Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-10-22
The Influence of the Academy.

have listened to your sketch of the
Ashtield Academy, its history and aim i,
with the greatest interest. Ono could
not walk through these pleasant streets
or drive over the beautiful hills as
have done, without caring for the life
which passes here, without wishing we'll
to whatever seeks to adorn, enlighten
and relieve it. While you were speak
ing of the academy. was taking 1t out
of doors and indoors with me, and
thinking how its influence might trans
figure the hard work which must 90
on in these lovely fields and seques-
tered farm houses. If the boys aud
girls who dwell there will let them,
these influences, through such friendly
associations as botany, geology and
natural history, caa make the naked
rocks historical, and the verdure glow
again with unsupported resources of
inspiration.
1t is not good for man to be alone,
and the supreme intelligence proceeded
when it came to think Adam over.
There is no destiny of the human soul
so terrible as solitude. 1 imagine it
is constantly TO be fought in these hills
everywhere In this new world of ours
there is hard work. think we work
as hard in town as our friends do in
the country; but know, for my earlier
life was spent in like circumstances,
that the loneliness of country work
adds burden that lies heavily on the
hearts of the young. They long to 60
anywhere, to do anything to escape
from it. l would Say to those who
must make the fght--if you will, the
academy can furnish you beacon-light
in the struggle. / do not mean that
you can always be porting over books,
any more than you can be always going
to dances. sleigh-rides and shows; but
you can always be thinking about them,
getting some life ont of them, finding
from them the suggestion of some no
BILE aim. Where people live much by
themselves, happines 10 forgetfulness
OF self; and the academy, which stands
for all the arts, ana chiefly for the
great art OF literature among you, can
help you forget yourselves, iu knowl-
edge of v lat other men have done for
you in the past, and in the suggestion
of what you may say and do for others
hereafter. For the future is yours as
much rs it is that of any young man or
woman in New York, Washington, or
Chicago; nay, even more, as we all
know, who know American history, and
who recognize the springs of life and
and power. 1t was such Us you who
made America. and it will be your own
fault if you do not continue to make
it. Remember that before the free
school was the academy was, and l am
not sure that we could better spare the
one now than the other. Respect and
cherish it, maintain it by whatever sac
rifice you can. 1t will befriend you
here and in the great world all around
you. If some of you can ever pene-
trate to that world it will bring that
world to you, its best insight, its high
est thought, all that is best worth hav-
ing in 1t. 1t will keep life from being
dull; it will make life good. For, when
a man is dull, he is very near to being
wicked. l am very careful to say u
man, for women are never dull. aud
therefore never wicked. Even if the
young ladies of Ashfield have not got
the academy to rejoice in, in this sense,
they will he glad of its help in others
As men become refined and elevated,
women will get their dues. and what
woman does not want her dues? Il
it were not for the academy men would
relapse into DarOarism.-V ". u. Hv.telErs
After Dinner Talk.