Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-01-25
ORIGINAL ESSA VS..
Communicated for the Lewisburg Chronicle.
An Allegory, not all an Allegory.

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An Allegory, not all an Allegory.
Nebuchaduezzar, king of Babylon, when
he had besieged Jerusalem and taken cap
tive Jehoiakim, king of Judah, gave orders
that certain of the children of Israel should
be brought and fed daily with his meat
and made to drink of his wine for three
years, that at the end of that time they
might stand in his presence.
A certain prince, at the present day, has
emissaries in almost every town and city
in our land, establishing institutions to
train young men for his especial service.
In our large cities these establishments are
numerous, and as soon as town derives
Importance from any public movement, or
otherwise, these agents glide noiselessly in,
hire a tenement of some friend of their
master, fit it up in manner appropriate
to each department Of regular course,
and commence operations. This prince
has such complete influence over the minds
Of his subordinates, that they appear to be
unconscious that they are laboriug to fill
his ranks, and press on as eagerly as if
subscribing their own interests. No sala.
- .-~-hA-a- employed but the agent
who establishes any particular branch of
this great network of Institutions for the
enlargement of his majesty's dominions,
acts as sort of uperintendent, and is re-
munerated for his services by perquisites
from the students, who, as they enter from
time to time, ARE instructed by those farther
advanced in their course. Everything moves
by self-regulating system, or rather, all
are so deeply imbued with the spirit of
their employer, that through their instru-
mentality, he is constantly receiving &C.
cessions to his adherents, some by shor-
ter, others by a longer course of training,
according to the knowledge they previously
had of their rightful Sovereign, and his
claims upon them. The land owner treats
the establishment as foster child, for he
can get more money by renting his prop
erty to the agents of his majesty, than for
the ordinary purposes of life, and the
result generally is, that his own sons, at
an early age enter the list of learners.
The exercises and pursuits in which the
pupils are engaged daily, and usually far
into the night, so entirely absorb their
thoughts, that they may be recognized in
the street by peculiarly dreamy, abstrac-
ted mien. That young man who has
turned the corner, and is about descending
those steps, has recently entered the pre-
paratory course; let US follow him. In
the first department wo find group of
youths from the different ranks of life,
engaged in various pursuits as their incli-
nations prompt. Here, two are seated
with board between them, that is divided
into squares, upon which they are laying
alternately black and white circular blocks
They become very much interested in the
exercise, and sometimes have sharp con-
test in regard to moving or removing these
blocks. AT yonder table circle is gath
cred, endeavoring to accomplish some oh.
ject or solve some problem, which 1 do not
pretend to fathom. A good dea; Of emu
lation exists among the actors, but the
master Of ceremonies feels no anxiety
about the result, and is iut-us only upon
administering stimulants and refreshments,
with an eye evidently upon the perquisites.
No stipulation is entered into when they
commence their course, for he is sure that
the first step being taken, their progress
will be rapid and easy, and their devotion
to bis masters interests secured, unless
stronger than he should come armed and
wrest them from him.
Some of these youths have parents who
are faithful servants of their legitimate
King, and have endeavered to teach their
children in regard to his will, and the vast
possessions which await them if they obey
his commands. 1t is true, He has power
to couuteract the wiles of his arch-enemy,
but be allows him to roam through the
land, and thus gives His creatures oppor-
tuuity to choose whom they will serve.
Some, who have taken upon themselves
vows of allegiance to Him, seem to think
they can serve two masters, but often when
under the excitement of the stimulants
and savory dishes that are from time to
time set before them, they are strongly
tempted to give up their birthright.
While l have been making these obser-
vations, others have entered who are ap-
parently no longer novices in the estab-
lishment, but members of advanced classes.
What to the uninitiated seems only .
screen or hanging, to exclude the air it
may be, yields to their practiced touch,
and they enter another apartment, whittier
we will follow.
The prince, whose genius pervades the
whole place, was formerly q subject of the