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Poem
November 15, 1854
The Lancaster Ledger
Lancaster, Lancaster County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
Nostalgic poem by 'An Old-Fashioned FOOL' reflecting on youthful school days at the old Franklin Academy in Lancasterville, S.C., now a cowpen. Recalls friends, teachers, and laments the decline of education and modern customs. Dated November 10, 1854.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
For the Ledger.
Lines suggested by a nocturnal stroll through the Cowpen surrounding the old Franklin Academy
Old building! I stand once more on thy threshold
And think of the days that can never return,
Of hopes that I've cherished—warm feelings now cold,
Of impulses burning which have now ceased to burn.
Recalled by a glance at thy walls nearly down,
The past is before me—it silently moves:
My youthful companions in days that are gone
All, all are present—I see whom I choose.
There's James, John, Andrew, and a great many others
Whose faces I know, and can never forget;
For they all were to me as familiar as brothers
In the days when as schoolboys we socially met.
There's McLauchlin, my friend and earliest teacher;
In the search after knowledge he was my best guide:
A man, full as good as Goldsmith's old preacher,
For if "failings" he had, they were on "virtue's side."
There's "Sammy" my friend and companion on earth,
In dreams, my friend and companion in Heaven,
My daily associate almost from his birth—
He rests in the Home which his Maker has given.
Though "Sammy" is gone, still Adams is left me,
See the bright glow of health is mantling his cheek.
When of this my best friend cruel fate has bereft me,
Oh! where will I turn when a friend I would seek.
How oft have we sported in boyhood's bright hours
O'er this yard now the home of the horse and the cow,
And built in our fancies huge castles and towers
'Fore the splendor of which even despots would bow.
But hark! what is that? Lo! the vision has vanished,
And was it my fancy I talked with just now?
It was, and those forms were suddenly banished
By no image of fancy, but Button's old cow.
Descendants of Jackson of Miller and Blair
(If such be the honor ye still dare to claim)
Where your sons should be taught the cow has her lair,
Oh! blush, if ye yet have one feeling of shame.
But customs have changed, and our lads have grown wiser,
And Fashion demands no such old things as schools;
For the boys of this day never need an advisor,
And teachers they think are intended for fools.
An Old-Fashioned FOOL.
Lancasterville S. C. Nov. 10th 1854.
Lines suggested by a nocturnal stroll through the Cowpen surrounding the old Franklin Academy
Old building! I stand once more on thy threshold
And think of the days that can never return,
Of hopes that I've cherished—warm feelings now cold,
Of impulses burning which have now ceased to burn.
Recalled by a glance at thy walls nearly down,
The past is before me—it silently moves:
My youthful companions in days that are gone
All, all are present—I see whom I choose.
There's James, John, Andrew, and a great many others
Whose faces I know, and can never forget;
For they all were to me as familiar as brothers
In the days when as schoolboys we socially met.
There's McLauchlin, my friend and earliest teacher;
In the search after knowledge he was my best guide:
A man, full as good as Goldsmith's old preacher,
For if "failings" he had, they were on "virtue's side."
There's "Sammy" my friend and companion on earth,
In dreams, my friend and companion in Heaven,
My daily associate almost from his birth—
He rests in the Home which his Maker has given.
Though "Sammy" is gone, still Adams is left me,
See the bright glow of health is mantling his cheek.
When of this my best friend cruel fate has bereft me,
Oh! where will I turn when a friend I would seek.
How oft have we sported in boyhood's bright hours
O'er this yard now the home of the horse and the cow,
And built in our fancies huge castles and towers
'Fore the splendor of which even despots would bow.
But hark! what is that? Lo! the vision has vanished,
And was it my fancy I talked with just now?
It was, and those forms were suddenly banished
By no image of fancy, but Button's old cow.
Descendants of Jackson of Miller and Blair
(If such be the honor ye still dare to claim)
Where your sons should be taught the cow has her lair,
Oh! blush, if ye yet have one feeling of shame.
But customs have changed, and our lads have grown wiser,
And Fashion demands no such old things as schools;
For the boys of this day never need an advisor,
And teachers they think are intended for fools.
An Old-Fashioned FOOL.
Lancasterville S. C. Nov. 10th 1854.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Friendship
Death Mourning
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Nostalgia
School Days
Franklin Academy
Cowpen
Lancasterville
Education Decline
Boyhood Friends
What entities or persons were involved?
An Old Fashioned Fool.
Poem Details
Title
Lines Suggested By A Nocturnal Stroll Through The Cowpen Surrounding The Old Franklin Academy
Author
An Old Fashioned Fool.
Subject
Nocturnal Stroll Through The Cowpen Surrounding The Old Franklin Academy
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
Old Building! I Stand Once More On Thy Threshold
And Think Of The Days That Can Never Return,
Of Hopes That I've Cherished—Warm Feelings Now Cold,
Of Impulses Burning Which Have Now Ceased To Burn.
But Hark! What Is That? Lo! The Vision Has Vanished,
And Was It My Fancy I Talked With Just Now?
It Was, And Those Forms Were Suddenly Banished
By No Image Of Fancy, But Button's Old Cow.
Descendants Of Jackson Of Miller And Blair
(If Such Be The Honor Ye Still Dare To Claim)
Where Your Sons Should Be Taught The Cow Has Her Lair,
Oh! Blush, If Ye Yet Have One Feeling Of Shame.