6

gregate number in all the schools amounted to more than one
third of the whole number of students! It is apprehended
that no Institution in this country can compare with that re-
sult. Indeed by the general admission of that [?]
class, who having been students elsewhere, as well as at the
University, have had opportunity to compare its ranking with
that of other seminaries, it stands, in the general assiduity and
high moral bearing of its pupils, and in the effective
work done by them, absolutely peerless. In 1860-'61, 226 diplo-
mat were awarded, and similar numbers in 1859-'60, and 1858-'9,
& for several preceding years, and that too, under the rigorous
exactions of examinations both written and oral.

Some have fancied that the animation of the
University may be suspended for a time, without destroying
its vitality. This is believed to be a fatal delusion. Doubtless
as capable and as conscientious a faculty as now, could be ob-
tained. But would the subtle traditional influences [on?]
mind & morals be [remind?]? Would the same [?] be [?]
and steadily marked out by strangers, as by those who having
come, one by one, into [?], have imbibed by degrees, that
spirit of forbearance and firmness, of moderation [?], of
indulgence and high exaction, the just commingling of which
can be learned only by long experience, and an intimate fa-
miliarity with the genius low? Surely it would argue no
small degree of rashness to anticipate it. But even were it
so, would the confidence, respect, and consequent patronage from
other States be restored? Would not new and [?] rivals
spring up during the interval of intermitted life on the part
of the University? Would not other channels be formed
from which it would be [well?] [high?] impracticable to divert
the streams of support which have hither to offended half
its aliment to this Institution?

Secondly. The prestige and influence resulting to Vir-
ginia, in {the} respect to his [?]-States of the South & West, from the