706 THE STATE AND HIGHER EDUCATION. 



ble history and sad misfortunes of this oldest of Southern colleges, next 

 to Harvard the oldest in the country, the publication of this circular 

 accomplished the more practical result of arousing the State of Vir- 

 ginia to a consciousness of its educational inheritance and to an appro- 

 I)riation to restore the old college to a career of active usefulness. If 

 no other end than tliis had been effected by the above circular, the Bu- 

 reau of Education would have been justified in entering the field of 

 Southern educational history, where historical and quickening work is 

 most needed. To illustrate the effect upon the educators of the North 

 as well as at the South, it may be added that this monograph furnished 

 materials for a presidential address at a well-known Northern University 

 and for an historical oration at one of the most influential Southern 

 universities. 



The immediate success of this pioneer monograph on William and 

 Mary College led the way to the larger thought of treating the history 

 of higher education by States. Accordingly the remaining colleges of 

 Virginia were grouped together by the editor in authorized sketches, 

 supplementary to a study of Thomas Jefferson and the University of 

 Virginia. The idea was favorably received. The need of making gen- 

 erally known throughout the whole country the higher educational sys- 

 tems of individual States and sections is illustrated by the remark of a 

 college trustee in Massachusetts concerning the University of Virginia: 

 " I had not the faintest idea that any such university ever existed or 

 that education ever was on so high a plane in the Soutli." Jefferson's 

 ideas concerning univeisity education, and indeed concerning education 

 in general for this country, were far in advance of his time. Through 

 the instrumentality of professors like George Long, Thomas Ilewett 

 Key, Charles Bonnycastle, Dr. Robley Duuglison, and other professors 

 introduced from Europe, Jefferson's plan for an elective system and for 

 real university work in schools of language and science, was practi- 

 cally realized more than fifty years ago. The publication of the tacts 

 regarding Jefferson's unique creation, in the vicinity of his own home 

 at Monticello, has proved not only of historical interest but of positive 

 educational value. 



The work of organized inquiry into the history of American higher 

 education by States and groups of States was demonstrated by experi- 

 ence to be practicable, and, by general encouragement, to be welcome 

 to all parts of the (country. Certain general principles were adopted in 

 the further prosecution of the investigation. Under the direction of an 

 editor, aided by the resources and documentary collections of the Bu- 

 reau of Education, the preparation of the State monographs was as- 

 signed to representative and scholarly men from the State or section of 

 country especially conc^erned. In all cases the active co-operation and 

 assistance of the various higher institutions of learning in each State 

 were enlisted through a sub editor. An attempt was made to make the 

 reports at once compact and readable, with a goo 1 analysis of contents 

 and a few attractive illustrations of college or university buildiugSj the 



