The Portland daily press., 1876-06-26

THE EATON FAMILY SCHooL,-Thursday
last was a gala day in the village of Norridge-
wock on the Kennebec, for on that day the Goth
annual exhibition of the Eaton School took
place. The minister, the lawyer, the store
keeper. the farmer, fathers, mothers, uncles.
cousins all ate an early dinner that they
might be ready for the afternoons entertain
ment All the towns people are interested in
the school. There is scarcely family in which
a son or daughter is not under Mr.. Eaton's
care; ard beside this, there is genuine kindness
felt toward the boys who have come from near
and from far to take up their quarters in the
sunny brown house near the bridge. A
healthier, heartier happier lot of lads even
New England seldom boasts. 1t is evident that
the system of Dotheboys Hall has ne,er met
with recognition in Norridgewock. AS every
body went to the exhibition, we, though pill
grims and strangers, went also, somewhat re-
luctantiy perhaps, as we had been to similar
entertainments in other places. and visions of
poorly delivered declarations and general stu
pidity rose before our minds eye.
Our fears proved groundless. The windows
of the church were open and the air came fresh
and sweet from the hills and pine-woods be-
yond. The audience was in the best of humor,
and well it might be- for if ever lads and lassies
reflected credit on themselves and their teach
ers, the Eaton scholars did so. We were not
introduced for the fortieth time to 'Spartacus"
nor was single voice raised against ''fogging
in the navy" The selections were nearly all
unhackneyed They were delivered we'll
decidedly WELL The enunciation was clear and
;c+ip -. To- uoft bo+
lar sing-song which has so often rasped our
nerves that they tlngle at the very thought.
There was great variety in the delivery. Each
scholar had been trained according to his nat
ural bent. One was dramatic, and the other
more quiet and gentle in his tones. We were
astonished at the ease with which, without
single exception. both boys and girls carried
themselves. Not one seemed conscious of his
hands or his feet-those often obtrusive men,
bers-nor was there trace of nervousness or
embarrassment. Two prizes were awarded;
one to the boy who gave the best defamation,
and one for the best recitation from the girls.
We were sure the committee, in whose judg-
ment the decisions lay, must find it hard to say
who stood first, when so many deserved both
praise and prize.
In the evening there was social gathering
at the school. house. Many of Mr.. Eaton's for
mer pupils had come back to town for that.
There seems to be strong attraction drawing
year after year, the old scholars back to the
school-house at the top of the hill, and the man
who rules there. We suspect strongly it is the
person not the spot. There seems to be vast
amount of love for the master among the Eaton
scholars Think how Tom Rrnwn worshi nned
Dr. Arnold. We understood that since we
have seen how ready man may be to enter
into the fun and froic, the eager hopes and
more sober desires of the boys and girls under
his guidance. 1t is not empty fattery, but
simple justice to say that to the head of the
Eaton School is due that
"Honor and reverence and good repute,
That follows faithful service as its fruit"