The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-12-20

The OH .Acadsmy.-The following Petition
rom the Old Academy, comes TO us through the
ands of our correspondent "Rambler;" and
hus through The Wing, reaches those to whom
| is addressed. 1t is 10 be hoped they may hear
nd answer the prayer.
into the Good People of the Town Of
Elkton, the Petition Of the old Aca-
DENY Humdly SheweM:
That falling fast into decay,
My days of youth have pass'd away;
With SHATTERED form, broken and wrecked,
Pm left 10 sink in cold neglect,
And no kind hand its aid extends,
As when had my early friends:
Kind patrons then with high-soul'd pride,
In noble emulation wed,
To teach the youthful mind to range,
On laws of truth, that know no change,
Far as creations frontier bounds,
Where distant suns perform their rounds,
And see in all things great and small,
A mighty Hand that governs all.
These NOT TO sordd wealth allied,
Could for the youthful mind provide
Those treasures which shall long endure,
wv Hcu lHc HllStT pOlu -
Has GENEROUS wealth now fed away,
And left low av'ricc to bear sway?
Can friends oflcarning now PASS by,
Nor cast on me pit'eous eye!
My faded walls unsiehlly stand,
Beneath the touch oitime's rude hand,
And through my roof the rays oft fall,
But not of ''hOpe that comes to all"
My outward form shows fate adverse,
And yet within, the case is worse,
No beauty dwells within my halls,
Neglect Is written on my walls;
With broken floor and windows rude,
Through which the wintry winds intrude;
The student shares no winning grace,
No comforts 10 endear the place:
No tree spreads out its cooling shade,
When summers searching beams pervade;
The fence that once my lawn embraced,
Is broken down, and all is waste.
And now loathe my very form,
And often pray the raging storm
May lay me low-my pride is gone,
When public spirits left the town.
A neighboring village stands hard by,
That rears her classic columns high,
And spreads around attractive grace,
That charms the student to the place,
Where taste and elegance preside,
And public spirit looks with pride:
The GENEROUS tray Her with delight,
Sees by the schools that all is right;
Tells by the taste that's there display'd,
The stuff of which the peoples made;
And knows the good folks Of that town,
Would never vote school bill down.
But when the stranger comes this way,
What then will you, my townsmen say?
Ifofmy wretched form he speak,
Will not a blush suffilsc your cheek7
And ifthe theme, be the swift PACE,
That art is making in these days,
When hooks are simpif'd, in truth,
And tasteful halls invite the youth
What will then your feelings he,
When he casts his eyes on me?
Art has advanc d. mind the dav,
When the first steamboat sail'd the bay;
And by the day has not gone far,
When past me mov'd the first swift car;
When magic wires the news had brought,
From distant points as quick as thought.
Yet these Improvements great and vast,
Have on my form no brightness cast;
Did not your lib'ral thoughts engage,
And here stand, behind the age.
Now, gentle folks, humhly pray,
That you may tear my walls away,
And raze me lowy to the ground,
Till my last vrstige lie not found;
And on my site building raise,
That long shall meet the public praise,
And be to youth attractive made.
In winters cold, and summers shade,
And may it soon your thoughts engage;
As worthy of your town and ages
And in prospect ofthat day,
In duty bound, piH erer pray.
THE OLD ACADEMY.