Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-06-01

OuPHld Ia JdChoOu3 OCOl Iduud MOISG'
To II. P. WIGGIN, N. A. WEST, and others :;
have just received from you, at the hands
of N. A. West, and III. p Wiggin, a valua-
bic and very acceptable present, viz Rich
ardson's Dictionary, in two large quarto vol
umes. This present was very unexpected to
me, not having any intimatiOn of it till the
other day but if | had been choosing for my
self, | should not have selected work more
acceptable TO me, than this most valuable ref
erence Dictionary. Trench, in his most in
teresting lectures on 'the study Of words, :"
says ''this is the only English Dictionary in
which etymolOgy assumes the dignity of
science"
But the most interesting thing to me in DOS
sessing this work at this time, is, that it
comes to me from the Teachers of this CITY,
with whom | have been 50 intimately con-
nected for years. This fact makes it doubly
interesting and valuable to me. | only wish
that had reason to feel that my labors with
you deserved such present at your hands.
For this rich and most acceptable gift, here
by tender you each and all my most sincere
thanks. | shall keep it in remembrance of
you all, as testimony of your kindness and
esteem, and of the many pleasant hours have
spent in association with you, in what seems
to me, one Of the most important uses here
upon earth For think it has been well said
by another, ''next to religion, education is
the most important to the welfare of man.
For seven years, have been a member of
the School Committee Of this city, and six
years its chairman. With some Of YOU, |
have been associated during the whole of that
long period with all of you, feel happy to
be able to say, | have lived on terms of init
macy, friendship and mutual good feelings.
| have received nothing but constant kindness
on your part You all well know that the of
flee have filled, is not without its unpleasant
as well as pleasant duties. | have endeav-
ored to perform the duties that have devoved
upon me, with faithfulness, according to the
best Of my humble ability. hope and trust
that have sought in some degree at least, to
labor for the common good of the schools Of
our city.
In closing my relation with you, which has
continued SO long, wish to express my feel
lngs of obligation TO you all, for the uniform
kindness which have ever received from you.
hope our relation has proved useful to you
feel sure it has to myself | wish also to
express my obligations to the other members
of the School Committee, for the respect and
kindness which they have always shown me,
In our whole intercourse together. | shall
cherish to the close of my life, an aflectonate
remembrance Of the kindness and good feel
ings which have been entertained towards me
by all Of you as Teachers, and by the other
members of the Committee with whom it has
been my good fortune to be associated.
A great change has taken place in the con-
dition of the schools, especially the primary
and grammar schools, since | first became
a member of the School Committee To
your faithfulness and the skilful and labori-
Gus performance of your arduous and oftmes
discouraging duties, this change in the condi-
ton of our schools, is, in great measure,
owing. believe you have labored in season
and out Of season for the improvement of our
schools. You are engaged in a great and
good work, no less work than that of train
ing and preparing youthful minds for useful
ness here and Immortality hereafter. The in
fuences which you are exerting on their youth
ful minds are felt and will be felt by this whole
community. Such influences are not easily
eifaced. Go on in the great and good work in
which you are engaged be faithful 10 the
end Z; exert healthy religious and moral as
well as intellectual influence over the pupils
committed 10 your charge. 10 the words Of
the greatest of Engl sh writers,
I" ninp aW aV ambition