of the trust, to lay out the sum of £150 in purchasing books and apparatus for the use of said school."

"May 3d, 1776, the presbytery proceeded to examine the school under the care of Mr. Graham, and having attended a specimen of their improvement in their classical studies, and pronouncing orations, the presbytery highly approve of the proficiency of the students, and the diligence and ability of the teachers." "May 4th, 1776, Mr. Graham informed presbytery, that agreeably to the commission of presbytery, he has purchased books and apparatus for the use of the academy, to the amount of £160 10s. 94d., which he has paid, and £2 4s. which he lost in change. Which monies with the postage of the books, the apparatus, and all other reasonable expenses, the trustees hereafter to be appointed are directed to account for with Mr. Graham, and pay him the balance."

"May 6th, 1776, the presbytery finding that as the Augusta academy is circumstanced, it is highly necessary now to fix on the place for its situation, and the person by whom it shall be conducted. And as the congregation of Timber Ridge appears to be a convenient place, and having now obtained a minister whom we judge qualified, and as Capt. Alexander Stewart, and Mr. Samuel Houston have each offered to give 40 acres of land for the purpose, convenient to the place of worship, and as the neighbors have offered to build a house of hewn logs, 28 by 24 feet, one and a half stories high, besides their subscriptions, and assuring us of the probability that the firewood and timber for buildings will be furnished gratis for at least twenty years; the presbytery therefore agree that the Augusta academy shall be placed in Timber Ridge upon those lands, and they choose Mr. William Graham, rector, and Mr. John Montgomery, his assistant. Seven of the trustees shall be a quorum. They are to collect the subscriptions and donations, expend the monies, and conduct all the concerns of the academy, in behalf of the presbytery; also to keep a fair book of accounts, and all the transactions relating to the academy ;-the presbytery reserving to themselves the right of visitation for ever, as often as they shall judge it necessary, and of choosing the rector and his assistants." The trustees were to meet twice a year, to examine the students at those times, to appoint their officers, etc.

The presbytery appointed Messrs. Lyle, Bowyer, McDowell, Campbell, McKee, Stewart, Houston, the rector, or any five of them, a committee, to have the lands given to the academy, measured and bounded, and the title secured, and to draw the plans, and let the building of such houses, as they shall judge necessary for the use of the academy and the rector. Times of meeting were designated; Mr. Graham was directed to give notice to the trustees of their election, and Mr. Wallace requested to perform an agency to assist in taking subscriptions.

The committee which was appointed to attend to this business, fulfilled their duty with so much spirit and vigor, that the academy and rector's house were so far completed in the month of December following, that they could be occupied; and on the 1st of January, 1777, Augusta academy was first opened at Timber Ridge. The academy house was a log-building; but the house for the rector was framed. They both had well-walled cellars, and stone chimneys. Both buildings are now, 1836, standing; are likely to outlast the present generation, and remain as a memorial of the zeal and energy of the Hanover presbytery.‡

The troubles of the colonies with the mother country had now arrived at a crisis. The war was the absorbing question with all. When the students and teachers of the academy were not actually drafted into the militia, they would

"The Augusta academy was first taught in a log-building, situated in a forest, on a lofty eminence, about a mile and a half or two miles north of the present little village of Fairfield, in Rockbridge county." -MS. letter to the writer from Edward Graham, Esq. Lexington, Va.

The following were appointed trustees:-Rev. Messrs. John Brown, Jas. Waddell, Chas. Cummings, William Irvine, the rector ex officio, Gen. Andrew Lewis, Cols. Wm. Christian, Wm. Flemming, John Bowyer, Wm. Preston, Maj. Samuel McDowell, Capts. Alexander Stewart, Wm. McKee, Geo. Moffett, John Lewis, Messrs. Thos. Lewis, Samuel Lyle, John Gratton, Sampson Matthews, Wm. McPheeters, John Houston, Chas. Campbell and Wm. Ward.

When the trustees appointed by the Hanover presbytery had determined that the academy should be located in the vicinity of Lexington, the 80 acres of land, and the buildings at Timber Ridge were sold, and the proceeds faithfully applied to the uses of the institution.

volunteer their services, under their rector as captain, and did actually render their services more than once in this way. The Presbyterian and Congregational clergy were among the most zealous patriots of those days. The Hanover presbytery having devolved the management of their academy on a board of twenty-four most respectable trustees, felt themselves relieved from paying strict attention to the seminary. Hence there is no notice of the institution in the minutes of the presbytery, from 1776 to 1782.

In 1782, about the close of the war, it was found that the academy, as might have been expected, was in a languishing condition. This was owing in part to the scattered situation of the trustees. In Oct. 1782, the presbytery appointed fifteen additional trustees, who lived more contiguous to each other. This was the last action which the presbytery took in relation to their school.

Some years after the presbytery had committed their school to the care of a board of trustees, to manage in their behalf, the institution flourished, and about twelve efficient ministers were introduced into the ministry, besides a considerable number of distinguished men in other professions. In consequence of the difficulties of the times, the depreciation of paper currency, etc., Mr. Graham, though very disinterested and economical, found that he could not support his family by his scanty share of tuition-fees, and the product of the small farm which was supplied him by the presbytery on Timber Ridge. He found it necessary, therefore, to resort to other means. He accordingly purchased a farm on North river, near Lexington, and removed his family and school there. In his dwelling-house was quite a respectable school, both in regard to the number and character of the scholars.*

The institution thus not only changed its place, but its style and character. It was thenceforward known as the Liberty Hall academy. These changes seem to have taken place without the knowledge or approbation of the trustees. Though it was unquestionably a stretch of authority, and in some of its consequences unhappy, yet no one will feel disposed to question the purity of the motives of those persons who brought about these changes.

In 1782, the board of trustees of Liberty Hall academy petitioned the legislature of Virginia, (without asking the advice and consent of the presbytery,) to grant them an act of incorporation for Liberty Hall academy, with enlarged powers and privileges; in fact, with collegiate powers, of granting literary degrees and diplomas, and thereby changing the nature of the institution altogether. The right to appoint the rector, assistants, and trustees, which the presbytery had expressly reserved to themselves, was now taken from them, and given to the incorporated board of trustees. Thus the rights of the presbytery and the property went together. The reasons for this irregular procedure seem to have been, first, the all-absorbing nature of political affairs; the clergy forgot, for the time, the claims of science and religion: second, the trustees

* E. Graham, Esq., in the letter previously alluded to, communicates to us the following information: "Mr. W. Graham taught, for some years, in his own house, and he boarded some of the students himself, and others boarded in the neighborhood. It may not be improper to remark, that in this quiet and retired spot, some very valuable men received the latter, or what might be called the collegiate part of their education. The late Dr. Hoge, for some time president of Hampden Sydney college, and also of the theological seminary at that place, was one of them. Another was the late James Priestly, who was president of Cumberland college, in Nashville, Tennessee. I believe he was the immediate predecessor of Dr. Lindsley. He was considered an eminent scholar, and an excellent teacher. I might also mention the late Gen S. Blackburn. He was a lawyer, and a man of considerable eloquence. He was the individual who, by his will, emancipated about 40 slaves, and provided means to defray the expenses of their conveyance to Liberia. His executor took them to Norfolk in December, 1835. While Mr. Graham taught in his own house, it is believed the trustees of the academy paid no attention to the school. They considered it merely as a private school taught by Mr Graham on his own responsibility. The trustees, however, ultimately determined to revive the academy, and built a small house for the purpose, on land given for that use by Mr. Graham himself, and two of his neighbors. In the month of January or February, 1798, the title of the institution was changed by the legislature of Virginia from that of Liberty Hall academy, to Washington academy; and in January, 1813, it was again changed from Washington academy to Washington college. The change, however, is only in the name. The act of incorporation is nothing more or less than that originally granted to Liberty Hall academy. The stone building took fire in Jan. 1803, and all the combustible part of it consumed, together with part of the apparatus.

"It was a serious question with the trustees, whether they should repair the building which had just been burnt, the walls being still good, or build in another place. A gentleman held about thirty acres of land adjoining the town of Lexington, which he proposed to exchange with the trustees for their land and buildings. The exchange was made, and buildings erected. Those buildings, being badly made, are going to decay. Other buildings were subsequently erected, which are now in use."

and the rector saw the apparent indifference of the presbytery to the interests of the institution, and they wished to manage the trust more efficiently; at the same time, the rector and a large majority of the board were members of the presbytery: third, the legislature were not afraid to trust such men as Gen. Lewis, Cols. Bowyer, Flemming, Preston, McDowell, and others. They were not afraid to trust such men in any enterprise in which they would embark. They knew that a Presbyterian minister was at the head of the seminary; and that it was not only designed to be, but was, in fact, a Presbyterian institution. After the trustees had obtained their charter, there was a decided change in the character of the students, who resorted to Liberty Hall. Previously, they had been, as a general thing, men of piety, who had in view the ministry of the Presbyterian church. But now, at the close of the war, there were but few pious young men to be found. A demoralizing influence was seen and felt throughout society. Not a few dissipated young men were sent to the seminaries of learning. This was so true of Liberty Hall, that Mr. Graham determined to relinquish his charge, which determination he made known to the synod of Virginia, in Sept. 1791. He, however, said if any means could be devised for educating pious young men for the ministry, he would willingly devote his life to that business. The synod determined forthwith to establish a new institution in Lexington. They appointed Mr. Graham their professor, which appointment he accepted. When he returned home and informed the trustees of Liberty Hall of his determination to resign the rectorship of the academy, they became much alarmed. If the synod should establish a separate and independent school in Lexington, as they had already determined to do, and that under the direction of their former able and experienced rector, they saw that Liberty Hall must come to an end. As soon as opportunity presented, they proposed to the synod, that if they would agree that Mr. Graham, who was now the theological professor of the synod, would also act as their president, the trustees would pledge themselves to fill all future vacancies that might occur in their board from members of Lexington presbytery, (which had now been bounded by that part of the members of Hanover presbytery which lay west of the Blue Ridge,) and that the supervision of the seminary should be given back to the synod, and the state of the seminary should be reported every year to the synod. Their terms were accepted by the synod, and formally ratified by both parties. Both the trustees and the synod issued orders and sent out agents to raise funds for erecting buildings without delay. For a number of years, all the conditions of the contract were complied with. At length, opposition arose to the practice of filling vacancies with Presbyterians, on the ground that it was thus making the institution sectarian in its character. Whereupon vacancies were filled contrary to the stipulation, and all connection with the Presbyterian church was again renounced. This, however, did not take place till after Mr. Graham had resigned the presidency of the institution, and Gen. Washington had given it large funds.

The circumstances of Washington's endowment were as follows. It is well known that when Washington accepted the command of the American army, he expressly declared that he would receive no compensation for his services. Afterwards, when the Virginia Assembly incorporated a company for making a canal from to Richmond, and for improving the navigation of James river, they presented Washington one hundred shares in the company as a testimonial of their gratitude for his services. This donation he refused to accept for his private emolument; but agreed to accept and hold it in trust, to be applied, at some future day, to some public object. When, afterwards it appeared that the property would become productive, Washington referred the destination of the shares back to the Assembly, with the request that it might be appropriated to endow some seminary of learning in the Upper country. Several places were named, each having strenuous advocates. The Assembly at length wisely referred the matter back to Washington. He made very minute inquiries of every person he had an opportunity of conversing with, from this region of country, respecting the different places which had been under the consideration of the legislature, and ultimately appropriated the gift to Liberty Hall academy.

The member of congress who then represented the district of which Rockbridge was a part, stated that Washington assured him that the consideration which had the most influence on his mind in inducing him to make this disposition of the property, was the fact that he found that zealous and persevering exertions had been here made for the promotion of learning, and he could not find that they had been made any where else in the Upper country. These exertions, he found, had begun before the war, had been continued through it, and were still continued; and so far as he could discover, those who had so perseveringly exercised a fostering care over literature, were more likely than any others to make a proper use of the James river fund at his disposal.

It was undoubtedly owing to Washington's donation, that the Cincinnati society afterwards gave their funds the same destination. It is also to be ascribed to the same cause that Mr. Robinson bequeathed his estate to the same institution. Mr. R. had served under Washington in the revolutionary army, and he wished that in connection with the name of Washington, his own name should be handed down to posterity.

After this donation from Washington, the name of the institution was changed by application to the legislature, from Liberty Hall academy to Washington academy. In 1813, it was changed to Washington college. There was no enlargement of powers, however, but only a change of name.

The successive presidents of the college, so far as we can ascertain their names, are the Rev. William Graham, Rev. Geo. A. Baxter, D. D.,* Louis Marshall, M. D.,f Henry Vethake, LL. D.‡ and Henry Ruffner, A. M., the present incumbent.§

The officers in the college, are a president, professor of languages, professor of natural philosophy and chemistry, a Cincinnati professor of mathematics and civil and military engineering, a tutor, and a teacher of the grammar school. The studies are substantially like those of the principal northern colleges. One of the provisions, which we are glad to notice, is the following: "Such students as are not competent to study the sacred Scriptures in the original, will form a class for studying them in English." In the list of studies are the Greek Testament, weekly, moral philosophy, natural theology, and evidences of the Christian religion. A fund of $1,500 is provided, the income of which is expended in giving medals to the most deserving. Commencement is on the last Thursday in June. The college year begins September 1. The term extends from that time to commencement, excepting only a recess of nine days at Christmas. The college has a philosophical apparatus, and a library of several thousand volumes. The board of trustees consists of twenty members. Gen. Washington's donation originally amounted to $20,000. Since the last war, it has become very valuable, and by an arrangement with the legislature in 1820, the stockholders are to receive 12 per cent. per annum.

NOTE. Lexington, where Washington college is situated, is the shire town in Rockbridge county, on the north branch of James river, 35 miles south-west of Staunton, 38 north-west of Lynchburg, 150 west of Richmond, and 15 from the celebrated Natural Bridge.

Our main authority for the facts in the preceding article, is the Richmond Religious Telegraph for Dec. 19, 1834, Jan. 2, Jan. 23, and Feb. 6, 1835. See also the life of president Graham, in the Richmond, Va. Literary and Evangelical Magazine, 1821, p. 75, seq.

* Now professor of theology in the Union theological seminary at Prince Edward, Va. Brother of the late chief-justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Mr. Vethake was educated at Columbia college, was afterwards a professor pro tempore in the same institution; a professor in Rutgers college five or six years; in the college of New Jersey seven years; in Dickinson college eight years; and a short time in the New York city university. See a notice of his inaugural address at Washington college, in Quart. Reg. vol. viii. p. 349.

President Ruffner was previously professor of languages in the college. See a very favorable notice of his inaugural address in the North American Review, No. 96, p. 251. The reviewer says, "We have read the address of president Ruffner with a feeling of unqualified approbation. It unfolds a series of views on college government, and college education, remarkable for soundness, clearness, and a certain practical tact, all of which show a vigorous understanding, exercised by much experience in the conduct of affairs. The president writes in a plain, cogent style, making no attempts at showy eloquence, and bringing home to the plainest understanding, matters of the highest interest." President Ruffner was inaugurated Feb. 22, 1837.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF MR. OSGOOD JOHNSON.

MR. JOHNSON, late principal of Phillips academy, Andover, died on the 9th of May, 1837, in the 34th year of his age. He was a native of Andover, South parish, and a graduate of Dartmouth college, in 1828. He became hopefully possessed of personal piety at the age of 14, and soon united with the church under the care of the Rev. Dr. Edwards. His original designation was for the Christian ministry. The increase, however, of an erysipelatous complaint, and the advice of a physician, induced him to deviate from his purpose. As a scholar, especially in the classics, he is acknowledged to have stood in the very first rank, though a member of one of the largest and most able classes that have ever received the honors of Dartmouth college. Soon after leaving college, he became an assistant teacher in Phillips academy, and principal in 1832, on the resignation of Mr. John Adams,—a situation which he held, until within a few weeks of his death. Well trained in the department to which he was called, possessed of a delicate susceptibility to beauty, and of habits of great industry and perseverance, he also brought with him enlarged ideas of the objects and methods of education. No person, in our country, had more at heart the interests of classical learning. He endeavored to teach his numerous pupils, not only the minutiae of the grammar, but, as they were able, the philosophical principles of language, the beauties of diction and thought, and the thousand elegancies of the classic page. We have known but few individuals who combined more perfectly the skill and patience of a disciplinarian with the fine taste and enlarged conception of the cultivated scholar. In his last sickness, a fine piece of composition, formed on the severe model of the school of Euripides and Eschylus, was read to him; his wasted eye kindled with unusual brightness, and his whole soul seemed to be feasted with delight.

The erysipelas, which at first affected chiefly the head, afterwards reached the lungs and adjacent parts, and though it did not rage with great malignity, at the outset, yet it gradually undermined his constitution, and ended in a decided scrofulous consumption.

The prominent traits in the character of Mr. Johnson, are faithfully delineated in the following extracts from a sermon, preached on occasion of his death in the chapel of the theological seminary, by the president of that institution, and which the author has kindly allowed us to publish:

EXTRACT FROM A SERMON OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF MR. OSGOOD JOHNSON, LATE PRINCIPAL OF PHILLIPS ACADEMY, ANDOVER, MASS.

"He was, by the favor of God, blessed with a remarkably clear and accurate conception of what constitutes perfection in human character; and an uncommonly ardent and efficient desire to obtain it. And if I do not mistake, this was one of those primary elements of his character, which led to his eminence as a man, a scholar, and a Christian, and especially to his eminence as a teacher of youth.

"Having been for fifteen years pastor of the church and minister of the parish in which he was born, and having been accustomed, four times a year, to visit the primary schools, of one of which he was, for a number of years, a