University of Virginia Library

---

INTRODUCTION.

The eminence of its founder, the new direction the institution gave
to the university in America, the charm of its setting in a fair Virginia
landscape, the adaptation of the architecture of a time when
beauty was the ideal to the uses of an age demanding utility—all
these and more have engaged the pen, and will continue to make the
University of Virginia a subject attractive to those who write and
illustrate books. Many of the sketches I have hitherto seen from
writers whose talents and information entitled them to consideration
have been in the nature of tributes of respect and affection; but the
present volume, while not lacking this feature, is primarily designed
to afford information. It serves the visitor as a not too garrulous
cicerone, speaking only when information is wanted, and the alumnus
as a companion to be called at any moment when his mood is to go
back to his college days, and to be dismissed without offense when the
mood has passed. Those who have prepared this book have had
unusual opportunities to achieve good results, and an examination of
the text before it was sent to the publisher convinced me they have
made good use of them.