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. 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.

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 between individuals much formality and manly decorum. As an institution it gathered within its fold sons of the representative 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, minister, lawyer, doctor, professor, president of corporations, banks, etc., whether residing in one or another state, apparently had the same ambition for their sons of promise-that they be educated at the University founded by Thomas Jefferson. In spite of this large element of royal gentry, as a matter 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

name of some distinguished relative. A close association of several years never disclosed from young 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 Dabney, Emmet, Hunton, Ligon, Mahone, Marye, Memminger, Ransom, Seddon, Wilmer, and many others, that their inheritance 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 atmosphere 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, preparatory 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 aggressive, so that whatever friendships were formed came solely through innate and not ulterior influences. That I had established such during my first year to an extent worth considering was foreign to my belief and expectations, until my return at the beginning of the second year, October 1, 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 reception 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

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 diversions 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 arrangements 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 occasioned 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 languageas 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 Historical 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. Hampton'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

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 vindicate 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 attended the Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, and despite the beautiful 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 temptations. I regretted to see a few days ago the death of the great Professor Agassiz of Harvard, for beyond doubt he was the most renowned 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 venturesome broke through the weak spots, greatly to their discomfort, but nothing 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.