University of Virginia Library

NUMERICAL SUCCESS OF THE UNIVERSITY.

But while as we have seen the great objects of the founders of
the University have been fulfilled so far as the method and extent
of its instructions are concerned, it cannot be disguised that in
another respect their hopes have been less fully realized. In the
number of the students annually frequenting its halls, their sanguine
calculations are found to have outstripped the progress of the institution.
Yet it should here be remarked "that the number of
individuals who receive at the University of Virginia the benefits
of a collegiate education, is far greater than could be inferred from
a comparison with the numbers of other similar institutions in
other parts of the Union, since in these, in consequence of that
gradation of classes through which every student is required to
pass, most students continue at college four years; whereas under
the system pursued here of allowing the student to attend such
schools only as he selects, and to give his undivided attention to
them, he obtains the honours of which he is most ambitious in a
much shorter time. It would seem from comparing the whole
number of students at the University in the last ten years, (1182,)
with the number of matriculations in the same time, 2058, that the

average term of their continuance is less than two years. In this
way the number educated here may be equal to the number educated
in colleges whose average annual number of students may
be twice as great. The number of new students annually received
at the University has in ten years averaged 118, and it is believed
that there are not two colleges or universities in the Union, which
have, on an average, received a greater number."

But while it would thus appear that the University even in this
point of view has been far more successful than is often imagined,
various influences have co-operated in debarring it from that great
numerical prosperity which seems to have warmed the anticipations
of its founders.

Injurious impressions as to the irreligious tendencies of the institution.—Among
the causes of this shortcoming, especially in the
earlier years of its history, we may in the first place mention the
opinion very prevalent at the time, that irreligious influences were
permitted and even exerted within its walls. An opinion which,
though we are happy to say now very generally abandoned, is
still found casting a shade of prejudice over the feelings of a few.
Without entering into any inquiry as to the foundation of this impression
as prevailing in former years, it is not inappropriate here
to state, that no shadow of a pretext now exists, or has for many
years existed, favourable to such a suspicion. We speak on the
authority of the numerous pious divines of our own state and from
abroad, who have either officiated as chaplains at the University, or
have otherwise become familiar with its internal influences and
usages, when we assert, that in no similar institution in this country,
is there a greater degree of respect voluntarily accorded to
the ministers and ordinances of Christianity, and in few are more
numerous instances to be found of devout piety as well among the
students as the professors and their families.

In further proof of the prevailing disposition on this subject at
the University, we may point to the fact that the chaplain, appointed
annually from among the leading denominations in our state,
is supported exclusively by the voluntary contributions of the professors
and other officers, and of the students, and that through the
same means a Bible Society and Sunday School have long been
in useful operation. It is but proper in this place to add, that while
enjoying these high religious opportunities, the University, by the
annual succession of chaplains of different denominations, is secured
from that sectarian influence which in any other arrangement could
not fail to impair its usefulness as a state institution.

Defective discipline in the early years of the University: Another
obstacle to the numerical success of the institution, perhaps more
influential even than that just stated, has arisen from the errors of
discipline committed in the early period of its history. In an enterprise
so novel in many of its features, it is not surprising that the
scheme of organization, however good throughout in theory should

in some of its details have proved vicious or inadequate in practice.
During this experimental stage of its career, it is well known
that habits of dissipation and extravagance, with other offensive
irregularities, prevailed among the students to a lamentable extent.
The unfavourable impression thus occasioned in the public mind,
far outlasting any reasonable cause in the government of the university,
has continued, though with greatly diminished force, to
obstruct its advancement even to the present day. The tragical
occurrence which several years ago deprived the institution of one
of its noblest ornaments, in the person of the learned and pious Professor
Davis, though solely chargeable to the unprovoked and
reckless passions of a single youth, and entirely unconnected with
considerations bearing upon the general discipline, was but too
well calculated to extend the yet remaining prejudices caused by
its earlier career. Yet it is pleasing to reflect that in spite of this
terrible blow, from which not a few predicted that it would never
be able to recover, and notwithstanding the depressing effects of
the times, felt in our literary institutions as well as elsewhere, its
career has since been marked by a steady increase in the number
of its students. About 200 youths are now prosecuting their studies
in the University, comprising in the academic courses, we believe,
about one half of the entire number of young Virginians at present
occupied in such pursuits, so that, should no untoward interference
cripple its powers, we are justified in expecting within the next few
years a larger class than has ever yet been gathered in its halls.

As respects the efficient character of its discipline, as now enforced,
and the general absence of college vices and irregularities,
we are fully authorized in saying that the University is most favourably
distinguished in comparison with similar institutions abroad;
while we may add, that the general excellence of its regulations is
in nothing more strongly marked, than in the earnest activity of a
large portion of the students in their literary tasks.

Inadequate preparatory training: Along with the adverse influences
above referred to, we should not neglect another whose
effects in a great degree beyond the control of the institution,
though gradually diminishing, must continue for some time to restrain
its numbers and its usefulness. We allude to the defective
preparatory training of by far the greater number of the youth
educated at the ordinary academies and schools in Virginia and
the more southern states. This lamentable defect, operating as a
check upon the laudable aspirations of many who under other circumstances
would be eager to profit by the higher teachings of the
university, turns them away from her halls to stifle their cravings
at home, or to seek in some other scene more easy access to literary
honour, or should they venture into her precincts, without
great energy of purpose, sometimes so fills them with discouragement
as to divert their ambition to unworthy or pernicious aims.