The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-11-03
For The Cecil Wing.
"SWlNGING ROUND THE CIRCLE"
LETTER NO. III.

course, anxious not only to see the ''lions, -
politician" of whom we have heard so
much since the opening of the present
political campaign!
But, alas, the sight proved the truth of
that old saying, '''tis distance lends en-
chantment to the view,' and we grieve to
inform his infatuated admirers of the rural
"destricts - that he who appeareth afar
off to their deluded eyes, to be of the size
and comliness of an elephant, dwindles
down to very humble proportions, when
seen in his native Businesses, the streets
of Elkton. Politically speaking, that is.
Our ex postmaster General and his beau
tiful wife, who used to be the theme of
many letters written by admiring Washing
ton correspondents to Western papers, re-
side quietly in their tasteful mansion near
town, and both look as though they en-
joyed their present mode of life better than
the jealouses and excitements Of the great
political arena at Washington. We find
their names mentioned in connection with
good deeds only, in their native town. We
had the pleasure of an introduction to the
ex member of the famous cabinet of the
soldier President. We wanted to tell him,
but did not, how much we admired that
splendid eulogy which he pronounced in
the Senate upon the life and character of
the most brilliant orator that Maryland has
TO nla
to shake the hand that wrote it.
A residence of even few days in pre-
tentious country village will let one in TO
many little secret of town life, jealousy
guarded outside the magic circle. For in
stance, we will come to know that there
are lawyers without Briefs and aspiring
physicians minus patients. patiently wait
ing the "turn of the tide;' meantime they
amuse themselves shooting rail birds, and
looking out for heiresses. One evening we
went with friend to the village library
and reading room, at least that is what she
told us they called it; but if she had not
been kind enough to tell us we never
should have known. From the scenes we
witnessed, while waiting for the librarian
to change a volume, we mentally decided
that the "village counting room" would
be more appropriate name for the place.
1t is no doubt owing to this latter fact that
the reading room is so popular with the
ladies of Elktou. We are determined to
establish one in our village-just as soon
as possible.
Elkton is almost as we'll supplied with
schools as with lawyers. The citizens, for
some reason, seem disposed to patronize
the private enterprises of this nature rather
than that established and maintained by
the commonwealth. There are two private
schools in successful operation, beside the
Academy, which we understood is being
very ably conducted by the present Princi-
pal We were sorry that want of time
prevented us from visiting these private
schools and comparing them with the pub
lie one. Our radical sympathies are all
with the latter, and we shall rejoice to see
the day when thorough practical educa-
ton shall be entirely free to all, both rich
and poor. We have always found that
wherever private schools exist and flourish
that they depreciate the standing of the
public school in the eyes of the community,
especially in the eyes of the children. |
remember once asking little pupil why
her cousin did not attend the public school.
" Because her fathers too RICH" was the
prompt reply; ais is on1ya common school
for poor people.'
We left Elkton with unfeigned regret,
and a secret prayer, that when next we
visit that humdrum little town of great
aspirations and limited achievements, that
not rum shop may be found in it, and
that the poor, DID, feeble looking court
house may be replaced by a spanking new
one.
We took the south bound train at the
depot, on a threatening October afternoon,
and went on to Havre de Grace to wait for
the up train. We did this partly to enjoy
the view from the bridge, which, looking
down the Chesapeake, is very fine. We
wandered about the town, which was as
dull and still as Presbyterian Sunday,
and presently we came to the light house.
Then we remem bered that we had never
been in one in our lives. Just then the old
lady who keeps the "shebang" came along
with the key in her hand, and we went in
with her and up the winding iron staircase
and saw her light the revolving lantern.
The dark, angry sky above, the seething,
angry waters below, with here and there
struggling sail tapping in the sullen wind,
and far to the east the waverng, indstinct
line of the Cecil shore, formed grand,
gloomy picture, which, seen from the light
house window, will not soon be forgotten.
Long before we reached Port Deposit we
learned that we could not reach home on
that train, for the simple reason that