The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-07-18
OF EMINENT NEN.
An Eminent Teacher on Choosing Call
ing-Lewis cass and Daniel "e0ster-
DR.. Abbott in l647.

nA
ing-Lewis cass and Daniel Webster
DR.. Abbott in l647.
st LOUIS Republican.
DIR. Benjamin Abbot was for half a
century Principal of Phillips Exeter
Academy. He was one of the most emf
nent teachers this country eyer pro-
duced. Last June the Tooth birthday OF
the academy over which he so long and
sosuccessfully presided wa celebrated;
The pamphlet which records the ~
ceedings of this occasion contdSA the
following "reminiscences of DIR. Abbott
from the pen of Prof. Warehouse, OF
Washington University:
DR.. Abbott was then about 10 years
old. His venerable figure was q
seen on the street, but his name was
like q living presence. The personal
qualities which, through fifty years or
service, had won so wide o lame 1or
Phillips Exeter Academy were wei!
known to all the students. Stories OF
his high-bred courtesy and moral Dig
nifty Of character, of his effective dis
cipiine and noble ardor in the work OF
instruction, were among the most cher
ished traditions of the academy. An
earnest desire to see so distinguished q
teacher induced me to call on DR.: ABB
bott. He received me with cordiallty,
and expressed the qualification which
the visits of students afforded him.
al have given" said he with a smile,
"the best energies of my life to the edu-
cation of youth, and it is but natural
that I should not be Indifferent to the
regard of young folks"
Some inquiries with reference to my
own objects of life served to introduce
the theme which seemed to absorb
all his thoughts. He explained at
length his own theory of education, and
spoke of the progress af the academy
since it first came under his control In
1888. Abiding to the choice of a pro-
~fession, he said:
81 have always been accustomed to
advise Young men to take good care of
their health, perfect themselves in their
studies, acquire as much practical knowl-
edge and general information as pos
sible, and then let circumstances and
the bent of their genius dictate what
vocatian they should follow"
1t was suggested that some teachers
recommend an early choice of a calling
and the pursuit of the special studies
which tend to promote professional SUD
cess.
ono, no,"he replied with great ear..,1
estness, II do not believe that is bestA
[ have always counseled the youthunder
my charge first to complete their gen.
eral studies, and then to follow the guild
ance of their natural tastes in the Sc
lection of a profession. A long obser-
walton of the careers OF young men con-
firms the wisdom of this course"
A transition from this subject to the
great men who had once been under his
tuition was very natural to a teacher
proud of the success of his pupils. The
incidents which DIR. Abbott related
about school-boys who have since
become illustrious were extremely inter-
esting.
"Lewis Glass;" he said, 'sw,as a very
wild boy. One day bis father, Maj. Cass,
came to me and asked me i'll would take
his son.
Certainly, but why do you ask?r
''sOh!the youngster is headstrong and
hard to manage. I am an officer and can
govern soldiers, but thai boy is too much
for me-
"'What does he do?'
"'Plays t%ruant, runs away from his
work, steals Off without my permission
to go a cunning, fishing and swimming,
and is full of all kinds OF pranks.'t
We'll, send him to me. and I'll see
what l can do with him.
1.-The boy was placed under nv
charge. Several months latter I met
his father, and asked him how his son
was getting along. "Well, sir said he.
If Lewis was half as afraid of the AL
mighty as he is of you, l should never
have any more trouble with him."
In relating this incident DIR. Abbott
fairly shook with the laughter which
the recollection of Maj. Cass' answer
excited. 4"
1t is scarcely necessary to add that.
controlled by the preceptor's extraor.
binary power of discipline, the strong
motive energies winch led young Cass
into all sorts of boyish mischief were
directed to nobler objects. The results
OF the wise management which Quick
ened the ambition and reused into action
the faculties of a powerful nature are
recorded in American history 1t was.
however, intimated that at Exeter the
future statesman evincad more talent
for practical affairs than for the details
of scholarship.
In speaking of the school boy traits
OF Daniel Webster, DR.. Abbott men
toned an unexpected fact. He said
that young Webster showed an insu-
perable aversion to defamation. As
the boy is father to the man, it MIGHT
have been supposed that the lad Who
was destined to be pre-eminent in ora
tory would have exhibited an early fond
ness for defamation, but no persilasions
could overcome his natural difideuce,n
DR.. Abbott remarked that "there
was q popular misrepresentation with
regard to Webster's scholarship. r.
was generally believed that Webster
was a dull and unsuccessful man. Inf
such was not the fact. His mind rarely
seemed to be occupied with his studies
Ills large, lustrous, thoughtful eve
We're gazing about the room, or looking
out OF the window; but at recitation the
pupil who appeared not to be engaged
IN studlous preparation always acuuited
himself well. He often shovel i far
better grasp of the subject than those
who We're more familiar with the minor
points OF scholarship. f i )
While DR.. Abbott was telling tbeso
anecdotes histones became mora ]earnnst
and his eyes lighted up With d pIow
which these agreeable recollectipns kin.
died. 1t was quite obvious that ace had
GOT yet wholly quenched the fires Of ear.
lier manhood. rs -
Heartily thanking him for his courte-
sizes. and Tor tha 1.ota