New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-13
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
AN OLD ACADEMY.

AN OLD ACADEMf.
gInnEEs sKk XS5 sS 3K Ssts ~ S TsasN
n. CrSxIxsHNM. With Illustrations. limo pp s6o.
James h oseccd n ce.
phi,,ins Ex,s.r Academy has been the stern yet
loving nurse of many famous man, and Is rich IN
rrm,p,sccnccs Of New England character and New
England icarnne. history Of the school Is neccs-
Aarily a txeasure-house OF anccdote aud biography
and Mr.. CUNNINGHAM has shown lively apprecia-
finn of this Ile has done his work In pleasant
ample and honest fashion. and has provided what
must be regarded as the first adequate history OF
the Institution founded by John Phillips In l79s
He has told the story Of the school the first seven
chapters the succeeding chapters of "Reminiscences
and biography are contributed by other writers
Phillips Exeter was founded In the spirit OF I'M
selfish devotion and OF regard Tor learning which
made our Puritan fathers the successful organizers
oil new civ ilzatlon.. Samuel Phillips. foregoing
the fortune which he was to Inherit, induced
his father and uncle to apply it to the purposes of
great school the plan for which DIR. John Phillips
had first conceived Dr. Phillips was childless and
thrifty. and a man OF learning and the school was
dear to his soul Mr.. Wendell Phillips has related
some details concerning this sturdy Founder which
he had from his goody when IN college. This
seoosfy' had beer ~ servant III Exeter, and had
known Dr. Phillips and hrs household. She sald
that IL was customary for the Doctor TO ehtsrtsln
the clergy when they met in Exeter, and that on
such occasions he gave to each OF them glass OF
ordinary table wine; but tn the one VINO was TO
preach the sermon of the DAY he gave glass OF
rich mulled drink sort of cherry-bounce, IN oraer'
perhaps, to excite in him proper amount OF en-
thusiasm He vas, as has been well SAID rigorous
old Puritan. a trfe sombre perhaps in his exterior.
but with his friends always genial and warm
hearted, always greatly respected; in later years
he became the object of affection and reverence.
Indeed he was a man to command respect In bis
youth lac had been carefully trained he had seen
his father and relatives all patterns OF old time
politeness, revered by neighbors, old and young;
and it was only natural that he should have their
saine fine manners and both expect and receive tho
love and honor OF all. No boy dared scale his
orchard wall, nor cry at him, Say, Mister, gimme
O cent? but low bow and reverent tone would
open this good mans purse aud at the same time
fill tile boys pockets with cherries from his tree"
Mr. Cuuningham's picture of DR.. Benjamin Alb
bott the second principal and second parent OF the
school, Is that of stalwat, dignIfied scholar who
was as thorough gentleman as a teacher. His
kindness was sunshine ITSELF but he did not forget
to be just he punished when necessary with
promptitude and uecision that inspired wholesome
respect The moment discipline was administered,
however the sunshine appeared again; there was
no Nursing of grievances. Even as Rhadamsnthus
his courtesy was unfailing. Judge Whitman, OF
Cincinnati has told characteristic story concern
ing this tIaft OF the good Doctors: One day at
the close Of school the Doctor called me to the desk
and said. Come to my house Tomorrow morning
at o'clock, The stern tone left no doubt in my
mind as to the nature of the summons. At the hour
appointed / promptly reported myself 10y rapping
loudly on the front door with tho great iron
knocker With equal pruuptness the door was
OPENED an inch OF two, and / was met with the
stern command, eco round TO the back door. sir?
To tho back door went and. after an interview
in the library the Doctor with his usual p0titehess,
bowed me ont of the front door,"
DR.. AbboIPs successor Or. Gideon Lane Sonic,
was man after Abbott's own heart. He was
Christian and a scholar of the noblesB type, and
an instructor whose sympathy and sense OF justice
inspired deep love and reverence in his pnplls. Mr.
cunningham recalls the fact that during the he
bellion a worthy colored student vas member OF
the academy. Exeter knew no color line. -Four
students coming from Kentucky were full oil lndig-
nation, and, after talking the matter over among
themselves called upon the Principal in his study
and saia. Doctor, We see that you have ooiored
stpdent in be Academy, and we have called to say
that if he stays We Lust leave. Said the Doctor,
The oslored student will stay you can do as you
please The Southrons left" 1t ought not 10 he
forgotten that 1t was pupil Of Phillips Exeter
who wrote the first ntl-slayery novel After Rich
srd Hildreths visit TO the South in 1882 and long
before ne entered upon his service to The TRIBUNE
he wrote his story of "Archy Moore"
Or. Soules dignity great and was never
lightly regarded by his students when in normal
condition. He constItutionaiy opposed to
drinking. An old pupil writes: d" One day class
mate of mine whom will call Smith, got glorlously
drunk. The Doctor called him up, and made him
detail tee course of the spree. which included
visit TO the three fonr groggeres of the village,
and the absorption of four or five glasses Oh ale,
three glasses of wine, and horn or two OF whiskey
In holy horror, as Smith ended the enumeration,
the Doctor neld up bis hands, saying, Why.
Smith, II | Mt my age had drank that much
should have been carried home a stretcher.
Possibly SAID the imperturbable Smith, some
heads are constitutionslly weak to spiritual Intu-
epces The Doctor smote of Smiths academic
head that instant, and he went home the evening
train Lewis Cass was once pupil of Phillips
Exeter and Professor Waterhouse has recalled DR.
Abbotts memories Of the youth
Lewis Cass," lie said. was very wild boy.
One day bis father, Major Cas-, came to me and
asked me if could take his SON.
"'Certainly hut why do yeu ask
80, the youhgser is hcadstrong, and hard to
What does he dog
"'Plays truant. rams away from his work, steals
of without permission 10 90 acquiring. fishing
or swimming, dn1 - Kun Oh al linus VI prdnAs
"'Weil, send him to me, and III see what can
do with him.
." The boy vas placed under my charge Several
months later / met his father, and asked him how
his getting along
Well SIR said lie, If Lewis was half as afraid
OF the Almighty lie 10 Of you, should never have
any more trouble with him.
In relating this incident Dr. Abbott fairly shook
with the laughter which the recollection OF Major
Cas's answer excited. IL is scarcely necessary 10
add that, controlled by tbs Preceptors eKfiaordl-
nary pocer of discipline, the strong motive energies
which led young CaSs into all sorts of boylsh mis-
chief directed to Gobler objects. The results
of the wise management which quickened the aai-
bition and reused into aetio1 the facilities of
powerful nature are recorded in American history