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The University of Virginia

memoirs of her student-life and professors
  
  
  
  
  
CONTENTS
  
  

 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 VI. 
 VII. 
 VIII. 
 IX. 
 X. 
 XI. 
 XII. 
 XIII. 
collapse sectionXIV. 
  
  
  
  
  
 XV. 
 XVI. 
 XVII. 
 XVIII. 
 XIX. 
 XX. 
 XXI. 
 XXII. 
 XXIII. 
 XXIV. 
 XXV. 

  


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CHAPTER I 
Thomas Jefferson—Students' Benefactor and Exemplar 
PAGE 
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 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, education,
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 knowledge;
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 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; administrations compared; retirement,
declines public reception; reconciliation with Adams; employment,
advocate and user of machinery; correspondence, etc. 
59 
CHAPTER IV 
Thomas Jefferson—Advocate of Knowledge and Education 
University of Virginia—interest in "Diffusion of Knowledge"; his
educational plan, bills incorporating same; Quesnay French Academy;
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 Mercer'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. Jefferson'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, construction;
Dr. Thomas Cooper's opposition, religious apprehensions;
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 University;
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 Cartwright explaining State and
Federal powers; letter to Adams concerning health and the
University; letter to President Monroe 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. 
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 | 
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 Kentucky, where he frequently saw and heard Henry Clay
make impressive 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. 
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; 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. 
193 
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'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 inscription,
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; sickness
and death of Professor McGuffey; accident to room-mate—
Pearce; closing weeks of the session; remained for Commencement;
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 banquet—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 lecture;
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
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 epidemic;
Baseball 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. 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 Magazine.
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. 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. 
329 
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 sightseeing
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 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, 1804; his
semi-centennial; value as an American scholar. Basil Lanneau
Gildersleeve, characteristics and traits; war incidents; classroom
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
of honor, facetious humor, kind and sympathetic. James Lawrence
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;
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. 
423 
CHAPTER XXIII 
Professors—Personal Characteristics and Traits 
Leopold Jules Boeck—nativity, personality; great linguist; resignation.
Stephen O. Southall—characteristics, fine speaker; popular
with students. John Randolph Page—characteristics; course unpopular;
resignation. 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. 
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, 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 fraternities. University
laws seldom violated, etc. 
460 
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 institutions for excessive weakness.
Kind of students best suited to attend the University—some
should not go there. Conditions especially commending the University
versus those considered negative. Opinions of some
students of my day—discussion that did good. 
472 
Index  495