Lynchburg Virginian

PROFESSOR MCGUFFEY.

As mentioned some days since, our town has been favored with a visit from Professor McGuffey, of the University of Virginia. In compliance with a request of the Young Men's Society, he delivered two addresses upon the subject of Education. He also preached three times on the last Sabbath, in as many different churches. Of his sermons, powerful and interesting as they were, it is not our province to speak in detail: Of the addresses, on Saturday and Monday nights, it is our duty to say a word, expressive of the high admiration and delight with which they inspired every one whose privilege it was to be present.

When Education is the theme, we generally look, as a matter of course, for a good deal of vapid declamation, barren generalities, and splendid truisms—set off with the usual allowance of tropes and figures. We should as soon expect edification from a Fourth of July oration, as from a lecture on this subject, important and vitally interesting as it is. Acquaintance with the character of the mind of the Professor, and a consciousness of his profound and practical knowledge of, and enthusiasm in, the science—for science it surely is—of Education, led us to anticipate something interesting and instructive at his hands. Our expectations were high—and they were more than realized. He presented the subject in new and striking lights, and enforced its importance by irresistible arguments and the most delightful illustrations and anecdotes. We shall not pretend to give the faintest outline of his remarks—suffice it to say they were the results of familiar acquaintance with the human mind, acquired by close observation, during a long period devoted to instruction, under various circumstances, from the log school house of the West to the lecture room of the University of Virginia. Dr. McGuffey has no splendid theories, to the support of which he bends facts, and tramples under foot reason, common sense and experience. He has applied the inductive philosophy to his favorite subject, and, delighted as the hearer is with the vast and comprehensive views taken, his admiration, perhaps, is more excited by the practical, good sense, which characterizes every thing he says. It was not merely as an intellectual gratification that the discourse of Monday night will be remembered. There were few parents present, who will not frequently dwell with profit upon some of his suggestions. We never heard of Dr. McGuffey as an orator—nor does he aspire to the title—yet, if the end of eloquence be to command the attention, enlighten the judgment, and sway the heart—then is he an orator. On those occasions, he rose above the level of the staple, though perspicuous, local attainments of the Professor, and was exceedingly eloquent.

We regret that his visit was necessarily so brief—and hope, and think it probable, it may be soon repeated. He has made an impression such as few men have made upon this community & inspired our citizens with the highest respect for him, as a man of talents and erudition—a philanthropist and Christian patriot. If the West send us many more such men, she will soon repay any obligation she may be under to the East on the score of instruction.