University of Virginia Library

Founder's Day.

On April 13 lectures were suspended
and the day was occupied in exercises
fitted to celebrate the birth of the University's
founder—Thomas Jefferson. At
11:30 students, faculty, and invited guests
marched in procession to Cabell Hall,
where the chief address of the occasion
was made by Mr. James Bryce, British
Ambassador to the United States. President
Alderman introduced Mr. Bryce;
and after the latter's address, made the
annual statement concerning the recent
progress and present status of the University.
He said, among other things:

"Each college year, like each year in
the life of an individual, has its distinctive
meaning. 1907-'08 in the history of
the University will be marked by these
notable events: The building of the college
dining hall; the opening of the second
wing of the hospital; the establishment
of `College Hour'; the inaugration
of the Barbour-Page Lecture Foundation;
and the provision by the State Legislature
for a Geological Survey, with headquarters
at the University.

"The realization of the bequest of Mr.
Edmund W. James, realizing $264,656 in
endowment for the University; the increased
annuity from the Legislature to
80,000 a year, and a provision at last for
the building of a worthy and noble home
for the Law School of the Institution;
the great increases in the teaching staff,
of the interior equipment, and in annual
income, have been elsewhere noted. To
me one of the most attractive and impressive
developments in the life of the
institution is the increased interest in the
development of the University Library,
which is the heart of any college."