We must get rid of this Connecticut Latin, of this barbarous
confusion of long and short syllables, which renders doubtful whether we
are listening to a reader of Cherokee, Shawnee, Iroquois, or what. Our
University has been most fortunate in the five Professors procured from
England. A finer selection could not have been made. Besides their
being of a grade of science which has left little superior behind, the
correctness of their moral character, their accommodating dispositions,
and zeal for the prosperity of the institution, leave us nothing more
to wish. I verily believe that as high a degree of, education can now be
obtained here, as in the country they left. And a finer set of youths I
never saw assembled for instruction. They committed some irregularities
at first, until they learned the lawful length of their tether; since
which it has never been transgressed in the smallest degree. A great
proportion of them are severely devoted to study, and I fear not to say,
that within twelve or fifteen years from this time, a majority of the
rulers of our State will have been educated here. They shall carry hence
the correct principles of our day, and you may count assuredly that they
will exhibit their country in a degree of sound respectability it has
never known, either in our days, or those of our forefathers. I cannot
live to see it. My joy must only be that of anticipation. But that you
may see it in full fruition, is the probable consequence of the twenty
years I am ahead of you in time, and is the sincere prayer of your
affectionate and constant friend,
Th: Jefferson.
Pages:
690
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714