246 Nations latelij become Literary. [Ch. XXVI^ 



delivered by the rev. Dr. Madison, since president 

 of the college, and bishop of the protestant episco- 

 pal church in Virginia, whose services in the pro- 

 motion of literature and science in that state are 

 generally known. Since that time, natural philo- 

 sophy has been almost constantly enlarging the 

 number of its votaries, and has been cultivated 

 with greater assiduity. 



The attention which was paid to this college by- 

 lord Botetourt, one of the last governors of Vir- 

 ginia while a British colony, deserves to be no- 

 ticed here, as honourable to himself, and as useful 

 to the institution. His exertions to promote its 

 interests were zealous and unremitted*. Among 

 other things, he instituted an annual contest 

 among the students, for two elegant gold medals 

 of the value of five guineas; one for the best 

 Latin oration on a given subject; the other for 

 superiority in mathematical science. And though 

 the useful effects of his exertions were rendered in 

 a great measure abortive by the scenes of war and 

 confusion which soon followed, yet they were by 

 no means without their value. 



About the year 1774 another college was found- 

 ed in Virginia. It was for some time nothing 

 more than a respectable academy; but after a few 

 years assumed the name, and became invested 

 with the powers of a college. The rev. Samuel 



* Lord Botetourt made a point, for a long time, of sanctioning, 

 by his presence, morning and evening prayers in the college. 

 No company, no avocation, prevented his attendance on this ser- 

 vice. This nobleman was extremely fond of literary characters. 

 No one of this class, who had the least claim to respect, was ever 

 presented to him whom he did not foster and encourage. 



