The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1891-06-30

In the summer of 1874, the faculty was
reinforced by Mr.. and Mrs Rice, who
were transferred from Hama, Maui, to
assist in the school, where they remain
ed till 1854, Mr.. Rice having special
charge of financial matters and of the
out-of-door work.
We read that in IS46, the boys worked
three hours a day, chiefly in cultivating
the farm. The grounds were then cult
waited with crops of corn, beans, pump
kins, bananas, etc., which helped to
defray the expenses of the school.
think l may be INDUCED IN dwelling
| a little more in detail on that first period
of the school, when it formed part of the
| Mission establishment, from 1S41 to 1858,
as it was so unique an experiment in
education, and under such peculiar con-
| ditions. Probably no teachers ever had
| a deeper sense OF personal responsibility
| for the children committed to their care,
or more unselfsh devotion to their work.
The atmosphere OF the school was Puri-
tan in the best sense, dominated by the
grand idea of Duty. Perhaps some of the
" boys" may now think that there was
in it more of Law than OF Gospel, more
of the spirit of the Old Dispensation than
of the New.
Be that as it may, the same ideal was
kept before US, as the great object of life,
which DIR. Arnold impressed on the
young men of Rugby, VIZ: to do as
much good as possible in the world and
| the lives of devoted men like Brainard,
Payson and Judson were constantly held
up as models for imitation.
In short, the object aimed at was to
| develope the moral and spiritual nature
equally with the intellect, and to lay the
| foundation of the character deep and
solid in religious principle.
Our devoted and indefatigable matron,
Miss Marcia Smith, had an intense alb
horrence of shiftlessness, and labored to
| impress upon us a sense of the inestim-
able value of time. Pains was also taken
to eradicate any self-conceit or undue
self-assertion ON the part OF the young
sters, some of whom thought that this
austere discipline was carried too far,
though all will now acknowledge the
debt of gratitude which they owe to her.
Here would fain pay a tribute to the
memory of the founder, who planted the
germ, and nurtured it through its period
of poverty and obscurity, Rev. Daniel
Dole, the ripe scholar, the patient in
structor, the Christian gentleman, the re-
suits of whose labors speak for him bet
ter than any words of mine. Under his
administration the school gained the
confidence and esteem OF the island
community, while his pupils generally
I took high honors in the first colleges Of
the United States.
The educational methods and text
books of those days may be regarded as
antiquated, but they produced habits of
accuracy aud literary tastes, which have
since in many cases borne fruit. The
defects of the course were common to
most schools Of that period
The practical and business side Of
education was attended to by Father
Rice, who gave us object lessons in dill
gence, economy and thrift, as well as the
example of a noble, unselfish life.
With him came gentle and gracious
companion, with her refining and elevat-
ing influence, who brought something
of sweetness and light " into our mar
row and secluded life, and taught us les
sons of priceless value, which could not
be learned from books. Surely her
''boys " will "arise and call her blessed, :"
and cher own works do praise her in the
gates"
a very erroneous impression has been
created if any one supposes that it was
" all work and no play " in those days
The old set " OF boys were passion
ately fond of open air sports, such as
prisoners base, base ball, alias al
punt" played with less science but
more fun than in these days, wicket,
running and jumping matches, swim
ming, etc. Saturday afternoons were
! generally spent in excursions to the
mountains or the sea; and one party
achieved the feat of scaling the ridge
back of Manoa Valley, descending the
precipice into Koolau and walking home
! by way OF the Nuuanu pail the same
| day. They named all the principal peaks
of the region, and made collections of
ferns and shells, and observations, which
are even now modifying the current the
cries held about the evolution OF species.
Time would fail me to recount the tragic
story OF the deer, the wars with trespass-
ing goats and their owners, the wonder
ful school papers called the Gazette "
and the STAR" and many other boyish
memorabilia.
The day scholars generally walked to
and from school across the super-heated,
shimmering, treeless plain, bare, except
for the creeping nohu with its prickly
burrs, the terror of bare. footed urcnins.
In 1S49, steps began to be taken look
ing towards the enlargement of the plan
of the institution.
\ charter was granted by the Govern
ment, June 9th, lS49, to the Trustees of
Punahou School, seven in number, en-
powering the Mission to fill future va
cancies in the corporation.
The Rocky Hill pasture and the Manoa
wood lot were purchased and enclosed
the same year.
In 1855, the land of Punahou was con-
veyed by Royal Patent 1858 to the Am
erican Board, and by that body, 1854
acres of it were decided to the Trustees
of Oahu College March 18th, 1868. The
stones for the present school house
were quarried from Rocky Hill pasture
before 1S49, but the building was not
completed till 1852. The rate of tuition
was fixed in 1851 at $40 term, and the
price of board for teachers at 81 week.
Miss Marcia Smith returned to the
United States in 1852, after ten years of
faithful work. We are glad to learn
that she is still living at Dover, Illinois,
at the advanced age of 50, and enjoying
a serene and happy old age.