Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-10-27
For the Spirit of the Age.
College Life.

II there be one bright spot, one fertile
oasis IN the desert waste Of life around
which the memory Fingers in after years
with pleasant "reminiscences, it must be
ones school day ospent in proper man
ner. A recurenceFto those days brings
home to the mind the recoIlections of ioy-
ful participation inssome innocent amuse-
ment with boon companions and dear
school-fellows renews those silken cords
Of sociality and affection that were then
cherished and cultivated, and sends a
thrill Of ineffable JOY to the heart. No
years fly SO rapidly as those spent at col
lege, which is an unmstakeable evidence
Of the unparalleled pleasures Of College life.
Separated froms all those storms which
keep in constant agitation the sea Of life
shut in from the din and confusion Of the
busy world, where nothing intervenes to mar
the quietude of the mind, save an OCCASION
al solution Of difficult problem, OF the
stern reprehensive glance of professor for
some violation, the student at college is left
to enjoy each scholastic year, as it rapidly
fits, by with almost entire peace of mind.
In addition to this there are many other
considerations, Of no minor Importance,
that contribute largely to the promotion of
his temporal happiness.
1t is here that he begins to contemplate
the broad fields Of literature opening to his
view, spreading out in vast expansive plains
richly decorated with all kinds of scientific
scenery, and growing wider and more beau
tiful at each step as he advances. Now he
can repair to the living fountains of pure
knowledge that ever and anon gush forth
from the ravihes Of the hill of science, and
sip the ilnpid waters of tho rippling brook
of information asst pOnrs in copious streams
over the craggy precpices of that sublime
hill, overspreads the everglades of the sur
rounding dales, and in a rhetorical sense
imparts spirit-life to tie one just beginning
his scientific career. That heart must be
utter! y dead to literarf taste, that receives
no pleasure in the demonstration of math-
ematical theorem, tie solution of prob
lem. That intellect must be stupid in the
extreme, that finds no beauty in the analy-
sis Of the greek verb. That mind must be
totally enveloped in irsipidity, that is not
aroused by the vivid descriptions of the
brilliant scenes at the dilapidation of Troy.
by Homer and Virgil.
These and other similar subjects afford
a delicious repast for the mental palate of
him who has cultivated taste for erudi-
ton, and is willing to perform labor of any
kind. And here he has an inexhaustible
tount Of spiritual recreation to which he can
repair at will, and drink in ineffable pleas
ures Yet, how few set proper apprecia-
ton upon these sure sources Of temporal
felicity How few that seem to derive
any enjoyment thus Students generally
: seem to regard college duties task intol-
cradle to be borne, wholly unmindful Of the
many beauties wrapped in the apparently
stale mantle of mathematics, and clad IN
the dingy costume Of ancient Latin and
) Grecian literature. They desire to enjoy
; life, and as they cannot see how labor can
contribute to happiness, they resort TO the
wild, giddy amusements of various kinds
so characteristic Of tickle youth. And thus
they lose all taste for mental culture, neg
f lect their college duties, get an inferior
grade and leave college with an utter dis
r gust. And thus they begin to heap upon
] college Life" all the deprecations and op-
D probrium that their perverted judgments
t are capable Of brinaing forth. But what
5 is most commonly the destiny Of such stu
l dents if they may heso called? The fact
! is, they will ever desire to bask in the sun.
e shine of pleasure, and, like an automaton O.
instinct, will never do anything in the are
t ma of life, only as they are moved by i'm
b pulse Consequently their experience vii
4 never be taken as criterion in this matter
e ELEVATION.