my name until sub-
sequent circumstances made it more impressive. We saw each
other quite often to exchange courteous recognition, occa-
sionally to enjoy short conversation, but I had no need for
him professionally until three years later, when, injuring my
foot and hand in the gymnasium, I again called at his office
for medical advice — that which he cheerfully gave, with
speedy curative results.
Dr. Cabell was in his early sixties, six feet one inch high,
and weighed one hundred and eighty pounds. His face was
smooth except a suit of well-clipped whitish side whiskers
that gave him a resemblance to Mr. Chauncey M. Depew. He
was particular in keeping the rest of his face cleanly shaven,
thereby showing a healthy florid complexion. His nose was
of good size and shape ; forehead broad and high ; hair scarce
and whitish ; voice clear, sonorous, and agreeable — used with
deliberation and impressiveness ; manners quiet, affable, digni-
fied, gentlemanly — inspiring; language full, precise, elegant —
forceful ; dress neat and becoming, usually black — frock coat
and silk hat. By us students he was recognized to be one of
the most scholarly members of the Faculty — capable of teach-
ing acceptably any branch of medicine and several in the de-
partment of letters. Upon the death of Professor McGuffey
he took partial charge of the course during the remainder of
the session — the honor being shared by Rev. T. D. Wither-
spoon, our chaplain, one of the previous year's creditable grad-
uates in that department.
Dr. Cabell was a persistent reader and a close student of
all matters educational, contenting himself not alone with
medicine — far less with his branches, physiology and surgery.
His mind was retentive and elastic, making him a veritable
418 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
store-house of knowledge — that which coupled with a delight-
ful personality assured at all times and places a position of
respect, power and eminence. His distinguished appearance,
fine address and magnetism caused the more observant of
multitudes to inquire his name, while those who came in close
contact were impressed by his strong individuality and gath-
ered inspiration from his manly character. He seemingly pos-
sessed few weak points — none but what was servile to judg-
ment— and revealed the highest type of the old-time gentle-
man. The medical students thought him a very exacting
teacher and believed he only showed mercy when demanded
by unqualified justice. How far this was true I am not pre-
pared to say, but one thing is certain, that he and Dr. Davis
were faithful watchdogs of their diploma's sanctity — seeing
that no one undeserving possessed it. I distinctly recall one
second-year applicant for graduation receiving several weeks
after his intermediate examination in surgery a note from Dr.
Cabell, stating his failure and expressing surprise at one of
his mental caliber thinking he could ever take a degree in
medicine at the University. This so incensed the young man
that he left at once and finished his medical training elsewhere
a year later. Thus the courtly Cabell could say offensive
things, absolutely without varnish, when he believed the end
justified the means.
The last time I met him was in the summer of 1882, when
coming from the White Sulphur Springs, he joined our train
at Covington, having previously secured in our sleeper a berth
near my own. He was on his way from the Hot Springs to
Washington in connection with duties incident to the Na-
tional Board of Health, of which he then was president. The
hour was late, permitting only a short talk, but he gave no
evidence of weakened faculties — still preserved the quick-
movement and undaunted energy characterizing him during
my University days, such as belonged to one of more youth-
ful years. On December 21, 1887, he completed his fifty
years of continued service as " professor of physiology and
surgery " in the University, and as a memorial of the event
and a tribute to his distinguished labors for universal sound
medical education his old pupils, representing thirty States
and countries, and his colleagues, presented to him a beau-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 419
tiful and costly golden goblet, appropriately inscribed, accom-
panied by a congratulatory address. His pupils of that ses-
sion did not let the event pass unnoticed — sending him a hand-
some cylindrical escritoire as a token of respect and confidence.
In February, 1889, I received a letter from Mrs. Mattie
M. Minor, asking a donation for completing the University
Chapel, with the request that any contribution be forwarded
to Dr. Cabell. I enclosed with check a personal letter, to
which the following is a reply:
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, February 26, 1889.
Dear Doctor Culbreth: Your favor of the 23rd ins., enclosing your
check for ten dollars as a contribution to the new Chapel at the University,
and generously offering to make a further subscription in a certain con-
tingency, was duly received yesterday afternoon. The check has been
turned over to the Ladies Chapel Aid Society, and I am authorized to
convey to you their grateful thanks for your actual contribution, for the
promise of further aid if such should be needed, and last but by no means
least for your generous expressions of filial devotion to Alma Mater and
of your purpose to do all in your power to advance her interest. In all of
this I cordially join, and am with sincere regard,
Yours truly and faithfully,
J. L. CABELL,
Treas. University Chapel Fund.
Dr. Cabell did not long survive this period, for owing to
impaired health he retired from active professorial duties the
following June, having by the Visitors been given an efficient
assistant, Dr. Paul B. Barringer, who had been trained by him
as well as abroad. Unfortunately, however, Dr. Cabell did
not survive to give form and fashion to his work in another's
hands, as he died August I3th, at Morven, his country home,
a short distance from Charlottesville and the University. His
death was unexpected and seemingly very untimely, being due
to a general failure and some stomach disease preventing
proper assimilation. He was laid at rest in the University
Cemetery, by the side of his wife, who preceded him fifteen
years (1874), and near many others who in life were his
sincere friends and co-workers — faithful unto Death.
The following day, The Sun (Baltimore) gave this short
and deserving editorial : " The Late Dr. Cabell. — The med-
ical profession has sustained a loss in the death yesterday of
Dr. James L. Cabell, of the University of Virginia, at his
residence near Charlottesville. Dr. Cabell had been professor
420 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
of surgery in the University for over fifty years, and there
are hundreds of physicians, scattered over the country, who
learned valuable lessons in his lecture-room. The news of his
death will cause general regret, particularly among members
of the profession of which he was an ornament."
JAMES FRANCIS HARRISON — One day, shortly after my
entrance to the University, while walking along West Lawn
to a Latin lecture, I saw, for the first time, this gentleman
standing in the doorway of his office — the door itself being
partly open. The perspective was singularly impressive
from what I considered a strained attitude — severely erect
with spraddled legs and stern expression — answering well to
an ungracefully posed picture in a rough frame. As time
went on, granting many opportunities of passing him on the
street with a bow of recognition, I observed this to be one of
his favorite positions — assuming it frequently for a few mo-
ments as a method of obtaining either fresh air or a general
survey of the campus and possible doings thereon. In spite
of these semi-contacts we never came to meet until after he
succeeded Professor Venable as Chairman, July, 1873. He
occupied the second pavilion from the Rotunda, West Lawn,
his office being the room just north, thus making it very con-
venient for students calling to get information, commands or
reprimands, as each after a fashion desired or deserved. His
wife possessed a sweet but sad face, and mingled little with
the social contingent of the University, being prevented, we
understood, by precarious health. But a daughter well be-
yond the teens, tall and lank, a brunette of attractive and
striking features, did the honors of the home. A son of good
manners and address was then a student, and enjoyed con-
siderable popularity in the medical department, from which
he graduated, and like his father became professor in a South-
ern institution. The Doctor himself was about sixty years of
age, but seemingly experienced not the slightest impairment
of faculties in spite of visible dermal wrinkles and silvered
strands. He was exceptionally vigorous, active and alert —
well calculated to perform the double duties of Chairman and
his chair. He was about six feet high and weighed one hun-
dred and eighty pounds. In dress he was somewhat careless,
but on stated occasions so attired himself as to give com-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 421
manding appearance and the impression of a strong person-
ality. His step was firm, positive, rather long and deliberate ;
face of the angular, elongated type, mostly covered with
brownish-black beard and moustache worn slightly long and
shaggy; forehead somewhat broad and high; nose large but
thin, with graceful ridge or outline; voice deep, of lower
register, and used generally without kindly modulation —
indeed, I considered him abrupt in speech, very outspoken,
mincing neither word nor sentiment. He expressed boldly
and impressively what he had to say, and there was no need
of mistaking his meaning; yet I never thought he intended
to be harsh or severe — it -was simply his individual way and
manner. Having been for years a surgeon in the United
States and Confederate navies, where positive command and
discipline prevailed, and being without that innate gentle re-
finement characterizing many of the professors, it was not
strange that his brusque abruptness showed in forceful con-
trast with those of a more retiring nature. At the same time
we all recognized in him a good mirthful heart, one who often
came down to the students' level and impressed them as de-
siring to be their true friend and adviser. While he was not
a general favorite, he shared our respect and admiration —
none of us harboring the slightest feeling against him. There
was one thing to his credit in common with the other pro-
fessors— he always knew his mind, never vacillated or wavered
between opinions.
We did not regard Dr. Harrison much of a student, and
I believe the medical students recognized him the least learned
of their triumvirate, in spite of his rounded experience in gen-
eral practice where he seemed bold and fearless — qualities
often counting to advantage at the bedside. Personally I
never happened to be sick any month he was on duty, con-
sequently cannot speak knowingly of his bearing and impress
in the sick-room — factors of inestimable value to both patient
and physician — but I fancy him to have been cheerful, encour-
aging and well calculated to inspire confidence, as he was
moved little by trifles and inclined to make light of that which
others often thought serious. I distinctly remember a friend
dropped into my room one morning very much provoked over
the visit just made to Dr. Harrison for medical advice, when
in describing his malady he laid special stress upon one symp-
422 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
torn — " every time I take a long breath a sharp pain is felt about
my heart." To this the Doctor seriously remarked — " You
don't have to take long breaths; cease annoying yourself with
the effort, breathe normally." After a few moments' con-
versation, however, he changed the pleasantry by prescribing
that which soon brought a cure, but not an obliteration of the
undignified command. I never heard but parts — endings —
of several lectures, and the talks he gave on Commencement
Days, when conferring diplomas, but from these I should
not imagine him to have been a winning lecturer or speaker,
as his voice, deep and penetrating, was used in quick, some-
what jerky sentences without much modulation — qualities that
in time become monotonous and tiresome.
My relationship with him was always most pleasant, and
as Chairman of the Faculty he apparently measured up to the
students' complete satisfaction. I never was before him for
reprimand — that which he did not hesitate to administer to
the deserving — but came near on one occasion when, owing
to a previous engagement, I declined taking a Sunday horse-
back ride with some clubmates and others, who rode to Edge-
hill, entered the Seminary grounds, waved handkerchiefs at
the young ladies, and indulged in mannerisms open to criti-
cism. Upon Miss Randolph sending out to inquire what
manner of men they were, each wrote his name on a cigarette
paper, which were handed to the servant, only to realize
them the next afternoon in the hands of Dr. Harrison, to
whom they had been sent by morning's mail with an explan-
atory letter. The guilty students needed no reminder of
what they had been summoned to the Chairman's office for, as
filing in one by one they encountered the identical faces upon
which they had gazed the previous day in sportive delight.
The Doctor, much to their surprise, was very lenient — invok-
ing for the future a proper regard for the University's good
name and a promise not to depart again from gentlemanly
behavior.
We called him mostly " Doctor Harrison," but occasionally
could be heard the more familiar name, " Old Harry." He
continued Chairman and professor until 1886, when he re-
signed and moved to Prince William County, where he died
ten years later.
Professor Francis P. Dunning ton, B.Sc., at forty-three
1851—
See page 4JV
FACING 422
CHAPTER XXII
William Holmes McGuffey — appearance and dress, liberal thinker and
Presbyterian ; sickness, death, funeral, burial ; successor ; life work and
greatness. John Barbee Minor — great moral and legal teacher; ap-
pearance, hard worker ; Christian home life ; loyal to the University
during the Civil War. Noah Knowles Davis — personal characteristics,
close observer, deep thinker, hard worker, mingled little with the
world ; Sunday afternoon Bible lectures. Francis Perry Dunnington —
appearance, reserved manner, accurate worker and good teacher.
WILLIAM HOLMES McGuFFEY. — When accompanying Pro-
fessor Venable home for dinner the afternoon I reached the
University, he halted near the center of the campus and
pointed out the various pavilions occupied by the several pro-
fessors, emphasizing the last on West Lawn, by which we
soon passed, as that of the oldest member of the Faculty —
Dr. McGuffey's. I inquired his relationship to the author
of the popular " Readers," only to receive the information
that he was the author himself and a learned philosopher. In
public school I had been brought up on the " Eclectic Series,"
but nothing on the title pages indicated the writer's identity
—all being by Wm. H. McGuffey, LL.D. One can imagine
my great desire to see and hear lecture the man who had
collated so much of my youthful reading matter — that which
had an early realization. He was about five feet nine inches
high and weighed one hundred and sixty pounds. His face
was smooth and beardless; cheek-bones prominent and
straightly angled to the chin; forehead unusually broad and
high; complexion good — more vital than sanguine; voice
clear, sonorous, lower register, fine volume and carrying
power; eyes small and bright. He dressed in conventional
black cloth, with long full-skirted coats and high collars —
silk stock — and a silk hat. He walked erect, with firm, de-
liberate step, but carried a cane, upon which he placed some
weight; he seemed always thoughtful, but never oblivious to
surroundings, noticing persons passed-by and conditions en-
423
424 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
countered. He spoke in a reflective, absorbed and convincing
style, repeating premises and conclusions wherever he thought
it possible for students to find stumbling blocks; he argued
as he explained, taking much delight in both, until he felt
assured that his meaning was understood by all. He never
worried or despaired from a failure to comprehend the first
enunciation of a truth, but recognized all such to be golden
opportunities for exercising his varied resources as a master
teacher. I was never introduced to him, but we frequently
met, always to tip my hat and have the salute recognized with
a slight bow and kindly smile. I only heard him lecture twice
on his regular course, but a number of times on Sunday after-
noons upon Biblical subjects, of which he had been a close
student and gave beautiful interpretations. Although a con-
sistent Presbyterian, he did not hesitate to ridicule and de-
nounce its doctrine of predestination, but otherwise was firm
to the creed. He gave forth many educational thoughts apart
from the subjects he taught; even grammatical construction
and questions of rhetoric received sometimes in class a
straightening process, while students often sought him for
such purpose. I heard him deprecate on one occasion the pre-
vailing use of the comparative for the superlative degree —
thus contending that of several articles one was not the better,
but the best of the lot. His lectures were among the few at-
tended by outsiders, and no one at their close — be the subject
discussed ever so dependent upon reasoning — failed to be
profited and to wish for a repetition of the sitting. When
considering the merits and popularity of our professors, it was
soon found that none stood higher among the student-body,
for we accepted him as a model teacher and a master of his
profound subject — a tower of strength in the Faculty. When,
therefore, in early April of my first year his serious indisposi-
tion was announced, one could not be surprised at the gloom
cast over the entire atmosphere and the interest taken in his
daily condition. Sometimes he had rallied to bring joy to every
heart, again unexpected complications had arisen, or, as did
occur, mental aberration and delirium, to spread inexpressible
sadness and regret. Sunday, May 4, 1873, was a delightfully
balmy day — well calculated to stimulate in nature the un-
folding of imprisoned vitality, in youth an appreciation of
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 425
the privilege of living — but with its setting sun faded the
light of our immortal philosopher, as death came shortly after
6 o'ck. All exercises of the University were suspended
the following Tuesday — a day likewise of beautiful sunshine
and warmth — when at 10.30 o'ck, the funeral assemblage
began collecting on the lawn in front of the Rotunda, arrang-
ing itself in two parallel lines ten feet apart, extending nearly
to the first terrace. Shortly thereafter the casket was borne
by loving colleagues through these lines, followed by respect-
ful friends, citizens and Moral Philosophy class — the stand-
ing lines joining the procession in regular order — all ascend-
ing the Rotunda steps and proceeding to the Public Hall,
whose pillars, gallery and stage had been entwined with
black and appropriate mourning symbols. The bier, covered
with floral wreaths, rested at the foot of the stage, while upon
this were seated the professors, assistants, ministers, noted
scholars and friends. The Hall was overcrowded, mournful
and silent — only the mellow sunlight reflecting through the
shuttered windows bringing to the occasion the slightest evi-
dence of brightness. Rev. Edgar Woods, of the Presbyte-
rian Church, Charlottesville, a close personal friend of Dr.
McGuffey's, read the Scriptural passage, while our Chaplain,
Rev. Dr. T. D. Witherspoon, delivered a very sympathetic
sermon from the text, " But when the fruit is brought forth,
immediately he putteth forth the sickle because the harvest
is come." During this discourse many were moved to tears,
especially when touching reference was made to the Pro-
fessor's great kindness to the speaker personally and to his fre-
quent visits throughout the final sickness, in which the great
teacher's one thought seemed to be his present class. After
this the Rev. J. H. Bryson gave expression to that which
appeared most pathetic and affecting — the dead professor's
last message to his class.
At the conclusion of these services the casket was conveyed
by the pall-bearers from the Hall, down the front Rotunda
steps, to the right by the Modern Language room, thence to
its rear through the opening between it and Professor Gilder-
sleeve's pavilion, where the hearse and several carriages were
in waiting. The procession, consisting of the few vehicles and
long line of professors, students and friends on foot, pro-
426 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
ceeded toward the Medical Hall, turned left into the road
along West Range and thence to the University Cemetery,
where, with the simple interment service, in the presence of
that vast concourse of uncovered heads, the body was con-
signed to its final resting place — in the rear or western sec-
tion, near the graves of Professors Bonneycastle, Courtenay
and Harrison, to which have been added later those of How-
ard and Bledsoe. During the greater portion of Dr. McGuf-
fey's sickness until the close of the session, his class was looked
after by Doctors Cabell and Witherspoon to the complete
satisfaction of all concerned.
Of the several books written by Dr. McGuffey none bore
directly upon the great subject of his life's work, Moral Phi-
losophy— there remaining extant of this only his own notes
and those taken by students as best they could in lec-
tures. It was a great disappointment that after teaching the
subject so many years he failed to place on lasting record
his own opinions, deductions and theories of mental processes,
and we were delighted to learn early in the session (1872-73)
that his long proposed work was about completed and could
be expected from the press at any date — that which after his
death failed to materialize. Nor had he trained anyone
especially to his liking and method of thought suitable to
be a worthy successor, but recognized many of his graduates
equal to the duties. These conditions, however, from the
students' standpoint made the position very difficult to fill,
as we believed that no other method or system than his would
be acceptable. As a matter of fact, in keeping with Dr. Mc-
Guffey's belief, he had molded abundant material out of which
to make an excellent choice, but what surprised us students
most was the elimination of his own product and the selec-
tion of one who had been trained far differently. This step,
be it said in truth, yielded most happy results, and convinc-
ingly proved that a new man with changed ideas and ideals
may sometimes strengthen a department that already is very
Strong.
In the life of Dr. John A. Broadus (1901), unquestionably
one of the University's most loyal and gifted sons (1827-
I895), occurs much pertaining to his own student-life and
subsequent identification with the institution. Among the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 427
letters written while enjoying his many visits there, one to his
wife, June 6, 1872, is of special interest here: "Took tea at
Dr. McGuffey's. His work on ' Mental Philosophy ' — like
Heaven in size and design — is printing, and he showed me
proofs. He looks as young and vigorous as ever. I attended
a lecture of Gildersleeve's at half past twelve, and got ideas.
In the evening he and Holmes and Peters called, and Dr.
Davis was prevented after proposing. Gildersleeve was glad
to meet somebody interested in grammar, and sat late, very
full of talk."
Immediately upon Dr. McGuffey's death, Professor Smith
wrote Dr. Broadus: "May 4, 1873 — At 6.15 o'ck this
evening our venerated and valued professor, Dr. McGuffey,
quietly and in unconsciousness passed away. He lingered for
weeks, having rallied after his physicians despaired of him.
His daughter, Mrs. Hepburn, and his wife were the only
relatives with him. . . . Other gentlemen of the Faculty
besides Dr. Davis (John Staige) have spoken to me most
earnestly in reference to his successor, and indeed, so far as
I know, if the alumni, faculty and friends of the Institution
were polled, their well-nigh, if not altogether unanimous,
choice would light on you. These gentlemen desired me to
approach you or cause you to be approached on the subject.
I know of no way save that of simply and directly telling you
the facts and asking you to deliberate upon them and give
us your matured decision, earnestly hoping that this decision
will be favorable to us. It would be presumptuous in me to
attempt to argue the matter with you. I could say nothing
which would not occur with greater force to your own re-
flections. I can very well understand the strength of your
love for the Seminary, the child of your care and toil."
This sketch cannot be concluded more appropriately than
by quoting from at least two, out of the many, of Dr. Mc-
Guffey's graduates who have not only become distinguished,
but have willingly paid a high tribute of respect to the memory
and worth of their beloved teacher. Thus one says : " It is
impossible to enter even in outline into the great work of
his life in its four departments — the Christian ministry, edu-
cational authorship, college presidency, and University pro-
fessorship. In each of these departments his life was emi-
428 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
nently successful and useful. As a preacher, in his earlier
days he had few equals, attracting great crowds wherever he
was announced to preach, and to the last his sermons gave
evidence of rare powers of exposition and masterly acquaint-
ance with the great truths of redemption. His ' Eclectic
Series of Readers ' has made his name as familiar as a house-
hold word throughout the land. In the discipline and govern-
ment of young men as college president he was eminently
successful; but it was in his chosen field, the professorship
of Mental and Moral Science, that his great powers found
their widest and most congenial field, that the labor of his
life reached its highest and most perfect fruitage, and that
the basis was laid for his most enduring and illustrious fame.
Rarely does there appear in any one man the combination of
so many qualities as a successful teacher. His mind was not
only endowed with a power of subtle analysis which enabled
him to trace without the slightest perplexity or confusion the
most intricate and occult principles of metaphysics; but with
this he combined an ardent love for those paths which conduct
man through the labyrinths of his own thought and volition.
They were as familiar to him and as dear as his mountain
walks, along which he delighted even to his last hours to
roam. His was the most truly philosophic mind we have
ever known. All nature was to him the expression of the
Divine thought — the intelligible seeking to bring itself into
correlation with the intelligent. There was not a bird that
warbled amidst the roses of his trellis, or along the path on
which he took his evening walk, whose notes he did not
interpret into language addressed to the rational ear. Nature
was to him, too, a great temple. His philosophy brought him
at every turn to the foot of the Throne, because it was pre-
eminently a Christian philosophy — one whose inspiration was
gained at the foot of the Cross. Not more devoted was he
as a student than as a teacher. As in his evening walks upon
the mountain, nothing seemed to please him more than to
have some companion to whose soul he could impart some-
thing of the fullness of his own delight in the beauties and
harmonies of nature around him — so he never seemed so
happy as when, with his class around him in the lecture-room,
he threaded the mazes of psychological inquiry, stepping from
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 429
point to point with the bold determined step of a master —
pouring a flood of illustration upon points the most obscure
and perplexing — now luring on by the beauties of his imagery,
now arousing by the glowing fervor of his style — now going
back upon his course to meet and encourage those whose slug-
gish minds had not been able to follow him, mingling incident
and anecdote, humor and pathos — his great heart warmed
with the unquenchable desire that every member of his class
should master the subjects of the course. It was no wonder
that he was successful, and that all over the land there are
men whose testimony is ' he taught me, as no other man ever
did, to think.' His life was completely given to his great
work. His death might almost be said to be a martyrdom
to it, for there can be no doubt that his final illness was the
result of more than ordinary application to the duties of his
chair. He fell, as every good man may wish to fall, at his
post. He died, as he had so often wished that he might die,
with the harness on. He went from his study where he had
been engaged with a section of his class to the chamber of
sickness and the bed of death. His end was peaceful. His
life work was fully done and well done, and he leaves behind
him the legacy of a name as untarnished in its purity as it is
distinguished in the walks of philosophy and learning."
The other grateful pupil pays this tribute : " Of the many
eminent names which adorn the history of the University of
Virginia that of Doctor William H. McGuffey stands forth
as among the most prominent. His reputation to-day is
broader and greater than during his life, and it is kept alive
by the hundreds of students who were fortunate enough to
listen to his extraordinary lectures. The writer has often
wondered why these lectures were never printed. Even at
this late day they would mark a distinct era in the history
of Moral Philosophy and Political Economy. He was one
of the few absolutely clear thinkers that this generation has
produced, and he had the happy faculty of imparting his
knowledge to others in brief and perspicuous language. The
writer will never forget the field of thought laid open to him
for the first time by this masterful man. He traced the
growth of Realism and Idealism, and demonstrated how the
mind of man had for ages been grappling with the problems
430 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
of psychology ; he stated that ideas were never lost ; that they
were eternal but not immutable ; that each age had the benefit
of the learning that was behind it, and, as time passed, brighter
and nobler trophies were streaming from the flag-staff of
science. The learning of Sir William Hamilton, of Victor
Cousin, of Theodore Jouffroy and of Dugald Stewart, was
more known to his class in a form far more attractive and
more profound than that of the writers themselves. He fairly
reveled in delight when he attacked the problems of mes-
merism, clairvoyance and electro-biology and proved that for
more than two thousand years the human mind had been grap-
pling with these occult problems. He did not deny that there
were perhaps occult forces in nature unknown and yet to be dis-
covered, and he recognized the fact that electricity was des-
tined to have tremendous effect upon the political economy of
the world. He drew the most exquisite picture of the world
one thousand years hence, when the great body of men and
women would live out their full natural lives, owing to the
advancement of medical science; when living would be made
infinitely easier; when with machinery now unknown men
would navigate the air, and the great problems of government
would be understood and all people would be absolutely pro-
tected in the three great rights of personal security, personal
liberty and private property. And nothing could have been
grander than the continued attacks he made upon atheism
and infidelity. His blows rained upon the citadel of infidelity
like the blows of Richard Cceur de Lion on the walls of the
castle of Front De Boeuf. He made * Butler's Analogy ' as
charming as a well written novel. Which one of his students
can ever forget his touching and graphic description of the
sublime and beautiful doctrine of Him who, clad in an humble
fisherman's garb, taught by the wayside in Galilee and Judaea !
Though an earnest and loyal Presbyterian, nothing seemed
to delight him more than to attack the world's prevalent idea
of predestination. He pounded it with ridicule, stamped it
with sarcasm, and made what predestination really meant so
plain that no one could misunderstand his version of it. As a
logician he was without a rival, and the science of logic was
never better taught than by him. He delighted in syllogisms
and syllogistic reasoning, and so impressed the writer that he
Professor Leopold J. Boeck, Ph.D., at fifty
1823-1896
< Page 442
FACING 430
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 431
has found this particular kind of argument of great benefit in
his professional career. As a lecturer upon Political Economy
he was, with the exception of Professor Frank Smith, who
stands and is likely to stand, unrivaled in his particular branch,
and the late James P. Holcombe, perhaps the most attractive
speaker at the University of Virginia in his day and time.
Many of the students of his class in Political Economy became
so interested in Adam Smith, who is really the father of the
science, that they read his celebrated work with almost the
avidity with which they read Ivanhoe. It was Adam Smith,
said the lecturer, who first proved to the world that manu-
facturing nations were destined to excel all others in pros-
perity. And why ? Because the shaping of the raw material
into the finished product adds immensely to the intrinsic value
of the article. It makes it salable, merchantable and useful,
and the profit of the manufacturer must be greater than that
of the person engaged in raising the raw material. But he
was at his best when he lectured upon Campbell's Philosophy
of Rhetoric and Kanes' Elements of Criticism. It enabled
him to speak of the growth of English Literature from the
days of Chaucer, the father of English poetry, to the present
time. Two or three of his lectures upon the Elizabethan age
and literature always fired the enthusiasm of his class and we
made the walls of the old lecture-room ring with applause.
I well remember his bald head and his twinkling little eyes
as he would gently admonish us that it was wrong to openly
applaud. I take this method of paying a small tribute to
the memory of the greatest and most profound master of
thought to whom I have ever had the good fortune to listen."
JOHN BARBEE MINOR — Although this gentleman was the
chief professor of law, in which his reputation was national,
teaching it solely to those of that department the six working
days, yet he was a remarkable Shakespearean and Biblical
scholar, expounding his knowledge of the latter in a course
of lectures delivered every Sunday morning, 9 o'ck, in his
regular lecture-room. To this all students had access, in
fact were invited, but none was desired who would not study
the subject and profit by the teaching. Consequently only
those religiously inclined and legal students desiring to know
432 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
something of the sacred writings constituted the class. It
was well understood that Professor Minor recognized the
Christian life as the only one, and that he considered an ac-
quaintance with the Bible essential to every lawyer, looking
with special favor and interest upon those in his department
of like opinion — who earnestly attended and studied these
Scriptural lectures. Realizing this, few law students inclined
to incur his disfavor through what apparently seemed at the
beginning of the course a slight extra tax upon time, that
which, however, developed into no little responsibility as the
session advanced, owing to the thoroughness of instruction and
amount of material included. I did not connect myself with
the class until the beginning of my third year, and then -at
the solicitation of that congenial boon companion, Davis,
whose religious precepts and example I so much admired as
to permit a positive influence — that for which I am deeply
grateful — over many of my University doings. All members
of this class were supposed to have a Bible and a copy of
" Union Questions, Vol. XII." — the latter supplied by the
Professor from the University Sunday School, and in my case
retained as a souvenir of faithfulness until the present in a
good state of preservation. He assigned a certain lesson or
lessons, with direct and concordant chapters in the Bible, lec-
tured thereon in a conversational style, and catechised upon
the same the following Sunday, when he often elaborated
more fully certain paragraphs. He expected of us a clear un-
derstanding of the subjects assigned with their accompanying
questions, and few of us felt comfortable to go there unpre-
pared. His questions were not necessarily those found in the
" Question Book," consequently we never felt quite sure of
the extent to which the subjects would be discussed and de-
veloped.
In and out of class he was one of the most suave, placid and
easy mannered of men — kind in look and word with Chris-
tian smile and expression — yet earnest, serious and sufficiently
positive to get best results from students. Always so paternal
that he could and would not do other than what he believed
right and just to his own — that which he accepted us to be
for the time being. He, however, did not invariably see our
good through our own eyes, as sometimes he would reprimand
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 433
a lack of preparation in poignant words or sentences — that in
spite of stimulating better future effort bore a little heavy at
the time upon a sensitive nature. But it was done, as we after-
wards saw, for good — to secure more conscientious work —
that which it accomplished. Of that class-relationship noth-
ing stands out so forcibly in these later years as those beau-
tiful prayers he was accustomed to make — of rare, simple,
exquisite diction, deep, lovable, convincing sincereness — and
the extreme attentive respect accorded him by us all. Pro-
fessor Minor was then sixty years of age, about six feet high
and weighed one hundred and eighty pounds. He wore no
moustache, but a short white beard covered the chin and lower
sides of the face ; his complexion was clear, sometimes florid ;
nose of good size but well-shaped ; forehead broad and high ;
countenance and facial expressions kindly, benign ; voice clear,
well-modulated, rather fine and penetrating, yet thoroughly
agreeable from it not being loud; manners easy, gentle, re-
fined and retiring; language full, ready and beautiful; dress
plain and neat — mostly black cutaway coats, open standing
collars with narrow black tied cravats, derby, silk or straw
hats. In spite of gouty and rheumatic tendency his step was
quick and positive, but always with a cane. For two winters
I remember he suffered painful attacks which necessitated an
absence of weeks from classes and the doing of his work so
far as possible by others. As soon, however, as the severe
inflammatory stage had subsided he was up, and could be
seen wending his way slowly along the East Lawn arcade
upon crutches to the class-room, where by sitting he could
impart orally his knowledge, gladden the hearts of his
students, and in a way discharge professorial duty. We re-
garded him then an old man — in fact often called him, " Old
John B.," but in no disrespect — and believed he would soon
be incapacitated for teaching, that which was not realized until
twenty years later. He enjoyed the reputation among us
students of being the most indefatigable worker in the
Faculty — that he studied early and late, seldom retiring be-
fore i o'ck, in the morning, and breakfasting with the family
so as to be at his desk by 8 o'ck. It made no difference
how late at night we passed his home, last pavilion on East
Lawn, a light could be seen burning brightly in his study,
434 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
thus verifying his studious habit. We understood that he
and Dr. Davis (John Staige) were the heaviest losers in the
bank failures of Charlottesville of those days, but nothing
came to our ears that either ever complained aloud. Indeed,
on the contrary, they bore misfortune with Christian resigna-
tion— far more than did some of the students their small
amounts on deposit willingly made good by loving parents.
Fortunately the University suffered little from these financial
upheavals, as she used Richmond banks for monetary deposits
and transactions.
In my day Professor Minor had two small but very friendly
sons, Johnny and Raleigh, whom I frequently saw and ques-
tioned concerning their studies, which then seemed to me far
advanced considering their years, as Latin and French were
included, and of both they possessed a fair elementary under-
standing. These lads have long since grown into most
worthy scions of a noble sire. His daughter, Miss Mary, by
a former marriage, enjoyed the friendship of not a few
students, especially of the older and more thoughtful set, and
contributed largely in making the home attractive and delight-
ful to- visit. Usually during " Finals " they gave, at least,
one reception to which many were invited, and none who
chanced that way was refused a generous welcome, " that
cometh from the heart."
Apart from his great legal knowledge — that which assigned
and fixed his national reputation — we students recognized in
him something deeper and dearer than mere professional at-
tainments: a wise counselor, a judicious benefactor, a power-
ful personality for good, and a Christian gentleman whose
daily acts conformed thereto and arose above the slightest
suspicion or criticism. We believed he could not be tempted
from the path of rectitude by sordid and glittering induce-
ments, and that he would advocate under all circumstances
what was just, right and true. As a fact, somehow or
another, we fancied these qualities more strongly centered in
him, if possible, than in any other member of the Faculty. I
recall one year, when two or three of his recognized bright
men failed to graduate, that much wild talk was indulged in
by various students, and on Commencement Day as the law
graduates were called a few hisses rang through the Hall
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 435
while several vigorously proclaimed the names of the disap-
pointed. But the feeling was of butterfly duration, as the
next session all thought that justice had been measured out
properly to them — that according to the University's only
standard and guide for excellence, examinations, they had
truly fallen by the wayside. We were familiar in a measure
with the many sacrifices Professor Minor had made in behalf
of the University ; the part he played with Professors Maupin,
Schele and others, spring of 1864, in saving her from destruc-
tion by the Army of General Sheridan, which encamped in
and around the campus a few days en route from Staunton to
Petersburg — that owing to the personal appeal of these gentle-
men the General permitted a detachment to guard and protect
every building without the slightest disturbance of contents.
We fancied at that conference the persuasive, self-possessed
and courtly presence of Professor Minor went far towards
disarming the enemy of venom and convincing the General
that the University deserved to live for the cause of educa-
tion and humanity. Professor Minor was no impulsive, ex-
citable secessionist, on the contrary a Unionist, but a true ad-
vocate and teacher of States' Rights, a disciple of the illus-
trious Jefferson and Madison, a follower of his distinguished
predecessors, Lomax, Davis and Tucker. He believed in
Christian charity and justice, conservative thought and ac-
tion, and that the wise counsel of the intelligent would cor-
rect prevailing wrongs. His religion dominated absolutely
his life — that which he believed should be true with all others
— and his every act, apparent and concealed, was but a mani-
festation or expression of that ennobling sentiment.
Through the love and admiration of his former pupils, Law
Alumni and colleagues his fiftieth anniversary of continuous
service at the University was celebrated by presenting to the
Library a life-size white marble bust, carved by Valentine,
mounted upon a polished pedestal, bearing the inscription:
" 1845 — He taught the law and the reason thereof — 1895."
It was unveiled Commencement Day, June I2th, after Profes-
sor Woodrow Wilson concluded his very able Alumni address,
when Professors Thornton and Green made happy speeches
and Senator Daniel an eulogistic oration. The Public Hall
was filled with a distinguished multitude to enjoy the com-
436 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
bined exercises, but Professor Minor, owing to modesty and
feebleness, remained at home, where, however, immediately
afterwards he held a reception, greeting and entertaining de-
lightfully his numerous old friends and students. He was in
full possession of mental powers but physically weak, yet
during the course just ended had delivered with regularity his
accustomed lectures, and confidently expected to conduct, as
usual, his summer Law Class in the coming vacation. This,
however, was destined not to be, as scarcely was it organized
before increased feebleness gave evidence of weakened vitality
and irreparable bodily infirmities that culminated in death on
July 2Qth. By tender hands he was laid at rest in the Univer-
sity Cemetery, near those in life he loved most, where the
friendly pilgrim can read and interpret his prophetic dream —
the inspiration of his earthly existence, " I shall be satisfied
when I awake with Thy likeness."
NOAH KNOWLES DAVIS — This gentlemen did not become
connected with the University until my second year — being
the successor of Dr. McGuffey, who had filled so acceptably
for thirty-three years the chair of Moral Philosophy. Owing
to the versatility of Dr. McGuffey's scholarly acquirements
making him a philosopher, political economist and minister
of high order — characteristics recognized essential for one
taking charge of the department — few at first believed that
such a combination could possibly exist in Professor Davis.
It is true that Dr. McGuffey had already shed for some years
the clerical gown, but had ever continued his Sunday after-
noon Biblical lectures to the delight of the younger as well
as older heads. Indeed, these being without the quizzing
phase were enjoyed far more than those of Professor Minor's,
as we felt there was, at least, one lecture a week for which
no strict account had to be given — and now what was to be-
come of this course was to us a speculative question. Upon
our return to the University in October, 1873, we found Pro-
fessor Davis on the ground ready to begin the discharge of
his duties. He was only forty-three years of age but older
looking ; stood nearly six feet high and weighed one hundred
and eighty pounds. His shoulders were broad and square
but slightly curved forward; walked with a firm deliberate
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 437
step with head slightly bowed and eyes fixed downward as
though in deep meditation; face rather large and strong; hair
brownish-black — worn long on the sides and back, the top
being bald; moustache and beard brownish-black — of good
thickness and length ; forehead bold, broad and deep — show-
ing perceptive organs well-developed; eyes clear and bright —
a little dreamy ; voice deep, clear, penetrating and agreeable ;
articulation slow and thoughtful; manner quiet, sluggish, re-
flective and serious — not given to laughter, even seldom smil-
ing; dress somewhat indifferent but becoming a scholarly
man — usually in black — frock coats, derby and silk hats. Al-
together he suggested the Grecian philosopher, such as we
fancied might have characterized either Aristotle, Plato or
Socrates. Professor Davis was a methodical and persistent
worker, almost converting night into day, seldom stopping
until one or two in the morning, but rested late — often near
unto noon. He saw little of his family and seemingly con-
cerned himself less with its management, but fortunately had
a helpful companion and good executive in his wife, who
willingly relieved him of all domestic interests — not, however,
without lamenting the seclusion he needed and exacted for
study and reflection. Mrs. Davis, on the other hand, was
of the bright animated type, entering energetically into the
social and more worldly side of life, so that upon her and the
two daughters, Misses Morell and Clara, rested the honors
of entertaining, of which there was considerable. The Pro-
fessor seldom dropped in on the visitor and then only for a
few moments, usually excusing himself for a return to his of-
fice— room north of his home, fourth pavilion from the
Rotunda, West Lawn, the original nucleus and library of the
University — where abundant work always awaited him.
He was regarded by the student-body as a deep and pro-
found thinker, but not as a special favorite, although none
cherished evil wishes against him. The chief criticism lay
solely in his efforts, as we thought, to make his course un-
necessarily difficult, without any regard at abridgment or cur-
tailment— a grievance that invariably ended after graduation,
when the course was not considered in the least too severe,
if anything, it could be made a little more so. In spite of this
sentiment, however, he enjoyed our unbounded respect and
438 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
admiration, owing to his varied knowledge, scholarly attain-
ments and recognized reputation. We called him as a rule
" Professor Noah K.," sometimes " Professor Davis " and
occasionally " Old Noah K.," the latter without the slightest
disrespect.
Much to our delight he, like Dr. McGuffey, was a pains-
taking Biblical scholar and at once began the delivery of Sun-
day afternoon lectures which from the first were popular and
well attended. They were given in his regular class-room
from 3.30 to 4.30 o'ck, beginning with Genesis and including
discussions of other books he thought most essential. I very
distinctly recall among others his explanation of the world's
creation in six days — not necessarily days of our accepted
length but periods of far greater time — which I regarded a
vast improvement over the orthodox theory taught me in
earlier days. There were many other points he endeavored
to clarify and conform to reason — a duty he recognized be-
longing to every one attempting to expound and popularize
the word of God in this intelligent age.
He was seldom seen taking walks for exercise — that which
apparently he did not need — but devoted all his time to read-
ing, studying and other duties incident to his department. He
undoubtedly recognized only one object in life — work — such,
however, as might be turned into good for others even at the
sacrifice of self. His chief ambition was seeking truth — that
which could only be revealed so far as he was concerned by a
comparison of others' works and thoughts in order to assign
to them their deserved value. This was only possible through
extensive reading and close thinking — that which finally he
hoped would make him the intelligent adjudicator and col-
laborator of the endless amount of philosophical matter.
Largely he has lived to realize his hopes, having enunciated
in his half-dozen works the results of a lifetime's devotion to
unceasing study and careful meditation — works and thoughts
that will survive to impress and teach generations unborn.
There was a great difference between Professor Davis' and Dr.
McGuffey's teachings, as the former did not hesitate to give
most abstruse and comprehensive theories along with those
considered less difficult, while the latter had largely his own
philosophical doctrines which he preferred students to accept
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 439
and master, even at the sacrifice of those promulgated by
others and often more popular. Dr. McGuffey was too old
to give the best of certain kinds of service — that dependent
upon research, translation and continued comparison — conse-
quently adhered to the doctrines, theories, conceptions and
beliefs of his earlier life. With these he was satisfied, in
them placed his faith, and considered them worthy of being
taught throughout the world. While conservative towards
the opinions of others, he was positive in his own, but above
all was considerate and tolerant for the short-comings of
youth. The advent, therefore, of Professor Davis with his
more comprehensive and exacting methods was not without
value, since it introduced changes that brought the department
in harmony with current thought and made its diploma no
longer an open sesame, but among the University's most diffi-
cult acquisitions — that upon which she preferred her reputa-
tion to rest.
FRANCIS PERRY DUNNINGTON — This gentleman belonged
to a younger generation than did any of the full professors,
having only reached his majority a few months previous to
my entering the University — my first year being his sixth
as a student and first as Adjunct Professor of Analytical and
Agricultural Chemistry. Although I did not come directly
under him until my last session, when he was in his twenty-
sixth year, I frequently saw him from the beginning on
through my entire course. To all the students of those times
I am confident he appeared exceptionally mature — certainly
not less than thirty years of age. He occupied a room on
West Lawn between the first and second pavilions — Professor
Gildersleeve's and Harrison's — and was recognized as keeping
well within its walls, seldom wandering therefrom save for
meals and the discharge of duties incident to his department.
While neither sad nor morose he was always quiet, seclusive
and busy — seemingly one unto himself and in a measure un-
like the majority of students, younger and older. This atti-
tude of reservedness or semi-isolation we did not accept as
assumed per force of professorial connection, but as coming
through the natural channel of inheritance or preference. I
doubt if any of us went so far as to consider him peculiar
440 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
owing to this apparent idiosyncrasy or difference from us, for
in those days we were very liberal and cosmopolitan along
most lines — granting, at least, to every one the rightful privi-
lege of forming and following his own ways and manners
without even the thought of mild criticism. Surely few of
us appreciated his youth or ambition, and what the material-
ization of the latter meant to him — or in fact to any one mak-
ing the attempt to fill with credit such a significant and respon-
sible position. He devoted little time to the ladies until my
last year, when, realizing I dare say a satisfactory control
of his department, he ventured forth considerably into that
phase of social life — to the extent of shortly thereafter becom-
ing a husband and in time a multiple father. This step of
matrimony was naturally a surprise to many, as inclination,
courage and a responsive soul were elements some thought
would ever be wanting in his case. But as all of us have
learned in the intervening years — students do not know it all
and their predictions often miscarry.
Professor Dunnington was at least six feet high and
weighed one hundred and seventy pounds. His face was full,
somewhat elongated and bore a reddish moustache; com-
plexion of sanguine type and not very clear; nose rather
large but of good outline; hair reddish and abundant; man-
ners quiet, diffident, retiring, and a little awkward but
gentlemanly; voice a trifle thick yet sufficiently powerful for
ordinary lecturing purposes; step quick and firm — always
hurried.
He was an industrious, painstaking and serious worker,
never idling when there was something to do — that which to
him was always in sight. He was well equipped in the knowl-
edge of his department, but I did not consider him the best of
teachers — his experience then possibly having been too limited
to bring out and develop latent possibilities. Some are born
teachers — as they are great — others have to acquire one or
both, that in which no doubt Professor Dunnington has been
fortunate, overcoming long since the slight imperfections
noticeable in my day. He certainly possessed in high degree
the University spirit of teaching — making students help and
depend on self in their work — a process most valuable but not
of universal application provided best immediate results are
Professor Stephen O. Southall, LL.D., at sixty
1816-1884
See page 445
FACING 440
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 441
desired, such, however, as in the end makes a man if there be
manhood, and the scholar if there be mentality. All children
cannot be handled alike in their parental training, so likewise
in a slightly later period various methods of education might
bring to one and another greater good, but the University
system — pitch in Tucker and go it alone — prevailed, and in
spite of demanding a large consumption of time and energy
served to acquaint one early with life's serious obstacles and
the necessity of being at all times self-resourceful.
Leopold Jules Boeck — nativity, personality; great linguist; resignation.
Stephen O. Southall — characteristics, fine speaker; popular with stud-
ents. John Randolph Page — characteristics; course unpopular; resig-
nation. Thomas Randolph Price, successor to Professor Gildersleeve ;
characteristics ; home quite a social factor. William Wertenbaker,
Librarian ; youth, training ; appointed by Mr. Jefferson. M. Green
Peyton, Proctor — personality, good official, friendly to all students.
Henry Martin, Janitor — personal traits, affable, dignified but friendly.
THERE were four professors — Boeck, Southall, Page, Price
—with whom my student course required no direct contact,
yet who were seen almost daily in one place or another, oc-
casionally to enjoy a few words in conversation.
LEOPOLD JULES BOECK — This gentleman was elected pro-
fessor of " Applied Mathematics and Civil Engineering " in
1867, a new department created in the University the previous
year. He was born at Culm, Poland, in 1823, being a distin-
guished Hungarian patriot, possessing beyond a mastery of
his teaching subjects a superior knowledge of many languages.
After graduating from the University of Bonn he entered the
University of Berlin where he received the Doctor of
Philosophy degree. With the zeal of early manhood he
championed the side of the nobility in the Polish revolution
of 1849, which being unsuccessful caused him to seek refuge
in Hungary, then also struggling for independence. Here
again he espoused a defeated cause, which otherwise would
have promoted him to the Secretary of State under General
Kossuth, but in reality occasioned his appointment as Envoy
Extraordinary to Turkey in the hope of securing aid. This
he was not only refused, but there imprisoned and sent to
Paris, where, becoming an intimate friend of Victor Hugo, he
advocated strongly his accession to the French throne rather
than the restoration of Louis Napoleon — that for which he
was ordered to leave the country, a dire necessity that
442
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 443
prompted his coming to the United States. He was just fifty
when I entered the university, but, like most of the professors,
seemed older to us youthful students than we thought those
years should indicate; weighed about one hundred and eighty
pounds and stood six feet high. His shoulders were square
and broad but bent slightly forward; hips and chest full and
large; face roundish and of good size; forehead broad and
high; hair abundant, blackish and combed loosely backward
without much of a part; chin-whiskers and moustache black-
ish with some whitish strands; nose full-size and well-propor-
tioned. He spoke quickly in rather a high pitched voice with
a decided foreign accent, and in conversation was animated
— indeed, at times demonstrative — using many gestures and
facial expressions. He moved with rapid step, appearing al-
ways in a hurry, and his whole make-up indicated the impul-
sive nervous type — easily irritated but soon pacified. In the
eyes of the student-body he was the conversational linguist of
the Faculty — speaking at least six or eight languages — and
therefore was supposed by us to be an almost indispensable
factor. But with his own students he stood in less favor, as
they failed to appreciate his ultra frank and familiar manner,
his volatile and impetuous disposition. It is true they re-
garded him as a man of great learning, in and out of his de-
partment, yet they appreciated the fact that he fell short of
being the useful and practical teacher needed — that typified so
thoroughly the other professors. He was wanting in dignity
and that strong manly personality often very inspiring to
youth — such as stimulates emulation and best efforts. At
times he was exacting and positive, then again lenient and
conciliatory, but in spite of idiosyncrasies and short-comings
from the students' viewpoint, those that were serious could
profit greatly under his tutelage — only the laggard and indif-
ferent need suffer.
He was recognized to be a hard worker, seldom wasting
time or opportunity — even utilizing the Sabbath otherwise
than in attending sacred service at church or chapel. His
reply to Dr. John Staige Davis when approached — possibly
reproached — for devoting the Holy Day in secular duties was
handed along from year to year to no little mortification as
well as amusement of the students : " You know Doctor, the
444 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Good Book sanctions helping out of the mud and mire on
Sunday the ox and the ass, and my classes contain so many of
the latter that I am kept busy rendering assistance from
morning until night — I never can have rest."
In 1872 he was appointed by President Grant a special
Commissioner to the Vienna Exposition, but by the opening
of the session that autumn he was again back at his post of
duty. This session, my first, Professor Schele spent in Euro-
pean travel, so that Professor Boeck, in addition to his regular
work, assumed charge of Senior French and passed upon the
graduates — that which proved delightful to students owing to
an unusual scarcity of failures. He resigned from the
Faculty, June, 1875, under what was believed generally a re-
quest from the Board of Visitors, but whether this was true
or false could not positively be affirmed ; at the same time an
absence of denial went far towards proving its correctness.
We never heard of any specific charges against him, except
his lack in assimilating American manners and the University
spirit.
During the eight years of his professorship he organized
the Engineering Department on a high plane, and sent forth
a number of capable men who reflected credit upon the institu-
tion and his teaching. If none other than the late lamented
Samuel Spencer, I am confident he would not have reckoned
his efforts misspent, far less a failure — no more so than would
Professor Gildersleeve for his one grateful and scholarly
product — Thomas R. Price. But there were others, even one
— like the Gessner Harrison of old, who was found worthy
to be the teacher's successor, possibly an improvement — to
whose shoulders the University had not the slightest hesitation
in transferring the honors, profiting well by the change. And
yet there was no student who knew Professor Boeck but what
regretted his departure, missed his genial smile and guttural
laugh. For years his name and personality continued to be
remembered and revered to a pleasing extent, proving that
" though absent, not forgotten." He, however, apparently
retained little affection for the University and the many
friends formed there, as in his later years neither visits nor
letters served to foster and maintain that association which
must have been delightfully pleasant in the bygone. Leaving
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 445
the University he took up residence in Philadelphia, where he
continued to live until death, in 1896.
STEPHEN OSBORNE SOUTHALL — Some weeks passed after
entering the University before this Professor was pointed out
to me. He was without family and lived with Professor
Holmes, whose tastes and sentiments were kindred — -even
sharing the same lecture-room, Rotunda basement, west. This
being so near their residence required little circulation in the
outer world for the discharge of duties, consequently as Pro-
fessor Southall — more frequently called " Old South " —
seemingly preferred the seclusion of home he was not a very
familiar figure upon the street. However, after I came to
know him our lines crossed rather often and always with
pleasant recognition.
He was then fifty-five years of age, about five feet eleven
inches high, and weighed one hundred and eighty pounds.
In appearance he was extremely plain, substantial and thought-
ful— of the hardy rural type — having the face and head cov-
ered with a good suit of beard and hair, slightly turning gray,
that obscured all delicate lines and expressions, such as may
seldom have existed owing to a serious and sober realization
of life. His forehead was well-formed and prominent; nose
of good size and shapely; eyes normal but a little heavy and
in receding sockets overshadowed by dense shaggy brows;
step firm and deliberate; voice rather deep, clear, sonorous,
well-modulated and controlled, giving him a reputation among
us students of being the most showy extemporaneous speaker
in the Faculty. Owing to this gift and accomplishment his
lectures always were well attended not only by his class mem-
bers but frequently by outsiders. Often I have stopped and
joined others at his lecture-room door, when on ajar, to enjoy
a few minutes of those masterly efforts, only each time to go
away with the same satisfactory impression and belief in his
exceptional natural powers and ability — a conviction shared
alike by all who happened thus to linger. Those under him
never ceased sounding his praise in this direction but regarded
his department and teaching inferior to Professor Minor's.
We were highly pleased whenever he was selected to make
some public announcement during the " Finals " — realizing
446 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
that it would be done well and bring to no one any disappoint-
ment. Who can forget with what fervor and impressiveness
he awarded the Magazine medal to Mr. W. W. Thum in 1874,
in approximately these acceptable sentences ? "I am deputed
by our Literary Societies to deliver the medal due to the
author of the best contribution to the Magazine during the
present session. It gives me sincere pleasure to deliver into
your hands so flattering a testimonial, because I think that
its reception should be an occasion of unalloyed delight to you
and your friends. Your success will be followed by no re-
grets, as it has been achieved by no indirection. You have
pleased by manly arts. In open and generous competition,
without the aid of collateral influences and personal consid-
erations, you have gained the palm. As the youthful Alex-
ander avowed his willingness to enter the arena if he could
be confronted by royal antagonists, so you, in your degree,
may have the pleasure of knowing that you have encountered
most worthy competitors. And though you have outstripped
them all, it will greatly heighten the gratification of a liberal
and chivalrous spirit to be informed that they pressed closely
on you, and were not ingloriously defeated. They are here to
witness, and, through hearty sympathy, even to partake of
your triumph. For by a slight adaptation of a couplet of
Pope's I may add,
In a living medal see your work enroll'd,
And vanquished friends supply recording gold.
Your good sense will suggest to you that this early success
constrains to increased and persistent effort. Our auguries
of your future usefulness will be all disappointed should you
supinely rest contented to live on the mere memories of a
youthful triumph. Laurels are grateful to the young brow,
but to feed upon laurel-water is poisonous to the strongest
constitution. It was an ancient fancy that the laurel-wreath
protected its wearer from the thunderbolt, and it is a modern
experience that the lightnings of the public censure are
launched most unerringly at the devoted head of him who,
resting under his laurels, fails to redeem the rich promise of
his youth by the achievements of his manhood. Far, very far
from you, Sir, be the necessity of any such warning. Let us
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 447
rather hope and believe that your own high aims and faithful
endeavors will but realize the fondest expectations of your
friends, and that the light that now shines upon you will
broaden into a long day of unclouded splendor. With these
wishes gladly shaping themselves into anticipations, I deliver
this medal. Receive it with the fervent congratulations of
your friends and the general applause of the public."
Professor Southall was regarded as a model postprandial
speaker, consequently at the Alumni banquets responded more
frequently than his turn to " The Faculty," and always with a
charm of manner that delighted his hearers. One of my
student friends, Cooper, was a proverbially poor penman, and
upon sending to one of his home papers a letter concerning
his impressions of the University and its life received from
the editor a request for a translation, as it appeared to him
an effort in Chinese or some unknown tongue. With no
little warmth of feeling he showed me the letter as well as his
curt and settling reply. When it came to his examination
papers in Constitutional and International Law a similar ex-
perience confronted him, as Professor Southall soon rec-
ognized himself against an ugly proposition, but, being able
with some effort to make out the signature under the pledge,
eased matters by dispatching a messenger to the author with
the request that he come at an appointed hour and decipher
his chirography. After the conference my friend told me that
Professor Southall reprimanded "him severely for such care-
less writing, urging an effort at improvement — but without
effect as until death, a few years ago, his personal letters were
almost illegible. As he passed successfully this examination
companions jeered him not a little for taking the Professor
at such disadvantage — having had time to discuss intelligently
with others the various subjects, he could give correct answers
under the pretense of reading them from the pages.
Professor Southall entered the Faculty along with Pro-
fessor Peters, 1866, and for eighteen years remained faithful
in the discharge of his duties. In my day he was recognized
by common consent, the most popular professor in the Uni-
versity, but how and why I never knew — possibly because we
were not well acquainted and exteriorly he did not appeal to
me. In his department he was regarded as much more lenient
448 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
than his senior colleague, Professor Minor, and that may have
contributed something towards assigning praise. He died
very suddenly of heart failure, November, 1884, at the Union
depot, whither he had hastened to take a train, and was laid
at rest in the University Cemetery, near the scene of his great-
est and most enduring life's work.
JOHN RANDOLPH PAGE — This gentleman had only received
his appointment as professor of " Natural History, Experi-
mental and Practical Agriculture " a few months, previous to
my entering the University, so that practically we reached
there at the same time. He, however, had studied medicine
there two sessions, 1848-49, 1849-50, and upon receiving his
diploma in that department, 1850, went abroad for supple-
mentary study in Paris. He also had been chief surgeon in
the Confederate service, professor in Washington University
School of Medicine, Baltimore, and later in the Louisiana
Military Academy. He was a typical Southern gentleman, a
native of Gloucester County, Virginia, and then had just en-
tered his forty-third year. He was about five feet ten inches
high and weighed one hundred and sixty-five pounds, with
hair and beard abundant, of the sandy or reddish cast, the
latter being trimmed moderately short. His step was of good
length and somewhat quick which tended to make an excel-
lent walker; manner quiet and thoughtful, seemingly slow to
take the initiative or to advocate the new and untried. He
was more of the practical than the visionary type, and kept
always busy with his own affairs, leaving alone those of
others. He was plain in dress and taste, suggestive of that
which he taught — agriculture— although his. course included
botany and zoology.
Mr. Samuel Miller of Lynchburg had bequeathed the Uni-
versity one hundred thousand dollars for establishing an Agri-
cultural Department, and in order that this might be effective
the University set aside a number of acres west of Carr's Hill
as an " Experimental Farm," which was brought to a high
state of cultivation for growing various products. Professor
Page had supervision of this, so that between lectures and
applying theories to practice on the land he was kept busily
employed. Somehow or another the course, as similar courses
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 449
elsewhere, was not popular in my day, it having never more
than a dozen students, that which tended to place even the
professor at disadvantage, if not in discredit. One thing
certain we students did not attach as much importance to his
department, as to the others, nor did all accord to him the same
acumen, scholarly knowledge and broad culture as to the other
professors. As a matter of fact, from the students' viewpoint,
possibly due to short identification or the nature of subjects
taught, he did not then seem to affiliate heartily with the other
Faculty members, or they with him — that which may have only
been apparent and not real. No doubt after moving into one
of the pavilions — first from the Rotunda, West Lawn, just
vacated by Professor Gildersleeve — the family became a
stronger factor in the social doings and spirit of the Univer-
sity, and he more closely united with everything tending to-
wards her progress and improvement. After occupying the
chair fifteen years and the department gathering no strength
or popularity — a period in which he added very little to the
world's knowledge of scientific and practical agriculture, and
absolutely failed to bring the University any favorable
notoriety — he resigned, 1887, and removed to Birmingham,
Alabama, where he again entered upon the practice of medi-
cine. Owing, however, to declining health he soon aban-
doned this and returned to the pleasant scenes of his former
labor — Charlottesville and the University — there passing the
remainder of his life and dying of acute Bright's disease,
March n, 1901. His remains were interred in the University
Cemetery by the side of many whom in life he knew well and
loved.
THOMAS RANDOLPH PRICE — This gentleman was called to
the University only the summer (June), preceding my last
year, consequently I saw and learned of his personality at
close range simply during the one session. A number of our
students had been taught by him, and all had heard of his
scholarly attainments as well as the distinguished ability with
which for years he presided over the department of Greek and
English at Randolph-Macon College. My next door neigh-
bor, Harding, had taken the Master Degree under him at that
institution, and this was his fifth year at the University in
450 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
pursuit of the same distinction coupled with legal knowledge.
It was he more than all others who expressed to me a sense
of gratification over the promotion of his former teacher, de-
lighting always in a modest way to sound his praise. While
we all acknowledged the loss of Professor Gildersleeve as
irreparable, yet we felt half-way reconciled that his most fav-
orite product was to be his successor, and had the hope that
some day, not remote, the world of letters would regard them
as equal — that which unfortunately fell short of realization.
We all, however, accepted Professor Price as the one ideal
man for the place, knowing well that he had been inspired
by the Hellenist enthusiasm of Professor Gildersleeve to seek
foreign study under the great linguistic scholar, Curtius, and
that he had spent his three years at Berlin, Kiel, Paris and
Athens with the greatest benefit and profit. We also were
mindful of the fact that he alone was recommended by Pro-
fessor Gildersleeve to be his successor, a choice in which the
Board of Visitors concurred unanimously — a condition al-
most unprecedented.
Professor Price was then a young man, considering the
honors won and worn — just . thirty-seven — and in physique
belonged to the medium-sized type, being about five feet ten
inches high and weighing one hundred and sixty pounds.
His head was symmetrical with high curved forehead; face
somewhat elongated, revealing a clear healthy complexion;
eyes clear and penetrating; voice rather fine — not calculated
to entertain a promiscuous audience — with a slight hesitation
or irregularity that lessened its attractiveness. He wore a
heavy brownish-black moustache, but his hair of similar color
was becoming thinnish upon the crown ; manners were affable,
shrinking and retiring, never aggressive or self-centered ; dress
although neat was sometimes subject to notice and comment,
especially when of light broad plaids, tightly fitting buttoned
cutaway coats, and pantaloons not as long as regulation de-
manded; step quick, light, easy and rather short, indicating
to a degree the nervous temperament. His general person-
ality impressed the precise characteristics he possessed — se-
riousness, enthusiasm, studious and business habits, such as
alone can bring the best success in any calling. His inaugural
address was delivered in the Natural Philosophy lecture-room
one afternoon shortly after the session opened, and, being
Professor John R. Page, M.D., at fifty-six
1830-1901
fee page 448
FACING 450
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 451
public, was attended by professors, many students, and the
lady contingent of the University. It was a scholarly effort,
comprehending general philology, but more calculated to in-
terest the linguistic student than the average individual. At
any rate we regarded it able and thoroughly worthy our new
and already distinguished Professor of Greek.
For a home he was assigned the " Monroe Mansion," which
Professor Venable had just vacated, owing to his remarrying
in the summer and sharing thereafter his wife's residence in
Charlottesville, and it was not long before those quiet and
saddened halls rang with mirth and glee most attractive to
those more youthful and unoppressed by affliction. Mrs.
Price, nee Triplet, was a charming hostess, delighting in social
functions, and was fortunate in having several sisters no less
gifted. These and other lady friends were not infrequent
visitors, so that their dances and larger entertainments now
and then gave joy and delight to the University atmosphere.
I distinctly recall being one of a party in the laboratory who
dyed their small gray sky-terrier on the afternoon preceding
one of these gatherings, caring well for the little fellow until
10 o'ck, that night, and, as some of the guests entered the front
door, letting in their supposed lost pet — now grotesque and,
like Joseph's coat, of many colors. The incident as intended
produced much merriment among the assemblage, as well as
great delight to the family members to whom it was a ver-
itable homecoming.
Professor Price proved a very acceptable substitute for his
illustrious teacher, even attracting the first year a larger num-
ber than had studied there for years the Hellenic tongue. He
was popular with and beloved by his students, and extremely
cordial in his home where he manifested those social qualities
that made none a stranger, all his friends. He only remained
at the University six years, when he was called to Columbia
University, New York, to preside over the Department of
English — that which he particularly loved — where he re-
mained faithful to continuous labor twenty-one years, until
death, May 7, 1903.
O much enduring soul who enterest peace,
Still shall our love for thee on earth increase;
Now, poet, scholar, soldier, on death's plain
Sleep with thy early friends in battle slain!
452 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
WILLIAM WERTENBAKER — This gentleman in my day was
the only one associated with the University that connected her
then present with her remotest past, as all others had .passed
away years before, except Professor George Long, the first
Professor of Ancient Languages, who, after a residence of four
years, had returned to his native country, England (whence
Mr. Jefferson had sought him) to accept the chair of Greek
in the then newly established University of London. There
he attained a far-famed reputation — possibly that of the lead-
ing classical scholar of his time in the world — and still lived,
old and decrepit, with little interest in our country or the insti-
tution and its founder he had served in the long ago, no doubt
forgetful of the latter's significance and bearing upon all
American interests — social, political and educational. Be
that as it may we students knew of his fame and of his sym-
pathy with the South in her recent struggle, for which as well
as his past affiliation with our University we revered his name.
But Mr. Wertenbaker, or " Old Wert," as we affectionately
and more frequently called him, continued "to live, move and
have his being " right among us, indeed, had been a veritable
pupil of Mr. Jefferson, imbibing his precepts and doctrines as
well as an inspiration from his personality ; had received from
his hands the commission as Librarian, and, although the dis-
crepancy of ages precluded close intimacy, had conversed, sug-
gested and argued many questions with him. It is true as
Mr. Wertenbaker admitted — he was most too young at that
time to fully appreciate Mr. Jefferson's exceptional greatness,
but a growth in years and knowledge had made him an ardent
advocate of his principles and inculcated a respect for his name
kindred to profound reverence. Even Mr. Jefferson's last
visit to the University was by appointment with Mr. Werten-
baker at the old library building — Professor Noah K. Davis'
pavilion — to classify and catalogue a new installment of books,
and in conversation this pleasant circumstance usually found
mention. Mr. Wertenbaker was about seventy-three years of
age when I first came to know him, and then seemed much
more infirm than those years often indicate — indeed, as though
his days were numbered. He was five feet eight inches high,
and weighed about one hundred and forty-five pounds, being
considered rather a small man. His face was of the diminu-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 453
tive type and much wrinkled; hair thin and gray; attitude
when standing somewhat stooped, slightly nervous, palsied
or tottering; voice a trifle nervous, guttural but decisive and
often clear; gait slow, deliberate and firm — always walking
with a cane, and body leaning slightly forward; manners re-
served and positive, never familiar or obtrusive — friendly but
strictly business-like. He never seemed idle and could be
found mostly sitting at his table engaged in writing, which he
did very slowly in a cramped nervous style. Indeed, he would
often continue his work apparently unobserving your approach
until you addressed him by name. Old persons have always
appealed to me, and by being gracious, respectful and consid-
erate seldom fail to gain their favor and friendship. Here I
experienced no trouble, for after a short season I felt not the
slightest hesitation or restraint in talking upon all subjects, or
in interrupting him whenever my interest suggested. He had
a remarkable memory in some directions, especially for the
location of books, seldom having to look in a second place for
any given one. The Library catalogue was old and far from
complete, as most of the accessions for years had been filed
away in alcoves without special memoranda, his mind being
sufficiently reliable to carry accurately the place of each.
When you asked him for any book, pamphlet or manuscript
he referred to nothing — simply told you at once whether or
not it was in the Library, if out who had it, if in and you de-
sired it, unlocked the case and produced it. He was moder-
ately conversant with the general scope of literature, aiding
often in locating material pertaining to the many phases of
our student-work.
To him was intrusted the making up of each annual cata-
logue, securing bids for printing, addressing and mailing, so
that the early months of the year found him unusually busy.
He conducted all correspondence referring to library books,
contents thereof and queries — historic and otherwise — coming
within the province of his knowledge, filled in and signed di-
plomas, and the last two years of my stay used all spare time
in arranging a new catalogue of the Library's books, having
now been given in his work an assistant, Mr. Frederick W.
Page, who a few years later, 1881, assumed entire manage-
ment. In my earlier years the Library did not seem so well
454 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
patronized as it deserved, but after the various magazines and
college publications were assigned special tables, one on either
side of the entrance, increased interest was aroused, as at all
times some students could be found there profiting by the con-
tact. There being no assistant at first the hours were re-
stricted to i o to i in the morning and 2 to 5 in the afternoon,
while owing to Mr. Wertenbaker's slow pace and slightly re-
mote home the dinner hour was sometimes prolonged. He,
however, was very conscientious in the discharge of duty and
observed time the very best physical infirmities permitted.
He appreciated his position — considered it highly honorable
— and was zealous of its included rights and powers. He be-
longed to the old school, of which there are few left, endeav-
ored always to do right, and expected consideration as well
as respect from every one, especially those more youthful.
While we students never placed him on the same plane with
the professors, yet they appeared to look upon him as a kind
of paternal spirit deserving all honor and kindness — that
which they invariably accorded. Through this worthy example
we learned to appreciate and regard him with the full value his
position entitled, and with that he seemed perfectly satisfied.
I am confident he never received from any of us discourteous
treatment, and if that had been attempted he would have been
quite capable of taking care of himself with forceful and con-
temptuous language.
Beyond the personality of Mr. Jefferson, incidents of Dab-
ney Carr, Presidents Madison and Monroe, along with the
early days of the University, he also enjoyed telling you,
when in the humor, something of Edgar Allan Poe, who was
a student with him at the University in 1826, when he re-
ceived his appointment as Librarian from Mr. Jefferson. As
so much had been affirmed against Poe's younger career,
especially that at the University, Mr. Wertenbaker took great
care and pride in defending it at all times and occasions
against what he was pleased to term " the wild aspersions
and vagaries of his would-be traducers."
Mr. Wertenbaker was an ardent and experienced chess
player, and often could be seen at the game with one or
another friend, usually Dr. Michie, in the back room of the
latter's drug store. Of course this was always outside of
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 455
Library hours, generally late afternoon, and served a pleasant
diversion from thoughts of physical infirmities and a mo-
notonous routine life. Mr. Wertenbaker remained faithful to
his post until two years after I left the University, 1879, when
he became disabled by a stroke of paralysis. Although from
this he partially recovered, yet he seldom visited the Library
thereafter, being allowed to retain nominally the position un-
til 1 88 1, when he was succeeded by Mr. Page. He lingered
only a short period after this event, dying in April, 1882, just
eighty-five years of age.
M. GREEN PEYTON — This was the first gentleman I met up-
on reaching the University having any official connection
therewith, and of that meeting sufficient mention has already
been made. He was then forty-four years of age with a some-
what older appearance, being the father of grown children, the
eldest, Bernard, then one of the brightest and manliest type of
students. With Major Peyton, or " The Proctor," as he was
called indiscriminately — possibly the former more frequently
—we all had to come in contact sooner or later, some oftener
than others, as payments could be made entire or in portions
according to individual convenience and preference. Through
his hands passed all students' fees, and as in those days he had
no assistant, even in the busiest seasons, we in making our
financial arrangements and settlements sometimes drifted into
pleasant conversation. He also controlled the letting of rooms
and seemed solicitous that each secure the one preferred, even
going to extremes to make us pleased and satisfied. Likewise
the boarding houses were under his charge so far as our allot-
ment to them was concerned, and whenever we desired a
change to one outside of our room territory he had to be
consulted — but never in vain. He was our purveyor of coal,
although this could be purchased on the outside — that seldom
done, as we were contented perfectly with his product and
prices — and any complaint pertaining to it, or to room, room-
attendance, board and boarding house, that came to his ears
received speedy attention and correction. He was about six
feet one inch high and weighed two hundred pounds. His
temperament was sanguine and complexion florid ; hair, mous-
tache and beard slightly sandy or reddish ; voice clear, distinct,
456 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
penetrating, of moderate pitch and middle register; manners
affable and friendly — inclining to be talkative. He alone of
all identified with the management of the University enjoyed
the reputation of being a high liver — fond of good things to
drink as well as to eat — but no one stood ready to verify the
fact. So far as liquid indulgence was concerned, we under-
stood that he abstained always until after office hours, 3 o'ck,
p. M., when often he would be joined by Professor Southall —
spirits congenial in war and peace — to pass together pleasantly
several hours. This, however, I fancied overdrawn — simply
college talk — as it could hardly have applied to Professor
Southall, whose duties were so continuous and exacting as to
preclude a wasting of time, far less a subversion of feeling.
It did not take much of a foundation to construct a mammoth
edifice according to some students' conceptions, and here a
single trite occurrence might have given rise to what they pro-
claimed innocently a continued practice. Anyway they got
the blame but no shame. I personally came into the presence
of Major Peyton many times, socially and officially, and
while his deeply flushed face was frequently an object of
notice, yet I never detected the slightest overstimulation.
Some persons can assimilate large quantities of stimulants
without visible indications by word or act, while others are
rendered talkative and voluble by small amounts, but Major
Peyton's long service in the one capacity, thirty years, and the
faithful discharge of many duties, is sufficient testimonial of
his unusual ability and correctness of habits. His was a
responsible position and only the most honorable, methodical
and self-reliable could have been intrusted with its exacting
detail.
His home, just south of the office and about- the center of
East Range, was most hospitable and enjoyable to visit, where
his very affable daughter, Miss Champe, and good wife, of
like name, dispensed the entertaining menu with sufficient
grace and fullness as to attract every evening a good comple-
ment of appreciative students. Occasionally lady friends from
far and near found a pleasant sojourn there, thus lending ad-
ditional charm and brightness to the callers. The family was
strongly Episcopalian and upon Mrs. Peyton learning that a
Mr. Davis, my close friend, had been made superintendent of
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 457
the Chapel Sunday School, she sent for him in order to im-
press the necessity of instilling into the children as far as pos-
sible the forms and services of her church. My friend
responded gallantly to the summons, and after listening
through her appeal, quietly replied : " Why, Mrs. Peyton, I
am a staunch Baptist, believing in the least possible church
form, and besides the University is known in our broad land
as being non-sectarian, consequently I would be dishonest to
my teachings and her traditions to foster the ritual and creed
of any specific church or denomination." Her great surprise
can well be imagined, as she had taken him to be a high-
order churchman until that moment. In the embarrass-
ment, however, he treated her gentlemanly, but upon return-
ing to his room, next to mine, stopped in and related the cir-
cumstance with no little surprise and feeling. Shortly after
my day at the University the family had its share of sorrow,
as Bernard, the shining star, in the flush of manhood and a
brilliant career, as a railroad magnet, met an untimely death
in the wrecking of a train, while Miss Champe, the embodi-
ment of ambition and hope, did not long survive her advent
into womanhood. All four — father, mother, son and daughter
—now rest in the University Cemetery, near where in life
they contributed so much to so many enjoyable scenes. The
" Major " lived to be nearly sixty-nine years of age, dying
April 1 6, 1897.
HENRY MARTIN — It would be unpardonable in these per-
sonal enumerations not to include, at least, something concern-
ing this most respectful and courteous colored janitor, whom
we variously called " Henry " or " Old Henry "—Sweet Bell-
ringer — and whose duties for years, nay, generations, consist-
ing in ringing on and off the hourly recitations, taking charge
of the Rotunda fires and lecture-rooms, have been performed
most faithfully. Indeed, material is not wanting for him to
receive a very generous consideration, as his personality seems
somewhat imprinted or interwoven with nearly every student
since the day he first began tautening the pendulous rope. Each
of us could relate some pleasant episode or circumstance in
which he would creditably figure, for to all he was so friendly
—professor, student and stranger receiving alike that indis-
458 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
criminating urbanity which always commands genuine ad-
miration and respect, the more from it not being forced or
over-indulged. He defended the professors and never uttered
a preference for anyone, although often importuned — they all
in his sight were fine gentlemen and that was invariably his
expressed opinion. He knew his part in life and played it
well. There was no goading to duty needed, because he re-
garded himself one of the wheels in the clock very essential
for the correct working of the mechanism, therefore, that he
perforce "must live up to every obligation or else friction and
irregularity would ensue. He also fully recognized that he was
neither a professor, a student, nor a white man; that he did
not own the University and that she could get along satis-
factorily with some one else in his stead. Possibly above all
that commended him was his strict attention to his own busi-
ness and the non-meddling with that of the others — unless ap-
proached. In my experience I do not recall the bell pealing
out of time, and yet that must have occurred to prove human
error and fallibility. In spite of his many duties he was al-
ways ready to do a service, provided that be possible, and
whether the monetary compensation was forthcoming or not,
that which was less expected in those than these days, mat-
tered little to him — for to serve was his delight.
He has told me repeatedly, always with an evident degree
of pride, that he, an infant, was brought down from yonder
mountain, Monticello, the very year of Mr. Jefferson's death,
1826, having been born about that time a part and parcel of
that estate, so soon thereafter scattered, as by the four winds.
He was a dark mulatto with yellowish-brown skin, about six
feet two inches high and weighed one hundred and ninety
pounds. His head was well-shaped, rather large and appar-
ently intellectual ; hair abundant, blackish and almost straight ;
forehead curved but broad and high; cheek-bones prominent;
mouth large, as was also his nose, this latter being well pro-
portioned; eyes rather large and grayish-blue. He wore a
moustache and goatee, both thin, black and of long fiber.
For several years after leaving the University I returned to
the " Finals," always having a hand-shake and talk with
Henry, but there followed an interval of fifteen years without
seeing those classic shades save from a passing car window.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 459
However, in 1894, my wife and myself, en route to Asheville,
N. C, decided to stop off at the University for a day and
night, and in doing so soon ran upon Henry. After a few
words of salutation I remarked : " Well, Henry, of course
you do not remember me ? " To which he replied : " Yes,
I do ; I cannot call your name but you are from Delaware and
you were a student here eighteen or twenty years ago." We
hear so much of retained identity and remembrance that I was
glad to have had a witness in my own 'experience to even this
extent of accurate memory. But to show how his mind had
weakened in three years, when in 1897, on our way to the
Hot Springs, Virginia, we spent an equal time at the Univer-
sity, he had forgotten not only my personality but our former
recent visit. He then asked me if I would not like to have his
picture, and upon my thanking him for the compliment, he
expressed the intention of having some taken in the near
future when I should have one. True to his word a year
later, September, 1898, he sent the photograph which has
been reproduced in this volume. I have seen him several
times since, the last being April, 1905, when the changes
brought by age were very noticeable.
As I look back upon the record of that colored man, recall-
ing the various phases of his character, his uniform courtesy,
his diplomatic and inoffensive nature — never irritating even
the youthful southern blood — his manly, truthful and straight-
forward manner under all times and conditions, it seems to me
he was worthy a tenement of whiter clay. Too true his type
will soon have passed away, and possibly in his color, " I shall
not look upon his like again."
CHAPTER XXIV
SUMMARY OF UNIVERSITY LIFE — DUTIES VERSUS PLEASURES
University life falsely understood by many; in truth exacting and filled
with cares, but had a bright side. Unusual condition at the University
for close study and thorough scholarship. Methods of diversion —
pleasurable walking, ball games, gymnasium, skating, theatricals,
minstrels, short trips, attending church, Bible and public lectures.
Social visiting — dancing, receptions, games, horseback riding, driving,
musical instruments and practice ; debating societies ; secret fraterni-
ties. University laws seldom violated, etc.
MANY who have never enjoyed a college or university train-
ing incline to surround that life with a halo of diversified
pleasure — such as from their own viewpoint contributes sim-
ply to passing the time acceptably. Most of them remember
well their individual experience in acquiring the educa-
tion they possess; their joy or pain at the closing of the
final student-page, and their delight or sorrow at the retrospect
as the years come and go. Beyond this false conception some
believe that those with advancement sufficient to enter the
higher institutions have done so less through personal effort
than an inherent aptness for absorbing all things unknown;
that this being a fact the equation of study need enter little
into the so-called student's daily doings, and instead thereof
he breathes an atmosphere of perfect comfort, ease and in-
dolence verging sometimes on to raillery, debauchery and pos-
sibly lawlessness. Those who have entered the silvery portals
know better how to speak, and I am confident if all were
entreated for an expression of opinion their verdict would
come in no discordant sounds, but in a single emphatic mono-
tone— university student-life is exacting in its demands, and
like every other successful business has daily problems claim-
ing from all serious attention. Of course in every aggre-
gated mass of humanity assembled for a specific purpose, and
having in common the same ultimate object, there will be al-
ways a few either more matured in years, excessively bright
or stupid, over or under prepared, or wayward by intention —
dissenters, nay sometimes disturbers — but these are so over-
460
Professor Thomas R. Price, LJ-/.D., at thirty-eight
1839-1903
See page 449
FACING 460
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 461
shadowed by the persistent thinking majority that their pres-
ence creates only a gentle breeze, which gives strength by
fanning the dominant sentiment — work — into more universal
acceptance. Indeed, it cannot be otherwise with a higher
student-body, where the ambition of the many is to acquire
abundant knowledge in any given line with the hope of mak-
ing something out of themselves, fully conscious that the kind
of foundation laid at the university controls largely the kind
of structure — success — -to be erected thereon in after life. As
a matter of fact the lighter weights soon fly to distant parts
or bring themselves in conformity with the prevailing spirit,
since to the average individual there is little satisfaction in
groping singly along a chosen path — the mere thought of no
companion in a contemplated pleasure is intimidating and
repulsive, quite enough usually to cause abandonment. The
impression, however, must not be conveyed that the great
majority of my day University students were sober-sides,
weighted by cares and years, depressed by the sad scenes and
conditions of the recent past, from whose influence the South
was then just emerging. On the contrary they were by no
means insensible of youthful exuberance and instincts so es-
sential for evolving the progressive man and the higher man-
hood; they were free from malicious intent and puerile fan-
tasies, therefore, like any other body of young men trained
at home under various regimes inculcating respect to law,
order, parents and all others in authority. Such when re-
moved temporarily to a distant soil lost none of the character-
istics and vigor incident to transplanting but inclined to grow
in wisdom and knowledge as though continually under supe-
rior guiding hands. If we cast around several conditions, not
existing at all institutions, may be found that then played a
strong part towards our general good :
First. — It was an exceptionally democratic body of young
men exercising no restriction in their association with one
another, consequently it mattered not the slightest whether
one be an upper or lower classman, or his department aca-
demic, law, medicine or engineering — all lived and vied to-
gether as a happy family. The older enthusiast of law or
medicine was as liable to select an academic freshman for a
boon companion or room-mate as one more kindred to his
462 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
age and line of thinking — all alike arranged for pleasurable
walks and talks irrespective of everything except good com-
panionship.
Second. — Members of the professional departments, being
older and in a degree settled, exercised upon the more youth-
ful, by this unrestricted contact, a strong impression of the
maturer manly character. Many were at least twenty-five,
some beyond, while a few had seen Civil War service with its
disfigurement — without an arm or leg, having to hobble
around on crutches or canes. Not a small percentage at the
close of hostilities had sought employment in various lines
for several years thereby earning quite enough to defray Uni-
versity expenses, consequently all such had sown their wild
oats and frowned upon those evincing an inclination to seed
a crop.
Third. — The South had been impoverished so by war, es-
pecially in means and professional men, that many students,
sensible of the conditions oppressing them, left nothing un-
turned to accomplish the most in the shortest time. They
realized their inevitable fate of having to face the world solely
on personal merit; that no material helping hand, barring
friendly sympathy, awaited their graduation to boost them
into prominence ; that, their fair land needing faithful workers
in all lines, it should be their honest effort, so far as ability
and training go, to contribute liberally towards supplying
the want.
Under these somewhat anomalous stimuli it could have
scarcely been expected otherwise than that the students of that
period should have been serious, thoughtful and painstaking
workers — possibly unequaled in any other day and generation
at the University. Facing these facts, little would seem pos-
sible to be infused into that studious life for relieving pressure
and creating diversion, but as already narrated on various
pages the majority did accept something on the outside that
promoted health and prevented monotony. All thoroughly
recognized the evil of sedentary habits, so, despite the great
demand and need of time for study, the strife against this
tendency continued religiously, often at the cost of conve-
nience and effort. It was only during my last two years that
we had a well-equipped gymnasium, made attractive by the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 463
many forms of helpful apparatus and acting as a center for
developing1, contesting and exhibiting a training in manly
exercise and sports. Prior to this a few horizontal and paral-
lel bars stationed here and there in the open — available only
in dry and pleasant weather, when they were well patronized
— made up our equipment for systematic muscular excitement.
It is true most of us possessed Indian clubs and dumb-bells
— I still use mine occasionally — which, after sitting several
hours under mental tension, would be called into service a few
minutes thereby better oxygenating the blood and giving it a
more healthy circulation. Apart from these simples, that ever
more passive exercise — walking — received the greatest ap-
proval. While the majority of us had nine lectures a week,
some one or two more or less, and the University occupied
considerable territory — the lecture and dining halls being re-
mote from our rooms — thereby occasioning the covering of
much space each day on foot, yet this enforced walking was
not regarded sufficient out-of-door recreation, especially as
there was attached no direct relaxation or pleasure. As a
result whenever weather permitted, and it usually did, after
all lectures were over, 5 o'ck, p. M., we journeyed along
some divergent public road, private path, or more frequently
down to Charlottesville — a trip readily completed in time for
supper, 6 o'ck — where the sidewalks were always in creditable
condition and usually the varying scenes more interesting.
In addition to this, for several years preceding the erection of
the Lewis Brooks Museum, upon the upper portion of the
long triangular plot converging to a point at the Post-office,
many of us during the autumn and spring utilized the space
for foot-ball. The game as played then certainly was ragged,
governed by few rules but many men, and although a violent
exercise was devoid of serious danger from the fact that every
one apparently had mercy on the " under dog." About 4.30
o'ck, a few students with the ball would divide into sides,
begin to kick, run and hollo, only to be a signal for those near
to rush out and join in, while other recruits were captured
gradually from passers-by, who may originally have left their
rooms for a walk, until frequently a couple of hundred were
enjoying the sport enthusiastically. We had goals, foul-lines
and captains, and endeavored to divide so that each side would
464 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
have equal representation, but otherwise the game was very
much on the go as you please order. Although generally
one of the number I do not recall seeing displayed any temper
or unkind feeling, far less bitter contention, as the exercise
was fostered simply for its supposed value to physical de-
velopment, and when sufficient circulation, as each determined
for himself, had been established we withdrew quietly with-
out criticism, form or ceremony. The practice never de-
veloped in my day an eleven thought worthy to enter contests
with other institutions, and I do not remember ever hearing
the realization of such an idea hoped for or discussed.
Then again every spring we had a baseball team of by no
means uniform merit, whose members, about twenty, during
the last two months of the session indulged in little other exer-
cise than that of required daily practice. For one or two
years the sport was confined to the home circle, exhibition
games being played now and then between the first and second
nines on the regular grounds to the left of the road leading
to the Cemetery, but several seasons we considered ourselves
sufficiently strong to exchange challenges with Washington
and Lee and other less formidable clubs. Here we took de-
feat philosophically when it came and in order to make em-
barrassment lighter suppressed all unnecessary noise of the
rooters when fortune drifted our way. While visiting teams
were considered enemies in a way, yet far above prevailed the
spirit of true chivalry and the recognition that it was only a
friendly combat between our guests on the one side and our-
selves on the other.
Charlottesville was no longer that diminutive village of the
Jeffersonian era, when it was feared not equal to assimilating
a small student colony. It had grown and developed into
quite a commercial and social center with beautiful suburban
country filled with charming hospitable people, and altogether
afforded many opportunities for profit and pleasure to the
stranger in their midst. As a people they were loyal to the
University, accepted gladly her students into home circles, en-
couraged willingly their youthful amusements, and did more
than could reasonably have been expected in condoning puerile
short-comings and making a temporary residence congenial
as well as attractive.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 465
At the Town Hall theatrical plays and other entertainments
were given frequently by traveling troups and local talent, and
the higher order of these were patronized liberally by the
student-body. We did not hesitate to manifest displeasure
at any exhibition falling below our fancied standard or to in-
dulge in noisy demonstration at that which specially pleased,
even though sometimes it annoyed the police authorities. Ow-
ing to the apprehension of either contingency the better ele-
ment of the town people, especially ladies, seldom attended,
consequently as a rule we were unrestrained in our enthusiasm
by any refining influence save that inherently possessed by
some and fortunately not thoroughly forgotten under such
emergencies. At that day Sol Smith Russell and the Berger
Family (Swiss Bell-ringers) seemed most popular with us,
and several years they came our way twice during the season
always to find a hearty welcome and support. Mr. Russell
enjoyed young life and the intercourse with University
students — a feeling strongly reciprocated on our part — so that
his freedom with us was encouraged and manifestly appre-
ciated in no small degree. The liberty he took in appealing
to various students in the audience, John R. McDaniel Irby
and others, to corroborate the truthfulness of amusing asser-
tions invariably called forth unstinted applause and satisfac-
tion. His unique composition on " The Horse," concluding
with — " but for me, give me the big white horse with a flowing
mane and long tail or give me death " — -served to bring much
amusement and laughter.
For one or two years a number of musically-inclined and
semi-comic students banded themselves together under the
name of " University Minstrels," giving one or more exhibi-
tions of their talent in the Town Hall. These to most of us
were highly entertaining, well patronized by University and
town people, and served to develop among the participants
not only a strong personal loyalty but a certain self-assurance
from stage contact which could not have been obtained else-
where— laying for some the foundation of a broader and more
useful field in after life. Mr. George D. Fawsett was decidedly
our best comedian, and according to our judgment made an
inimitable end-man. He afterwards adopted as a vocation
the stage and theatrical management with commendable sue-
466 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
cess. Mr. Benj. D. Whiteley as center-man took the part
well, as did Mr. Frank B. Ives and most of the others in the
cast. Who that witnessed the performances fails to recall
vividly the favorable reception of the many songs, including
lines like these?
I went to the animal fair,
The birds and beasts were there;
The little baboon, in the light of the moon
Was curling his auburn hair.
If dat ain't so, I hope I may die,
I w'd have you all to know, Sir.
You lose your head and both your eyes,
At P. T. Barnum's show, Sir.
The establishment of the " Squibb Gymnasium " — the first
at the University — during the early months of session 1875-
76, filled a long-felt want, especially among those preferring
indoor exercise and that with such apparatus that favored cer-
tain lines of physical development. Often in late afternoons
many more would be found there than could conveniently be
accommodated, except through the process of patiently wait-
ing turns, but in the morning hours, just before and after
dinner, one could cavort around in perfect satisfaction — with-
out the slightest interference. Those of us rooming near-by
frequently ran in at irregular times, shed hats, coats and vests,
and accepted a ten-minute shake-up that removed many bodily
cobwebs. During the freezing period not a few indulged in
skating on the University ice-pond, or Cochran's pond a short
distance beyond Charlottesville, where hundreds of young
ladies and gentlemen were wont to assemble in afternoons —
some as interested spectators, others to enjoy in reality the
exhilarating recreation. Students owning skates and too
busy at certain times to exercise with them were generous in
passing them along to others who fortunately knew their use,
so that many rather than a few reaped pleasure. With a
goodly number occasional trips were popular, such as spending
over Sunday in Richmond, Washington, Staunton, Lynch-
burg, or at some less remote home of friends, whose hospi-
tality on such occasions knew no bounds. For important
events, as dedications and inaugurations, the time accepted
was longer and the contingent going much larger.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 467
Taken as a body we did little studying- on Sunday, only
those having1 early Monday lectures feeling compelled to
violate the sacredness of the day. We were great church-
goers, always appearing there in our best — about the only
occasions the majority accepted for wearing such. In the
morning we usually heard a sermon at one of the down town
churches, and at night attended the Chapel or Public Hall, ac-
cording to which was in use. Some of us also enjoyed Pro-
fessor Minor's Bible class or the Sunday School early in
the day, and Professor Davis' Bible lecture in the afternoon,
while others took long journeys into the country on foot — to
Monticello or even points more remote.
After the first year or two not a few ceased devoting their
entire time to University duties and allowed a certain portion
for social pleasures — visiting young ladies in the University,
Charlottesville and suburban country, and entering into some
of the diversions their lives offered, such as dancing, attend-
ing Germans, receptions, lawn games, etc. Thus that con-
tingent was brought under a refining influence — culture —
that gave permanent elevation to character and always, irre-
spective of time and place, must count for much good. By
this we came to realize something of the home-life of the
kindly people making up the warp and woof of that section
of the great Commonwealth, to enjoy their confidence and to
treasure their memory. A number of us were fond of horse-
back riding, so every now and then during spring a half-
dozen or more would hire such available animals as could be
had at livery and leisurely traverse the tortuous and hilly
roads characteristic of the locality. Sometimes it would be
westward towards Ivy, or southward to North Garden, or
out High Street or Ridge Road, but mostly to Monticello or
down over the free bridge to Shadwell, Edgehill, Castlehill.
etc. When not inclined to such passive exercise we would
get carriages (barouches) holding four, in which five or six
often crowded, and enjoy a less lengthy drive to some rural
home for a friendly call — conversing en route upon topics
most congenial and accepting for our betterment the open
air and beautiful scenery so profuse in those surrounding
landscapes. In snowy spells, that came seldom, sleighing was
popular with the natives, and sleighs with fairly good horses
468 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
and abundant bells could be hired by us students, but the
prices ranged so high as to preclude all save a favored few
from indulging the pleasure.
The only time recognized by common consent for visiting
one another was the hour following supper, when all felt at
liberty to encroach upon the sanctity of friends' rooms, ac-
cording to individual inclination and preference. Of course
some intimates — clubmates, relatives, etc. — failed to observe
this regulation, but knew to what extent, and took no excep-
tion at a reminder of being too busy for entertaining. In
seasons of greatest pressure — when nearing examinations —
all such social amenities practically ceased, as the great ma-
jority kept well to themselves in the effort at bringing credi-
table results.
Those who were musical often spent the evening hour in
some one's room where several of the more skilled performers
enjoyed separate and concerted practice, much to the delight
or disgust of those within audible range. Some were gifted
and had passed the amateur stage, while others were novices
with abundant ambition and hope, so that the variety certainly
tended to make the spice of life.
One winter Harris, Mount joy and a number of us became
interested in hypnotism, spiritualism, occult manifestations,
rappings, etc., and occasionally spent the hour in manipulat-
ing the table and chairs. Of our number only one was found
to be a true medium and he soon inclined to avoid the meet-
ings, thereby denying the rest much amusement.
The legal students and others who aspired to forensic at-
tainments concerned themselves not a little with the two
literary societies — Jeff, and Wash. — attending faithfully the
Saturday night meetings, which became popular and edifying
largely through their expended talent and effort. There ex-
isted between these societies a slight rivalry, but only enough
to encourage the joining of one or the other. Membership
in either was open to all students simply by paying an initia-
tion fee but could not be held in both at the same time. Secret
fraternities were numerous — some fifteen or twenty — and
membership therein counted for much. Indeed, without it
I never considered life complete at the University, although
some highly commendable men resisted the affiliation on the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 469
plea of greater contentment in perfect freedom. But un-
fortunately for them this was only a fancied conception
through not knowing the whole truth, for nothing could be
more satisfactory and delightful than the loyal friendship of
a dozen or more companions drawn together closely by fine
fellowship and the treasured secrets held inviolate among
themselves. While I recognize the possibility of having one
or more black sheep in the fold — those with peculiarities non-
assimilative by the majority — yet this need play no serious
part if the honest effort be made by the stronger characters
to change the leopard of his spots and a determination reached
to accept and tolerate what remains in a fraternal spirit. Each
fraternity sought the supposed best element of character and
manhood, according to its conception, liking and organic
principles — thus barring one-half of the student-body — but
as a matter of fact the personnel of some excelled that of
others, although each contained a number of sterling fellows
who would have been an ornament to — indeed, in the absence
of previous alliance sought after by — any organization of
friends. Whatever short-comings fraternities may have I
contend that their presence in moderation is healthful, en-
couraging and stimulating to every college and university
community.
I occasionally heard from 'companions that certain acts and
doings were in violation of the University rules, but so far
as my individual experience went I never realized that she
possessed any specific code of government for herself or her
students. I pursued my own sweet way at all times, observ-
ing solely moral laws — seemingly all she expected — -ever mind-
ful of the purpose for which I was there and the duties that
ought to be performed — not to please the University, but for
my own personal good, present and future. It was a beauti-
ful experience — the passing of life at that delightful age,
so free from worldly responsibilities, so full of prophetic
hopes, unconscious of a restraining hand, conscious of the
noble examples of matured masters from whom all could
with profit take mould and fashion. I only played one game
of cards while at the University, due not to a dislike for the
amusement, but rather to a recognition of it containing for
me at that age and financial condition the element of danger —
470 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
a possible growing infatuation, an unwise consumption of
time, and the sad parting with my limited amount of money,
for which I had abundant need in meeting current obligations.
I do not believe that many students disagreed with me, for
during my entire course I heard of scarcely a half-dozen who
would gamble whenever opportunity presented — a very small
contingent that accomplished little or nothing towards an
education, and created for themselves among college-mates
other than an enviable name.
During those years I indulged in no whisky or brandy —
only two or three glasses of beer and an equal quantity of
wine, eggnog and apple-toddy at Christmas-times. Thus
while more temperate than some I was less so than others,
as a large percentage absolutely refused all kinds of stimu-
lants. On the contrary, however, there was a good number
who looked upon them with favor, having been brought up
in homes where they were used freely by the elders, not for-
bidden the youthful, and considered by all a necessary daily
provision of the table. Indeed, some of my clubmates had
enjoyed such a training and occasionally on Saturday nights
did not hesitate to overstep the limit of sobriety, causing the
temperates to look after the intemperates. While this associa-
tion might have been regarded very suggestive of " doing like-
wise," it only served to strengthen my aversion towards such
thoughtless abuse — a sentiment that found equal lodgement
in the minds of many others. We were men — free agents
to accept " good or evil " according to taste and pleasure —
none daring to encroach upon the prerogatives of another.
Those preferring occasional conviviality sought others of
similar inclination and did little towards inducing the ab-
stemious inclined to emulate perverse examples — usually being
well satisfied in having around as caretakers such as were
known never to lose their heads.
It was a golden opportunity for weaklings to weaken, but
the more mature and thoughtful — the only kind belonging
there — easily resisted the glittering temptation, realizing there
was only harm lurking within. Surely, like all higher insti-
tutions of learning, the University was a fine place to exhibit
and prove innate quality, to develop and mould permanent
character, to give evidence and appreciation of a mother's
Librarian, William Wertenbaker, at seventy-five
1799-1882
See page 452
FACING 470
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 471
training and a father's example — the tree bending1 as the twig
inclined. The going wrong of a young man there was no
fault of his companions — the fountain source being traceable
to earlier days through inheritance and environment, when
the proper restraining and correcting influences failed to be
applied and enforced. At the University he was only taking
liberty with opportunity, that which would have been accepted
as easily elsewhere and possibly to a far greater degree.
No student of that period can fail to recall the industry
and seriousness of our great majority, whose ambition seemed
solely for improvement and cultivation in order to fill ac-
ceptably and wisely those places in the world's affairs as
ordained by Divine Providence.
CHAPTER XXV
UNIVERSITY TRAINING, SELECTION AND CRITICISM
Conclusions and observations. College and university training — some more
desirable than others; all improve the type of manhood and chances
of success in life; none makes wise men out of fools. Few older
heads advise, but let the youthful select for themselves. University
criticised by some alumni for extreme thoroughness, and other insti-
tutions for excessive weakness. Kind of students best suited to attend
the University — some should not go there. Conditions especially com-
mending the University versus those considered negative. Opinions
of some students of my day — discussion that did good.
So often we hear from even the knowing — it makes little
difference where a young man receives his educational train-
ing, for after all it is in the man — that many accept it as a
self-evident fact, failing to accord the expression serious
thought as well as to discriminate between the half and whole
truth. If the saying ever found earnest recognition it never
was by the youth of our land when preparing for his specific
college or university, or during attendance thereon, for then
a loyalty to his own, indeed a positive preference, pervades
his nature that challenges the admiration of matured elders
conscious of its sophistry. The young man then is apt to
think that all he enjoys is best — institution, professors, labora-
tories, museums, gymnasium, athletic-grounds and teams,
even local girls, climate and domestic service — all possibly
except board. Certainly that no other in quality quite com-
pares. To think that his professors of Latin, Greek and
Math, are without equal, despite the honest belief that they
assign the most severe and cruel tasks and demand for each
the strictest account, might seem a trifle irrational, and yet it
conforms to facts.
As he drifts out, however, upon the expanded sea of ex-
perience and observation, coming here and there in contact
with fellow-men — brilliant, capable, talented, towering along
with himself towards the accepted summit of the various
honorable pursuits; those still remembering much of their
472
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 473
French, German, logic, ethics and psychology, and using them
with best results when opportunity presents — he no longer sees
through a glass darkly, but realizes the truth, that all institu-
tions do some ^ood work and turn out good products. After
all it must be borne in mind that the degree of success attained
in life, as measured by the world, determines unfortunately
what the man is, and by many persons that institution might
be considered best which yields relative to her numbers the
most graduates conforming to this standard of public opinion.
Inasmuch as it would be impossible to reach undeniable con-
clusions along this line according to merit, not a few prefer
judging institutions by their equipment — able faculty, re-
search laboratories, fine buildings, writings and discoveries —
believing a tutelage in such an atmosphere not only healthful
but conducive to an after life of contentment and happiness,
possibly prominence. As a fact some students knowingly and
purposely do not seek the best institutions — desiring certain
training as a means towards a livelihood at the smallest mone-
tary consideration, regardless of the literary surroundings
and culture that so often make for the greatest comfort and
satisfaction in a well-ordered career. Such men believe that
they need only certain- useful facts and principles; that the
cheaper and quicker these can be obtained the better, and that
any good institution, of which there are many, will answer
their purpose. But if the more subtle advantages of an edu-
cational training are to be recognized and sought — something
beyond the mere familiarity with essentials of language,
science, philosophy and professions — great differences will be
found to exist between the fountain heads of knowledge, and
the wisest individuals realizing this make fewer mistakes in
preference and selection.
If any university could guarantee to all her matriculants
future monetary prosperity — gain — and that without exces-
sive effort, then so far as other institutions are concerned,
" Othello's occupation would be gone." The truth is, that
some men in their chosen paths will attain success and others
failure, irrespective of where they were educated, and between
these extremes the most important point — often determined
by chance — is that of having selected the college or university
which in each case will tend towards making success the
474 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
greatest and failure the least. Many of us have seen now
and then foolish persons with a college experience without
which they certainly would have been all the greater fools, and
to these especially the choosing of an institution best calculated
to strengthen weakness and to control peculiar talents is of
utmost concern. A diploma seems to imply wisdom and to
sharpen the expectation of all things educational, and that
institution's product which evades the detection of vacant
spots is singularly fortunate. The selection, therefore, in
spite of seriousness, lamentably falls too frequently upon the
young men themselves — parents even evading direct influence
— and at a time when most of all a firm, convincing word
would count for much good.
It would be presumption in those that are disinterested to
assume the roll of adviser to young men, knowing nothing of
their characteristics and little of other institutions than the
one from which they graduated. Indeed, in this day thought-
ful college-bred men hesitate to give advice in such matters
unless appealed to seriously and time be allowed for analyzing
inherent conditions. One must be chary of the idle prattler
with opinions and advice always on tap, free gratis, for usually
they are worth, not what they may cost you if accepted, but
what you paid for them — nothing. In my student period I
proclaimed the University's praises in an unstinted manner,
seeing in her much to commend and little to condemn, but
with the larger experience of years in institutional work and
general observation an intelligent conservatism has replaced
gradually the more volatile and willful enthusiasm of youth,
causing a certain reserve in influencing and directing others
along lines that, although believed best, may not be followed
knowingly and successfully.
Some years ago in conversing with one of my University
contemporaries — one who not only took her high honors but
has attained enviable distinction in his chosen profession, law
—the subject of educating the youth was introduced, when I
casually remarked : " Of course you will send your son to
our old University ! " And great was my surprise in receiv-
ing this reply : " Not if I have anything to do with it" Upon
further inquiry, he, with an emphasis indicating previous
thought, frankly continued : " I think the course in law given
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 475
there in my day unnecessarily comprehensive in many respects
and woefully deficient in others. During my twenty-five
years of experience with the business world I have found
much she taught useless and much she did not teach useful —
a truth which I believe can be verified by many. One had to
work so hard there to get so little of the practical — that out
of which the living comes. They need an entire recasting of
the teaching matter, a fact that applies to other departments,
notably the academic with which I also was connected." Thus
I gathered his attitude — that in spite of retaining a fondness
for the University he considered her requirements excessive;
that she taught too thoroughly, thereby tending chiefly to
make teachers. Shortly thereafter, while spending a portion
of my summer at the seashore, I came often in contact with
a prominent judge — a graduate of Princeton — who one day
afHrmed having a son preparing for college, and upon my re-
marking, " of course he will go to Princeton," a reply came
that was also a surprise : " By no means — it is one of the
last institutions in the country to which I would willingly send
a young man." Upon my further inquiry he continued:
" Why, when I entered Princeton thirty years ago the young
instructors and adjuncts assigned to teach me Latin, Greek
and Math., during the first three years, knew scarcely more
about those subjects than I, so it was not until my senior year
that I came in touch with fully matured professors — inspiring,
knowing teachers. My son shall attend an institution that
has one capable professor to teach each branch, and by whom
it will be taught him from beginning to finish. In my opinion
Princeton has turned out during the last generation only two
men beyond the ordinary — John K. Cowen and Woodrow
Wilson, the latter even a divided product — and an institution
with her opportunities, wealth and numbers that can produce
no better record is undeserving the support of its intelligent
alumni." Here I found a good son dissatisfied with a
mother's training, regarding it except one year superficial and
puerile — strange to say, just the antithesis of the complaint
cited against my own University. While this element of
depreciation of and dissatisfaction with one's own is a genu-
ine human weakness that tends sometimes to make us disavow
a preference to " bear those ills we have than fly to others that
476 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
we know not of," yet so far as institutions are concerned these
personal differences of opinion and valuation generally have a
law of compensation that establishes an equilibrium, thereby
happily preventing anywhere a perceptible negative reaction.
I am often asked : " If you had a son would you send him to
the University of Virginia ? " And to this I always have the
one reply : " That would depend entirely upon his natural
abilities, characteristics and inclinations " — following with
such explanations as time and necessity demand. There are
at least three types of sons I would hesitate to send there — un-
fortunately numerous in this age — all weaklings, undeserving
of kind and considerate parents, and from them a liberal ex-
penditure of money, as usually they reflect little credit upon
the institution, parents or themselves. First. — Those wishing
without hard mental work — that which only can develop
mind — the credit of a college education through the aid of
favoritism, high-priced tutors and coaches, all tending to pro-
duce a temporary stuffed tortoise, a creature of some facts,
little sense and less reason. Second. — Those in their boy-
hood somewhat incorrigible and defiant of discipline, that so
needed to bring them into acceptable manhood, as without it
they will never be able to discipline others — tendencies that
can better be subverted by a military school training, after
which the broader development of the University might be
of great advantage. Third. — Those, fortunately few, desiring
to go through college just for the name or eclat it might
bestow — not for the honor hoped to be conferred upon it by
virtue of their own creditable career and useful life. The
University of Virginia need lay no claim to serving such
veritable sycophants, for her mission is in a more exalted
direction.
It is the grateful son of honest purpose, studious habits,
erudite mind, in a degree self-centered personality — not
younger than eighteen — that feeds best at her shrine. These
will profit by and reflect most the value of her nurturing care
— to whom no institution in our fair land can offer more
congenial opportunities for thorough knowledge or greater
possibilities for furthering satisfactorily the broader de-
velopment.
Such an unqualified statement would be of little value with-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 477
out proof — found in the special conditions that cluster around
and characterize that University life :
First. — Its tendency to create self-reliant and self- resource-
ful men — but seldom those of haughty independence. From
the day of entrance one was thrown upon his own responsi-
bility— compelled to look out for himself, to do his own think-
ing, studying, planning, selecting and making companions,
perchance friends. There was little time for assisting or
conferring with one another as each was busy solving his
own troubles, taking the keenest pride in obtaining unaided
results. There were no coaches or tutors for rendering the
immediate path easier and the future shorn of its best intel-
lectual usefulness. We had no money for such, consequently
they could not exist — indeed, each individual became his own
tutor by the hardest work and application, cultivated his own
gray matter and furrowed his own brain sinuses, thereby pre-
venting their ready obliteration. Each investigated and re-
searched for himself, soon being convinced that he was noth-
ing or something — able to stand alone without the prop of
others ; each carved a name among his fellow students, no one
did that for you — it may have been high or humble, but you
had yourself alone to commend or condemn for the record.
In a degree this system of individual working without as-
sistance or conference has a negative side — tending to make
for selfishness, doing the best for self and self alone, un-
fortunately a quality that sooner or later unencouraged asserts
itself conspicuously in most persons. But all things con-
sidered it redounds possibly in far greater good than harm
to the young man by making him at so early an age a capable
thinker, a self-reliant and self-assertive personage — ready to
take his position in the world of labor and battle for his rights
meritoriously.
Second. — Its total freedom from hazing or anything
verging towards it — a custom so prevalent at many institu-
tions, but always as cruel and wicked as it is pernicious and
unmanly. Here one went his way according to pleasure,
without meddling or being meddled with — the first and fourth
year men recognizing no distinction from point of residence
or experience, all being the same in the eyes and respect of
each other. This, however, is no more than would be pre-
478 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
dieted from the traditional inheritance of the place — that each
student was accepted to be a gentleman and so held to ac-
count. Fancy if you please any set of men interdicting others
from wearing silk-hats, carrying canes or gloves, or living
at certain desirable places, and you will witness a degree of
legal resentment decidedly unpleasant. Our students, in spite
of the home-life and college spirit from domiciling together,
were just as observant and defendant of the inherent rights
of one another as are men in the broader social world, tolerat-
ing not the slightest encroachment upon manly prerogative —
all was his that the laws of the land granted, irrespective of
age or position ; none could have more. It is difficult to think
seriously of one or more reasonable gentlemen desiring to
humiliate, humble, insult or injure another by inflicting per-
sonal harm or abridging inalienable freedom or pleasure, but
when it comes to a body of immature boys, without sufficient
reason and control, influenced and inflamed largely by irra-
tional impulses, the proposition is different — most anything,
often the unexpected, can happen. It is the difference be-
tween a man and a boy institution that is here to be empha-
sized in favor of the University, where the more mature minds
prevailed and controlled — such as could best profit by her
higher teaching. Even the more youthful and buoyant, from
contact with elders and severe tasks, lost all inclination to
plan and effect crusades against the comfort and dignity of
others, so that it was only during the first few days of the
session, in the absence of accumulated work, that we ever
heard of " dykes " — escorting with fire-brands, horns, bells
and vocal demonstration a calacoist (one who visits ladies) to
his destination. I recall two of my years in which even suc-
cessful " dykes " did not occur, only several attempts wherein
the innocent prey sagaciously deluded the knowing pursuers.
These callithumpian parades were void of harm, as the sub-
jects were usually untouched, often entered into the spirit of
the fun, and were taught a wholesome lesson — the wisdom
of keeping one's own counsel and the absurdity of beginning
a university career with social rather than studious inclina-
tion.
Third. — Its honor system in so many phases, especially on
examinations, where it afforded so much ease and comfort to
Proctor, M. Green Peyton, B.A., C.E., at sixty
1828-1897
See page 455
FACING 478
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 479
the professors, who, during those long hours — 9 o'ck, A. M. to
9 o'ck, P. M. — paid little or no attention to what was going on
around them, but sat reading books, magazines or papers, or
saying an occasional word in undertone to a congenial col-
league, who never forgot each other on those trying ordeals.
It likewise brought complete satisfaction to the students,
who recognized that none was trying to get through by
hook or crook — all on the square — each desiring credit only
for that which he honestly deserved. No one ever hinted at
or wanted advantage over others, and had it been offered
without fear of detection or with a monetary bonus,! am con-
fident that at least nine-tenths would have declined it. Not
that I believe we were better than many young men elsewhere,
but as the very life of the place seemed fashioned upon a code
of honor — an inheritance of years — the entire student com-
munity imbibed the contagion, becoming averse to all things
tricky or unfair, and swearing vengeance against those who
violated a sacred trust or vow. There prevailed an absolute
loyalty to the sentiment, " United we stand, divided we fall,"
and all pledged their honor, yes, their lives, to uphold its
observance — to see that " no guilty man escaped." The
signing of a pledge, therefore, at the conclusion of an ex-
amination paper, that which all had to do, meant exactly what
the words implied — nothing more or less. The violation of
this honor code carried a penalty no one felt equal to bear —
to leave the University at once under student escort, without
consulting the authority or pleasure of Faculty or Visitors.
While this may appear anomalous and doubtful to the un-
familiar, yet all who have brushed up against that student-
life can testify to its accuracy, and the stranger by visiting
can witness with appalling surprise its beautiful operation. In
my day no one fell from grace, but in previous years several
had been unfortunate, and their example lingered as a verita-
ble ghost.
Fourth. — Its direct professorial contact — the complete
absence of instructors, adjuncts and assistants of doubtful
knowledge and experience. She believed that her reputation
demanded and her students deserved the best, and fortunately
only such were sought to give instruction — all alike were
taught from first hands, thus reducing to a minimum the
480 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
possibility of error in thought, judgment, word or expression.
Everything came from a master mind in so far as years of
careful study and investigation could create, and so far as
acts and statements went we grew almost to believe in their
infallibility.
Fifth. — Its student personnel and contact, which, being of
so high a type, conduced to forming the better and broader
character. The cream of the South was assembled there as
well as the good of other sections, affording a composite social
and friendly set, free from the slightest manifestation of a
difference in caste or quality. No separation or alienation ex-
isted through religion, family, politics or money — for in our
minds all kinds of faith appeared good, all families furnishing
University students stood high, all political parties had re-
deeming principles — indeed, despite ours being mostly demo-
cratic we wisely repressed anything offensive to those who
differed — and all kinds of riches were desirable, not indis-
pensable, for there the poor, poorer and poorest, for none had
wealth, apparently knew no distinction — if they did a charita-
ble disposition prevented overt display in word and act. The
pompous and arrogant son of wealth had not yet arrived, so
luckily we were beyond the pale of his demoralizing influ-
ence. As a fact none of us was poverty stricken, but all
wisely thought themselves not far removed, consequently
husbanded well their resources and made best their opportuni-
ties— that which contributed largely towards the highest
standard of scholarship. The daily association with such an
honorable body of young men could not be otherwise than
helpful and inspiring, as it reflected so much that was good,
so little that was evil. It is true we had a few exceptions to
this ideal substantial type, for during one of my years I dis-
tinctly remember hearing a distinguished gentleman, the
father of a student, boldly affirm : " I would rather see the
Devil than docility in a young man, an abundant instead of
a scanty sowing of wild oats — as both must come into the
lives of all who make something of themselves, and the
sooner the bad is got out of the system and the settling
process assumed, the better." His son was of the rollick-
ing kind, after the father's liking, and while his University
career was certainly desultory under passive parental en-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 481
couragement, the intervening years have not sufficed for
reaping the crop of his early seeding. Another distinguished
man's son- with whom I was identified closely at the Uni-
versity possessed a similar tendency for a dissolute and
reckless course, but realizing, fortunately, his self -dependency
and the necessity of study, saw his erring way, ere too late,
so that he seemingly sowed without reaping. In spite of
this expressed opinion of the father in question I contend that
both of these young men would have been stronger factors
in the world had they have started and ended with simpler
habits. As a fact this small percentage of such individuals
among us students did little harm beyond themselves, as their
irregular doings were out of public gaze and therefore with-
out flagrant example.
Apart from the many superior advantages of the Univer-
sity it may be pardonable to mention several negative observa-
tions— those self-evident to every alumnus and preventive of
the most perfect inspiration and idealism.
First. — As to the honor system. Although this has such
a strict observance throughout the student-life there, it even
possesses an element of weakness — the lack of subsequent
permanence. How is it that young men " live, move and
have their being " in this supposed purer atmosphere — where
the manifestation of justice and the defense of honor at
every step is maintained — upon getting out into the world
often find the sentiment not a veritable graft or inoculation
of their nature for thinking and acting always honorable?
One might think that a residence amid these lofty incentives
would so implant rectitude and right-doing in its votaries as
to disincline them ever afterwards from taking advantage of
questionable opportunities and their fellow-men. While it is
highly gratifying to know that the great majority, especially
those whose student-life extended over a period of years,
stand ever firm in the original faith — true to the ideals she
fashioned and imparted — yet it is correspondingly sad that
some have perverted their careers by the exercise of justice
and righteous acting only when conducing to personal in-
terest and profit. Some are known to have been willing
partners in disreputable schemes, suspicioned by many, trusted
by few and scathed by the public press ; others have had either
482 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
too little or too much ambition for advancement, and in fail-
ure have leveled themselves far lower than pride or decency
should have permitted. One, a cotemporary of mine — indeed,
an occasional chum — fell so far as to die in the penitentiary a
few days prior to completing a long service; another, whose
attendance came some years later, went so far as to pay the
penalty of his crime upon the gallows, and others could be
mentioned who have sadly strayed from maternal moorings.
In the light of our student environment, the laudable examples
of our worthy instructors, and the ennobling atmosphere that
breathed into our manhood " the soul of life," it seems " pass-
ing strange" that she could have produced a list of base tra-
ducers whose gifts and opportunities were ample for con-
tinuous righteous action and the absolute safeguarding of self,
alumni and honored mother from the stigma of lawless acts.
While we might expect such to be the product of some institu-
tions, yet here, the nursery and brooder of the honor system,
where it is preached and practiced continually, it becomes a
sad commentary that even a few are destined to waywardness
and to simulate the preacher's sons — go wrong in spite of
wholesome example..
Second. — As to the honor men. Although some who seem-
ingly profited most by her teaching while students have gone
forth into various pursuits to gain and reflect measureable
distinction, the far larger percentage of those making the
greatest impression upon their times only enjoyed her ad-
vantages one, two, or at best three years — leaving her
threshold without an academic degree. Indeed, in some
instances only several of the separate schools have been passed
through— a training scarcely supposed at the time sufficient
to suggest great expectations. And yet the graduation from
a single school need not be valued lightly, especially when I
recall one of my associates in Latin — an A. B. of Lehigh
University — remarking unsolicitously : " Of the two diplomas
I prefer that just taken; it represents so much more." Of
course I am unable to appreciate fully the significance of the
remark, but he was emphatic in its declaration. As a rule
the academic degree men of most colleges and universities are
the more receptive and refulgent, but this, strange as it may
seem, is not true with those trained at the University of Vir-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 483
ginia. Not that her academic degree men in any way prove
failures, although this may happen, but their number is so
insignificant compared with the non-degree men — those simply
seeking special knowledge along the line of supposed need
and preference — that the latter contribute to her a far larger
sum-total of prestige and renown. It is lamentable now
and then to see her higher degree men as second-rate lawyers,
ordinary newspaper reporters, principals of small academies,
or failures in the commercial world — seeming satisfied to take
life easily after so much drudgery at hard study. Even
many of those graduating in her professional schools with the
attainment of prominence have done so not solely through her
guidance, as many legal lights previous to entering that de-
partment received a bachelor or master degree from another
institution, while not a few of the brightest medical stars
have not been content with her degree alone, but have gone
elsewhere for supplementary clinical courses, thus causing
in each case to be attributed to several institutions conjointly
the laying of that foundation which brought success and
honors.
Third. — As to the fealty of the Alumni, I do not believe
there exists an institution where the college or university
spirit dominates more thoroughly the student life, making
every one while there not only loyal sons but many staunch
friends. Among the hundreds of Alumni that I have met
during the intervening years only a few have failed to ex-
press entire satisfaction with her methods and received train-
ing— invariably emphasizing the retrospect with pleasant
associations and episodes. Even though this be true it is
certainly very evident that in some instances there has been,
as we drifted into various callings, an unmistakable decadence
in the ardent fervor of youth. As men move forward in
finance and position they not infrequently incline to look
askance at their period of comparative smallness, sometimes
openly assigning little or nothing to instructors and institu-
tions— that success has been due solely to ego, whereas in
reality other powers sat behind the throne. I once ap-
proached a millionaire, suggesting aid in behalf of the Uni-
versity, only to receive the cold, curt reply : " I owe her
nothing — paid my tuition, have my receipts, honors are
484 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
easy." Such a man must have had a very brief contact,
profited little thereby and feel conscious wherein lay the fault.
He certainly would not do much to further her interest or
to strengthen friendly ties among the ordinary body of alumni
— not even attend, unless possibly as central figure — an annual
banquet. He is a spoiled child suffering with nervous pros-
perity— for in reality his mother has been too kind, and he,
like all poorly disciplined, fails to recognize filial gratitude.
But this gentleman is not alone in his self-centered attitude,
as we observe the senator, the judge and others in high so-
cial, political and financial positions often breathing the same
cold air — to have been resting on a cooling-board since leaving
the altar whose emanations made possible their elevation.
Indeed, former professors — from whose lips profitable wis-
dom has been accepted by hundreds who would delight in
paying them grateful homage in their ripening years — have
been known to be conspicuous by absence at local alumni ban-
quets and other functions remindful of the pleasant by-gones.
All such may have ambition in keeping with the policy of a
certain prominent physician who one day seriously told me he
attributed his success largely to social retirement and re-
stricted conversation with patients — ergo, to become great in
others' eyes, keep busy, quiet and seclusive. This spirit of in-
dependence and indifference on the part of that contingent
which has done so much for itself, in which the rest of us have
so much pride, tends to weaken the great possibilities of our
Alumni. Can it not be overcome by some manner of means?
Can we not unify ourselves in at least all things pertaining to
the good of our University? If so, far larger will be the
benefits accruing to her and more favorable the impressions
abiding with us.
Apart from these observations made since student days, of
apparent defects that might with advantage be corrected, it
is only fair to state that during several of my years at the
University there was considerable talk about the rigidity,
inflexibility and severeness of her requirements, and that even
lengthy articles appeared in the Magazine kindly criticising
the same and offering suggestions for what the student-
writers regarded as needed and urgent improvement. Thus to
quote from one — University Reform: The desire for knowl-
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 485
edge has completely been supplanted here by the desire for a
diploma, which seemingly has become the first thought —
any incident and convenient knowledge being second. Noth-
ing is more dwarfing to the mental powers which are
converted into a machine with one function to perform^
answering three-fourths of the questions on examinations.
Since here my aim has been to seek out the prominent students,
those truly original and independent, having minds of their
own, and I can count upon my fingers those whom I judged
to have a cast of power and profundity — few gifted with
originality, capable of developing thoughts and converting
them into a connected whole. Their thoughts are often like
the stars of the heavens — brilliant and beautiful, but isolated
and of little use to give light; unlike the sun, able to pour
forth a flood of light and illumine that with which they come
in contact. Another kind of man is even more rare here —
the investigator — who proposes to himself problems to solve
and subjects to investigate, carrying their study beyond the
limits of the text and lectures. Men may not be original,
profound and powerful, but they can be observant and in-
quiring; they can look into the nooks and corners of science,
philosophy, life and religion, and find much that is yet un-
opened that would yield to a little common sense. For some
of these problems great and brilliant powers are required, but
for many — such as make knowledge profitable, entertaining
and useful — only ordinary intelligence is needed. Most of
our graduates who keep up their literary pursuits do so only
in the school-room as village pedagogues; some get into high
schools, but only a few attain to college and university pro-
fessorships. They make excellent instructors, sufficiently
learned for their purposes, but they took it with them upon
leaving the University and have dispensed it yearly without
diminution or addition. Their intellectual integrity was at-
tained when they received their diplomas, and from that
moment all their growth ceased. Our alumni rarely investi-
gate, write books, and their additions to knowledge or litera-
ture are small. Is this due to the University system or to
individual capacity? Both are defective. The habit of seek-
ing diplomas above all other things is due in many instances to
poverty, in others to contagion. To get a diploma often
486 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
means to get a position, which results in a rigid confinement
to what is required and a total abstinence from everything
else.
These developing habits of mind cannot be over-estimated,
as they are the ultimatum of all culture, and the more perfect
their attainment the more valuable and useful the man. In-
vestigation is nothing more than the application of principles
and tests, the habit of throwing facts into critical relations and
observing the results. This in some is a gift, but a man
ever so gifted in this direction, without cultivation, is nothing,
and any person who can be called intelligent has sufficient to
be made useful and pleasant. A man having attained these
principles of truth can go forward into new regions and new
subjects with the power to discriminate between good and
evil, the true and false. These principles apply not only to
the fields of science, but to various business pursuits, enabling
one to let go professional strings and rely upon his own judg-
ment. He can forsake the servile conformity to the intel-
lectual force of another — he has the power to advance within
himself. Pursuing an education but missing these principles
renders the vast knowledge an incubus and a gorge. They
can tell you the opinions of others but " I think " is unknown
in their vocabulary. The recognition of these investigating
principles has given the wonderful impulse to modern in-
quiry, for within the last fifty years almost as much accurate
knowledge has been collected as during the previous six
thousand. These principles were developed first by scientists,
then caught by philosophers, theologians and inquirists, all
entering fields of knowledge which were unthought of, deemed
utterly unapproachable, only to expose facts which will ever
be the wonder and delight of the human race.
Something must be done at our University to correct this
weakness if she is to maintain her position as the ultimate
educational institution of the South. These principles must be
incorporated and that prominently in its course of instruction,
for this age is very impatient of the useless and inefficient,
and its veneration for antiquity is small — an institution ex-
hibiting only past usefulness will elicit but little sympathy and
support in this day. There is here a want of intellectual
freedom and encouragement of thought — that is, a higher
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 487
encomium is bestowed upon mere labor than upon intellectual
power.
Whatever the principles of the University may be theo-
retically, when practically applied they tend to crush rather
than foster mental originality, independence and investiga-
tion. Our professors put forth untiring efforts to explain
and logically connect every part of their courses, so that the
attentive student gets a true idea of the subject, but the climb-
ing to the greatest heights produces nothing but weariness if
every foot-print is marked for us. Much smaller ascents con-
ducted by ourselves would give us far greater confidence and
teach us more useful lessons. One becomes wearied in fol-
lowing the thoughts, of the professors, having only to attend
to what is pointed out to him, and becomes satiated, even dis-
gusted. He has to gulp down the immense selections from
the vast fields of knowledge which the professors present,
and digest them as best he can, that as a friend suggests, " it
is a wonder he does not die just before he gets through."
The habit of being led gradually grows upon us, and at last
unfits us to take a single step unless our next foot-print is
marked — this having taken hold upon a man his doom is
certain.
All men do not wish to study the same subjects — some pre-
fer one thing, some another, and all should not be compelled
to pursue the same things. This is the weight which many
students here feel — they would gladly do more work than
required, if they could only distribute it as they wished. We
need the profound spirit of philosophy and freedom pervading
the German universities, and if it can be introduced we shall
be able, in spite of our poverty, to compete with any institu-
tion of this country. An effort can overcome and correct,
at the expense of natural elasticity, this defect, but how?
Introduce thesis writing in all senior classes as one of the
requirements for graduation in each school, letting there be at
least three of these, whose entire value shall be one-third of
the possible hundred. This would cultivate a spirit of true
philosophical investigation, and reduce the length of examina-
tions, which now is fourteen hours, a period that is brutal and
prohibitable by law. This capacity for contending with the
present examinations shows nothing but an iron constitution
488 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
and hardihood of the student, and the questions he can answer
under the most untoward circumstances — often making sick;
the delicate students in the preparation. That our graduates
should be untrained entirely in composition is an unpardonable
deficiency.
Another writer complained about extending the respective
collegiate courses thus: This high standard of scholarship
confers the greatest advantage upon those whose only capital
for the future is based upon success in their academic course
—who, investing nearly all their means in an academic educa-
tion, desire to accumulate the greatest amount of knowledge
not under the influence of the noble Baconian maxim, " Knowl-
edge is power," but under the more vital principle, " Knowl-
edge is bread." Too many of us hope to earn a livelihood by
teaching. Colleges are more for those of average intellect,
as men of superior qualifications will find no trouble to suc-
ceed. A college should aim at the divine theory, " the greatest
good for the greatest number." Our object is to succeed here
in getting diplomas, as they bring recommendations and situa-
tions. Those who enter the University hoping to acquire a
liberal education — a term which we know will cast only a
shadqw of meaning to many, but to others it is not the less
real and substantial — encounter those intending to become
teachers who believe in the essential feature of passing ex-
aminations, which now has become public sentiment, and that
those seeking only a liberal education are under the ban of
moral condemnation if they come here in our midst upon the
principle to stand no examinations, although far from idle in
their studies. They lose caste. He must either study very
hard to the exclusion of whatever else may have claim upon
him or drop through like a dead weight. One is clever in
proportion to one's powers of remembrance and endurance.
If you fall short you are considered a nondescript — one who
has to bear the brunt, but yet under normal conditions he
ought to constitute the backbone of this University. It is he
who ought to constitute the leavening of the whole, but now
he is pushed out beyond the pale and must bear and suffer
in injurious silence. We are so much occupied with mind-
cultivation that all else seems insignificant and unworthy, but
it needs more than mind to battle our personal welfare in life.
Janitor, Uncle Henry Martin, at seventy
1825—
See page 457
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 489
We should have been located near a large city to prevent be-
coming a little world unto ourselves. In the law department
instead of two years it should be more. What is to be gained
by the process of cram?
As a result of these articles the editors of the Magazine in
one of its numbers made this comment: " We object to this
system of hot-house training so long in force at this Uni-
versity. We have too much cramming. The object of edu-
cation is culture; information, experience and instruction are
the collateral issues of education — some of the many means
which bring about educational training. A man -of culture
is one with quickness of perception and happiness of expres-
sion, and correct and delicate taste — the synonym of refine-
ment, which unless spontaneous is a plant of slow growth and
tender constitution, likely to be killed by too much culture as
it is to be dwarfed by too little. To develop this faculty is
a slow, long-continued and careful course of study, which
will bring one in contact with the great masters and standard
writers, and will lead him to draw to himself what he can of
their spirit — this will acquaint him with a correct appreciation
of the beautiful, the true and the good. Time is essential for
culture, and culture is the proper end of education, therefore
our system here of allowing a raw clod-hopper to take a full
ticket in a year and to graduate in law, medicine, etc., is
absolutely preposterous. Who would employ such when skill,
knowledge and address were needed? We should require
fixed standards of age and of scholarship — preliminary exam-
inations in every academic school. A two or three year
alumnus is one of taste, training and address, while a man
of one year is a youth as much characterized by the absence
of these qualities as by the awkward presence of their oppo-
sites. The fewer of the latter we have the better for us."
I do not believe that any of these short-comings, as alleged
by students, found the slightest recognition by those in power
and authority during my years at the University. Later,
however, many changes were made, some in accordance with
these earlier complaints — enlarging the curriculum, giving
latitude in studies leading to academic degrees, and requiring
longer attendance for graduation in professional schools.
Be the effect of these articles upon other students what it
490 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
may, they were timely and fruitful to me, inasmuch as the
thesis proposition became the initiative of an effort to improve
English composition and to foster modestly historic research
— to the extent of becoming a correspondent to one of my
home newspapers, Delaware Gazette, whereby at convenient
intervals communications of one, two or three columns ap-
peared under the various headings : A University as Founded
by Jefferson; Monticello — the Home of Jefferson; Memorial
of Colonel Thomas Jefferson Randolph; Colonial Homes in
Albemarle County; College Secret Fraternities; Commence-
ments, etc. I do not think, however, that the majority of
students were captious critics, in sympathy with these writers,
but rather held up our prevailing methods and high standard
as redeeming features — that of which to be proud and be-
yond criticism.
We certainly recognized that geniuses were born — not made ;
that any college community could possess only a few; that
most of us were without minds of great originality, unable to
become exceptional investigators irrespective of developing
processes used, and that our only salvation lay in each culti-
vating as best he could his own garden — inherent soil — mak-
ing it an actual storehouse of general or specific knowledge.
Our ambition appeared to be in " doing the best and leaving
the rest." Few speculated on the distant morrow. I for one
did little of that, being satisfied with troubles present without
borrowing from the future, realizing it was for me always to
be ready to meet duty and to discharge it — an invaluable les-
son in educational training. I admit we had an ungovernable
thirst for diplomas, but, after all, the pride was more in the
knowledge we thought they represented than in the sheep-
skins themselves. The requirements were high and the exam-
inations most searching — unnecessarily so — but we knew that
to be the spirit of the place, possibly its greatest asset. The
fact is, " a little knowledge is a dangerous thing," and there
is only one way to master a subject — to know it. The Univer-
sity courses simply unfolded the great truths of each depart-
ment and anything short of that would have been undesirable,
indeed deplorable. The examinations contained nothing easy
or moderately so ; on the contrary the most difficult and intri-
cate points were included, thereby requiring most thorough
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 491
preparation in advance as well as careful thought and reason-
ing on the day of trial, amid conditions — high mental pressure
and apprehension — little calculated for best results. Fancy,
if you please, after enjoying Professor Smith's delightful
talks and experiments on mechanics, dynamics, hydrostatics,
acoustics, heat and light, and expecting on examination not
less than three problems — sufficient if wrong to prevent one
passing — encountering ten mathematical enigmas, one for
each block, which to work and prove required that many
hours, and you have the character of those tasks. Success
after such a contest was a source of much temporary pleasure
but always saddened by the many companions who fell on the
wayside.
As I look back from such a remote distance upon my Uni-
versity training, in full consciousness of its strength and
weakness, I can but emphasize above all others the one char-
acteristic of the institution that implanted itself upon my
nature and has stood me for greatest good — her aim at thor-
oughness, deep-seated treasures, the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth ; an aversion to everything shallow, de-
ceptive and superficial. If one carries away from her, and
he must if he be a thoughtful student, that wholesome lesson
and continues to apply it in the details of his vocation, be that
what it may, he will find that he could have afforded better to
sacrifice all things else within that training, even the learning,
for that can be recovered by the same goodly spirit — faithful
application. Men may go there for only one or two years,
may have graduated previously or afterwards from reputable
institutions, for which the kindest feelings are maintained, but
they will never disclaim having worshiped at her shrine or deny
a certain peculiar gratitude for her student-life, dominated so
thoroughly as it is by that priceless inheritance of the older
regime, which to-day the world most needs and commends
itself to all alike as man's best and safest living principle —
an honest struggle for thoroughness and truthfulness.
INDEX
INDEX
Adams, John— 45, 51, 60, 63, 65, 74, Brooks, J. St. C. — 278, 280
115, 177 Brown, John— 275
Agassiz, Louis — 215, 274 Bryson, J. H. — 425
African Colonization — 124 Bull Run — 183
Albemarle Academy — 85, 89 Bullock, C. — 213
Albemarle Pippin — 188 Buildings, Additional — 129, 130
Alexander, W. R. — 248 Burr, A. — 66, 71, 212, 214, 216
Alexandria — 176, 180 Burwell, Miss R. — 41
Alien and Sedition Acts — 65
Almond, M. B.-7-294
Ambler, J. — 41 Carr, D.— 42, 44, 219
Antietam — 187, 189 Carr, P. — 89, 93, 97
Antrim, Miss E. — 316, 359 Cabell, J. C— 83, 99, TOO, 102, lOj,
Appomattox — 179, 377 104, no, 113, 118, 119, 120, 124,
Arlington— 177 125, 131, 132, 134
Army of Northern Virginia — 187, Cabell, Mrs. J. L. — 286
189, 190, 191, 345 Carr, Chancellor — 132
Army of the Potomac— 187, 189, Capitol — 68, 176
190 Catholics — 48
Ashlawn — 91 Catletts — 186
Cedar Mountain — 189
Central College— 90, 91, 93, 97, 98,
Baldwin, Mr. — 104, 105 99, 101, 102, 104
Baltimore — 174 Central Hotel — 195, 241
Bank Failures — 311 Chambersburg — 383
Barbary Powers — 52, 115 Chancellorsville — 189
Barbour, B. J.— 250, 295, 297 Charlottesville— 103, 195, 224
Barringer, P. B. — 272, 337 Charter of Rights — 54
Baseball — 340, 358, 464 Chase, S. — 70
Bayard, J. A.— 67 Cleveland, G. — 213
Bayard, T. R— 246, 257, 261, 266, Clifton (Union Mills)— 183
269, 302 Clay, H. — 41, 161, 162
Bealeton— 187 Clough, W. L.— 341
Bellevue Hospital — 277 Coleman, A. L. — 245
Blakey, T. £.—318, 323 Colley, J. D.— 318, 322
Blue Licks — 164, 166 Competitor — 131
Board of Visitors — 91 Conway, F. E. — 318, 322
Boiling, T.— 42 Constitution — 122, 136
Botetourt, Gov. — 43 Chesapeake — 71
Brandy— 188 Cooper, E. T.— 329, 330, 332, 334,
Brandy, W. T.— 293 447
Breckinridge, J. C. — 165 Cooper, R. M. — 294
Breckinridge, R. J. — 165 Cooper, T. — 81, 84, 89, 92, 93, 105,
Brent, F. P.— 281 107, 108, 116
Broadus, J. A.— 251, 256, 257, 262, Cooper, W.— 257
360, 426 Congressional Library — 86
495
496
INDEX
Constitutional Law — 132
Count Montmorin — 54
Cowen, J. K.— 475
Coxe, T. — 60
Culberson, C. A.— 338, 361
Culbreth, D. M. R.— 168, 169, 240*
Culbreth, R. B.— 172*
Culbreth, S. G.— 172 *
Culpeper— 188
Curry, J. L. M.— 257
Dabney, C. W.— 292
Dabney, R. L.— 292
Dame, W. M.— 333
Daniel, J. W.— 361, 435
Davis, C. A., Jr.— 310, 312, 315, 319,
330, 335, 432, 456
Davis, J.— 185, 345
Debates — 231-240
Declaration House — 47
Declaration of Independence — 35,
47, 152
Delaware College— 158, 165, 169
Democratic Corresponding Societies
— 61
Depew, C. M.— 417
Diary Excerpts — 241-244
Dickinson College — 169
Downing, H. H. — 318, 323
Duke, Miss M. — 330, 359
Duke, R. T. W., Jr.— 261, 359
Duncan, J. A. — 279
Dwight, T. — 93
Dykes— 478
Edgehill— 23, 39, 308, 422
Ellison, J. F.— 338
Emerson, R. W. — 323, 327, 412
Embargo Act — 71
Emory and Henry College — 383
Episcopal High School — 345
Eppes, J. W. — 70
Excise Law — 61
Fairfax — 183
False Views of Life, etc. — 288
Parish, Miss E. — A. — J. — 359
Parish, F. P.— 338. 360
Parish Hotel — 308, 333
Fawsett, G. D.— 337, 339, 465
Fauquier, F. — 41
Federalists — 121
Felton Seminary — 170
Fenno's Gazette — 56
Fitzpatrick, B.— 292, 294
Football— 463
Franklin, B. — 51, 52, 140
Fraternities, Secret — 225, 468
Freneau's National Gazette — 56
Fredericksburg — 187, 189, 190
Gait's Statue — 22
General, Banks — 186
Beauregard — 184, 185, 186
Burnside — 189
Early — 282, 297
Ewell— 186, 1 88
Gordon — 345
Grant — 177, 186, 188, 189, 209, 444
Hampton— 273, 276, 334
Hill, A. P.— 161, 186
Hunter, D.— 356, 357
Jackson— 182, 184, 185, 186, 189,
iQi, 345, 346
Johnston, B. T.— 376
Johnston, J. E.— 185, 377
Hooker — 186, 189
Lee, G. W. C.— 345, 354
Lee, R. £.—185, 187, 188, 189,
190, 191, 343, 348, 377
Lee, W. H. F.— 188
McClellan— 186, 187
McDowell— 184, 185
Longstreet— 186, 191, 345
Meade — 186, 188, 189, 190
Morgan — 161
Pleasonton— 188
Pope— 184, 185, 186, 187
Porter— 187
Preston — 302
Rhodes — 345
Sedgwick — 188
Sheridan— 352, 435
Smith, F. H— 345, 354
Stuart— 188
Warren — 186
Gettysburg — 189
Gilmer, F. W. — 124, 127, 131, 133
Goode, J— 281
Gordonsville — 191, 193
Goshen Pass— 350, 352, 358
Government Removed from Phila-
delphia— 68
Government Arrears — 113, 126, 132
Graham, F. R.— 247
Grave of Gen. Lee — 355
INDEX
497
Grave of Gen. Jackson — 354
Green Ticket. — 206
Guyot, A. — 215
Gymnasium Association — 317, 466
Hall, Lieutenant— 88
Hamilton, A. — 55, 56, 57, 64, 67
U5, 264
Hampden-Sidney College — 112, 120
Hanckel, Rev. Dr. — 273, 309
Harding, E. €.—315, 449
Harris, John E. — 335
Hartford Convention — 75
Harvard — no
Henry, P.— 44, 45, 87
Hoge, M. D. — 322
Holliday, F. W. M.— 327
Home-letters — 204, 224, 272, 276,
277, 278, 309, 310, 311, 313, 316,
318, 319, 329, 330, 331, 333, 337,
339, 359
Hunter, R. M. T.— 144, 280, 297,
412
Invitations to Receptions — 280
Irby, J. R. McD.— 465
Italian Stone Cutters — 106
Ives, F. B.— 466
Jasper, J. — 320
Jay Treaty— 61, 63
Jeff (erson) Society — 225, 231, 247,
285
Jefferson College — 154, 165, 169
Jefferson, Jane — 41, 42
Jefferson, Martha — 32, 34, 44, 46,
Si, 59, 219
Jefferson, Mary — 42, 46, 59, 70, 219
Jefferson, Peter — 39
Jefferson, Thomas — 21, 153, 196,
218, 263, 297:
Adams' eulogy — 45
ablest State paper — 56
aiding new French government —
54
at school and college — 40
characteristics — 25, 30
correspondence — 53, 76
crippled wrist — 75
death, funeral — 142
devoured by visitors — 33
description of Hamilton — 55
diffusion of knowledge — 49, 77,
79
Donaldson's eulogy — 151
drafted Declaration of Independ-
ence— 47
educational bill — 97
elected to Congress — 51
elected to Continental Congress
-45
envoy to France — 47
epigrams — 37
fight for reform — 48
financial depletion — 31, 138
fine scholar — 42
Governor — 50
greatness and impress upon man-
kind— 144
idea of nullification — 65
inauguration — 69
last report — 140
library sold to Congress — 86
Louisiana Territory — 70
marriage — 44
member of Burgesses — 43
member of House of Delegates —
47
Minister to Europe — 51
Minister to France — 51
Northwestern Territory — 51
President— 66-68
principles — 36, 69
public acts — 35
rector of University — 105
reconciliation with Adams — 74
re-elected President — 70
religious freedom and slavery —
49
religious belief — 108, 114
retires to Monticello — 59, 72
Secretary of State — 54
sickness — 142
students' appreciation — 25, 36
wanted for President third term
—74
wife's sickness and death — 50-51
versatile worker — 53
Vice- President — 62
Jocose letter of American Citizen
—137
Johnson, R. — 278
Johnston, G. B. — 292, 294
Jongs, J. W. — 247, 291
Junkin, G.— 345
Kemper, Gov. — 301, 302
Kennard, Judge — 283
Kent, W. P.— 363
498
INDEX
Keswick — 193
Kirkpatrick, Rev. Dr.— 346, 354
Knox, H.— 55, 57, US, 182
Knoxx Dr. S.— -84, 92
Lamb, J. C— 339
Lawrence, A. — 154
Lawrenceville — 211, 212
Lawton, Mr. — 208
Leander — 71
Lee, R. £.—348
Lee, R. H.— 47
Lee, Mrs. M. R. C.— 350
Legislature— 112, 113, 137, 138
Leopold — 71
L'Engle, W. J.— 339
Levy, J. M.— 223
Levi, Leo. N— 292, 294, 327
Lewis Brooks Museum — 130, 463
Lexington, Ky. — 162, 165, 167
Lexington, Va. — 93, 101, 102, 340
Libby Prison — 167
Library — original — 24
Letter (Jefferson's) to :
Adams, John — 60, 87, 88, 107,
109, 114, "5, 122
Adams, J. Quincy — 140
Burwell-^89
Breckenridge, Gen. — HI
Cabell, J. C. — 90, 98, 99, 105, no,
118, 130, 137, 366
Cooper, Dr. T.— 85, 86
Gallatin — 118
Giles— 135
Johnson, Judge — 121
Jones, Dr. — 87
Kosciusko — 73
Madison — 61, 62, 63, 65, 138
Monroe — 57, 68, 123
. Lafayette— 53, 123
Priestley, Dr. J.— 81
Rush, Dr. B.— 74
Smith, J. — 117
Sparks, Jared — 124
Taylor, J.-88
Utley, Dr. — 29
Van Buren, M. — 126
Washington — 60
Waterhouse, Dr. — 114
^Weightman — 141
Lincoln, A. — 275
Lincoln, Mrs. A. — 167
Literary Fund— 90, 92, 94, 100, 103,
107, lio
Lives of Jefferson:
Randolph — 23, 278
Randall — 23, 25
Schmucker — 23
Tucker — 21, 23, 142
Lord North's Conciliatory Propo-
sition— 45, 46
Lucas, D. B. — 280, 284, 285, 295
Lynchburg— 363, 377
Macfarland, J. M. — 339
McBryde, R. J.— 312, 322, 323, 360,
361
McGary, Major — 164
McCosh, J. — 214, 275
McKim, R. H.— 288
McPherson, Dr. — 211
Manassas, — Gap — 184, 185, 186
Madison, J. — 50, 72, 101
Manufactures — 75
Martin, H.— 457
Marshall, Charles — 199
Marshall, Chief Justice — 41, 57, 69,
71
Massachusetts Institute of Tech-
nology— 388
Maury, J. — 40
Maury, M. F— 341, 345, 350
Maury, R. H. — 247
May Queen — 223, 278
Medalists — 226, 228
Meikleham, Septima Randolph —
I5i
Mercer, C. F.— Bill— 90, 92, 93, 95,
96, 97
Milburn, W. H.— 284
Miller, S.— 448
Minister, Genet — 56, 57, 58
Minister, Morris— 56
Minor, Mrs. M. M. — 419
Minstrel Troupe — 334
Mitchell— 189
Mitchell, Dr. S.— 93
Monroe, J. — 63, 72, 88, 93, 101, 200
Monroe Doctrine — 123, 264
Monticello— 31, 32, 33, 43, 194, 215,
310
Monticello Guards — 333
Mosby, J. S.— 186, 187
Montesquieu — 264
Montpelier — 191
Murkland, W. U.— 317
INDEX
499
National University — 81, 82
Nation's bad credit abroad — 52
Natural Bridge— 341
Natural and Permanent Function
of the Scholar — 325
Navy — Jefferson's child — 52, 115
Nemours, Mons. Dupont de — 82
Nicol, C. E.— 292, 294
Nicholas, Gov. W. C.— 33, 91, 92,
93, 94, 99 .
Notes on Virginia — 51
Novels disapproved— 89
Orange — 190
Orange, and Alexandria R. R. — 181
Orators— 226, 228
Palladio, A.— 128
Pavilions — 106
Peaks of Otter— 217, 357
Penn National Bank Building — 47
Pennsylvania Revolts — 61
Pendleton, W. N.— 345
Perry, J.— 91, 105
Peyton, B.— 318, 323, 457 f
Peyton, Miss Champe — 450
Peyton, M. G.— 198, 201, 280, 455
Piedmont Valley — 195, 351
Pierce, F. — 244
Poe, E. A.— 24, 299, 454
Portraits in Library — 22
Powell, J. £.—278, 280
President of University — 349
Preston, John S. — 144, 273, 302, 313
Preston, Margaret J.— 345, 35O, 354
Preston, T. L— 273
Priestley, Dr. J.— 81, 84, 107
Princeton — 85, no, 210
Professors — 137, 366:
Adams, H. B. — 94, 127
Allen, George — 154
Blatterman — 24, 133
Bledsoe— 275, 347
Boeck— 313, 442
Bonnycastle — 22, 131, 133
Bowditch — 109
Cabell, J. L. — 416
Courtenay — 346
Davis, J. S.— 197, 35 1, 412, 434
Davis, N. K.— 272, 436
De Vere — 389
Dunglison— 22, 131, 133, 143
Dunnington— 351, 407, 439
Emmet — 22, 133
Garnett, J. M.— 382
Gildersleeve — 331, 382, 397, 450
Harrison, Gessner — 22, 250, 252,
384
Harrison, J. F. — 351, 420
Holcombe — 431
Holmes, G. F.— 408
Horsford, Eben N. — 154
Howard, H. — 276
Key— 22, 131, 133
Lomax — 133, 140
Long— 133, 299, 452
Mallet, J. W.— 351, 404
Maupin, S. — 22, 435
McCabe, W. G.— 380
McGuffey — 200, 244, 423
Minor, J. B.— 431
Nelson, A. L. — 346
Norton, W. A. — 154
Page, J. R.— 448
Peters— 250, 278, 372, 379
Pictet— 82
Porter, John A. — 154
Preston, J. T. L.— 345
Price, T. R.— 363, 444, 449
Rogers, W. B.— 307, 327, 387
Smith, F. H.— 384, 394, 427, 431
491
Southall— 268, 283, 445
Thornton— 250, 313, 435
Ticknor — 109
Tucker— 131, 133
Venable — 171, 198, 199, 201, 373,
451
Purviance, Judge — 156
Quesnay French Academy — 80
Randolph, Edmund— 43, 55, 57, 60
Randolph, Jane — 40
Randolph, J. T. — 359, 360
Randolph, Miss Julia S. — 318, 359
Randolph, Peyton — 44, 45
Randolph, T. J.— 28, 31, 142, 144,
221, 308
Randolph, T. M. — 59, 70, 144
Randolph, J., of Roanoke — 70, 71,
72
Randolph, W. — 40, 59
Rapidan — 189, 190
Ransom, M. W. Jr. — 278, 280
Raymond, T. L. — 278, 280
Rappahannock — 187
5oo INDEX
Reese, F. R— 278, 280 Stephens' "War Between the
Regatta— 360, 363 States"— 178
Religious Fanaticism— 116 Stuart, A. G.— 272, 338, 339
Religious Seminaries- -117, 118 Stuart, A. H. H. — 361
Republic— 88 Stuart, H. €.—292, 294
Resolution establishing University Steele, Charles— 331, 339, 382
— 92 Steel, S. A. — 250, 262, 280, 286, 294,
Reynolds Brothers— 158, 159 301, 312
Reynolds, Frances — 341 Student Discipline — 133, 137
Reynolds, L. M. — 154, 174, 175 Swann, T. — 247, 261, 262, 266, 269
Reynolds, R. T. — 261 Summary View of the Rights of
Reynolds, R. W. — 160 British America — 44
Reynolds, T. G. — 342 Swiss (Geneva) College — 80, 82
Rhoads, L. T.— 164
Richmond Statehouse — 53
Rives Boat Club — 339 Talleyrand— 64
Rives, F. R.— 338 Tarleton's Raid— 50
Robinson, A. M. — 292, 294 Taylor, Bayard — 284
Rochefoucauld-Laincourt — 60 Thorn, A. P. — 318, 323
Rockbridge Alum Springs — 415 Thorn, De Coursey W. — 339
Rotunda — 117, 118, 120, 121, 122, Thum, W. W. — 283, 446
140 Thoroughfare Gap — 185, 186
Rockfish Gap, Assembly — 102, HO, Tilden and Hayes Campaign — 331
357 Tobacco City Club — 339
Rush, Dr.— 70, 74, 107 Todd, L.— 164
Russell, Sol Smith— 465 Todd, R.— 164
Ryan, Father— 281 Tucker, J. R.— 354
Tyler, Lyon G. — 272, 292, 294, 318
Tyler, S.— 155
Savage, J. — 388 Typhoid Fever Epidemic — 292
Saulsbury, R. S.— 278, 280
Semi-Centennial — 283
Semi-Centennial Catalogue — 283, 293 United States Bank — 55
Semi-Centennial Poem — 295 University of Virginia:
Senate — 112, 113 annual endowment — 107
Shadwell — 39, 43, 193, 194 architecture — 106
Sheffield, J. E. — 154 bill passed — 100
Shameful Latinists — 136 buildings, finished — 91, 117, 127
Sheckelford, G. S. — 337 chartered seal — 104
Skelton, Mrs. M. — 44 conversion from- Central College
Sledd, R. N.— 292 —98
Slavery — 49, 125 cost — 109
Slaves captured by Tarleton — 50 established — 92
Small, Dr. W.— 40 favorable conditions— 461, 477
Smith, A. K. — 143 gains favor — 119, 133
Smith, Mrs. S. H. — 28, 29 location — 101, 102
Smith, J. A. — 93 non-sectarian — 116
Southall, J. A.— 301 opened— 132
Spencer, S. — 444 original painting — 112
Spotsylvania — 189 religious denomination — 116, 118
Squibb, E. H., Gymnasium — 316, teachings — 138
466 University Life:
States' Rights — 124, 136 duties vs. pleasures- -460
Staunton— 93, 101, 102, 104, 339, 352 criticism— 474, 481, 484
Stephenson, J. W. — 247 rules and regulations— 469
INDEX
University Life :
selection — 472, 476
training — 470, 472
Venable, Mrs. C. S.— 275, 276
Virginia Military Institute — 341,
344, 357
Voice of Warning — 66
Walker, Gov.— 266
Warrenton Junction — 186
Washington — 176
Washington College — 99, 120, 341,
349
Washington, George — 54, 57, 64, 81,
115, 126
Washington and Lee University —
339,. 340, 344
Wash (ington) Society — 225, 285
Wayles, J. — 44
Webster, Daniel — 26
Wertenbaker, W. — 22, 24, 44, 141,
452
White House— 68, 177
White, W. S.— 345
Whiteley, B. D.— 338, 466
Wickes, B. C. — 230, 241, 248
Wickes, Judge J. A. — 230, 241
Wickham, H.— 285
Wiggins, Dr. T. — 213
Wilderness — 189
Williams, Nathaniel J. — 329, 330,
333
Williams, E. — 360
Williams, John Sharp — 248
William and Mary College — 40, 80,
83, 103, 112, 120, 131, 387
Wilson, H. — 207
Wilson, M. C.— 310, 330, 335
Wilson, Woodrow — 435
Wirt, W.— 140
Witherspoon, T. D. — 279, 295, 302,
312, 337, 417, 425
Woods, Rev. E. — 276, 425
Wright, C. B.-336
Wythe, G. — 41, 49
Yale College — 169
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