LD UC-NRLF SB Ifl LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG EDITED BY THOMAS FITZHUGH Professor of Latin in thz University of Virginia GIFT OF LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG EDITED BY THOMAS FITZHUGH Professor of Latin in the University of Virginia Victrix causa Deis placuit sed victa Catoni THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 1917 cr\ - Georgii Longi Linguarum Antiquarum in Universitate Litterarum Virginiensi Primi Professoris in Memoriam 3C0167 The Editor of these letters, which are here reproduced at the request of the Library Committee from the Alumni Bulletin for October, 1916, and January and April, 1917, as a memorial to our first Professor of Ancient Languages, desires to express his indebtedness to Mr. Herbert Putnam, Librarian of Congress, and to Mr. John S. Patton, Librarian of the University of Vir- ginia, for valuable and even contributory assistance in the per- formance of his task. University of Virginia, May i, 1917. Letters of George Long I. THE SOJOURN IN AMERICA. In March of 1925 one hundred years will have passed since the doors of the University of Virginia were thrown open for the reception of students. The men of the University, wherever they live, are everywhere awaking to the rapid approach of the momentous anniversary, and historical interest is now alert to discover and preserve every last hidden and unpublished record surviving from the generation of our grandfathers. With the passing of our generation the last thread of direct historical tra- dition from the times of Jefferson will have been severed forever, and historians of the University will strive with the aid of the sources transmitted to them to attain a scientific knowledge of those determining events which explain the origin and early his- tory of the institution, and to portray the story of its life in its outer course and inner connection. Ours is the sacred duty to cherish the bond that is to bind our age with that of our children and of our children's children, recording before it is too late the precious relics of a passing tradition, and remembering too that the interest which attaches to great events and far-reaching his- torical and spiritual influences communicates itself even to mat- ters and incidents of otherwise trivial importance, and justifies us in rescuing from oblivion and recording each newly discovered episode in the life of the far-away time to be read and learned with lively curiosity by those who shall succeed to the heritage of their fathers. There are two sources of knowledge from which the historian may draw when seeking to reconstruct the life of a past era : the one, the objective monuments and written records of the time; the other, the ever sparser growing personal recollections of those who were contemporaries and actors in the spiritual drama. The historical recollections of the individual are mainly confined to those events with which he was personally acquainted. In the best case he may learn from his grandparents and transmit to 8 " ' i#f *ER& ; OF ' his children the memory of things and events separated at most by two or three generations from the present. Such is precisely the position which our generation occupies with reference to the beginnings of University life and influence in Virginia and the South. The historian of today has the noble architectural orig- inals still standing on the broad ridge where Jefferson placed them. He has the first catalogues of the University and such published works of its professors as have survived the wear and tear of time. And, finally, he has at his command the contem- porary records of the Jeffersonian era, whether in public docu- ments or private correspondence. But besides these known and published sources of a truly scientific history of the institution, there still survives hidden away in unopened and unknown fam- ily archives some later or even contemporary correspondence of those who played an important part in this classic drama of American education- One such precious find within our memory was that of the Gil- mer Manuscripts,* reported on by Dr. Herbert B. Adams in his famous, and now classic, monograph on Jefferson and the Uni- versity of Virginia (U. S. Bureau of Education, Circular of In- formation No. 1, 1888, p. 206) as follows: Inquiring of Col. Charles S. Venable, chairman of the faculty of the University of Virginia, for original manuscript materials relating to that institution, the writer first learned of the existence of orig- inal and unpublished letters written by Thomas Jefferson to Francis W. Gilmer. Upon application to the present owner of the letters in question, John Gilmer, Esq., of Chatham, Pittsylvania County, Va., the writer was courteously intrusted with the entire bound collection, which includes not only letters from Jefferson, but also some from Madison and from the gentlemen in England to whom Gilmer- had letters of introduction. There are letters of advice or suggestion from Major John Cartwright, Dugald Stewart, Benjamin Rush, Lord Brougham, Lord Teignmouth, Lord Forbes, Dr. Samuel Parr, Henry Drury of Harrow, Prof. John Leslie of Edinburgh, Peter Barlow of the Royal Military Academy, and many others. It is very interesting to trace in this correspondence the lines of personal influence, inquiry, *This bound volume of 283 autograph letters and copies of letters, inscribed Letters to F. W. Gilmer, has been acquired by Librarian Pat- ton for the University, and lies on exhibition in a show-case in the Library. Reference to these originals will enable the student to con- trol the accuracy of such sporadic extracts as have from time to time come into print. LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG 9 and recommendation which led gradually to the selection and en- gagement of a faculty for the University of Virginia. Here are the letters written by Thomas Hewett Key, George Long, Dr. Dunglison, George Blaettermann, and various other gentlemen with whom nego- tiations were opened. Much interesting light is thrown by the Gilmer manuscripts upon the beginnings of the University of Virginia. The collection, which is well preserved in a large volume, quarto, came into the writer's hands too late to make any use of its contents in preparing the body of the present monograph, but he has appended in foot-notes to the chapter on the first professors certain selections from the Gilmer correspondence. By the consent of the owner of the manuscripts, the editor has committed the entire collection to one of his students from Virginia, William P. Trent, A. M., for fur- ther use. There are some very interesting letters from George Tick- nor, written in Boston and at Goettingen; also several communica- tions from the Abbe Jose Correa de Serra, Dupont de Nemours, and a great mass of unpublished letters from William Wirt. The dis- covery of the Gilmer collection, which has fortunately survived the ravages of war, is only another illustration of the importance and practical value of American students utilizing academic connections and the historical environment for the prosecution of their original studies. Probably the Gilmer collection is but one of many family collections of important papers which might be made useful to his- torical science in the hands of students. The field of American edu- cational history is comparatively unbroken, and it is not unlikely that many other interesting materials [exist] and discoveries may yet be made. It is the ploughing of new lands that unearths interesting relics of a forgotten race, and it will prove no ungrateful task to fol- low in the track of educational pioneers like Thomas Jefferson and Francis Gilmer. The results of Professor Trent's interest in the matter were, first, his own valuable monograph English Culture in Virginia: A Study of the Gilmer Letters and an Account of the English Professors obtained by Jefferson for the University of Virginia (Johns Hopkins University Studies in Historical and Political Science, Seventh Series V-VI, 1889), and secondly, the discovery of a second* volume of Gilmer letters, which he found to be even more precious than the first. Professor Trent reports the new find in his Introduction (p. 7) : Being much pressed by his professional and other duties, Dr. Adams handed me this voluminous correspondence with the request *It is devoutly to be wished that this volume too may soon lie side by side with its fellow among the treasures of our Library. 10 BETTERS OF GEORGE LONG that I would examine it and express an opinion as to its value with regard to that period of the University's history on which he was specially engaged. I did examine it with great care, and found that, although it did not bear directly on the field oPlnvestigation Dr. Adams had chosen, it nevertheless opened up a new field of hardly inferior interest. Upon this report Dr. Adams and Mr. Gilmer were kind enough to intrust the letters to me that I might complete a study, the outlines of which were already developing themselves in my own mind. In a letter to my mother I alluded to the fact that this task had been confided to me. She at once wrote me that she was certain another volume of a similar character was in existence, and that she would endeavor to obtain it for me. Her statement proved true and the companion volume is now in my hands through the kindness of Mrs. Emma Breckinridge, of "Grove Hill," Botetourt County, Virginia. Mrs. Breckinridge is a sister of Mr. John Gilmer and a daughter of Peachy Gilmer, the eld- est brother of the subject of this sketch. This second volume is even more invaluable than the first as it contains all of Gilmer's own letters to Mr. Jefferson, etc., and also throws many valuable side lights upon the internal history of Virginia for the period from 1815 to 1825. To seek to gather together as far as possible and publish in our archives all such private or unpublished material bear- ing upon the history of the School of Latin in the Univer- sity of Virginia was suggested to my mind by the perusal of an autograph letter of Jefferson framed under glass and suspended on the walls of the Administration Building on East Lawn : FROM JEFFERSON TO JUDGE BLAND. Monticello, June 26, '21. Dear Sir: Your favor of the 18th was received yesterday. The state of our University is such that we cannot say when it will be opened. The buildings for the professors and students will all be finished the en- suing winter. But their erection will have left us very largely in- debted, and if to be paid out of the annuity settled on it, it will be many years before it will be free. It is believed however that the legislature will remit the debt. If they do, the institution will be opened one year after the remission, as that time will be necessary to collect our professors from both sides of the Atlantic, as we shall receive none but of the first order of science in their several lines. Every branch of science, at present thought useful, will be taught; for which purpose 10 professors will be allowed. Every person who can read, write and cipher will be free to learn what he chuses and LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG 11 what he can, without tramelling him with any prescribed course. But we shall not teach elementary classics. In that line we shall give only the last critical finishing to those who have been of the highest class of the or- dinary academies* Board in the neighboring village of Charlottesville is at present about 125 D. Tuition fees will be about 40 or 50 D. Should the next session of the legislature remit our debt, the insti- tution will open immediately after the Christmas of the next year 1822, which I am in hopes would be in time for your son, whom we should be very happy to receive, and I shall with pleasure render him any service I can. I salute you with great esteem and respect. Judge Bland. TH. JEFFERSON. Three years later in 1824 we find Mr. Gilmer in Europe nego- tiating with prospective professors for the new University which was to open its doors early in 1825. "One of the finest repre- sentatives of English scholarship," says Dr. Adams whose data I have taken the liberty of slightly correcting and supplementing, (Jefferson and the University of Va., p. 114), "secured by Mr. Gilmer was Mr. George Long (1800-1879), a graduate of the Uni- versity of Oxford [Cambridge]. He was an excellent type of Oxford [Cambridge] classical culture and became the founder of the school of ancient languages, for the cultivation of which the University of Virginia has remained distinguished, from the three years' [four sessions'] service of Long (1825-1828) and the longer term of Gessner Harrison down to the regimes of Gilder- sleeve (1856-1876), Price, and Wheeler in Greek, and [Coleman and] Peters (since 1865) in Latin." Fortunately for our present purpose, Dr. Adams has reprinted the very letter in which Gilmer under commission from Jefferson invites Long to come to Virginia and inaugurate in her new Uni- versity the school of Ancient Languages :f FRANCIS w. GILMER TO GEORGE LONG (LONDON, AUGUST 21, 1824.) I am sure the nature of this letter will be a sufficient excuse to Mr. L. for his receiving such an one from a perfect stranger. The State of Virginia has for six years been engaged in establish- ing a university on a splendid scheme. The homes are now finished, *The italics are editorial, not original, in this single connection. ^Jeff. and the Univ., p. 114; where Dr. Adams' reading seems wrong I have followed the original copy. 12 LETTERS OF GEORGE I/)NG a revenue for the support of the professors, etc., is appropriated, and I have come to England to engage professors in some of the branches in which Europe is still before us. I have heard your qualifications as professor of Latin and Greek highly commended, and wish to know whether such an appointment would be agreeable to you. My powers are absolute, and whatever engagement you make with me is binding on the University without further ratification. You will have (1) a commodious house, garden, etc., for a family residence, entirely to yourself, free of rent; (2) a salary of $1500 per annum paid by the University, and tuition fees from $50 to $25 from each pupil, according to the number of professors he attends; (3) your tenure of office is such that you can be removed only by the concurrence of five out of seven, and all the first men in our country, with Mr. Jefferson at the head. Mr. Key suggested that your being obliged to be in Cambridge next July might be an obstacle. That may be removed by a stipula- tion that in that year 1825, you shall have liberty to come to Eng- land, for which reasonable time shall be allowed, so as to make your visit to Cambridge certain. You will be required not to teach a mere grammar school, but to instruct young men somewhat advanced in reading the Latin and Greek classics. Hebrew is also included, but there will be no oc- casion for it, I think, and you could easily learn enough for what may be required. You should explain the history and geography of the two famous ancient nations as illustrative of their literature, etc. The whole is now only waiting for my return to go into full and ac- tive operation. You will see, therefore, the necessity of making an early decision. I should like the professors to sail October or November, and shall thank you for an intimation of your wishes on the subject as soon as convenient. Yours very respectfully, etc., FRANCIS W. Professor Trent has printed in full what he characterizes as Long's manly letter in reply to Gilmer's offer (Hnglish Culture in Virginia, p. 90) . The letter is No. 67 of the autograph collec- tion: GEORGE IvONG TO FRANCIS W. GII.MER ( LIVERPOOL, AUGUST 24, 1824). The subject of your letter renders an apology for writing to me quite unnecessary; I am pleased with the plain and open manner in which you express yourself and encouraged by this I shall freely state to you all my thoughts on the subject, and make such enquiries as the case seems to me to admit. The nature of the powers with which you are vested gives me full confidence in your proposals, and OF GEORGE LONG 13 from Mr. Key's letter I am led to expect that all information you give me will bear the same marks as the communication I have al- ready received. The peculiar circumstances of my situation induce me to throw off all reserve, and to trouble you with more words than otherwise would be necessary. About two years since, I lost my re- maining parent, a mother whose care and attention amply compen- sated for the loss of a father and no inconsiderable property in the West India Islands. By this unfortunate occurrence I have the guardianship of a younger brother, and two younger sisters thrown upon me with numerous difficulties, which it is useless to mention because nobody but myself can properly judge of them, and with an income for their support which is rapidly diminishing in value. I have for some time past been directing my attention to the study of the law with the hope of improving my fortune, and the ambi- tion, which I hope is a laudable one, of rising in my profession. In truth the latter is almost my only motive for entering into the pro- fession, as I am well acquainted with the insupportable tedium and vexation of the practical part. But the obstacles in my way, tho I should consider them trifling if I were solely concerned for myself, become formidable when I reflect on the situation of my family. I wish then to know if that part of America would afford an asylum for a family that has been accustomed to live in a respectable man- ner, and an opportunity for laying out a little property to advantage. From your account of that part of Virginia, and from what I have learned from books and other sources of information, I conclude that new comers are not liable to be carried off by any dangerous epi- demic disorder. The salary attached to the professorship seems an adequate sum to be secured, but I wish to know what proportion it bears to the ex- pense of living many of the common articles of food I can imagine to be cheap as in England but other articles such as wearing ap- parel, furniture, etc., I should conceive to be dearer than they are here. Your information on this subject will supply the defect in mine. Is the University placed on such a footing as to ensure a permanent and durable existence, or is the scheme so far an experiment that there is a possibility of its failing? Is there any probability of the Greek Professor being enabled to double the $1,500 dollars, when the University is fairly set a working, by his tuition fees? You will perhaps be surprised at this question; I am not at all mercenary or addicted to the love of money I have reasons for asking which I could better explain in a personal inter- view. Is there in the county of Albemarle, or town of Charlottesville, tolerably agreeable society, such as would in some degree compen- sate for almost the only comfort an Englishman would leave behind him? 14 LETTERS OF GEORGE I/DNG What vacations would the Professor have and at what seasons of the year of what nature, with respect to time, would his usual engagements be and would sufficient time be left for literary pur- suits, and the studies connected with his profession, by which as much might be effected as by the employment more immediately at- tached to the situation? With respect to my coming to England in 1825, that would be ab- solutely necessary. Unless I take the degree of Master of Arts next July, I forfeit my fellowship which is at present the only means of subsistence I have, except the occupation in which I am at pres- ent engaged of taking private pupils. Should the expectation that I am induced to form be realized, my Fellowship of course would be a small consideration: but as I just observed the settlement of my affairs here would render my presence necessary in 1825. The Professors, you tell me, can only be removed by the concur- ring voice of 5 out of the 7 directors; I presume that inability to perform the duties of the office, or misconduct would be the only ground on which such a removal would be attempted. I have no attachment to England as a country; it is a delightful place for a man of rank and property to live in, but I was not born in that enviable station, to which most men here are led to aspire and often in vain. If comfortably settled therefore in America I should never wish to leave it. I wish to know what may be the expenses of the voyage and if they are to be defrayed by the persons engaged also what kind of an outfit would be necessary, I mean merely for a person's own convenience. Mr. Key knows nothing of me but from college acquaintance: he therefore could not know that he was directing you to a person who would raise so many difficulties, and make so many enquiries some of which you may judge impertinent. For the last 6 years I have struggled with pecuniary difficulties, and I am not yet quite free from them: I have thus learned at an early age to calculate expenses, and consider probabilities: When I know the whole of a case, I can come to a determination and abide by it. If you will favor me with an answer as soon as you find it con- venient, I shall consider it a great favor I must again apologize for the freedom with which I have expressed myself: when I have re- ceived your letter, I will inform you of my determination. I will thank you to inform Mr. Key that he will receive a letter from me by the next post after that which brings yours. I remain with the greatest respect Yours, G. LONG. Please to direct "George Long, No. 1, King St., Soho, Liverpool. LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG 15 To Long's inquiries Mr. Gilmer sent the following reply, pre- served in copy as No. 69 of the Letters to F. W . Gilmer: FRANCIS w. GILMER TO GEORGE LONG (OF LIVERPOOL). London, 27 Aug., 1824. Dear Sir: I received your letter of the 24th yesterday but too late to be an- swered by the post. Far from thinking you importunate in your questions, I am glad to find you enter on the matter with all the deliberation which its importance demands, and I shall have great pleasure in answering every inquiry you can wish to make. With the utmost candor and fullest examination on both sides we are not likely to misunderstand each other. Tho I regret with you that we cannot have a personal conference, when I could explain to you more fully the whole of our expensive and splendid scheme. But to answer your inquiries seriatim: "Asylum for family and opportunity of laying out property to ad- vantage." From a long and intimate knowledge of Albemarle county I assure you I know no place in America where there is a more lib- eral, intelligent, hospital, and agreeable society: none, where respect- able strangers could receive a kinder welcome, and going over as a professor as you will, they will not regard you as a stranger from the first. Your property you may on any day vest advantageously in the funds on fair terms, yielding you about 6 p. c. p. ann. or in lands contiguous to the University which cannot fail to rise in value. Tho for revenue, I should prefer the fund. "Proportion of salary to expense of living." Your salary itself is more than enough for the comfortable support of yourself and the family you mention' you have a house without rent, you will know nothing of the taxes which grind one in England. Wearing apparel except very fine woolen clothes you will find very nearly or quite as cheap as in England and from the specimens I have seen here the furniture tho not as highly finished or as rich as the London, you may buy by waiting the occasion, as cheap, and at any time on moderate terms. "Permanency of the University." It is the bantling of Mr. Jefferson and of the State: too much money has been expended in it to permit it to fail. With such endowments, with you and Key and others of enterprise and talent it cannot fail. It will grow rapidly into celeb- rity. Mr. Jefferson told me he had already applications from every part of the U. S. to know when it would be open, to engage places, etc. "Emoluments from students." From what Mr. Jefferson told me and from my' own knowledge, I am sure you must receive in fees 16 LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG from students even the first year, at least $1,500 dollars, and more every year for some years after. "Society," this I have already answered. There are a great num- ber of persons well educated, of good manners, etc., in Albemarle. "Vacations." These were not definitely settled when I left Vir- ginia nor can they well' be, till you all meet. The vacation I think will be all at one period, and not so long as at the English univer- sities. But after you are fully established your lessons, lectures, etc., will be given only on alternate days and the duty will be light after you have prepared your course. In the long vacation you can re- create yourself, or write, and at all times have leisure for improve- ment and study. "Tenure of office." Of course misconduct or incapacity can be the only grounds for removal of the professors. There must be some tribunal to which they are responsible, and there is no civil office with us, where the tenure is so independent of others. "Expenses of voyage." The passage from Liverpool to New York is 30 guineas. From New York to the University will be not more than 5 or 6. I do not know whether I could at once defray the expense of passage of all you may wish to go with you, but I could advance 50 guineas, or a trifle more, and would with pleasure if you found it necessary. "Outfit." If you have furniture take it with you, for I believe we can get it in without duty. If you have not, you can for a few hun- dred dollars get all that will be necessary in Virginia: and add lux- uries at your leisure. The whole you will find will require not many hundred dollars, but too much depends on one's ideas of an estab- lishment to allow a very definite answer. I perceive the necessity of your being at Cambridge next year, and cannot deny the reasonableness of your demand. The visitors con- template opening the University on the 1st Feb'y, '25. Your salary will begin from the day of your embarkation in G. B. which I hoped would be early in October. This with the 3 months necessary (al- lowing for all accidents) for your visit to Cambridge will consume 7 months of the year. I have no idea of driving a hard bargain with you, but shall make the most liberal one my duties will allow. It may however seem to the other professors an extraordinary indul- gence to allow this without any drawback. Perhaps you may sug- gest some middle point that would satisfy every one and be reasonable in itself. That however shall be no obstacle with us, for I treat with you not as I would with a merchant but as a scholar. With this temper on both sides I am sure you will be pleased with your situation and my country: where I shall be happy to contribute to make your res- idence prosperous and agreeable. Yours very respectfully, etc., P. S. You will observe that the Hebrew is included with Latin OF GEORGE IvONG 17 and Greek, also Rhetoric, belles lettres, ancient history and geog- raphy. The visitors have thought it best in the beginning to crowd the sciences, rather than multiply professors. The Hebrew I think of no importance as we have no clergy and you need not mind whether you know anything of it. The Rhetoric and belles lettres will be easily attained. On the 2nd of September, 1824, Long accepted the tendered Professorship of Ancient Languages in the University of Vir- ginia (Letters to F. W . Gilmer, No. 65) : GEORGE LONG TO FRANCIS W. GILMER. Liverpool, Thursday. (2nd Sep., '24) Dear Sir: I am afraid you will think me rather negligent in not returning a speedier answer to your kind letter. It is only fair to tell you I have been making all the enquiries which the importance of the case re- quires, and which my opportunities in Liverpool supply. I yesterday was introduced to Adam Hodgson, a Liverpool merchant whom you probably may know as the author of some letters on America. He has visited Charlottesville and the neighborhood. His report has confirmed my previous determination. I accept your proposal with gratitude, and I beg you will not think worse of me for the almost jealous and suspicious scrutiny which I have made. To leave a native country, to relinquish a plan of life formed with much deliberation, and to leave behind some valuable 'friends, all in part contributed to make me feel undecided for several days. I have carefully reviewed the whole matter, and having made my choice I look forward to my situation as affording me the reasonable means of happiness and the power of being useful. There is only one point which I forgot to mention in my former letters. From the tenor of your words, and from the liberal spirit of your polity, I infer no influence will be exercised over the religious opinions of the professors. I will express as plainly as I can my meaning. I infer they will not be expected to subscribe to any particular religious opinion, or to aid in the propa- gation of any doctrinal and speculative tenets about which sects dif- fer. On such theoretical difficulties men at my age have not had time to form any very decided opinion. On most subjects of practi- cal utility I think I have made up my mind. It will be the greatest pleasure and happiness of my life to assist as far as I am able in dif- fusing useful knowledge, in promoting peace and good will among men, and the interests of the community to which I belong. I have just received a letter from Key, for which when you see him you may give him my thanks. The tone of it serves only to 18 LETTERS OF GEORGE IvONG make me more satisfied with the determination I have formed. Your kind offer of 50 guineas I feel grateful for: I shall not want any money, as I intend to take my family over next year. With respect to my absence from America in 1825, it will be a fortunate circum- stance if the vacation should form a part of the time during which I shall be in England. If it does not, I can only promise to make the time as short as possible, for which purpose I shall make all the arrangements I can before I leave England. I shall be ready to sail in the middle of October: I am informed that packets leave Liver- pool for New York 4 times a month. Of course I do not interfere in the least with the plans which you and Mr. Key have made, but I shall be glad to know if you sail from Liverpool, and at what time. You may depend on me being in readiness at the time I have men- tioned. I shall be much obliged to you if you will answer this as soon as it is convenient to you. I remain yours most respectfully, GEORGE LONG. No. 1 King St., Soho. Professor Long, [writes Dr. Adams (Jefferson and the University of Virginia, p. 116)] was the first of those engaged to arrive upon the University premises, and he seems to have made a favorable im- pression upon Jefferson. The latter wrote to Cabell, December 22, 1824: "Mr. Long, professor of ancient languages, is located in his apartments at the University. He drew, by lot, Pavilion No. 5. He appears to be a most amiable man, of fine understanding, well qual- ified for his department, and acquiring esteem as fast as he becomes known. Indeed, I have great hopes that the whole selection will fulfill our wishes." Professor Long more than met the expectations of the friends of the University during the few years that he tarried in Virginia, al- though the English don must have surprised the authorities by mar- rying a Virginia widow. Jefferson had imagined that his professors would remain single and live upstairs in the pavilions, leaving the ground floor for recitation-rooms; but professors' wives soon changed all that, and the classes were driven out-doors. Mr. Long gave a character and a standard to the classical de- partment which it has never lost. He represented history in con- nection with the classics; and certainly ancient history never had a more scholarly representative upon American shores. Unfortu- nately for this country, but to the great gain of historical science in his own land, Mr. Long was called home in 1828, to a professorship of Greek in the new University of London. Madison, in a letter to Monroe, dated January 23, 1828, says, "I have received a letter from Mr. Brougham urging our release of Professor Long." The univer- LETTERS OF GEORGE IX)NG 19 sity authorities in Virginia parted most reluctantly with Mr. Long, but recognized the superior attractiveness and advantages of his call to the English capital. They urged, however, most strongly that the professor should find a suitable successor. On the 10th of March, 1829, Madison wrote to Joseph C. Cabell: "I have just received from our minister in London and from Professor Long letters on the sub- ject of a successor to the latter. Mr. B. is doing all he can for us, but without any encouraging prospects. Mr. Long is pretty decided that we ought not to rely on any successor from England, and is equally so that Dr. Harrison will answer our purpose better than any one attainable abroad. He appears to be quite sanguine upon this point." Dr. Harrison was one of Mr. Long's own pupils, and one of the first graduates of the University of Virginia. No more fitting nomination or appointment, nor one better deserved, could possibly have been made. It would be interesting to follow in detail the brilliant record of Professor Long after his return to England, if space permitted. He and his former colleague at the University, Mr. Key, who was made professor of Latin in the London University, introduced into Eng- land the comparative method in classical study. Long edited a great variety of classical texts, some of which remain standard to this day. The Encyclopaedia Britannica, in a striking article upon this remarka- ble scholar, says: "Long has exercised by his writings, and indi- rectly through some of his London University pupils, a wide influ- ence on the teaching of the Greek and Latin languages in England." He was prominent in founding the Royal Geographical Society, and became a leading authority in both ancient and modern geography. Long's Classical Atlas is known to school boys in both England and America. One can not help suspecting that Long's knowledge of this country had something to do with the inception of his Geography of America and the West Indies. He became a thorough democrat in education, resigning his professorship to edit the Quarterly Journal of Education, published by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge of which he was for years a most active member. Thir- teen years of his life he devoted to the Penny Cyclopaedia, of which he edited twenty-nine volumes. This was his greatest work for the education of the English people. He returned to academic life, and wrote his great work on Roman history. He was the chief English authority upon Roman law and was one of the academic pioneers in this study, although he was anticipated by Dr. Thomas Cooper, who, in Pennsylvania, edited parts of the Code of Justinian long before his call to represent law in the University of Virginia. That institution may well be proud of the scholarly Englishman first chosen by Jef- ferson to represent sound learning within its walls George Long filled the chair of ancient languages from 1825 to 1828. He was a master of arts and fellow of Trinity College, Cam- 20 LETTERS oF GEORGE IX)NG bridge, and on the establishment of the University of London was called home to fill the Chair of Greek m that institution. Mr. Long's influence upon his fellow teachers and his students was great, not- withstanding his short stay; for he fixed the standard of requirement in his classes at a higher point than was then known in this country, and he was the instructor and life-long friend of his successor, Gess- ner Harrison, whose immense influence upon the University we shall soon consider at some length. To characterize the scholarship of a man so well known would be a work of supererogation on my part, if not of impertinence; but I can not forbear quoting in this connec- tion the opinion of the man who was perhaps the best fitted of all English critics to judge such matters Mr. Matthew Arnold. In his essay on Marcus Aurelius, speaking of Mr. Long's translation of the Meditations, Mr. Arnold said: "Mr. Long's reputation as a scholar is a sufficient guarantee of the general fidelity and accuracy of his trans- lation: On these matters, besides, I am hardly entitled to speak, and my praise is of no value. But that for which I and the rest of the unkarned may venture to praise Mr. Long is this: that he treats Marcus Aurelius's writings, as he treats all the other remains of Greek and Roman antiquity which he touches, not as a dead and dry matter of learning, but as documents with a side of modern ap- plicability and living interest, and valuable mainly so far as this side in them can be made clear; that as in his notes on Plutarch's Roman Lives he deals with the modern epoch of Caesar and Cicero, not as food for school-boys, but as food for men, and men engaged in the current of contemporary life and action, so in his remarks and essays on Marcus Aurelius, he treats this truly modern striver and thinker, not as a classical dictionary hero, but as a present source from which to draw 'example of life, and instruction of manners.' Why may not a son of Dr. Arnold say, what might naturally here be said by any other critic, that in this lively and fruitful way of considering the men and affairs of ancient Greece and Rome, Mr. Long resembles Dr. Arnold?" My attention was called by our librarian, Mr. John S. Patton, to the fact that Professor Thomas Chalmers McCorvey, of the University of Alabama, was in possession of letters from George Long, our first professor of Ancient Languages, to his distin- guished pupil, Henry Tutwiler, of Alabama. Henry Tutwiler and Gessner Harrison roomed together during the opening years of the University of Virginia, and were the first to have the Mas- ter's degree conferred upon them when it was subsequently in- troduced into our academic life. Through the great kindness and courtesy of Professor McCorvey, I have been enabled to see and make copies of the precious records in his keeping, which include OF GEORGE: LONG 21 autograph letters from Long to Tutwiler, and official recommen- dations of Tutwiler to the authorities of the University of Ala- bama from the various members of our earliest Faculty. The letters of George Long are included in this book; the Tutwiler records will appear in the Alumni Bulletin for July, 1917. These are all interesting memorials of the life and work of our first pro- fessor of Ancient Languages and of one of his two most distin- guished pupils Gessner Harrison and Henry Tutwiler. Pro- fessor McCorvey has himself published extracts from one of the letters in The Nation (N. Y.) of October 26, 1893, under the ti- tle of "Long's Portraits of the Virginia Presidents," but above all he has prepared for the Alabama Historical Society (Trans- actions, 1904, Vol. V) a most valuable paper on "Henry Tutwiler and the Influence of the University of Virginia on Education in Alabama," which I have secured his permission to republish in the ALUMNI BULLETIN in connection with the testimonials to Henry Tutwiler from Gessner Harrison, Robley Dunglison, R. M. Patterson, John P. Emmet, and George Tucker, of the Uni- versity of Virginia Faculty of 1830. I begin the publication of the Tutwiler letters with one of those of more recent date, because it gives Professor Long's earliest recollections of the University of Virginia and its founders : FROM GEORGE LONG TO HENRY TUTWILER. Portfield, Chichester, May, 30/75. Very cold. My dear friend: I send you a few words at your request, which you may use as you please. Early in December 1824 I travelled from Washington to Freder- icksburg, where I stayed all night. I do not know how I was known, but a gentleman called on me, and asked me to his house, and I spent a pleasant evening. I saw some young Virginian ladies there and I thought they were very charming. I was amused with the curi- osity which my new friends showed to hear some news about Eng- land. A gentleman came up to me, and asked how I left Mr. Camp- bell, the poet. Luckily I had lately called on him in London on some business about a relative of his who thought of emigrating to America, and I could therefore give a satisfactory answer. At Fredericksburg I first tasted corn bread, and I used it all the time that I lived in Virginia. I wish that I could have it now. 22 LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG From Fredericksburg I had a two days' rather unpleasant journey to Charlottesville in the stage coach. The roads were bad, the ac- commodation not good, and the company very indifferent. The young men of the present day can hardly conceive what this road was then, for I suppose that there is now a railroad the whole dis- tance. At Charlottesville, I mean of course the University near it, I lived at least two months in the house which was assigned to me, in great solitude and during bad weather. It would have been still worse, if I had not experienced the kindness of the Proctor, Mr. Brocken- brough, whose wife's sister I afterwards married. The other profes- sors had embarked in an English vessel for Norfolk, and they had a very long passage. The ship was described to me as something like an old hay stack: it could just float and go before the wind. I had more wisely embarked in one of the New York American packets from Liverpool. Since that time the English have learned to build good ships for the American trade.* When my brother professors ar- *Here once more Dr. Adams (Jefferson and the University of Vir- ginia, p. 115) strikes happily into our record with the following let- ter from the Gilmer Manuscripts (Letters to F. W . Gilmer, No. 51) : GEORGE LONG TO FRANCIS W. GILMER, WRITTEN AFTER LONG^S AR- RIVAL IN VIRGINIA. University of Virginia, Monday, January 25, 1825. Dear Sir: I am sorry to learn that you still continue so weak from the effects of your illness. I anticipated the pleasure of seeing you in this neigh- borhood during Xmas: your presence would have contributed to en- liven the University wh. being almost without inhabitants looks like a deserted city. I have been settled for some weeks in one of the pavilions. I bought only a few articles in Charlottesville, as I found the prices of most things extravagantly high. Mr. Peyton has forwarded me some chairs from Richmond and these with what I have will be suf- ficient at present. You may probably recollect that I told you I had sent my books from Lpool consigned to Mr. Peyton; they will be sent either to Baltm., Norfolk, or Richmond. I shall be obliged to you if you will remind that gentleman of them and beg Him to forward them to me as soon as he receives them. I dined with Mr. Jefferson last Monday. He was in good health, but like all of us very uneasy about the delay of our friends. I do not yet, being acquainted more fully with all the circumstances of the case, entertain any apprehensions about their safety, but I regret both for the University and my own personal comfort that they were so foolish as to embark in an old log. The people in Charlottesville having nothing better to do amuse themselves with inventing stories on this unfortunate subject. Al- most every day from an undoubted authority I am informed the THE FIRST CATALOGUE OF THE, UNIVERSITY. BOARD OF VISITORS, THOMAS JEFFERSON, RECTOK. THOMAS JEFFERSON, JAMES MADISON, CHAPMAN JOHNSON, JOSEPH C. CABELL, JAMES BRECKENRIDGE, JOHN H, COOKE, GEORGE LOT ALL. Secretary of the Board, PETER MINOR. LETTERS OF GEORGE IX>NG 23 rived at the University, they found me eating corn bread and already a Virginian in tastes and habits. Things were rather rough, but I have always had and still have the faculty of making myself happy under any circumstances. A few days after my arrival at Charlottesville I walked up to Mon- ticello to see Mr. Jefferson. I made myself known to his servant, and was introduced into his great room. In a few minutes a tall dignified old man entered, and after looking at me a moment said, Are you the new professor of antient languages? I replied that I was. He observed, You are very young: to which I answered, I shall grow older. He smiled, and said, That was true. He was evidently some- what startled at my youthful and boyish appearance; and I could plainly see that he was disappointed. We fell to talking and I stayed to dine with him. He was grave and rather cold in his manner, but he was very polite; and I was pleased with his simple Virginian dress, and his conversation free from all affectation. I remember this in- terview as well as if it took place yesterday. During my solitary residence before the University opened I vis- ited Monticello several times and occasionally passed the night there. I thought that he became better satisfied with the boy professor; and we talked on all subjects. He saw that I took great interest in the geography of America and in the story of the revolution; and he told me much about it, but in a very modest way as to himself. He showed me the original draft of the Declaration of Independence; and he could clearly see that I was in habits, as I have always been and still am, a man who preferred plain republican institutions to the outward show and splendour of European kingdoms when I say 'republican institutions,' I mean genuine republican, for a republic rrfay have the name, and very little besides that I value. I often saw Mr. Jefferson between this time and his death. When professors have arrived. A few hours after I had received your let- ter a man very gravely assured me that the professors were at that moment in Richmond. The books have arrived in safety. We have not been able to find a catalogue of them, and I believe we shall not take them out of the boxes before Mr. Jefferson receives one from you. I brought a suf- ficient number to employ myself on during this most anxious ex- pectation of our friends' arrival. Beside the loss of their society at present I am truly concerned for the interests of the University: I hear daily of many who are most eagerly looking forward to the opening of the institution; it is possible this short delay at first may cause the Univ. some temporary loss. We have just had a heavy fall of snow: I am confined to my house and see no living being but my black friend Jacob and Mr. Grey's family where I eat. I remain with the best wishes for your speedy recovery Yours most respectfully, G. LONG. 24 LETTERS OF GEORGE; LONG he came on his horse to the University, he generally called on me. His thoughts were always about this new place of education of which he was really the founder; and though the first few years of the Uni- versity were not quite satisfactory, he confidently looked forward to the future and to the advantages which the state would derive from the young men who were educated in the University of Virginia. I remember well a long conversation which I once had with Mr. Jefferson on George Washington. He spoke of him freely and gen- erously, as of a man of great and noble character. Mr. Tucker in his life of Jefferson has given the character of George Washington as Jefferson wrote it; and it is perhaps certain that the character was written at the time when Mr. Jefferson spoke of Washington to me, though he told me something more than the written character con- tains, but nothing that is contradictory to it. The character is ex- ceedingly well written, and it proves that as a mere writer Jefferson might have excelled most men of his day. I discovered that Mr. Jefferson was well acquainted with Polybius, who is not a good writer, but a man of excellent sense and the sound- est judgment. The last time that I saw Mr. Jefferson when he was suffering from a complaint which caused his death, he was reading Pliny's letters, and we had some talk about a passage. A few weeks after when I was at the Sweet Springs during the summer vacation, I heard of his death. There was much foolish display on the occa- sion in Virginia, and some extravagant bombastic orations, one of them by a man whom I knew. Those who had more sense showed their feeling in another way. The man who had done so much for Virginia and the United States was honoured for his services, for his talents, and his grand and simple character. He ought to be revered by all who enjoy the advantage of being educated in his University, and ever remembered as one of the great men whom Virginia has produced. His great deeds are recorded in the epitaph which he wrote for his own tomb. Soon after my arrival in Virginia, and it was either in December 1824 or in January 1825, I received a letter from Mr. Madison, whom I had not then seen. He asked me if I could write something in the newspapers which would give the people some notion of what I proposed to do as a teacher in the new University. I wrote some- thing which appeared in the Richmond Enquirer, but I have no copy of it. I think that I cannot be mistaken about the paper in which my statement appeared, though I know well that the memory of an old man sometimes deceives him. I must have written either in De- cember 1824 or in January 1825. Mr. Madison on reading what I had written wrote to me a very kind letter. It is enough to say that he was much pleased with what I had done and with the plain simple way in which I had expressed my meaning. I often saw Mr. Madi- son afterwards, and I think that he was one of the most sensible men LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG 25 that I ever spoke to. I do not know what I should think of my youthful work if I saw it now, but Mr. Madison's approbation makes me suppose that it contained good sense, and was of a practical na- ture, and adapted for the use of the young men whom I was going to teach. The University opened, I think in February, 1825. Of course the exact time is known. I remember one fact well. It is before my eyes now. Dr. Harrison brought his two sons, Gessner and another. I examined them before admission, and I was much surprised to find that Gessner knew so much and knew it so well. He became my pupil and my friend; and when I left the University and was consulted about my successor, I confidently recommended Gessner Harrison. It is a pleasant recollection to me that my judgment was proved to be right; a painful thought also that this excellent man has left the world at a comparatively early age. I believe from what I have heard and read that he discharged his duties most honorably and with great ability, and that his name will be always remembered in the University where he was both a student and a professor. I once saw Mr. Monroe, who was a visitor of the University, and I dined in his company with the two other former presidents Jefferson and Madison. I could form no opinion of him, for I believe that he said nothing, and only made an unfortunate attempt to say something to me, for I sat by him. After some time he turned to me and said, How is your father? I was so surprised at this question from a man, who could have known nothing of my father who was then dead and had only been in the West India Islands, that I made an answer as silly as the question. My answer was, I have no father: and he said no more to me. He was a man very unlike Jefferson, and Madison; but I know now that he had some good qualities, and some merits. But I think that he must have been rather a dull companion. I have seen letters by Mr. Monroe, and I can testify that he neither wrote well nor observed well the orthography of common practice. Jefferson and Madison wrote in all respects as gentlemen should write. I can now understand how Monroe failed in his orthography. His education, I think, was imperfect; and I admit that I who was great at spelling in my youth am now by no means a very good mas- ter of orthography, one of the most disorderly parts of our language. This neglect of good spelling gave me much trouble. Some of the students spelled well, but some very badly. I always corrected the errors and was pleased to find that many of them improved. Good spelling is certainly a small accomplishment, but very bad spelling is a great defect, and often shows great ignorance. I have been in- formed that Americans are taking some pains about this small mat- ter. I remember one word that the more stupid among the students often produced: it was 'rebublic.' I explained the origin of the 26 LETTERS OF GEORGE U)NG word, and made an unlucky joke about the 'bubl' part of the word, but I soon discovered that jokes were very foolish. A few words about the early years of the University may be not out of place here. The discipline of the young men was a difficult matter; and perhaps it may be said that foreigners would fail here. I am not of opinion that they did fail and I believe that they did as well as native professors would have done, and even better. There must be some rules for all places of education, and I have always maintained that you must enforce rules as long as they exist. I know that the professors were most desirous to keep order and dis- cipline without severity. Those who know me may remember what a quiet harmless young fellow I seemed to be; but no man was more resolute in punishing by expulsion violations of the great rules of the University and persistent neglect of Academic duties. If any man is living who suffered from this strictness, I believe that he will admit that the professors were just and impartial. I remember one noble young man and even his name, who continually broke all the rules about attendance at lectures, though I often warned him of the consequences. He was at last sent away, and upon my report of his neglect. Before he went away he admitted to me that he was justly punished. Such a youth may have made an excellent man, and I hope that it was so. Whatever the people thought of our discipline, and I believe that even those excellent men, the Visitors, thought that we were sometimes too severe, I have not the least reason to regret anything that I did. I did what I thought best for all; and I would do the same again. I have always had the temper of a soldier, and it was only the accident of my father's loss at sea that caused me to be sent to the University of Cambridge to seek my fortune instead of wearing a red coat. On the occasion of one great disturbance, the Visitors met, and I well remember Chapman Johnson speaking to me and another pro- fessor, whom I do not name. We were greatly dissatisfied with the state of things. I shall never forget that bright intelligent face, that slow, deliberate, and persuasive manner of this eminent lawyer. I conclude by saying that before I left the University there was a great improvement. There was more work done, better order kept, and I can say that during the last year of my residence, I was quite happy. The difficulties of the professors at the beginning were such as any man who knew Virginia at that time might have expected. A little training was all that was wanted. I believed and I still be- lieve that I never had more youth of good abilities under me, nor youths more capable of being made good and useful men. During Gessner Harrison's life I occasionally heard from him, and also from the dear friend to whom I send these lines, and whom I still hear from. I have information that the University of Virginia '-'&'& **& vi, i J *rv I \ OF GEORGE LONG 27 is now a successful place of education, a seat of learning and science, of which Virginia may justly be proud, and I trust and hope that it will always be improving. One of my most pleasant remembrances of this country is a letter which I received from General Lee written a very short time before his death. It is a letter in which he thanks me for a copy of my second edition of the translation of Marcus Anton- inus, which I sent to him. The cause of my sending it is sufficiently explained in a note at the beginning of the book.* My admiration of this noble Virginian is unbounded. He was a good man, and a sol- dier such as the world has rarely seen. The youth of Virginia can never find a better example for them to imitate than General Lee, who is one of the last of those illustrious men, whom Englishmen ought to venerate as much as their own countrymen. GEORGE LONG. In order to secure a copy of the pedagogical manifesto, which at Madison's request Professor Long made to the people of Vir- ginia and which was supposedly printed in a Virginia newspaper late in 1824 or early in 1825, I enlisted the aid of the Library of Congress, and following is the report made by the Periodical Di- vision : *The note referred to is the dedication itself to General Lee; it reads as follows: "I have been informed that an American publisher has printed the first edition of this translation of M. Antoninus. I do not grudge him his profit, if he has made any. There may be many men and women in the United States who will be glad to read the thoughts of the Roman emperor. If the American politicians, as they are called, would read them also, I should be much pleased, but I do not think the emperor's morality would suit their taste. "I have also been informed that the American publisher has dedi- cated this translation to an American. I have no objection to the book being dedicated to an American; but in doing this without my consent the publisher has transgressed the bounds of decency, have never dedicated a book to any man, and if I dedicated this, I should choose the man whose name seemed to me most worthy to be joined to that of the Roman soldier and philosopher. I might dedi- cate the book to the successful general who is now the President of the United States, with the hope that his integrity and justice will restore peace and happiness, so far as he can, to those unhappy States which have suffered so much from war and the unrelenting hostility of wicked men. "But, as the Roman poet said, 'Victrix causa Deis placuit, sed victa Catoni;' and if I dedicated this little book to any man, I would dedicate it to him who led the Confederate armies against the powerful invader, and retired from an unequal contest defeated, but not dishonoured; to the noble Virginian soldier, whose talents and virtues place him by the side of the best and wisest man who sat on the throne of the Imperial Caesars." GEORGE LONG. 28 BETTERS OF GEORGE LONG We have searched such files of Virginia newspapers as the Library of Congress possesses for the period December 1824-March 1825. Our file of the tri-weekly Virginia Herald (Fredericksburg) is com- plete for this period, while our file of the semi-weekly Richmond En- quirer lacks only three numbers within these dates. Our files for the same period of the Alexandria Herald, Phoenix Gazette (Alexandria), Intelligencer and Commercial Advertiser (Petersburg), American Beacon and Norfolk and Portsmouth Daily Advertiser (Norfolk), Winchester Republican, Constitutional Whig (Richmond), Commercial Compiler (Richmond), Norfolk and Portsmouth Herald (Norfolk), Virginian (Lynchburg), Winchester Gazette, and the Central Gazette (Charlottes- ville), are broken, and in some cases only scattering numbers are in- cluded. We have gone through all these files, both those complete and those incomplete, but do not find Long's statement or any al- lusion to it. The arrival of Long in Charlottesville is noted in the Central Gazette of December 25, 1824, and a communication "addressed to the Proctor of the University," signed "An European" and dealing with the requirements in the classics for entrance to the University of Virginia, is printed in the Richmond Enquirer of March 4, 1825. This communication alludes to an advertisement which is said to have appeared in the Daily National Intelligencer (Washington) of Febru- ary 22, 1825. We have found this advertisement in the issue of Feb- ruary 21, 1825. It is signed Arthur S. Brockenbrough, Proctor of the University, and deals only in part with the requirements for entrance to the School of Ancient Languages. These references may be interesting to Professor FitzHugh. Subsequently the Library of Congress reported that the Cen- tral Gazette (Charlottesville, Va.) in its issue of December 25, 1824, contained the following notice of Long's arrival in Char- lottesville: "Three of the Professors of the University of Vir- ginia have arrived in Charlottesville, viz., Dr. Dunglison, Mr. Long, and Mr. Blatterman (sic)" In the same issue of the Cen- tral Gazette there was found a contribution about a column long entitled "Imported Professors, and Virginia Stump Orators and Presidents." It was also noticed that the advertisement referred to in the Daily National Intelligencer, of February 21, 1825, seems to be the same as the statement printed in the Central Ga- zette, of Charlottesville, of February 19, 1825. While the Library of Congress did not succeed in discovering George Long's published statement of his academic program to the people of the Commonwealth, there was found other interesting OF GEORGE LONG 29 matter* which enters appropriately at this point in the historical whole : FROM Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, December 25, 1824. [page 2, column 4] For the Central Gazette. Imported Professors, and Virginia Stump Orators and Presidents. We have seen some extracts from our northern prints expressing much indignation at what they term, "importation of professors" for the University of Virginia. The Boston Courier quotes, with appro- bation, the remarks of the Connecticut Journal upon the annuncia- tion of the fact, that Mr. Gilmer had engaged several professors from England who were expected shortly to arrive. "What American, ex- claims the Journal, can read the above notice without indignation? Mr. Jefferson might as well have sent to England for brick to build his taverns and dormitories. Mr. Gilmer could have fully discharged his mission, with half the trouble and expense, by a short trip to New England;" and the Philadelphia Gazette adds; "or by a still shorter trip to Pennsylvania. But because Pennsylvania does not produce stump Orators and Presidents, the Virginians conclude that it produces nothing else of value, forgetful that the first physicians, philosophers, historians, astronomers and painters known in Ameri- can annals, have been citizens of our state." This importation of professors, say these journalists, "is the greatest insult the American people have ever received." We fear, that the respectful anticipation of this objection, by our Rector and Visitors, in their late report to our legislature, could not, and will not, save us from the wrathful indignation of these sov- ereigns in literature, the learned and patriotic editors of the Courier, the Journal and the Gazette. But the report says, "The visitors! were sensible that there might be found, in the different seminaries of the United States, persons qualified to conduct these several schools with entire competence; but it was neither probable that they would leave the situations in which they were, nor honorable, nor moral, to endeavor to seduce them from their stations; and to have filled the professional chairs with unemployed and secondary char- acters, would not have fulfilled the object, or satisfied the expecta- tions of our country, in this institution. It was moreover believed that to advance in science we ought to avail ourselves of the lights of countries already advanced before us," etc. *The following extracts are quoted verbatim without stylistic changes. fMr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison, etc., are visitors. 30 LETTERS OF GEORGE I MEDICINE, SECRETARY OF THE FACULTY. JOHN -V. KEAN, LIBRARIAN, ARTHUR S. BROCKENBROUGH, , PBOOTOR. ALEXANDER GARRETT, BOBSAR. LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG 33 By the same mode of argument a youth who can translate and parse St. John's Gospel in Greek, is sufficiently prepared to "com- mence" reading Xenophon's Cyropede. The learned professors of your Institution have been wisely selected from Europe, and prob- ably will condescend to tell us what previous course of preparation is necessary to obtain admission into the School of Ancient lan- guages. A native of the United States educated in his own coun- try would probably term Horace and Cicero the higher Latin Clas- sics, but a graduate of an European College would consider Tacitus, Livy and Juvenal better entitled to that appellation. In this country we seldom get beyond Homer in Greek, but a Transatlantic Pro- fessor of dead languages would look upon a man, as a mere Tyro, who had not read Plato, Aristotle, Xenophon's Memorables, and Thucydides in Greek. Excuse, Sir, if you please, these impertinent enquiries from AN EUROPEAN. February 25, 1825. Such public inquiry explains to us fully the considerations which prompted Mr. Madison's suggestion to Long to prepare a statement of his pedagogical program for the newspapers of Vir- ginia. It seems clear that the above correspondent had thus far seen nothing in the Enquirer in the way of a statement from George Long, and that his only knowledge of the proposed class- ical program was that derived from the general announcement of Proctor Brockenbrough as shown above. Let us hope that we may yet succeed in rinding among the files of the Virginia news- papers of the time Professor Long's statement to the people of Virginia of his plans and purposes for the School of Ancient Lan- guages in the University. On the other hand, we are not without reliable evidence of his actual work both within and without the classroom during the four sessions (1825-1828) of his sojourn in the United States. Among his papers were found after his death summaries of lec- tures on Greek and Roman history, ancient geography, and rhet- oric, all marked as having been delivered to his classes at the University of Virginia. Moreover, the date 1827, if correctly given by Sandys, of what seems to have been his earliest publication, "Two Dissertations on Roman Law," would show that this work was done while he was at the Univer- sity. Two other publications, in which he collaborated with other writers, belong to the same period, and are preserved 34 LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG among the treasures of our Library. The first of these is "Ta- bles of Comparative Etymology and Analogous Formations in the Greek, Latin, Spanish, Italian, French, English, and German Lan- guages, by John Lewis, of Llangollen, Spottsylvania County, Va. The Greek (and Latin) Tables by G. Long. The German by Dr. G. Blaettermann, Professors of Ancient and Modern Languages in the University of Virginia. Philadelphia, Carey, Lea, & Carey. 1828." The Preface shows that this work was completed in Jan- uary, 1828, that is in the winter before Long's return to England. The other work is "An Introduction to the Study of Grecian and Roman Geography, by George Long, Esq., late of the Univer- sity of Virginia, now of the University of London. And Robley Dunglison, M. D., of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. Published by F. Carr & Co. 1829." The Preface by Professor Long indicates that his part of the work was completed at the University of Virginia on July 9, 1828. A footnote by Dr. Dunglison states that his own share in the task (the chapter on Aethiopia, and Part III on Roman Geography) was "undertaken by desire of Mr. Long, from his inability to accomplish them be- fore his departure from this country." The "Introduction to the Study of Grecian and Roman Geography" represents therefore the closing labors of Long at the University of Virginia. Twenty- five years later, as we learn from his letter to Henry Tutwiler of Apr. 11, 1853, from Brighton, Sussex, we find him again at work in this field. "I am at work," he says, "on a small classical Atlas for schools. I hope I shall make a pretty good job of it. But it is very tiresome work, and is the last job of the kind that I will undertake." This Atlas was reproduced in America in 1856 by Blanchard & Lea of Philadelphia under title "An Atlas of Class- ical Geography, Constructed by William Hughes, and Edited by George Long, Formerly Professor of Ancient Languages in the University of Virginia." OF GEORGE IX)NG 35 II. THE RETURN TO ENGLAND : PERIOD BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR. Strong and wholesome as the salt breeze that blows off the white cliffs of Dover was the spirit of this classical pioneer and cultural immigrant to Virginia, George Long, Fellow of Trinity, as he cheerily embarked from the shores of old England in mid- October of 1824. The year before in 1823 he had won his Cam- bridge fellowship over the head of young Thomas Babington Ma- caulay, and now the task he had undertaken with such courage and alacrity was no less in effect than to inaugurate in the New World the modern science of philology, as it had just been rein- terpreted and reconstituted in Europe* by its great German *George Ticknor to Francis Walker Gilmer: Gottingen, 1816. I too have changed my plans. I have renounced the law altogether, and determined to prolong my stay in Europe, that I may do some- thing towards making myself a scholar, and perhaps you will smile, when I add that my determining motive to this decision, of which I have long thought, was the admirable means and facilities and in- ducements to study offered by a German University. But however you may smile on the other side of the Atlantic, you would if you were on this do just as I have done. My inclination is entirely and exclusively to literature the only question with me, therefore, was, where I could best fit myself to pursue hand passibus aequis its future progress and improvement. In England I found that the vigorous spirit of youth was already fled though to be sure in its place I found a green and honorable old age in France, where litera- ture, its progress and success was always much more intimately con- nected with the court than it ever was in any other age or country if Rome under Augustus be excepted, in France it has long been the sport of political revolutions and seems at last to be buried amidst the ruins of national independence, and in the south of Europe, in Portugal, Spain, and Italy centuries have passed over its grave. In Germany, however, where the spirit of letters first began to be felt a little more than half a century ago, all is still new and young, and the working of this untried spirit starting forth in fresh strength, and with all the advantages which the labour and experience of other nations can give it are truly astonishing. In America, indeed, we have but little of these things, for our knowledge of all Europe is either derived from the French, whose totally different manners and language and character prevent them from even conceiving those of Germany, or from England, whose ancient prejudices against every- thing continental as yet prevent them from receiving as it deserves a kindred literature. Still, however, the English scholars have found out that the Germans are far before them in the knowledge of an- tiquity, so that if you look into an English treatise on Bibliography you will find nine-tenths of the best editions of the classics to be 36 BETTERS OF GEORGE IH,TI were easily distinguished in the com- mon language of Athens, whatever marks, called accent, we choose to place on these words. The whole question seems to me to be an idle matter. When we read the Iambic lines of a Greek tragedian, how can we doubt about the necessity of observing what we call quantity? I say nothing of the pronunciation of the several letters: that is a different thing. Dr. Harrison sent me last year, I think, a copy of his father's book on Greek prepositions, which I had not seen before. I thanked him for the book, which must have cost our friend much labour. I am very glad to hear that Mrs. Harrison is so well provided for. I wish that I had seen your daughter when she was in England: it would have given me great pleasure. Her acquirements will be very useful both to you and herself. If you wish to learn a modern language well, you must live in the country where it is spoken. No industry or ability can do what is easily accomplished by hearing daily the language spoken by those whose tongue it is. There is a great activity among English women about education, and we have some good classical scholars among them. I have a friend whose daughter is at a female college in Cambridge. She is a good mathematician, and though she cannot be a competitor for University scholarships, she lately was examined in the same papers as some young men who were candidates for a university scholar- ship, and the examiner reported that she beat them all. I think that the women have been badly treated in the matter of education, but they have now better opportunities. 60 LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG Your children will be glad to hear that George the parrot, who is now twelve years old, is in excellent health, and in beautiful feather. He speaks so well that if you did not see him, you would take it for a human voice. He varies it in every way, and when he says 'Poor papa,' he is evidently sympathizing with me when I seem tired. Parrots are most perverse: they will not speak before stran- gers, nor much before those of the house. When I am in another room, then he talks. Caesar the dog has wonderful ability: he under- stands almost all that is said. He barks terribly sometimes from pure joy. Nothing delights him more than a fight with a dog about his own size; but he is very good tempered. I have only seen him once in a fury. A dog bigger than himself fell upon him and I thought that my hero Caesar was going to receive a severe threshing; but Caesar finally bit the dog so hard that he ran off into a house fol- lowed by General Caesar, whom the old woman of the house could hardly keep out. Yours ever most truly, GEORGE LONG. Portfield, Chichester. April 29, 1875. My dear Friend: Yesterday was lucky for me, for it brought your welcome letter of the 10th of April. Do not be afraid to write to me. I now have plenty of time. I received, and I thank you for sending it, the biographical sketch of our friend Gessner Harrison. I do not remember if I told you that Harrison's son sent me some time past his father's book on the Greek prepositions. It is a very difficult subject on which the Dr. has bestowed great pains. I have made some use of it, and I shall now be able to use it more. I have received an invitation to attend the celebration at the Uni- versity of Virginia; but I hardly need to tell you that I have writ- ten to say that I cannot come. If I were as near as you are, I should certainly go. I should be delighted to see the old country again. I am here reminded that I may be the cause of your having a let- ter from a man, whose name at present I cannot remember, who is editing or has edited Edgar Poe's works. He tells me that Poe was at the University of Virginia in 1826, and asks me if I remember Poe, and can say anything about him. I have a faint recollection of the name, but no real remembrance of what he was or what he did at the University. I told him that I thought that you may have known Poe, and I gave him your address. Though I cannot at present think of the man's name, I know that he is a person of good repute. LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG 61 Perhaps I might write a few words about the beginning of the Uni- versity of Virginia and Mr. Jefferson and Madison. I came to the Uni- versity about two months before the other Professors from England. I doubt if Key could contribute anything, or would do so at present. I never go to London and very seldom hear from him. I am told that at present he is in great trouble. His youngest son, a fine man, has returned from India completely and hopelessly ruined in health and understanding; and another man, who married one of Key's daugh- ters, is confined in a lunatic asylum, but it is said that there is hope that he may recover. I am very sorry, that Key in his old age, for he is now about 76, is so unfortunate. He has hitherto been prosperous, and he has a very good income. I am very much pleased to hear of your daughter's success in Ger- many. She will have an excellent opportunity of perfecting herself in German and French, and she will without doubt be able to turn her acquirements to profit in her own country. I cannot however com- mend her inviting you to Germany. I think that you would find the German way of living as intolerable as I should. I would much rather live as you are living in Alabama than hide myself in any town in Germany; and as to living in the country in Germany, it is impossi- ble. It is very easy to live in the country after the fashion of Amer- ica; and in England it is very pleasant to live in the country if you have means sufficient. I read the article in Fraser's Magazine on Home Life in Germany; and I believe that it represents fairly what that life is. I am afraid that your unfortunate country will suffer a long time yet. I have read articles which speak of improvement in some parts and of the success of certain branches of industry; but I know how difficult it is to state facts with accuracy and to tell the plain truth. The facts which you mention are proof enough that people are poor, for nothing except poverty would prevent your people from giving their children a good education. Your loss on the cotton is an evi- dence that honesty is not a virtue which prevails at Mobile. The be- haviour of the house seems to me a specimen of impudent knavery. We can match such transactions here, and I am sorry to say that English integrity is not what it was. Still you may do pretty well with small savings, as I do, if you keep clear of Companies called Limited. The amount of fraud in such matters is incredible. The last volume of my history was published, I think, last June. I don't see the price marked on it, but it cannot be more than 16 shil- lings. Some copies have been sold in America. I was very much ex- hausted when the work was done and if the labour had lasted much longer. I doubt if I could have finished it. If I could go over it again, I could improve it, but I have done the best I could, and I have spared no pains. I must however have something to do, and I am 62 LETTERS OF GEORGE IX>NG now translating Epictetus with many notes. I am so far advanced that I have reasonable hopes of being able to finish this difficult work. There has been a great stir here about the pronunciation of Latin; and it seems that the disturbance has spread to America. I believe that we in England do not pronounce Latin as the Romans did, and I do not believe that any nation does. I think that it is useful to teach boys to pronounce all the syllables according to the quantity; but I agree with you that the attempt to restore the Roman Sounds of the vowels and consonants is useless. You write the same neat hand still, from which I infer that you see well. My sight is as good as it ever w r as, and I never use glasses. I perceive however that I often leave out words when I write. My thoughts move quicker than my pen. I observe that most people of my age are rather deaf of one ear or both. My hearing is very sharp and I hope it will not fail. It is very unpleasant to speak to deaf men. Yours always truly, GEORGE LONG. The above letter, in which the writer indicates, evidently at Tutwiler's request, that he might endeavor to prepare some state- ment of his recollections of the early days of the University of Virginia, was promptly followed by the charming and precious document with which, because of its content, we began the story of this correspondence. Portfield, Chichester. March 3, 1878. My dear friend: It is long since you heard from me. I have received all that you sent. Last year I had a curious kind of illness, which my doctor thought might possibly be my last, but I did not think so. But the conse- quences have been that I have lost much of my strength, and I don't expect to recover it. The worst effect is that I write as slowly as it is possible, and gen- erally with very great pain. My right hand is nearly useless, perhaps from rheumatism. I leave out words and letters. I can hardly spell. I walk well, but not much; and it is from habit only, I think, that when I do write, I resolve to write legibly. I am now in the 4th month of my 78th year. I may live yet some time, but I shall live without pleasure and in pain; which is not an agreeable prospect to a man who feels pain acutely. Mrs. Lawrence can't help me. She is too blind to write legibly. I am very sorry to hear the bad consequences of the strikes, and that you have suffered fiom them. You have had much cause of sor- row, and I am very sorry for it. LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG 63 I am pleased to hear that you have had any pleasure from the "Old Man's Thoughts." It has not sold well here, I mean in the second Edition. Nothing I do sells here, except the translation of M. An- toninus and Epictetus. I am indebted to the Americans very much for the sale of Epictetus. You judge right that the author of the "Old Man's Thoughts" is my own work [myself?]. It is strange how fresh the Southern States are in my memory. I shall die thinking of them. There is nothing to think of here. We have a prospect of a horrid war, for which we are not prepared; but England has courage at least, mixed with many faults. If my power of writing should be restored, which I do not expect, you may hear from me again. Give our best remembrances to Julia and Mr. Wright, and to all your family. I have been nearly three hours in writing and I am nearly ex- hausted. Yours ever sincerely, GEORGE LONG. Portfield, Chichester. Dec. 2, '78. My dearest friend: I received your letter this morning, and with the greatest pleasure. You are not a friend who will be forgotten, even if a man seems to forget you. I must explain why I write to you now. Since the 3rd of March I have had a very troublesome time. Oc- cupied as far as I could be with necessary affairs, and only with the necessary, and not knowing whether I should get through the year, I was in a state so weak, that I did not think I could resist the hot weather that we had sometimes. When the cool weather came in October, I found the benefit of it, and I can say that in the last four weeks I am better. I can walk a little and listen to reading, which I take as a test of returning power, for a man who can follow a narra- tive and make remarks on it is not entirely without sense. I cannot tell whether my recovery will go on. I have some hopes of it in spite of my able doctor who admits, however, that I have great powers of recovery. He has seen me in a state when he thought me dying, and I cannot wonder that he looks on me as a man condemned to death. You will hear again if I continue well. With all this I do not look ill, nor am I thin; it is a curious state. I am glad to hear of the 71. He who reaches that age in a good state may live a long time, and I hope that you will. This spring a cousin of mine, who holds the keys of every ship in Liverpool, called on me. He was perfectly straight, active, with good eyes and ears, in fact he was a young man, as I was when I was 71. I asked him his age and he said that he was 81. I never saw such a man before. 64 LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG I ought to tell you that my eyesight is nearly perfect. I have never used glasses; nor is my hearing the least bit impaired. I am sorry that Julia has not been quite well. These disorders are the consequence of overwork. Present to her my best wishes and Mrs. Lawrence's. We retain a very pleasant remembrance of her visit. Thanks for the newspaper. I can write no more. This is a great effort for me. I am now in my 79th year and your ever faith- ful and sincere friend, GEORGE LONG. Wed. 19th of March, 1879. My dear friend: I am dying slowly and painfully, my last letter is this, in which I assure you of my remembrance as long as the poor body shall en- dure. My best wishes to all your family. Your faithful friend, GEORGE LONG. It was indeed the last letter from his hand, and was soon followed by the black-bordered card announcing the end: Professor George Long Late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. Born Nov. 4, 1800. Died at Portfield, Chichester August 10, 1879. During the last decade and a half of his life following the outbreak of the Civil War in America, George Long began to reef the wide-flung sails of his vigorous and discursive genius, and to concentrate his powers on single tasks at a time, and those, too, confined more narrowly to his own special scientific field of classical philology. In this last lap of his ever-active LETTERS OF GEORGE I/)NG 65 career the fundamental genius and temperament of the man as- serted their full sway to the exclusion of everything else. The essential character of George Long's genius was concrete and practical: hence his abiding leaning towards the historical and ethical aspects of human life. Roman history and Roman phil- osophy were the natural scientific interests of his typical Eng- lish temperament, just as we have seen that Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, and Lee were the characteristic foci of his spiritual gaze. This closing period of our great scholar's life opens with the publication of "An Old Man's Thoughts about Many Things," 1862, 8vo., the style of which seemed to his old pupils to re- call his "vigorous, discursive and pungent, but always profitable conversation," and which reappeared in 1872 in a second edi- tion. The same year, 1862, saw the first edition of his "Med- itations of Marcus Aurelius," which was republished in 1869, and again just before his death in 1879. It was to the second edition that he prefaced the memorable "Note" in honor of General Lee, which for noble simplicity and calm dignity is un- surpassed in English literature and uniquely worthy of its lofty theme. In 1864 Long began the publication of his "Decline of the Roman Republic," a work on which he was continuously oc- cupied for twelve years, and which he completed in 1874. We have already followed Matthew Arnold's handsome critique of Long's style and method of historical treatment, as quoted by Dr. Adams in his Jefferson and the University of Virginia. It was in 1871 that Long retired to Portfield, Chichester, and in 1873 that Mr. Gladstone conferred a public pension of 100 a year upon him for the rest of his life. The last product of his indefatigable pen was his "Discourses of Epictetus, with the Encheiridion and fragments," 1877, 8vo., his death occurring two years later in 1879. 66 LETTERS OF GEORGE LONG lustum et tenacem propositi virum Non civium ardor prava iubentium Non voltus instantis tyranni Mente quatit solida neque Auster Dux inquieti turbidus Hadriae Nee fulminantis magna manus lovis Si fractus inlabatur orbis Impavidum ferient ruinae. The Michie Company, Printers Charlottesville, Va. RETURN CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT TO ^ 202 Main Library LOAN PERIOD 1 HOME USE 2 3 4 5 6 ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS 1 -month loans may be renewed by calling 642-3405 6-month loans may be recharged by bringing books to Circulation Desk Renewals and recharges may be made 4 days prior to due date DUE AS STAMPED BELOW ttffl 41983 8EC.CIR.IW 9*83 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY FORM NO. DD6, 60m, 12/80 BERKELEY, CA 94720 YC 04831 , UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRAR