Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

THE VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER.

(The following portrait of a School-master, is drawn from real life, by the author of American Ornithology. in "The Forrester's--A Poem." Descriptive of a pedestrian journey to the Falls of Niagara, in 1803.)

Of all professions that this world has known,
From clowns, and coblers upwards to the throne :
From the grave architect of Greece & Rome,
Down to the framer of a farthing broom,
The worst for care and undeserv'd abuse,
The first in real dignity and use,
If skill'd to teach, and diligent to rule)
Is the learn'd master of a little school.
Not, he who guides the legs, or skills the clown
To square his fists & knock his fellow down :
Not he who shews the still more barbarous art
To parry thrusts and pierce the unguarded heart;
But that good man, who faithful to his charge
Still toils the opening reason to enlarge ;
And leads the growing mind, through every stage,
From humble A, B, C, to God's own page ;
From black, rough pothooks, horrid to the sight,
To fairest lines that float in purest white ;
From nuMeRation, thro' an opening way,
Till dark ArithmeTics seem clear as day ;
Pours o'er the mind a flood of mental light,
Expands its wings and gives its powers of flight,
Till earth's remotest bounds, and Heaven's bright train
He trace, weigh, measure, picture & explain.
If such his toils, sure honor and regard
And wealth and fame will be his dear reward
Sure every tongue will utter forth his praise,
And blessings gild the evening of his days !
Yes!--blest indeed, by cold ungrateful scoffers,
With study pale, by daily crosses worn,
Pity'd by those who to his labours owe
All that they read and almost all they know ;
Condemn'd each tedious day, such cares to bear
As well might drive even Patience to despair.
The partial parent's taunt--the idler's dull!--
The blockhead's dark, impenetrable scull--
The endless round of A, B, C's whole train,
Repeated o'er ten thousand times in vain.
Plac'd on a point the object of each snecr,
His faults enlarge, his merits disappear ,
If mild, "Our lazy master loves his ease,
"The boys at school do anything they please."
If rigid-- He's a cross, hard hearted wretch,
"He drives the children stupid with his birch.
"My child, with gentle means, will mind a breath,
"But sounds and floggings frighten him to death."
Do as he will, his conduct is arraign'd,
And dear the little that he gets is gain'd.
Ev'n that is given him, on the quarter day
With looks that call it--money thrown away.
Just heaven! who knows the unremitting
And deep solicitude that teachers share
If such their lot by thy divine control,
To give them health and fortitude of soul?
Souls that disdain the murderous tongue of fame,
And strength to make the sturdiest of them tame'
Grant this, ye powers to Dominies
Their sharp-tail'd hickories will do the rest.