quainted thoroughly with his brave war record, from which he was called occasionally "Fighting Pete," and above all wondered at and repeated often the Chambersburg incident— when ordered by his superior officer to burn the town, positively refused on the ground: "He was not in the war to destroy the homes of helpless women and children," an act of disobedience approved by General Lee.

Professor Peters died of pneumonia at the University, March 22, 1906, and was buried at Marion, Va. Of his death The Sun (Baltimore) had the following editorial: "A Soldier and Educator.-The death of Colonel Peters, emeritus professor of Latin in the University of Virginia, will be regretted by his large circle of friends, particularly by the thousands of former pupils who are scattered throughout the world. A teacher of unusual excellence, earnestness, Professor Peters spared no pains to interest students in Latin and was very successful. Extra hours and extra lectures were given without stint to those who wished to make good their shortcomings in his specialty. During the Civil War he was similarly indefatigable, leaving his professorship in Emory and Henry College for the tented field. Entering the army, as a private, he rose to the rank of colonel of infantry and later had command of the Twenty-first Regiment of Virginia Cavalry. He was thrice wounded and once left on the field for dead. But his vigorous constitution, fortified by years of active campaigning, pulled him through, and he survived to do thirtysix years of splendid work in one of the first educational institutions in the land. As an educator and as a soldier he held a deservedly high place in the esteem of his contemporaries."

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, 1894; his semi-centennial; value as an American scholar. Basil Lanneau Gildersleeve, characteristics and traits; war incidents; class-room diversions; regret at his leaving the University; personal letters, etc.

FRANCIS HENRY SMITH-It was my privilege to receive two years of instruction from this gentleman, a period sufficient to observe and study his delightful personality. No one could come in contact with him, for ever so short a time, without favorable impressions, such as implied manly instincts, moral rectitude and sincereness of purpose-the true Christian character. And as the acquaintance became more extended and intimate these traits appeared manifestly a part of his real nature. He was only forty-three years of age, but, in spite of a smooth clerical face, seemed considerably older-possibly from his quiet serious bearing and kind gentle manners. He was already the father of a half-dozen children, some about grown, others very small, and the health of his wife, frail, petite and highly cultured-a daughter of Gessner Harrisonhad given him some concern. As "into each life some rain must fall," his had been no exception, but he passed along life's journey with smiles that frequently broke into audible laughter. His stature was of the smaller type—about five feet seven inches high and one hundred and fifty pounds in weight; face without beard revealing a clear healthy complexion and a gentle refined expression; forehead high and broad; nose, upper lip and lower jaw strong, more or less positive; eyes bright, bluish and of good size; step quick, firm and elastic. He possessed a beautiful flow of language and a voice that was clear, musical, sonorous with volume and power-qualities that made him an exceptional conversationalist, an attractive and engaging speaker. He had a heavy suit of dark-brown

hair, frequently worn long, which with his benign countenance suggested the ministerial cloth. He was careful to be cleanshaven and well-dressed, often lecturing in a frock coat and on the street with a silk hat. I think beyond doubt he was the most oratorical and polished lecturer then at the University, an impression not only shared by the majority of us, but of assured outside recognition to attract frequently to his lectures strangers and former students upon return visits. The secret of this high distinction lay in natural gift of voice, phraseology, ready impressive convincing manner, facial expression and a masterly knowledge of his subjects-not upon scraps of paper or manuscript, but at tongue's end. At times he wrote syllabi on the blackboard, incidentally working therefrom, but such were chiefly for the students' benefit-in a measure taking the place of text-books-as he himself never followed them strictly. Then again his subjects appealed to most persons, being susceptible of great or small possibilities according into whose hands they fell for treatment and he fortunately was capable of making much out of them. He was void of sarcasm, resentment, vindictiveness and that element ungenerously used by some persons in trying to appear brilliantespecially at another's expense. Be conditions and attitude what they may he never lost his dominant individuality and nature the gentleman; nor did he ever try purposely to embarrass students, although this was accomplished in no uncertain way by his searching and intricate method of class interrogation-that which was accepted by us to be in the line of gaining most knowledge in his departments, and by him a moral duty even though at the expense of qur personal discomfort. His class-room was immediately under the rear half of the Public Hall, the space under the first half being divided in the center by a six-foot hall-way, having on the left (west side) his laboratory and apparatus room and on the right (east side) Professor Minor's lecture room. Here he knew no distinction of personages, as every one of us was subjected practically to the same trials and tasks. When calling at his home, third pavilion from the Rotunda, West Lawn, he was affable, agreeable and seemingly with abundant time at our disposal. Upon the highway he never passed by us without a bow and smile, and if need be made a halt for a pleasant ex