The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1872-01-30

emotion. said to myself in such
school-room-with such pleasing sur
roundings, labor ipse uotuptds (lahor
itself is pleasure), weariness would be
a thing unknown, Mathematics, and
Grammar, and the subtelties of Logic
would possess additional charms. Alas !
for human speculations. How was my
idol Of expectation shattered when |
reached the event Of realization. The
entrance to the schOol-room was by a
Il back portal, ana proved to be any
thing but prepossessing. The room in
itself was sufficiently large, and possi-
bly, neat; but there was about it a
something at once repulsive. The in
cessant glare of light from uncurtain.
ed windows; the unvarying stare of
white from the untinted walls; and
worst of all, ungainly, cumberous,
leaden- colored desks-desks so tall
they might have served Titan desks
whose seats of such incredible height,
left their Lilliputian possessors loftily
perched, with feet restlessly dangling
in mid air-desks above whose tops
chubby little souls must ever hopeless
ly essay 20 lift their keen glances for
glimpse into their neighbors' domin-
ions. mind your business" desks.
Not picture, nor map, nor painted
card Of any kind relieved the gloomy
monotony of white and lead.color.
Poor little captives! No wonder you
long to escape from your prison-house;
no wonder you read your daily lesson
as though your death-sentence was i'm
bodied therein. And poor, struggling
teacherl how pity you with such un-
happy combination of influences on
every side. The influence of circum.
stances or surroundings upon human
beings is a fact worthy of still further
consideration. The very development
of the physique; the stamp Of the
features, and moulding of character
are to a wonderful degree dependent
upon the condition. under which one
is nurtured.
Look, for example, at the Digger
Indians Of California, huddled togeth.
er, half naked, in theil underground
habitations, amid dirt, smoke, and
ashes their daily subsistence roots and
insects. What can you say of their
character; Of their general physique /;
theexpression Of their countenances?
How will they compare with the nobler
Indian who takes pride in building
his wigwam, emhellishing it with the
trophies Of the chase; spreading some
soft mating for his floor and his
couch; sitting down to the sumptuous
repast of game which his own Industry
has provided? His frame is erect !;
his limbs symmetrical his features
shapely; his countenance intelligent I;
his eye keen and penetrating.
Go with me into the interior of Ire
land. What miserable, ragged, de.
jecled- lonking set Of creatures confront
one! Their features are coarse and
disproportionate; their teeth awry !;
their voices harsh and grating and
their contour admits no lines of grace
or refinement. What are their modes
of living?-a miserable filthy hovel,
with scarcely any furniture, and that
of the meanest sort a scant allow
ance of coarse food and Il bundle Of
peat to keep him warm.
Turn to the Swiss peasant. The
simple white washed cottage, with its
tasteful garden in front, at once lends
enchantment. Enter that hnme-the
furniture is plain yet comely, and is
disposed for comfnrt and for ornament
There is Il musical instrument perhaps /;
snowy curtains caught back gracefully
with particles of ribbon, shade the win
dnws some landscape pictures adorn
the walls; and few choice books rest
upon an unPretending shelf What Il
pleasing group are here assembled,
The mother looks up from her needle.
work her face wears smile; her
her features are delicate and refined.
even though they bear the impress of
declining years. The father is whole
souled, gcod,natur,d fellow (notwith.
standing he may sometimes have his
flights o. oEpassion). You can see his
soul beaming in his face, sometimes
q, n