Randolph-Macon College and the Study of English
Prof. J. B. Henneman, of the University of Tennessee, writes as follows in the Sewanee Review. It is gratitying that the good work done by Randolph-Macon is so freely acknowledged:
“It was Randolph-Macon College, rather than the State University of Virginia, though it was the work of one of her graduates, that was to have the distinction of creating a School of English in the South which should send forth apostles with all the fervor of converts and enthusiasts. Randolph-Macon College would have deserved notice for devoting a separate chair to English Literature as early as 1836, almost from its inception; and Edward Dromgoole Sims, a Master of Arts of the University of North Carolina, gave a course on Historical English in the year 1839. He was installed in that year as Professor of English, after a stay in Europe, where he heard lectures on Anglo-Saxon. Tradition tells how, having no text-books, he used the blackboards for his philological work. At the end of three years he removed to the University of Alabama in consequence of having contracted a marriage not then allowed under the laws of Virginia. He was preparing a series of text-books in Old English, tradition again says, when he died, in 1845. Had he accomplished his purpose, these works would have preceded Klipstein’s in point of time. (Other occupants of the chair of English at Randolph-Macon were William M. Wightman and David S. Doggett, both afterwards bishops in the Methodist Church, South.) It was again at Randolph-Macon College (though now removed from Mecklenburg to Hanover county) that, immediately after the war, there was founded a distinct school of English, based on historic and scientific principles, and productive of far-reaching results. I believe that I am but paying a worthy tribute to one whom all his pupils have found a helpful guide and inspiring instructor in making the statement that this movement was mainly due to the inspiration and effort of one man—Thomas R. Price.
“The suggestion of the course of English at Randolph-Macon College sprang from the study of the ancient languages. The feeling existed that it was impossible to expect appreciation of idioms in a foreign language when students knew nothing about those in their own tongue. To quote from Professor Price’s own words at the time: ‘It was irrational, absurd, almost criminal, for example, to expect a young man, whose knowledge of English words and constructions was scant and inexact, to put into English a difficult thought of Plato or an involved period of Cicero.’ The course pursued in consequence was entirely original in its premises, and endeavored to meet these difficulties. Both the disease and remedy were brought out by the conditions present; and to this, I think, may be ascribed, in large measure, the success of the movement and its value as a stimulus. The end set was to place, in the ordinary college course, the study of English on an equal footing with that of Latin or Greek, giving it the same time and attention, aiming at the same thoroughness, and enforcing the same strictness of method. A knowledge of the early forms of English was demanded, not as philology pure and simple, constituting an end in itself, but as a means for acquiring a true, appreciative knowledge of the mother tongue, and thereby for understanding its literature and other literatures all the more. It now seems almost incredible that it required so great an effort at the time to take this step or that old traditions could become so firmly crystallized.
“Professor Price’s efforts succeeded all the more easily in that they were seconded by his presiding officer, the Rev. Dr. James A. Duncan, a man of singular breadth and sympathy of mind, who had grouped about him, irrespective of church and denominational ties, a band of worthy associates. Price, as Professor of Greek and Latin, gave up the latter to his colleague, James A. Harrison, who had charge of the modern languages, and taking control of the English, developed it side by side with his Greek, so as to cover a course through four continuous years. This was the result of the work of two sessions, 1868-’70. The movement soon spread far and wide. Other institutions, impelled by the same needs, either imitated it outright—some of them actually going so far as always to unite the English department with the Greek, as if there were some subtle virtue in the connection (building possibly even wiser than they knew)—or developed out of their own necessities similar arrangements.
“After the men at Randolph-Macon had been drilled in the rudiments and given their primary inspiration, many of them were dispatched to Europe for further training, and returned Doctors of Leipzig and fired with a new zeal. In mere appearances, it should seem as if this Randolph-Macon migration to Leipzig was the beginning of the attraction exerted by that University on young Southern scholars, an attraction which has been rivalled in recent years only by that of the neighboring Johns Hopkins. The land lay open before these young men, and they proceeded to occupy it. Robert Sharp returned Doctor from Leipzig, and was soon called to Tulane; William M. Baskervill returned Doctor from Leipzig, and started an impulse at Wofford College, South Carolina, which he broadened and deepened after his transfer, in 1881, to Vanderbilt; Robert Emory Blackwell returned from Leipzig and succeeded Professor Price in his work at Randolph-Macon; Frank C. Woodward succeeded Baskervill at Wofford in 1881, and removed to the South Carolina College in 1887; W. A. Frantz has built up a following in Central College, Missouri; John R. Ficklen, having followed Dr. Price to the State University, has become associated with Sharp at Tulane. The English fever at Randolph-Macon became epidemic. Dr. James A. Harrison accepted a call, in 1876, to Washington and Lee as Professor of Modern Languages, and formed a new Virginian centre for specialists. Even Price’s successor in the Greek chair at Randolph-Macon, Charles Morris, soon resigned to go to the University of Georgia as Professor of English. Nor has the manufacture of Randolph-Macon professors of English ever entirely ceased. Howard Edwards, formerly of the University of Kansas; J. L. Armstrong, late of Trinity College, North Carolina, and now of the Randolph-Macon Woman’s College; John D. Epes, of St. John’s College, Maryland; John Lesslie Hall, Ph. D. (Johns Hopkins), of William and Mary, are later accessions to a list by no means complete.
“It is very curious to trace these various ramifications of mutual influences, and to see them acting and interacting, crossing and recrossing. Three main lines may be detected. Just as the University of Virginia, through its graduates, became the pattern for many, especially State institutions, and Hampden-Sidney, Davidson, Central, and, particularly, Presbyterian colleges, felt the influence of the course at Washington and Lee; so Randolph-Macon affected, among others, Wofford, and then Vanderbilt, which, in turn, has become a new centre of activity.
“The transmission of this spirit to Wofford College, and thence to Vanderbilt University at Nashville, is peculiarly instructive. W. M. Baskervill, trained under Price and Harrison, and in Leipzig, came to Wofford in 1876, where he met with a sympathetic circle. The president, Dr. James H. Carlisle, had always been interested in English work, and was a close student of the history and meaning of words. Charles Foster Smith was fellow-professor with Baskervill, and James H. Kirkland, first an appreciative pupil, was afterwards colleague as Smith’s successor. All three of these young scholars ultimately took their degrees in Leipzig, and were called to Vanderbilt University, of which Dr. Kirkland is the newly-elected Chancellor. The English language and letters have been steadily emphasized by the close sympathies uniting these three men in their common work in the department of languages. Kirkland’s Leipzig dissertation was on an English subject, though he is now professor of Latin; Smith, the professor of Greek, has been a constant contributor on English points, and Baskervill is specifically professor in charge. Through the standard which their fortunate circumstances allowed them to set, a new centre of influence has been formed in Nashville.
“It was this Wofford influence, if I may be personal for a space, that had much to do with sending me to the University of Virginia to hear Price in Greek. And I but echo the feeling of many in Professor Price’s class-room, that it was hard to know to which of the two languages his class leaned the more, Greek or English, so intimately upon one another, especially in the work of translating, did the two depend. At any rate, it is singular that his pupils, stirred by the Greek, just as at Randolph-Macon, have used this classical impulse to enter upon the keener study of their native language and literature. I was privileged to be in the last Greek class which Professor Price taught at the University of Virginia; and contemporaneous with me at the University were other pupils: Charles W. Kent, Ph. D., of Leipzig, just returned to his Alma Mater as Linden Kent Professor of English Literature; James Douglas Bruce, of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and the editor of this Review. Eventually Professor Price’s strong predilections for English, and the memory of the work wrought while at Randolph-Macon, led, in 1882, to his acceptance of a call to the chair of English in Columbia College, New York, a change which, in the face of all he had accomplished at the South, many of his old pupils were selfish enough to regard with regret.”
On the recommendation of the Faculty, the degree of A. M. was conferred on John Hannon, of Alabama, and William Waugh Smith, of Virginia.
The vacant chair of Modern Languages was filled by the election of Mr. James A. Harrison, of New Orleans. This officer proved to be a valuable accession to the Faculty, and his success at Randolph-Macon was the prophecy of further success at Washington and Lee University, and the University of Virginia, where he is at this writing.
In regard to the enterprise referred to at the last annual meeting, the Board adopted the following resolutions:
“Whereas suitable halls for the literary societies of this College are imperatively necessary in the work of this institution; and whereas the Washington and Franklin Literary Societies have taken this enterprise in hand with commendable zeal and liberality: therefore,
“Resolved, I. That we gratefully recognize the efforts of the young gentlemen in projecting and prosecuting this enterprise.
“II. That we consider the success which has already attended their efforts as a gratifying evidence of the speedy completion of the work.
“III. That we commend this enterprise and the young gentlemen engaged in it to the liberality of all the friends of this College and the cause of liberal education.
“IV. That we pledge our hearty co-operation in this work in every way in our power.”
At the close of the college year ending June, 1872, the following items of interest were reported to the Board at the annual meeting:
The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad Company conveyed to the Board of Trustees a tract of land lying on the south of the line of said railroad, near what was called the Club House, containing about twenty acres, “on condition that the Trustees erect on the said land permanent college buildings within fifteen years after the date of conveyance, and that the deed shall contain the prohibition of the sale of ardent spirits without the written consent of said company.”
This was considered to have been a better location for college buildings than the first occupied, and the project might have been carried out but for want of means to erect the buildings.
The Financial Agent further reported the need of additional college buildings on account of increased attendance of students. The number in attendance the past session was 167, being 25 more than any previous session at Ashland. Amount of fees, $7,652.30; amount remitted to privileged students, $6,182.50; amount received from the Virginia and Baltimore Conferences, $2,682.33. This was a gratifying result.
Available assets,................ $58,729 65
Assets not now available,............. 24,603 67
Total,...................... $83,333 32
Liabilities,....................23,216 49
Resolutions commending the Agent for his work were adopted, and pledging the support of the Board to him in his work.
The absence of the two oldest members of the Board, viz., Bishop John Early and D’Arcy Paul, Esq., on account of age and feebleness, were noted by suitable resolutions.
President Duncan, in his annual report, said: “It is specially gratifying that I can congratulate the Board on the plan of fiscal management adopted at your last meeting. The experience of the last twelve months has demonstrated the wisdom of your action, and the same illustrating your good fortune in securing an officer whose efficiency in a most laborious task merits your high commendation…. The large number of students have been generally studious and well behaved, a large proportion of them are Christians, and thirty-two are candidates for the ministry. During the year the reputation of the College has extended, and its patronage steadily increased. Both the patronizing Conferences manifest increasing interest in the College.”
The degree of A. M., on recommendation of the Faculty, was conferred on Charles Carroll, of North Carolina.
Mr. Jordan W. Lambert, on behalf of the Building Committee of the Literary Societies, reported the Hall building as completed, at a cost of $12,954.40, on which the committee had raised $7,093.30, leaving a balance still due, $5,861.10.
A committee appointed to consider this report submitted the following:
“Your committee, after a full conference with the committee of the two Societies, submit a proposition made by them to secure from the Board of Trustees the necessary amount to discharge the existing obligations of the Societies, which proposition is made the basis of this report, and is most heartily recommended to the favorable consideration of the Board.
“It may be proper to state, in connection with this report, that the committee submitted in detail the accounts with the various persons from whom they had secured material, both by donation and purchase, and also the correspondence with various friends of education both North and South, all of which was most gratifying to your committee, as they exhibited on their face the evidence of great energy, system, and tact, which not only reflects credit on themselves, but also on the Societies represented by the committee as well as the College itself.
“In consideration of the foregoing facts, we offer for adoption the following resolution:
“Resolved, That the proper officers of the College proceed at once to raise $5,700, and if it be necessary, they be authorized to create a lien upon the property referred to, to secure the payment of principal and interest, and the Financial Secretary be instructed to pass over the amount thus raised to the Building Committee, to be used by them in liquidating the obligations created in the erection of the hall.”
Accompanying this report was the following paper:
“ASHLAND, VA., June 27, 1872.
“In consideration of $5,700 to be advanced by the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College, the Washington and Franklin Societies will undertake and pledge themselves to use their best efforts to pay $1,000 annually upon the principal until the whole amount is liquidated, interest to be paid by the Board of Trustees. It is understood and agreed that if the Board of Trustees should find it necessary to create a lien upon the property to raise the amount so advanced, they will not in any way bind the furniture of the two Societies.
Committee F. L. S.
(Signed)
“J. W. LAMBERT,
“F. C. WOODWARD,
“R. E. BLACKWELL,
Committee W. L. S.
(Signed)
“CHARLES CARROLL,
“HERBERT M. HOPE,
“W. B. PAGE,
“H. C. PAULETT,
“JOHN M. BURTON,”
To show the appreciation of the work done by the Societies, the Board, on motion of Rev. A. W. Wilson, adopted the following:
“Resolved, That the President be instructed to express in the chapel, during the public exercises of the day, the Board’s appreciation of the energy and zeal of the Literary Societies in the erection of the Library building, and that the Secretary furnish the Societies with a copy of the action of the Board.”
In the chapel the same day Maj. Sutherlin pledged the Board to a subscription of $500 towards the Library Hall.
The above record in relation to this worthy and remarkable effort—one that has found few, if any, parallels in the history of colleges—is given at some length to show the spirit of the young men of the period succeeding the war, and also to stimulate a like spirit in the young men who are now filling these halls and others after them. Such an example seems to be needed at this time to rekindle the interest in these most worthy Societies, which is not as great as it formerly was, and as it should be.
At this meeting Major William T. Sutherlin, of Danville, who had manifested his interest in the College by agreeing to pay three hundred dollars annually towards the current expenses of the College for five years, submitted the following proposition:
“To the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College:
“I propose to place in your hands good eight per cent. securities to the amount of four hundred dollars ($400), the interest to be collected by you, and invested in a suitable medal, to be presented at each annual commencement to the best orator connected with the college who shall contend for the same, to be decided by three competent judges who have no official connection with the College, to be selected by yourselves, whose decision shall be final. The fund hereby donated shall be held by you and appropriated to the above purpose in perpetuity, and to no other. Respectfully,
(Signed) “W. T. SUTHERLIN.”
On motion of Rev. A. W. Wilson—
“Resolved, That the proposition be accepted, and that the thanks of the Board be returned to Major Sutherlin for the generous donation, and that the medal be styled the Sutherlin Prize Medal for Oratory.”
Rev. A. G. Brown, Financial Secretary, made the following review of the financial operations of the year:
“1. That the current expenses of this session have been promptly and fully paid to June 1st.
“2. That means are in hand to meet obligations to July 1st.
“3. That we rely principally upon the assessments and special donations to the College for the succeeding three months.
“4. That the assets of the College have been improved in value and in the amount of interest they yield.
“5. That the liabilities have been materially reduced.
“6. That the financial interests of the College are freed from legal or legislative embarrassments.
“These are gratifying results. I mention them for your information and encouragement. They are the sign of a better day. Let us consecrate ourselves to this noble institution, and, with the blessing of God on our duty faithfully performed, we may expect to see it what it ought to be in the scope of its usefulness and the development of its resources, a strictly first-class College.
(Signed) “A. G. BROWN,
“Financial Secretary Randolph-Macon College.”
This gratifying report, the best that had been submitted for years, caused the Trustees to adjourn in a cheerful mood.
A called meeting of the Board was held in Richmond October 13, 1872. A letter was presented from Prof. Thomas R. Price, which was as follows:
“Rev. James A. Duncan, President:
“DEAR SIR,—As Professor of Greek in our College, I feel great pleasure in informing you, and through you the Board, of the noble act of generosity by which Mr. George E. M. Walton, of Hanover county, Va., has planned a lasting benefit to the School of Greek.
“Mr. Walton was, as you know, the father of Mr. Andrew Minor Walton, who, with rare learning and diligence, discharged until his death, in September, 1871, the duties of Assistant Greek Professor in Randolph-Macon College. In order, then, to foster in the College the studies that his son loved so well, and at the same time to keep alive in the College history and traditions the memory of that son, Mr. Walton has offered to give to Randolph-Macon College the sum of one thousand dollars to create and endow what shall be called the Walton Greek Library. This donation Mr. Walton desires to see, without delay, put into the proper legal form. His own wishes and intentions, as given to me in conversation, are:
“1. That the money shall, in consultation between him and the agents of the College, be securely and permanently invested.
“2. That ten dollars of the annual income shall be used to buy, in the shape of a valuable Greek book, or other appropriate gift, as the Faculty may decide, a prize that shall be called the Walton Greek Prize, and bestowed on the student that, in the judgment of the Faculty, has made during the session the best progress in Greek studies.
“3. That the remainder of the income arising from the investment of the fund shall be annually expended, under such regulations as the Board and Faculty may establish, in the purchase of Greek books, including the texts of Greek authors, Greek lexicons, Commentaries on Greek authors, works on Greek history, Geography, Grammar, antiquities, etc., and all direct auxiliaries to Greek study, to form a special and distinct collection, to be called the Walton Greek Library.
“4. That this Library shall be carefully guarded by the College authorities and secure adequate protection from theft and fire.
“There is visible in this act of Mr. Walton no less wisdom than of generosity and tenderness. The helps to the successful carrying on of Greek study are becoming year by year more numerous and more masterly, but, unluckily, more costly, too. To use them is indeed necessary for every earnest student, but to buy them is oft-times to the student impossible. To meet this necessity is the object of Mr. Walton’s gift, while his prize will serve to stimulate and reward Greek study; in all the classes of our school the Library will, year after year, as it widens, open to students that are more advanced the treasures of Greek learning.
“Being sure that you will feel the same pleasure that I feel in this wisely-devised increase to our means of education, I ask you to make Mr. Walton’s purpose known to the Board, and to have the proper measures taken for the consummation of the gift.
“With great respect, your obedient servant,