The Maine Law Advocate

Poetry.
For the Maine Law Advocate.
EXTRACT
From a Poem entitled "The District School House,"
delivered before Rev. Mr. S's
school, at their Exhibition on the evening of
March 10th, 1854, by an Old Graduate.
But not alone to me this name is known
All Yankee hearts its magic powers own!
Yes! all New England hearts with rapture thrill,
Mention the District School House where you will.
And why should not Connecticut be proud,
When all the world, low at her feet have bowed.
Acknowledging that she it is who rules.
And reigns alone, the mistress of the schools!
Though some have said her cold and stony soil
But half repays the farmer's honest toil;-
What though so high and cold her mountain tops?
What though her valleys yield but meagre crops?-
Though this may all be very true—what then?
She builds school houses and she raises men!
Her honest yeomanry, content to live
On what the cold and sterile soil will give.
Waste not their lives in heaping up a store
Of earthly treasure, gold or silver ore,
Which moth and rust corrupt and thieves may steal,
But with a higher aim, and holy zeal.
They till the mental soil and train the mind.
And lay up treasures which are more refined.
Having their own and country's good in view.
The seeds of knowledge lavishly she strews:
The tender plant most carefully they rear,
And watch the little buds and shoots appear.
Till grown a stately tree, beneath its shade
They sit, and find their labor well repaid
In every town and neighborhood you'll find.
A little farm for cultivating mind.
As o'er our hills and through our vales you ride,
Behold our country's boast, New England's pride
The District School House modestly arise,
Its humble chimney pointing to the skies.
A silent monitor to us 'tis given.
Although on earth it ever points to heaven!
'Tis here they break the fallow ground of youth
And train the child to virtue and to truth.
'Tis here the tree of knowledge first takes root.
And here it first displays its precious fruit
'Tis here the firm foundation first is laid
On which our hopes and fortunes all are made
And 'tis from hence the ardent youth withdraws
To rule our country and to make her laws.
The sons are early taught to emulate
The actions of the wise, the good, the great
By home examples given day by day,
They learn to shun those paths which lead astray.
Manly and brave, they practice what is right.
Nor think—as many do—that Might is Right
The daughters too, by careful mothers taught,
Fairer than flowers from foreign countries brought,
Are rich in virtue, modesty, and worth,
To grace a palace, or a cottage hearth.
'Tis thus they educate and send them forth,
To tropic climes and frigid regions north.
O'er the wide world their influence extends
Feared by their foes, and dearly loved by friends;-
Whether they guide the state or turn the sod.
A blessing to their country and to God.