Virginia 



reading, writing, and the principles of the Christian 

 religion: this pious institution was set on foot and 

 promoted by the excellent Mr. Boyle.* The pro- 

 fessor of humanity has the care of instructing the 

 students in classical learning: he has an usher or 

 assistant under him. The four other professors 

 teach moral philosophy, metaphysics, mathematics, 

 and divinity. Each of the professors has apartments 

 in the college, and a salary of about 80 1. per annum. f 

 The present chancellor of the college is the bishop 

 of London. 



From what has been said of this colony, it will 

 not be difficult to form an idea of the character^ of 

 its inhabitants. The climate and external appear- 

 ance of the country conspire to make them indolent, 

 easy, and good natured; extremely fond of society, 



* See Appendix, No. 3. 



t They have since been raised, I believe, to 100 1. 



+ General characters are always liable to many exceptions. In 

 Virginia, I have had the pleasure to know several gentlemen 

 adorned with many virtues and accomplishments, to whom the 

 following description is by no means applicable. Amongst others, 

 I cannot resist the inclination of mentioning George Wythe, Es- 

 quire, who, to a perfect knowledge of the Greek language, which 

 was taught him by his mother in the back woods, and of the ancient, 

 particularly the Platonic philosophy, had joined such a profound 

 reverence for the Supreme Being, such respect for the divine laws, 

 such philanthropy for mankind, such simplicity of manners, and 

 such inflexible rectitude and integrity of principle, as would have 

 dignified a Roman senator, even in the most virtuous times of the 

 republic. This gentleman is, I believe, still living.^ 



\ See Note VII. 



[53] 



