best they could, frightfully unbalanced-two on one side pulling against one on the other thereby taxing the coxswain and adding excessive resistance-until near the finish, when, relinquishing all hope and effort, they allowed themselves to come limping along far behind their competitors much to our audible expressions of mortification and sorrow. For a brief time we were ignorant of the cause of defeat, believing it a case of pure exhaustion on the part of our crew and of superior strength in the winners, but when the truth became known a sentiment of disgust prevailed, as virtually it was no contest at all-only a sham combat between the able and disabled, the afflicted and well. And yet no one censured our contestants for claiming victory, nor would we have permitted them to have done otherwise, but what we wanted and expected was an honest exhibition of training, skill and strength-that which failed to be realized. "What is one man's meat is another's poison," so the cause that grieved us delighted the town-people, consequently we had to accept the situation with becoming grace and magnanimity. We decorated ourselves with large and small badges of black mourning, assumed a more modest and quiet attitude, and entered into the gayeties offered as though we were the victors. Everything was done by the citizens of Lynchburg to make our visit pleasant while our crew by defeat made it all the more memorable. Sunday morning found us more reconciled to the inevitable and with a disposition to turn homeward-that which we did shortly before noon, leaving behind ineffaceable pleasure and regrets.

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.

"You know we have all, from the beginning, considered the high qualifications of our Professors as the only means by which we could give to our institution splendor and pre-eminence over all our sister seminaries. The only question, therefore, we can ever ask ourselves, as to any candidate, will be, is he the most highly qualified? The college of Philadelphia has lost its character of primacy by indulging motives of favoritism and nepotism, and by conferring the appointments as if the professorships were entrusted to them as provisions for their friends. And even that of Edinburgh, you know, is also much lowered from the same cause. We are next to observe, that a man is not qualified for a Professor knowing nothing but his own profession. He should be otherwise well educated as to the sciences generally; able to converse understandingly with the scientific men with whom he is associated, and to assist in the councils of the Faculty on any subject of science on which they may have occasion to deliberate. Without this he will incur their contempt and bring disreputation on the institution." Thus wrote Mr. Jefferson to Cabell, February 3, 1824, a year before the University opened.

Passing over the brilliant array that prior to my day held in hand the destiny of the University, according to this high ideal of Mr. Jefferson, I approach with a respect most profound that noble band of faithful teachers I personally found in command -those that impressed and taught me facts as well as prin

ciples which have served as useful guides throughout my life. Yet with this pleasurable task there is associated intuitively a slight but certain hesitation, since it enforces to a degree an undue liberty with the personalities of the minority that live, as well as an inadequate tribute to the majority that sleep. To both in life such estimation from pupils would no doubt in a measure prove distasteful, but towards only the helpless, if need be, should protection be extended. A third of a century has not effaced in the least their earlier impressions upon the youth, as to-day they stand out precisely where we left them— the embodiment of wisdom and knowledge, the students' exemplar and guide, the possessors of ever helpful and willing counsel for all those entrusted to their care. Some were known only during my university life, others have been seen occasionally at long intervals, gradually growing old as I have been growing older, but to them all remain in strongest light the simple personal contact of student days.

The Faculty of that period consisted of fifteen members, each an active, healthy, enthusiastic and inspiring leader in his department—all competent masters of the ground they trod. For it those of other institutions entertained the highest regard and respect, since they recognized it to be composed of the broadest-typed scholarly men-such as were too magnanimous to be interested in, or laboring for other than the general good. In the South it was accepted to be the center of higher thought and knowledge, especially learned and fitted for training those who were to occupy honorably the leading professional and professorial positions. This flattering recognition of our Faculty, be it to its credit, did not cause an assumption of stately arrogance, but on the contrary rather a courtly humility-that so well calculated to inspire an abiding faith in the honest desire to serve others without stint or favor in the hour of need, and never to abuse knowingly a reposed confidence. Here truly the comity of interest and intentions seemed centered and complete, ever void of jar and friction, in consequence of which, whenever any teaching corps became depleted by death or resignation, it was chiefly to the University and her well-trained sons that the eyes of those interested were turned, in the hope of finding a solution in some suitable personage.

Most of its members were in their forties, several just beyond; none youthful, only two or three whom we considered advanced-a commendable quality in our young eyes, as these, somehow or another, were accepted to be the most learned and distinguished teachers—so that as a capable teaching body we regarded it with scarcely an equal in our land, certainly without a superior. As a fact we recognized that a few of the higher institutions had one or more equal shining lights, but we felt convinced of our superior numbers-proud that no other was so fortunate when considering all departments. This sentiment was so strong that it made some of us intollerant of others' views which differed from or tended in the least to make our Faculty suffer by comparison, even though we bore in mind times when we thought this or that professor made his exactions and requirements unnecessarily severe, indeed, tempered with little mercy. At the same time we believed that they dispensed to all concerned justice as they saw, read and interpreted it, and as a result I never heard of any student upon failing in examination, be it ever so dependent and vital, visiting the professor of that department for the purpose of giving some elucidation and explanation that might possibly help his cause, or with even the request of re-reading the paper, alone or together. No more would this have been resorted to than would an attorney appeal to a judge after his rendering an adverse decision. When the lists were posted from time to time and our names failed to appear we accepted the situation manfully-without repining, with no reproach to others and very little censure to ourselves. Under the existing conditions we knew whether or not we had done our best, our whole duty towards any given course during the yearfor nothing less would pass us successfully-and generally we could size up our attainments in the respective subjects sufficiently well to predict final results, consequently placed criticism, if any was needed, exactly where it belonged-upon self. Even when inclined to accord ourselves passing credit we did not wish that unless our teachers, after a careful weighing in the balance, adjudged us thoroughly deserving. For what was a diploma without its sine qua non-knowledgeexcept a lamentable mockery, a deception upon its face-that for which we had little tolerance, and from which we were

struggling to make an honest escape. Among us there was not the slightest disgrace attached to failing, because sooner or later the majority did this somewhere along the line and accepted it simply as indicating deficient knowledge in the particular department-the need of adding more thereto by taking it over. Nothing savoring of unfairness was ever ascribed to the professors, as we considered them nearly infallible, incapable of doing any one of us a wrong, the impartial censors and judges in assigning indisputable ratings, and whether we passed or failed there was manifest rarely any dissatisfaction, far less resentment, on the part of the students, while the professors faced their decisions manfully, yet sorrowfully in our temporary misfortune-which they considered small and capable of easy correction in a subsequent year, possibly redounding to an ultimate good.

No doubt every one is made a stronger individual by an occasional adversity, experiences from misdirected effort, as they usually teach a wholesome lesson that otherwise would remain untaught to be alert in anticipating and avoiding pitfalls through the exercise of our best energies at the right time. While the smooth and level road ever continuous, brings passive satisfaction ending in ennui; yet the rugged and slightly used leaves a more permanent mental impression and better circulation upon those needing physical development. If students along with all humanity would accept the good that a failure holds out they would not look at it askant-with a certain degree of despondency, possibly an irreparable loss. Fortunately most of us made the best of accidental failureconsidering it a happy warning against laziness and the undertaking of too much in a given time-and never in the least was intimidated by it in completing our proposed university course or in striving for success in the more strenuous walks of life.

The professors accepted us socially on a common footing through direct or indirect acquaintance, personal letters, correct deportment, inferred kindly nature or class standing, and whenever we called at their homes any slight embarrassment on our part was quickly relieved by them laughingly engaging conversation upon some subject having a common or local interest. While they inclined to keep class burdens apart from such occasions, yet sometimes reference was made to them but