The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-11-17

pa
lectured protitably and pleasantly to us
upon Mexico. The General had been an
offlcer IN the American army during the
Mexican war, and was familiar with his
subject.
Next morning, my Quaker hostess invit-
ed me to tide. l accompanied her to her
farm, two miles east of the town, where
she is erecting handsome residence of the
famous serpentine stone. On our return
from the farm, We drove through the town
and admired the neatness and elegance of
many private residences. The quiet beauty
of the churches, standing in the midst of
groves of stately trees; tasteful stores, and
the stately court house, all elected our adj
mration.
When entered the Institute in the after
noon, found the interchangeable Johonnott
still hammering away ON Mental Philoso-
ply, consequently soon departed from
the Hall, and once more weuded my way
to the court room. Here | found some
parties indicted for selling whisky without
license, and many witnesses were being ex-
amined; evidently they belonged princi-
paly to the great unwashed. One fellow,
in anticipation of the conspicuous position
which he would occupy upon the stand,
had got himself up regardless of expense
in blue plush waistcoat, which evidently
had seen better days, a bran new yellow
necktie and brown cotton gloves. But, of
course, living in Chester county, he knew
all about Shakespeare.
Thursday night Schuyler Colfax lectured
to d large and enthusiastic audiepce upon
the great central historical figure of the
nineteenth century-Ablaham Lincoln
Colfax makes no effort at fine speaking,
but, like Antony talks right on and tells
US what he knows. By the way, it came
out in the Institute discussions that read
ing is at low ebb in the State. Read
just as you talk" say the teachers. Poor
reading we will have then if this instruc.
ton is followed to the letter. Go to the
court room and hear the witnesses, the
majority of whom have bad a course of
the public schools On their lips our lam
guage is brass nickel and base metal; from
the lips of the judge it is gold, silver, pre-
cious stones.
Friday morning driving rain kept me
in the pleasant library of my gracious
hostess, where | was entertained with rem
iniscences of life full of good and in
struction. Among the Society of Friends
l have certainly found the highest type of
the women of the Republic
In the evening took a walk The rain
had ceased, the Western heavens were
streaked with crimson, purple and orange
bars; in the northeast a brilliant rainbow
spanned the violet sky. The streets were
paved with the yellow leaves of the naples
and the lovely little town lay bathed in
light and beauty.
AS the last great intellectual treat, we
had reading from Prof. Mark Bailey.
Whatever he may be as teacher of elocu-
ton in the renowned College of Yale, as a
dramatic reader he is about as complete
failure as we have ever been called upon,
as a member of a teachers institute, to
listen to. Our own Prof. Newell is far
superior to Bailey as an elocutionst, but it
may be that Mark did not let himself out
the full length of his traces, as his audi
ence was only handful of some three or
four hundred common school teachers not
one Of whom was ever within the sublime
shadow of a college wall. The citizens of
the town did not pour out in crowds to hear
him, for, as some one remarked in my
hearing, she has been here before.
| have written thus sketchily of the
West Chester Institute for the benefit of
the many teachers of Cecil county, whom
| know will read with interest the sayings
and doings of their fellow laborers in the
great cause of popular education. l have
said nothing of the music by the orchestra,
which was very fine. "All went solemn as
funeral knell, except the sleigh bell
polka, which SO delighted the audience
that it had to be repeated three times to
appease the rapturous applause of the
boys in the gallery, who suspended the
crooked pin fishing, the spit balls and tor
pedoes during its triple performance.
would not be surprised, when the rod is a
ghostly legend of the jester Time, and
"moral suasion - has done its full and per-
feet work, that brass band will have to
be employed in the school room to enforce
discipline, supplemented and aided by blue
glass windows. COUSIN SUE.