Litchfield enquirer., 1878-04-04
PHILLIPS ACADEMY, ANDovER.

EDITOR, ENQUIRER The friends of this old and renouned institution are now making ex- sive preparation for the celebration of its hun dredth anniversary on the 5th and 9th of June 1878. For several months its faculty have been engaged in correspondence with all parts of the country, seeking "reminiscences of it's past history and whatever else would be likely to prove of interest at the approaching centenni- a Two graduates who have attained no lit tie eninence in honorable report among men are announced as orator and poet of the occa- sion; the Rev. Dr. Mckenzie, of Cambridge, and the accomplished Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, professor of anatomy in Harvard Uni versity. The event will be something more than sectional affair; it will be national And it is therefore, that we beg leave to call it to the attention of your readers.
 Phillips Academy perpetuates in it's title the name of it's founders family eminent for piety and patriotism in the last century and from which MT. Wendell Phillips, the first orator of his age, is descended. It was neith- CT denominational prejudice nor local interests that led him to the execution of plan that has in peculiar degree affected the develop ment of the educational resources of New Eng land. But it was high-souled patriotism and an ardent desire to promote sound learning. For it was, runs the constitution, "By refec- ton upon the grand design of the great Parent of the universe in the creation of mankind, :" that they were impelled to the undertaking ''to found free school or academy for the in- struction of youth, not only in English and Latin grammar, writing, arithmetic, and those branches in which they were commonly taught, but more especially to learn the great and real 6usiness 0f 6Otfag." "Abeve all it is expected that the masters attention to the dis positions of the minds and morals of the youth under his charge will exceed every other care ]; we'll considering that though goodness with out knowledge Gas it respects others) is weak and feebler, yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous and that both united form the noblest character, and lay the slrest founda- tion cf useful'sess to naankind." The constitu-
 
 removed from Andover if it's interests should thus be promoted, and that greater part of it's masters shall be neither inhabitants of the town nor clergymen. Thus the academy has never degenerated into mere local school nor feeder for sectaran colleges. ''Great and real business of living :" Usefulness to man. kind" Truly 8 refreshing contrast to the partisan spirit of the present age that fills the land with third-rate denominational institu- tions which conceal high school curriculums under the sounding term, university" Histori- cally considered it is the oldest incorporated academy in the country and ''may claim the highest position as the fountain head and par ent of academic education in America" Un- der the regime of Dr. Taylor, covering pc riod of thirty-three years, more than thous- and of it's graduates entered college It has probably sent more men into professional life than any other school in America. while by no means an inconsiderate number have entered upon business and scientific pursuits. Tuition has always been free to those who could not afford to pay for it. The annual expenses at the present time range from $275, up to $500, and more according to the students resources and tastes Rich and poor meet, however, up- on footing of perfect equality. Ability and character determine the scholars standing, both in classroom, society, halls, and in the campus. The cosmopolitan character of the school has always. been strongly marked fea- ture of it's existence. By recent catalogue we find that Maine, Florida, California, fifteen intermediate states and territories, together with England, Turkey, India, Japan and the Bermuda Islands, are represented. In is hard ly possible to overestimate this feature of its life. The varied character of it's students, in means, words, habits of thought and expres- sion, opens up to the recent conner a new field of action, producing generous rivalry, and affording a powerful incentive to intellectual exertion and industry without which even gen. jus itself seldom achieves success But for those whose early recollections of the old town, its wondrous sunsets, and shaded walks, Pomp's Pond and the campus, and for those whose interest in the educational affairs of the day attract them to the approaching festival for both there is every reason why they should seek the side of the Alma Mater on her birth day and renew the acquaintance of youth.
 It is, sir, with no less desire to call atten- tion to this centennial. of one of the country's greatest middle schools than with desire that it should become more widely known in your section that we have written. Believing that that which concerns the educational develop ment of state is matter of public interest, we are led to hope your readers will not be wearied by its publication.
 Yours truly,
 E. s. B.