Smyrna times., 1871-07-19

! Il !
| have solicited copy from the author for
publication in the Times, and through his CON
sent | am able to present 1t to your readers.
NJ.
Examination week has just ended with the
usual admixture of encouraging and discOur-
aging results. As iu all schools we have
among our number pupils who study diligently
aud with unremitting zeal; some who endure
for season but soon weary in well doing; and |
few who apparently, have taken for their |
motto " the greatest possible amount of fun |
/. with the least possible amount of labor. With !
these conditions supplied one could readily pre- |
dict for the last an undue share Of doubtful fun
! nothing more for the middle class a half !
way, neither-t this. nor-that position which must |
be extremely mOrtifying since they are in rath |
er unpleasant proximity to failure on the one
hand and the success which lies not far off /
upon TIE other takes the similitude Of the sour
grapes in the fable Nor is it difficult to de-
termine the reward of the workers. Thcirtoil
has been dic0gS gTedt--at times almost over
wering but perseverance, has gained for them
the success for which We honor thcm and which
a is but dim iotcshadowlug Of the complete
success which awaits them.
y Allow me to say few words in favor of
a home schools. 1t has come to be regarded as
essential by some that young persons, to be
prepared specify lOr Ine uuJleS O lie. tuSC Dc
hurried OFT to a 3 or4 years course at school
away from home. The plea of course is urgent.
They cannot receive the kind of instruction at
e. home that we wish them to have. They need
no t. see how the the world moves Very lauda
be objects these but rarely accomplished in
full. The young lady or gentleman who enters
upon the course of study prescribed in those
schools with the determination to slight 40 part
of it will know about as little concerning the
workings of the great world at the end of 4
m! years course as at the beginning. School Is a
poor place to learn what lite means. And as
to the instruction so much desired, | verify
believe it can be had nearer your own doors.
sh. But suppose it can not. Then ltcan certainly
be brought here with very little trouble and
less expense than the distant boarding school
creates What it costs to give dozen young
persons four years course ut a school OF any
pretension will build a handsome Seminary in
Smyrna, that will soon repay good interest
L upon the investment IN money to say nothing
S"' of the pleasure Of your chdrens company
Then if we consider the great risk of securing
nothing forour trouble but uper6cal acquire
ments which only hinder real growth in use
1t, ulness, and Injurious notions OF lite which Ions
- years can not wholly eradicate, it becomes
ny matter of great importance to guard the Tor
native days of youth with jealous care wher
only they can be properly euarded-wthin th
DS, home circle: Or course | do not pretend t
nae say that these are the uniform results but
arf make the assertion, that in the drawings TO
and grateful improvement and true nobility, ther
ng are scores of blanks to one prize. TO be o.
.,o the safe side, keep the boys and girls at hom
,oon until they have learned some of the useful les
n ,o sons of life, and are prepared to enter wit
that profit upon an advanced course Of study.
with While we have had some encouragement W
have not been without encouragement. 1h
s. investment of patience was large but there hi
vel. been a correspondingly large dividend in tn
M healthy development of mind-the respect {
= the order loving-the cheering words OF trenC
Mn , and the consciousness of attempt to discharg
IN faithfully the duties devOlving upon us. Thel
~ are few persons who would deliberately envy
teacher and yet his life, if he is faithful, h;
some sunshine with much more in reversiOn.
And now few words to the pupils whom
has been my privilege to instruct. The rel
tion which has existed between us will SOC
om cease Other relations await me but before
go let us indulge in retrospect and CLAM
nm forward. Together we have attempted ii
-, ascent of the well-known hill and learned son
soN' useful lessons by the way. We have measu
ed imaginary solids and liquids by imagina
standards; bought and sold imaginary shee
n for cows, horses, pigs, &C., &C., dealt largely
New imaginary money; formed the acquaintance
A. b. g. and a host OF other intangible being
me. nsg we have attacked the uncompromisng, infe1
bic rules OF Grammar and sometimes wish
the last book was lost without the power
* making others. We have hunted with t
= Indian, fshed with the Esquimaux, drank t.
q with John Chinaman, frolicked with Il
Id Frenchman, philosophical with the Germa
discussed questions of state with the EDglis
- man. There is scarcely a bay, gulf, or riv
that we have not visited We have oft
s. puzzled over tho complications Of numbersa
grown grave with the mysteries OF symbo
The old science which gave the inhabitants
NDS of the Valley of the Nile interesting emplC
CO ment centuries ago, has granted to our knock
10 and open sesame. with Newton, we have lnveS
gated the law which, at the same time, " moul
pn put the silent tearand holds the panetn its
done Franklin, too, has passed his kres string il
pal our hands and made US tingle at the touch