The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-03-28
SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 18th.
Visit to Rehabilitation Boardi ng School
for Boys.


visit to Rehabilitation Boardi ng School
for Boys.
At Kents Hill, Read6eld the well known
locality of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary-an
Institution under the auspices snd control Of
the Maine Methodist Conference-is another
less pretending but perhaps scarcely less i'm
portant institution, known as the Eaton Board
ing School for Boys-a private institution, es-
tablished in 1856, of which Rev. H. NJ. EATON
q Son are the proprietors. Having received
an invitation from Mr.. Eaton senior to be
present at the annual Spring examination of
his school, which took place on Wednesday
evening, 25th inst, we took the cars at the
G. 7. depot that afternoon, and arrived at
Kent's Hill at IL p. NJ, having ridden from
the Readheld depot, a distance of four miles,
In an open sleigh in the midst OF drenching
rain storm.
Kent's Hill is said to be one of the lowell
est spots in the town, and this is no mean
praise, for the town of Readfield is one of the
most attractive in the county of Kennebec.
"Said to be; we use this form of expression
as indicating the nearest approximation we
could make to positive knowledge, for thick
fog had settled down upon the Hill and the
surrounding country when we were there, SO
that it was impossible to take comprehensive
view Of things, or to distinguish precisely
where the snow-clad earth and the leaden
clouds seemed to meet together and to shut
out the view.
THE SCHOOL.
The Eaton School is located, as we have
said, at Kent's Hill, within sound of the Sem
mary bell, four miles from Readfeld station
and fourteen from Augusta 1t is in the midst
of thriving farming population, and has all
the advantages, morally, socially and religious
ly, of our best aud most populous rural towns.
The scholars in the school are, practically,
members OF Mr.. Eaton's family, and come I'M
der the wholesome discipline and restraints OF
a well regulated family. All, pupils and teach
ers, eat at the same table, sleep under the same
roof, participate in the same recreations and
amusements, and indulge in the most friendly
and familiar intercourse consistent with good
government and wholesome discipline. The
school room is an airy, well ventilated, well fit
ted and pleasant upper room"-up one flight
of stsirs-provided with the most approved
school desks and chairs, and also provided with
the needful libraries, apparatus, ETC., for the
course of study pursued in the school. There
are seats for thirty-two boys, and to this num-
Der the school is limited. The last summer
term was full; the next, which commences the
I'd Monday in May, promises to be full. The
winter term, which closed on Thursday last,
has averaged twenty pupils-the fullest winter
term that the school has yet enjoyed.
THE SCHOLARS.
Not more than one-sixth of the school, up
on an average, is from Readfeld. Scholars
from the immediate vicinity, can attend the
Seminary and board at home, whereas at the
Eaton. School the plan is for all to board in the
family of the proprietor. Still, there have been
many scholars from the town, and the school
numbers among its best friends many gentle
men of the vicinity whose names are familiar
in all parts of the State. The term just clos
ed had scholars from remote portions of the
State, from Mass, from other States and from
Cuba There were several boys in the class
from this city. Several boys have been there
In past terms from Spain, Smyrna, Cuba, Cali
fornia, Minnesota, and from places nearer
home. Their ages have varied from perhaps
ten years to twenty-one.
PRoPRIEToRs AND PRINCIPAL.
As we have said, the proprietors are Rev. II.
n. Eaton & Son. Mr.. Eaton was formerly a
member of the Maine Conference, aud is
popular preacher of the Methodist denomna-
ton. He is now what is known as "local
Observation-Disclosures from the Conference,
but breaches regularly to such destitute soci-
cites as are pleased TO engage his services.
He now breaches regularly, as he has for
three years, in the neighboring town of Mt.
Vernon. Though Methodist, he is exceed
ingiy catholic in his spirit, and seems to enjoy
the good will and confidence OF his neighbors
of all denominations, and his school has been
patronized by Unitarians and Uniyersalists
not less than by those more in accord with his
religious views. This shows that while the
cultivation of the religious element is not neg
lected in the school, no undue influences are
exerted with a view to proselyte the scholars
or TO indoctrinate them with the views of any
mere sect. In this regard Mr.. Eaton assures
us that he labors to be faithful to duty without
abusing the confidence reposed in him by pa
rents who entrust their sons to his care.
The Principal of the school until year
and half ago, was Mr.. Hamilton f. Eaton
son Of the senior proprietor, gentleman Of
accomplished qualities as teacher and disci-
plinarian, but who resigned his position to &C
eept a commission in the 4th Maine Battery
which he held until compelled to resign on ac
count of Ill health. He is now in trade a
Readheld Corner.
The present Principal, who succeeded tn,
gentleman just named, is Mr.. A. II. EATON
I'd son of the senior proprietor, and formerly
principal of Belgrade Academy. He is an &C
complished teacher, and seems to be equal,
loved and respected by his pupils. Durin.
the term of twenty weeks just closed, he ha
never been absent at single recitation; al
evidence of fidelity, industry and stabilit
rarely TO be met with. He is on good term
with every scholar, is always ready with
word of encouragement for all who approach
him; makes 1t his business to watch over tn