Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-05-27
For The Oxford Democrat.
Reminiscenc es.

Among the Places which we like to re-
yi.it. there are none around which are clus.
tered 20 many pleasant "reminiscences, none
the memorie. Of which are 80 fondly cher.
,.hcd. as the place whore we received our
education. There wa formed associations
and friendships over which. in alter Ille'
memory ever delights to lingcr. IL was
there that we first began to learn. and 1t
was there that In our mental vision We FIRST
caught distorted gllmpses Of the great world.
There. onr young heart buoyant with hope.
We saw. or though, we saw, bright future
and our pathway sirewn with flowers. I
say we love 10 revisit these scenes. and in
% doing. we seem Tor short time 10 be en-
ioying again those happy days, though the
spectre Of the past which fits before u.s. Is
somewhat underlined and transitory. twas
for the qualification Of this propensity that
I attended the closing exercises Of the
Spring term Of the Academy at Bethel
Hill.
il,hough bu, few years have elapsed.
since nv connection with that institution
ceased. tho march Of improvement has
wrought great changes In that village.
Tho physical features Of the surrounding
country. Of course. have not changed. hut
the trees have grown larger. many buildings
have been erected, and its population has
materially changed since I left there. a
little shrub which planted in the Academy
yard. has grown to be respectable tree.
The same old teacher remains. industrious
and .inderatigablc a. ever, and 80 long has
he been connected with the school, that the
name Of DR.. True il always suggested when
the Ins,itution Is mentioned. But decade
II years has made great change In the
scholars attending. In q large school !
noticed bat two whom could recollect Ne
having attended there with mo. Most Of
my fellow students have engaged in the &C.
tive pursuits Of life. Some OF them have
graduates at higher institutions and have
studied professions some OF them, nave
not heard from since we parted, while 9TH
crs Of them are not, for God has taken
them. But remember them we'll, and for
my classma,e. particularly shall ever cher
i.h the highest regards.
~ | at hearing the familiar voice Of the
teacher, as be impaired instruction to his
various classes. In my minds eye could
see my classmates as they were wont 10 drop
in one by one, having their Latin or Greek
classics under their arms, and the counter.
ancc Of each plainly indicau pg his success
in overcoming the required task. There
was the poctical JeiThrds, the modest and
unprctcndine Small, the sarcastic Nash, the
scholarly Foster, the clear and logical
Douglas, the kind hearted Stone, the ilucnt
Green, Miss Eamcs who never failed in
mathematics, the accomplished Miss Wight
and Mi.s Barker, all first rate scholars aud
the most cheerful and eougenial Of com.
panions.
Of our class, Jencrds and Small are en-.
gagged in the ministry; Nash and Foster
practice law Douglas is a teacher Green
practices medicine Stone is dead Miss
Eamcs and Miss Barker are married and
Miss Wight is teacher Of drawing and
painting, in this good old institution.
This school has always received good
share oi public patronage, aud dc'crvedIy
too. DR.. True is an admirable teacher.
Tho school is in one Of the finest villages in
our state, and all the surroundings Of tho
student here, are favorable to his improve.
mcnt
The examination passed or in a manner
ercdiublc both to teacher and pupil. Some
Of the pupils e,inccd great proficiency in
their studies. and especially in mathematics
which receive particular attention here.
In the evening there was a SOCIAL gather.
Ing Of the scholars at the Academy, where
the time was passed in speaking, in Offering
toasts aud sentiments, and IN the expression
Of mutual good wishes for the future hap
pines. and prosperity Of each other.
Thus closed another Of the many interest.
ing seasons in this time hon0rcd institution
May she in the future receive the patronage
which she 50 richly deserves, and her pres.
ent faithful instructor. long may he wave :