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February 1999
Library Studied by Review Teams Multimedia CD-ROMs Enrich Teaching SPARC: A New Answer to Journal Price Increases INSPEC and EI Compendex Available in Reiss Science Building A Glimpse of Georgetown in 1837 Stay Current with Free Tables of Contents Via E-Mail Faculty and Graduate Students Able to Borrow Bound Periodicals |
A Glimpse of Georgetown
in 1837
GEORGETOWN COLLEGE,
Among the literary institutions, which since the era of the revolution
have been founded, and have continued to flourish with undiminished reputation,
throughout the union, the university commonly called the "Georgetown College,"
stands eminently conspicuous. Few nurseries of education have sent forth
pupils formed with nicer attention, more general information, more elegant
attainments, and above all, with a greater regard to moral and religious
principle, than the one which constitutes the subject of these remarks.
The system of education pursued by the Faculty, is not an experimental
one, the success of which time alone will be able to develop; it is a system
which has long since been proved; which has for nearly three centuries
awakened the public attention, challenged the public scrutiny, and won
the public approbation. To have an idea of this system, the reader must
consult the standard by which it is directed--the Ratio docendi et descendi,
by Pere Jouvincy.
Let it not, however, be considered, that because it is ancient, it is
antiquated;
because it was adopted ere much of the light which has since dawned on
the literacy world had been descried, that it is not comformable to the
age and country in which we live. The substance of education is
always the same; and it will not be denied that our fathers and their
fathers were as substantially taught as we are at the present day.
What a catalogue of most elegant scholars and profoundly learned men cannot
the two proceeding ages, as well as the present, display to the admiration
of the curious! Philosophers, historians, linguists, poets, divines--their
works live after them, many of them models of style, and stamped with erudition.
But the system of this university keeps pace with the development, and
spirit and genius of our age and country. It embraces all modern literature,
comprises all modern inventions, and cherishes the principles of liberty
and republicanism. The library, which contains 15,000 volumes, is open
to the curiosity of the pupils, and is deficient in very few of the works
of modern writers that are worth preserving; reviews, periodicals, pamphlets,
papers, and every variety of miscellaneous effusions, selected with scrupulous
caution by the Faculty, are offered to the perusal of the students.
The character of their national celebrations, the Institute of their
Philodemic Society, the spirit breathed in the speeches at their commencements,
attest their patriotism and ardent devotion to our national institutions,
and the care that is taken to implant in the youthful breast a lofty love
of independence, and a generous patriotism--perhaps there is not in this
country an institution where a greater portion of republican spirit can
be discovered, whenever occasion calls it forth. Their speeches, their
essays, their poetry are all pregnant with that fire of freedom and that
glorious love of country which would do honor to the youths of Greece and
Rome in their most flourishing days.
The tenets professed by the university are Roman Catholic. These the
Faculty feel themselves bound to explain in their catechetical instructions,
to all the students, no matter of what denomination; for they deem it a
part of a general education to know what are the real principles
of the Catholic church, and how these principles are misrepresented. But
at the same time they bind themselves to make no distinction between Catholic
and Protestant--to instruct the former radically, and to use no improper
influence to proselyte the latter. All are alike required to attend divine
worship, but of course only the Catholic portion are expected to comply
with the practical obligations of the church.
The local advantages of Georgetown College yield to none in any country.
Elevated and sequestered; though within the limits of the town, it lifts
it turrets above the forest that surrounds it, commanding a full view of
the Potomac, on the northern bank of which it is situated; of the bridge
which stretches across its waters; of Mason's Island; of the Capitol, President's
House, and the whole city of Washington. These scenes constitute the front
view. The back prospect is perfectly rural, varied with hill and dale,
and deeply set with every species of forest trees. A serpentine walk, embowered
in shade, circulates round the valley, forming a delightful and retired
promenade during the summer, and reminding the wandering student of the
Vale of Tempe.
While the stream tumbling amidst the sparkling pebbles may be fancied to correspond to the waters of Peneus which, --ab imo Essueus Pindo spumosis volvitur undis.The main college is a noble edifice 153 feet in length, erected in the year 1791. It is supported by two towers which give an appearance of grandeur and sublimity to the whole. These towers may be descried at a very great distance; and their view especially from the river, is grand and imposing, nor can the eye of any one of her former pupils fall upon them, without forcing him to exclaim with Gray Ah happy hills, ah pleasant shade! Ah fields belov'd in vain!The other building, familiarly termed the "Old College," was raised in 1789. A new and splendid edifice, whose dimensions are 95 by 51 feet, has been added to the Old College. An infirmary built of the best materials, and in the most substantial manner, has been erected under the care of the former enterprising president, so that each sick student has a comfortable room, with good accommodations, and is attended to by the worthy infirmarians, with parental kindness and affection. A fact which deserves particular notice is, that not a single case of death has occurred among the students, during the many years through which the institution has existed--a fact, which cannot be remarked, it is believed, of any other college in the country.
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