Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1894-11-08
DIARIES.


"The memory, says an eminent
scholar, "may be compared to O
stage, which is constantly shifting
many beautiful scenes and agreea-
bic pictures ;'' and on consideration
we find the simile very appropriate.
This voluntary power of portraying
. succession of thoughts 10 certain
~ one Of our greatest blessings.
All individuals, however, are not
equally en- lowed with the faculty.
Some persons are remarkable for
retentivs memories though not 9TH
erwise distinguished for intellectu-
al gifts. We know this from daily
experience. Many of our students
will repeat an instruction just as it
had been pronounced, or retain a
difficult task after reading the mat
ter over once. In this history re.
peats itself, for we read of q man
who could recount the whole con-
tents OF the morning paper.
Another, mentioned by one of the
ancient classics, who after hearing
read poem claimed it AS his own
composition, and to prove this, re-
peated it from beginning to end,
which the author could not do. 1t
is sometimes inferred that this kind
of memory supposes defect in the
other mental powers. but there are
no grounds for this suppositicn |;
for men of undisputed merit were
remarkable for good memories.
believe it is said of Cyrus that he
knew the name Of every soldier in
his army.
There are many ways by which
the usefulness Of this faculty may
be augmented, but | will only men,
tion the one in which | am at pres
ent interested,-that of keeping a
diary, or book to record extraordi-
nary incidents, observations, and
actions worthy of remembrance.
Some of the brightest men in his
tory have resorted to the diary to
perpetuate family happenings which
reflected glory on their subsequent
histories. An example of this sort
may be found in the Memoirs of the
renowned John Quincy Adams.
Here we find q beautiful tribute to
his mother which cannot be read
without increased admiration for
the son. "There is not q virtue"
he writes, 'that can abide in the
female heart, but it was the orna-
ment of hers" Again he calls her
"the delight of my fathers heart,
the sweetness of all his tolls, the
comforter of all his woes, the shar-
er and brightener of all his joys.
" . Her price is beyond ru-
bies." Many other beautiful
thoughts are contained in this mag
nificent addition to our American
Literature (; and encouraged there
by | venture to append
My Diary.
Again at College, and endeavor-
ing to persuade dear st. Agnes that
| am delighted to be once more un-
der her protecting care, but no one
is responsible for her actions while
suffering from an attack of nostal-
gia. Notwithstanding, memory
wildly recalls and uncomplainingly
fingers on the "reminiscences of the
past two feeting months of vaca-
tion.
One of the most enjoyable treats
is my recollections of the land of
Nod. The duty of schooling my
eyes to regular discipline was my
first care, and as soon as they be-
gan to look natural, ! venturei
forth upon that region which phi
losophers call the world, to enjoy
some Of the pleasures which make
up social life at st. Mary's.
Towards the first of August I
found myself at Riverside, the most
picturesque spot in all the county.
perfect paradise-'.for earth has
still some traces of her youthful
beauty left"-a place which Long
fellow should have chosen when he
contemplated writing The Bridge;'
likely, the temptation to throw him .
self into the ebbing waters which
formed the subject Of his theme,
would never have occurred to him.
Riverside is situated on a gently
slipping hill, overlooking the his
toric bed Of the Potomac. A large
white house surrounded by lordly
oaks, over-tops the summit. Flow
ers in profusion perfumed the air
with their resistless odors and Ia
Cowper. m he