Obrázky stránek
PDF
ePub

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 Dunningtonappearance, reserved manner, accurate worker and good teacher.

WILLIAM HOLMES MCGUFFEY.-When accompanying Professor Venable home for dinner the afternoon I reached the University, he halted near the center of the campus and pointed out the various pavilions occupied by the several professors, emphasizing the last on West Lawn, by which we soon passed, as that of the oldest member of the FacultyDr. McGuffey's. I inquired his relationship to the author of the popular "Readers," only to receive the information that he was the author himself and a learned philosopher. In public school I had been brought up on the "Eclectic Series," but nothing on the title pages indicated the writer's identity -all being by Wm. H. McGuffey, LL.D. One can imagine my great desire to see and hear lecture the man who had collated so much of my youthful reading matter-that which had an early realization. He was about five feet nine inches high and weighed one hundred and sixty pounds. His face was smooth and beardless; cheek-bones prominent and straightly angled to the chin; forehead unusually broad and high; complexion good-more vital than sanguine; voice clear, sonorous, lower register, fine volume and carrying power; eyes small and bright. He dressed in conventional black cloth, with long full-skirted coats and high collarssilk stock-and a silk hat. He walked erect, with firm, deliberate step, but carried a cane, upon which he placed some weight; he seemed always thoughtful, but never oblivious to surroundings, noticing persons passed-by and conditions en

countered. He spoke in a reflective, absorbed and convincing style, repeating premises and conclusions wherever he thought it possible for students to find stumbling blocks; he argued as he explained, taking much delight in both, until he felt assured that his meaning was understood by all. He never worried or despaired from a failure to comprehend the first enunciation of a truth, but recognized all such to be golden opportunities for exercising his varied resources as a master teacher. I was never introduced to him, but we frequently met, always to tip my hat and have the salute recognized with a slight bow and kindly smile. I only heard him lecture twice on his regular course, but a number of times on Sunday afternoons upon Biblical subjects, of which he had been a close student and gave beautiful interpretations. Although a consistent Presbyterian, he did not hesitate to ridicule and denounce its doctrine of predestination, but otherwise was firm to the creed. He gave forth many educational thoughts apart from the subjects he taught; even grammatical construction and questions of rhetoric received sometimes in class a straightening process, while students often sought him for such purpose. I heard him deprecate on one occasion the prevailing use of the comparative for the superlative degreethus contending that of several articles one was not the better, but the best of the lot. His lectures were among the few attended by outsiders, and no one at their close-be the subject discussed ever so dependent upon reasoning-failed to be profited and to wish for a repetition of the sitting. When considering the merits and popularity of our professors, it was soon found that none stood higher among the student-body, for we accepted him as a model teacher and a master of his profound subject-a tower of strength in the Faculty. When, therefore, in early April of my first year his serious indisposition was announced, one could not be surprised at the gloom cast over the entire atmosphere and the interest taken in his daily condition. Sometimes he had rallied to bring joy to every heart, again unexpected complications had arisen, or, as did occur, mental aberration and delirium, to spread inexpressible sadness and regret. Sunday, May 4, 1873, was a delightfully balmy day-well calculated to stimulate in nature the unfolding of imprisoned vitality, in youth an appreciation of

the privilege of living-but with its setting sun faded the light of our immortal philosopher, as death came shortly after 6 o'ck. All exercises of the University were suspended the following Tuesday-a day likewise of beautiful sunshine and warmth-when at 10.30 o'ck, the funeral assemblage began collecting on the lawn in front of the Rotunda, arranging itself in two parallel lines ten feet apart, extending nearly to the first terrace. Shortly thereafter the casket was borne by loving colleagues through these lines, followed by respectful friends, citizens and Moral Philosophy class-the standing lines joining the procession in regular order—all ascending the Rotunda steps and proceeding to the Public Hall, whose pillars, gallery and stage had been entwined with black and appropriate mourning symbols. The bier, covered with floral wreaths, rested at the foot of the stage, while upon this were seated the professors, assistants, ministers, noted scholars and friends. The Hall was overcrowded, mournful and silent-only the mellow sunlight reflecting through the shuttered windows bringing to the occasion the slightest evidence of brightness. Rev. Edgar Woods, of the Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, a close personal friend of Dr. McGuffey's, read the Scriptural passage, while our Chaplain, Rev. Dr. T. D. Witherspoon, delivered a very sympathetic sermon from the text, "But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth forth the sickle because the harvest is come." During this discourse many were moved to tears, especially when touching reference was made to the Professor's great kindness to the speaker personally and to his frequent visits throughout the final sickness, in which the great teacher's one thought seemed to be his present class. After this the Rev. J. H. Bryson gave expression to that which appeared most pathetic and affecting the dead professor's last message to his class.

At the conclusion of these services the casket was conveyed by the pall-bearers from the Hall, down the front Rotunda steps, to the right by the Modern Language room, thence to its rear through the opening between it and Professor Gildersleeve's pavilion, where the hearse and several carriages were in waiting. The procession, consisting of the few vehicles and long line of professors, students and friends on foot, pro

ceeded toward the Medical Hall, turned left into the road along West Range and thence to the University Cemetery, where, with the simple interment service, in the presence of that vast concourse of uncovered heads, the body was consigned to its final resting place in the rear or western section, near the graves of Professors Bonneycastle, Courtenay and Harrison, to which have been added later those of Howard and Bledsoe. During the greater portion of Dr. McGuffey's sickness until the close of the session, his class was looked after by Doctors Cabell and Witherspoon to the complete satisfaction of all concerned.

Of the several books written by Dr. McGuffey none bore directly upon the great subject of his life's work, Moral Philosophy-there remaining extant of this only his own notes and those taken by students as best they could in lectures. It was a great disappointment that after teaching the subject so many years he failed to place on lasting record his own opinions, deductions and theories of mental processes, and we were delighted to learn early in the session (1872-73) that his long proposed work was about completed and could be expected from the press at any date-that which after his death failed to materialize. Nor had he trained anyone especially to his liking and method of thought suitable to be a worthy successor, but recognized many of his graduates equal to the duties. These conditions, however, from the students' standpoint made the position very difficult to fill, as we believed that no other method or system than his would be acceptable. As a matter of fact, in keeping with Dr. McGuffey's belief, he had molded abundant material out of which to make an excellent choice, but what surprised us students most was the elimination of his own product and the selection of one who had been trained far differently. This step, be it said in truth, yielded most happy results, and convincingly proved that a new man with changed ideas and ideals may sometimes strengthen a department that already is very strong.

In the life of Dr. John A. Broadus (1901), unquestionably one of the University's most loyal and gifted sons (18271895), occurs much pertaining to his own student-life and subsequent identification with the institution. Among the

letters written while enjoying his many visits there, one to his wife, June 6, 1872, is of special interest here: "Took tea at Dr. McGuffey's. His work on Mental Philosophy '—like Heaven in size and design-is printing, and he showed me proofs. He looks as young and vigorous as ever. I attended

a lecture of Gildersleeve's at half past twelve, and got ideas. In the evening he and Holmes and Peters called, and Dr. Davis was prevented after proposing. Gildersleeve was glad to meet somebody interested in grammar, and sat late, very full of talk."

66

Immediately upon Dr. McGuffey's death, Professor Smith wrote Dr. Broadus: May 4, 1873-At 6.15 o'ck this evening our venerated and valued professor, Dr. McGuffey, quietly and in unconsciousness passed away. He lingered for weeks, having rallied after his physicians despaired of him. His daughter, Mrs. Hepburn, and his wife were the only relatives with him. Other gentlemen of the Faculty besides Dr. Davis (John Staige) have spoken to me most earnestly in reference to his successor, and indeed, so far as I know, if the alumni, faculty and friends of the Institution were polled, their well-nigh, if not altogether unanimous, choice would light on you. These gentlemen desired me to approach you or cause you to be approached on the subject. I know of no way save that of simply and directly telling you the facts and asking you to deliberate upon them and give us your matured decision, earnestly hoping that this decision will be favorable to us. It would be presumptuous in me to attempt to argue the matter with you. I could say nothing which would not occur with greater force to your own reflections. I can very well understand the strength of your love for the Seminary, the child of your care and toil."

This sketch cannot be concluded more appropriately than by quoting from at least two, out of the many, of Dr. McGuffey's graduates who have not only become distinguished, but have willingly paid a high tribute of respect to the memory and worth of their beloved teacher. Thus one says: "It is impossible to enter even in outline into the great work of his life in its four departments-the Christian ministry, educational authorship, college presidency, and University professorship. In each of these departments his life was emi

« PředchozíPokračovat »