davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04
The Students Vacation.

At tins hour, some thousands of young peo-
pie IN the State are enjoying the summer
vacation. 1t was a glad hour when like a
free bird, they left the enclosures of the Col
lege, to return home once more. How light
was the heart, how joyous the step, as they
bounded forth to enjoy the pleasures of their
own loved homes, untrammeled by the re-
straints of the study or the recitation room.
And as they gotnearer and nearer home, how
tender the feelings became, till they threw
themselves In the arms Of parents; then tears
of joy gushed forth to relieve the heart too
full of gladness.
Blu how shall the vacation be spent ? In
most cases it is spent very unproftably.-
Almost the entire season of relaxation is
spent in visiting, gossiping, lounging, Sleep
ing, in rounds of pleasure, or in some meth
cd by which the most time may be killed.
The mindbecomes barren, vapid and thought
less. Nothing has been,gained except relax
alton from irksome labor.
Now we have thought, that while the sea-
son of schooldays are spent in the study of
books, that the most pleasing, profitable and
interesting method of spending vacation, is
the study of men and things. This will not
interrupt proper recreation, will not hinder
} the indulgence of suitable, healthfuI amuse.
ment, nor cut off one single pleasure. AT
such a time when alone, young people could
study themselves, and when out in the world
enjoying its pastimes, then they can study
others. Then they mingle with the gay and
and the grave, the young and the old, and
then they may learn lessons of wisdom, of ex.
perience, which may employ years in learn
ing, when full grown and graphing with the
difficulties of real life.
And what a treasure is a real knowledge
of self and mankind? 1t is a difficult study,
yet profitable; and one that pays well in
time and in eternity. Let young readers
think of these things and profit by them.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04
For the Spirit of the Age


Mr.. EDIroR:-Enclosed | send Won ona
dollar for the purpose of continuing INV nae
per. must confess that | do not apnreci-
ate the value of the Age until I am with
out it awhile; then l feel to rob me of its
presence, would be taking from me one of
my most welcome visitors, and one that ed
ltles me more, and entertains me better
than any other. The ~cheapness as well as
the merits OF your paper should place it in
the hands OF every family in the South
1t appears to me that the poorest of men
could spend one dollar per annum to aid in
sustaining Temperance paper, such an one
especially as the Spirit of the Age is. Should
not every parent be particular to imbue
their sons In the principles of Temperance
and sobriety ? for is it not said of a trutb
that lntemperance is the besetting sin wifi
the young men of the 18th century. Then
fathers, show that you value both the pres
ent and future welfare of your sons by send
ing in one dollar for, the Age which will
aid you much in keeping them from the
paths OF intemperance and vice. It oueht
especially to be in every family where there
are children growing up, that they NAV read
and get lnfol nation on various sub;ects
for 1T treats on many, and they are of such
vital Importance that every person, old and
young, may read to profit.
The temperance question in nv county.
QredeiD is not languishing at this time. but
the contrary. Iredell can once more boast of
not having a grogshop in her bounds for
the noble, sober Magistrates, Seeing the ca
lamty that attended them, have seen fit to
close the doors of the polluted holes. to the
sorrow of rum and his followers.
IREDELL.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04

@ The date of this No. of the Age is
that of the S4th anniversary of American In
dependence. 1t finds our country surround
ed by dangers and distractions that awaken
the most serious a~pprehensions as to the per.
petuity of the Union that binds us TO-
gether, a great and prosperous Nation. On
this day, l776, when the immortal Declare.
ton of Independence was adopted and signed
by our forefathers, and which has been trans
mitted to US sealed with their blood-little
thought they that in less than a century. the
anniversary of that day would find us a dis.
traeted people, alienated and torn bv the
bitterest and most deadly hostility of one
section against the other. But so it is. And
the question seriously occurs, " Is this the
last 4th of July that will find us an undivided
peopie? In this view of the case, we NAV
well hope that the fires of true, genuine ma.
trlotlsm may be kindled afresh on the alta,
OF every heart, and the spirit that burned If
the hearts of Adams and Jefferson. refect;n,
the two great sections of the country. b,
present at all our National festivals. and in
spire all with the holy purposes of fraternity
Justice and equality that they possessed.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04

P~oLITIcAL--Al the political Conventions
have now met made their nominations for
President and Vice President, and adjourned.
We will state them in the order Of time at
which the conventions were held:
1st- The Constitutional Union Convention
candidates are Bell, of Tennessee for Presi.
dent; Edward Everett, of Massachusetts,. for
Vice President. Platform-"The Constitu-
ton of the United States and the enforcement
of the laws"
I'd The Black Republicans have nominated
Abram Lincoln, of Illinois, for President.
and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine. for VICE
President. Platform-the abolition Of slavery
Sd, The Baltimore (OriginaD Democratic
Convention nominated Hon. Stephen A.
Douglas, of Illinois, for President; and Gov.
Fitzpatrick, Of Alabama, for Vice President.
The latter declined the nomination. and Hon
herschel V. johnson, of Georgia, was SUBJ
stituted
4th. Democratic Convention No. 2. known
as 1.-THE seceders," nominated Hon. ]. q
Breckenridge, of Kentucky, for President:
and Gen. Joseph Lane, of Oregon, for Vice
President.
The several parties now have their nags in
the field. Who will be the winner at the fall
races, time only can determine. We can only
say, God prosper the right"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04
Friends-Malipnitv.

How common is a certain species of ma
lightly, even among those who profess to be
ones friends. There are those who would
really regret to hear that you had lone any
thing to seriously damage your character
for honesty, yet with what seeming salts.
faction do they repeatsome silly story about
your trying to cheat som body out of a
half dollar, when in their hearts they really
believe the story false, or at least greatly ex.
aggerated. You have various friends, who
do not seem to object to showing YOU ur
in a ridiculous light, who would resent the
charge of your being guilty of ridiculous con
duct on a grave matter. They will quietl,
retail a report concerning some little pecc,
dillo, while they would rebuke an a~llegatio
that you could be guilty of the same thiE
on a large scale. This is the character #
the malignity of N friends; and mayo
termed Petty Malignity.
There are others, who also profess tobe
your friends, that are always ready tolls
ten to and quick to repeat some tai of
calmny against your fair fame. Theywill
tell 1t, too, accompanied by an expressn of
tho hope that it is not so-indeed, thathey
do not beliere that it is so;-but the they
had it from very good authority, an they
have their fears. But they win not N who
is their author. 1t was told to therin con-
hdence, and a pledge was exacted hat his
name should never be known in They
feel no conjunction of consciepe to see
their friend stabbed in the bachnd in the
dark but their conscience will st let them
betray the confidence of the s~sassin, by
telling who he is. This kind lay be very
justly denominated Devilish llignity.
There is another phase ofhis same kind
of malignity-and that is, hen any one
circumstance connected With slanderous re-
port is admitted to be truce jump to the
conclusion that the reports true in every
particular. A man has 1t his pocket book
and he reports that it wa stolen from him,
and he suspects a cerin person. That
other person comes fotard and produces
the pocket book, and sese very charitable
friends jump to the collision that he is dis
honest because he Acknowledges the possess
ion of the pocket boz, without waiting to
hear how he came irpossession of it. One
circumstance is susined, and therefore all
the report must bfrue, and he keeps the
SANDER in circulate.
And thus man'eharacter for honesty. for
integrity and flity-and woman's fair
name for virtuend honor, is traduced and
defled, withot full investigation-indeed
without invesiation at all frequently-for
no other mote, that we can see, than to
crafty a de,niac disposition to speak evil
of another.
Men havgood reason to fe ar a professed
friend, bufho is at the same time a "a.
eret enemy Who is all fairness to the face:
who hopsthe slanderous report may be
untrue, a with the northumberland
the omi1s shake of the head, give it con-
frmatiostronger than words can utter.
and whlike the serpent, springs his rattle
to dec{ while he buries his poisonous
fangst 70 your vitals. The Poet has truly
said Such
"Wstabs my name, would stab my person too
"Dfof the hangman's axe lie In the way"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04
The Commencement Season.

Inc commencement at our Colleges and
Seminaries, this season, have been occasions
OF high interest to the crowds which have
attended them, as well as to the actors them
selves. As usual, the reports from all are
highly fiattering to students and instructors,
the public are assured that the cause of
education is onward and upward.
we are wont to look upon the fact, that the
number of visitors to these literary festivals,
and the evident increase annually, is a good
omen. 1t would seem to indicate that the
interest of our people in this great enterprise
Is growing from year to year, and the hope is
excited that the day is fast coming when the
rising generation will be more thoroughly ed
ucated. Would it were so.
Observing people, however, need not be told
that the exhibitions of students on such &C.
easlons is no sure test of scholarship, and
those who are Immediately cognizant of such
matters, know full well, that often those who
shine most, are not always the creators of their
OWL ~lustre, but often shine with a borrowed
light.
Nor is graduation a sure test of scholarship.
1t is indicative only of one fact that is, that
the student has passed through the allotted
term, and gone over the curriculum of studies.
But whether they have manfully waded
through them, step by step, or been dragged
through, is a question. And would it not be
vastly better, if scholarship was the only test
for graduation? What could so efectually
raise the literary standard of our institutions?
What would so powerfully operate upon the
minds of students, as this? We simply throw
out the suggestion.
There are serious impediments in the way,
l grant. The restless anxiety of young men
and women to be fully grown before they are
really SO, and the readiness with which pa
rents yield to this anxiety, forms a serious
barrier. And yet there is nothing more evident
to the intelligent, than that the long array of
studies to be mastered, as is now embracedin
the course of study" of all our schools,
renders it absolutely necessary that boys and
girls should not be pushed through too rap
idly. Not one in a hundred Of our young
people, can thoroughly master the full course
many of our colleges in four years. Six years,
perhaps, in most cases, would not be too
much, both for males and females. Our fe-
mae institutions, especially, pile on studies
without stint, and yet, in many cases, they
must complete their education by the time
they are sixteen. To be compelled to be
; "cabined and cribbed" in a school beyond
this age, is felt by many of them to be ahard
ship. The consequence is, in those. cases o
> ardent and ambitious youths of both sexes
: who aim at distinction, they come out O
, school premature inyalids, with a broken con
stitution, to fill premature graves.
But we merely throw out these hints 70
the more thoughtful, who are immediately in
terested in the cause of education. 1t is
subject full of suggestion, and one which cal
not be too fully and thoughtfully pondered
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04
Not at Home.

There aressny quantity of fashionable ways
OF doing up fashionable as web as unfashion-
able lying. Not at home" is the f~ayorite
style Of giving a visitor the cold shoulder,
OF this detestable dodge, a lady narrates an
incident which NE have recorded
4 never" said she, 'isent a message to the
door but once, and for That once / shall new
er forgive myself. st was more than three
years ago, and when | told my servant that
morning to say mot at home, y to whomsoey-
er might call, except she knew it was some
intimate friend, ! felt my cheeks Jingle, and
the girls look of surprise mortified me ex-
ceedingly. But she went about her duties
n about mine, sometimes pleased that 1
adopted a convenient fashion by which /
secured time to myself, sometimes painfully
smitten with the reproaches of conscience.
Thus the day wore away, and when Mr.. Lee
came home he startled me with the news
that a very intimate friend was dead.
1t cannot be-" was the reply, s.for she
exacted Of me a solemn promise that I alone
would sat by her dying pillow, as she had
something of great Importance 50 reveal to
me" Here suddenly a horrible suspicion
crossed my mind.
sshe sent for you, but you were not a,
home" said Mr.. Lee, i~nnocently; then he
continued Il am sorry for Charles. her bus.
band he thinks her distress was mpcb 49,
g~rayated by your absence, from the fact tba,
she called your name piteously. He would
have sought for you, but your servant said
she did know where you were gone. an
sorry. You mus have been out loaoe, tb.r
usual for Charles sent p servant over her,
three times.'
I never in all nay life experienced such
loathing in myself such utter humiliation
NY servant had gone further than |, in ad
ding falsehood to ~fdschood, and / had place.
It out Of my power to reprove her. By m,
own equiyocating. 1 felt hunbled to tn
very dust, and the next day I resolved owe
the cold clay of my friend, that 1 would ney
er again, under any circumstances, say eno
1t home"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04
Gaaies' department.
A Mothers Child.

"He is mothers child" said a doting moth
er to a friend, as her little curly headed boy
came in and laid his head upon her knees.
He was a good boy, and loved mis- mother
devotedly. As he grew up she was still the
idol of his heart. In all his troubles, his
alarms and his joys, he ran to his mother, for
he knew he had in her sympathizing friend.
Nor did he forget her when he became a man,
and the responsibilities of a family pressed on
him. How could he? Now he learned more
than ever how much he was indebted to his
mother. Now he felt and realized how much
she had done for him-how she had watched
over him, and how anxiously she had labored
to make a man of him. And though he loved
his wife and his own children, still he loved
his mother, relieved her wants, softened her
cares and watched over her declining years.
And when death removed her from him, his
heart gushcd forth its anguish in bitter la
mentations for his loss.
All children should lovo their mother: but
1t is the brightest trait in the character of a
boy, that he loves his mother. Few such
boys become vagrant or Enthusiastically. On
the other hand, aboy who sights his mother,
dishonors and forgets her, cannot be trusted.
Whatever else he may be he is ungrateful,
unreliable, and not TO be trusted. He who
hates his mother and shows it by his neglect,
Ia a wretch, and will make wretched all around
him.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04


TRINITY CoLLEGE.-The Commencement
exercises of this institution, were more than
usually interesting this year, although they
have always been very crcditable. The mum
Der of persons in attendance was quite large.
The Rev. John S. Long, o fthe N. c. Confer
ence, preached the annual sermon subject
charity; which is spoken of by those who
heard it III the highest terms. DIR. Leeds
of RutherOrdton, who was to deliver the
Scientific address, failing to appear, Rev. r.
S. Moran by earnest solicitation. repeated
the address he delivered the week prcvious
before 1e Greensboro Female College stu.
dents. The effort, on both occasions. receiy-
ed tie highest commentators from the press
aad ms auditors generally. Z. A. Thoup-
son, Esq, of Wayne county, delivered Che
Literary address, which is well spoken of for
Its rithIcism and Easing satire. There were
nie graduates. The College is in a pros.
peous condition The trustees have deci.
do to erect a new building Immediately. for
tie better accommodation of visitors on Com.
nencement occasions.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04

TEMPERANCE LEcruRE.-The Oxford Lois.
ure Hour says-Mr. William r. Hunter the
Chiidren's friend, spoke here last FRIDAY. on
the subject of Temperance. His lecture was
more than two hours long, and during the
whole Of that time, the interest of the audi.
ence did not appear to flag in the least The
lecture aoounded in argument and plain
truths n made a lasting impression on his
hearers. Mr.. Hunter seemed very anx;opc
'nae a DIVISION of the Sons of Temperance
should be organized in Oxford. He c,IIod
upon 'he young men to take steps in this
Praiseworthy movement; but in case they
should not do so, the young ladies' were an
peaied TO- to organize a Division among them
selves.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04

For YoUNG WIvEs.n-Under this head
Mrs. Crowly gives some very sensible advice.
We append the following extract:
consulting a husbands tastes is also the
whole secret Of the artof managing a hus-
band" A wife who acts upon this principle
may be sure of having the same consideration
extended to her, unless, indeed, she is marri-
ed to a brute, or very mean man: and to
such, at present, we have nothing to say. 1t
is easy to see, however, that few men could
refuse anything to a wife who kept their
clothes carefully brushed, mended and but.
toned; who provided their pet dishes, let
them read a four column Congressional
speech without interruption, and dressed
herself as carefully for one pair of eyes, as il
she expected to encounter the admiration Of
a crowd Most men admire taste and ele
gance in their wives, though they sometimes
grumble a little at the cost; after all, it is
taste and tact that is required more thar
great outlay, and wives should be carefully
studious to have their dresses unite style. fitness
and taste with the expenditure proper IL
their means. Those who through careless
ness, neglect, or imaginary nervous ailments
sink into rowdyism and fretful sloyeliness
may expect to see the attention and admira
ton they consider exclusively their owl
transferred to some . /. other quarter-nor d,
they deserve much better fate"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04
For the Spirit of the Age

MI. EDITOR Il had tho pleasure of visi-
ting an examination, some weeks since, at
Fort Creek Academy and was glad to see
that that fame which some suppose was
e~xtinguished long since, is bursting forth
with greater destruction. to ignorance. than
ever before The voice, oforatorv was heard
echoing through the neighboring forest.
while the tune that was used in singing.
the multiplication table, and the other ex,
ercises of the day, Joined in the merry chase
which frightened ignorance and told to the
old that they had began to discharge the du-
ty that has long been resting on them.
This is the first session that we have
had school in this neighborhood for bows.
In many years; but the scholars did great
honor to themselves and their parents, by
answering the most rigid questions. asked.
by a competent teacher.
Fort Creek Academy is located in Gran
vile county, N. c., ten miles from Frank
linton Depot, on the road leading from Ra-
leigh to Oxford, and twelve miles from the
latter place. The neighberhood in which
this school is located is a healthy one, and
one which is strictly moral There are two
churches convenient, and Pest Office is
near by. Convenient AID good BOARDING
houses are opening their doorssfo baanlers.
The next session of this school. will com
mence, the 10th of July, 1860, under The 5
perintendance ofHowelC. Moss.
M. WI.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04
For the SPIRIT Of the Age.
Hail Storm.

Editor Spirit efMe 4gs:-On yesterday
(June 49, this vicinity was visited with the
most terrific storm of wind and hail ever
seen by that venerable old man the oldest
inhabitant.' The damage done to the erops
is imm nse. Itmade such complete destruc-
ton OF the cotton, that the farmers think it
useless to work it any more, and speak of
trying to raise corn on the ground where it
stood The damage done the corn crop,
garden vegetables, orchards, potatoes, &C..
is also beyond description. The forest in
places has almost the appearance of winter.
The hail commenced falling at / o'clock. P.
M, and continued to fall for about fifteen
minutes, breaking window glass, killing poul-
try, pigs, &c. The hail was from the size
OF a hens egg down to the usual size, and
could have been gathered up in quantities
next day at II o'clock. The writer has not
ascertalned the extent of country passed over
by the storm, but think it was not very ex-
tensive.
Wolfsyille, Union Co., N. G.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04

ANOTHER BIC SENSATION IN New YoRK-
Che Great Eastern has arriyed-makino tbs
rip from Europe in eleven days. The high
est speed she attained was IA knots per bour
sihe voyage was full of interest, and her s,,.
periority as a sea-going vessel and the relia.
oiilty OF her machinery were fully demon.
strated. The distance usually steamed from
Southampton to New York is 31so miles, but
she went further south to avoid ice.
The following items of intelligence are
brought by the Great Eastern:
MEssINA, june 10.-A scout conmi,te.
here Is in correspondence with Garabaldi-
An Insnrrection has broken out in Calabria
TURIN, June 1s-Thouvenal and Count
Cayour are connecting a line of policy to be
followed BY France and Sardinia, with refer.
ence to Italian affairs.
The Weekly London Press saws that M
poleon is abont to claim as a compensation
due to France for the new territory which
Garaoaldrs success will add to the House
OF Savoy that Genoa, the province of Nicc
and the Island of Sardinia, shall be annexcd
to France.