Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1884 — BOYHOOD OF EMINENT MEN. [ARTICLE]

BOYHOOD OF EMINENT MEN.

An Eminent Teacher on Choosing a Calling—Lewis Cass and Daniel Webster. Dr. Benjamin Abbott was for half a century principal of Phillips Exeter Academy. He was orje of the most eminent teachers this country has ever produced. Last June the 100th birthday of the academy overQwhich he so long and so successfully presided was celebrated. The pamphlet which records the proceedings of this occasion contains the following reminiscences of Dr. Abbott, from the pen of Prof. Waterhouse, of Washington University : Dr. Abbott was then about 85 years old. His venerable figure was l seldom seen on the street, but his name was like a living presence. The personal qualities which, through fifty years of service, had won so wide a fame for Phillips Exeter Academy were well known to all the students. Stories of his high-bred courtesy and moral dignity of character, of his effective discipline and noble ardor in the work of instruction, were among the most cherished traditions of the academy. An earnest desire to see so distinguished a teacher induced me to call on Dr. Abbott. He received me with cordiality, and expressed the gratification which the visits of students afforded him.

“I have given,” said he, with a smile, "the best energies of my life to the education of youth, and it is but natural that I should not be indifferent to the regard of young folks.” Some inquiries with reference to my own objects in life served to introduce the theme which seemed to absorb all his thoughts. He explained at length his own theory of education, and spoke of the progress of the academy since it first came under his control in 1788. Alluding to the choice of a profession, he said: “I have always been accustomed to advise young men to take good care of their health, perfect themselves in their studies, acquire as much practical knowledge and general information as possible, and then let circumstances and the bent of their genius dictate what vocation they should follow.” It was suggested that some teachers recommend an early choice of a calling and the pursuit of the special studies which tend to promote professional suer cess.

“No, no,” he replied with great earnestness, “I do not believe that this is best. I have always counseled the youth under my charge first to complete their general studies, and then to follow the guidance of their natural tastes in the selection of a profession. A long observation of the careers of young men confirm the wisdom of this course.” A transition from this subject to the great men who had once been under his tuition was very natural to a teacher proud of the success of his pupils. The incident which Dr. Abbott related about school boys who have since become illustrious were extremely interesting. “Lewis Cass,” he said, “was a very wild boy. One day his father, Maj. Cass, came to me and asked me if I would take his son.” “Certainly; but why do you ask ?” “Oh! the youngster is headstrong and hard to manage. I am au officer, and can govern soldiers, but that boy is too much for me. ” “What does he do?” “Plays truant, runs away from his work, steals off without my permission to go a gunning, fishing, and swimming, and is full of all kinds ofi -pranks.” ■ —• “Well, send him to me, and I’ll see what I can do with him,” “The boy was placed under my charge. Several months later I met his father and asked him how his son was getting along. ‘Well, sir,’ said he, ‘if Lewis was half as afraid of the Almighty as he is of you, I should never have anv more trouble with him.’ ” In relating this incident Dr. Abbott fairly shook with laughter which the recollection of Major Cass’ answer excited. It is scarcely necessary to add that, controlled by the preceptor’s extraordinary power of discipline, the strong motive energies which led young Cass into all sorts of boyish mischief were directed to nobler objects. The results of the wise management which quickened the ambition and roused into action the faculties of a powerful nature are recorded in American history. It was, however, intimated that at Exeter the future statesman evinced more talent for practical affairs than for the details of scholarship. In speaking of the schoolboy traits of Daniel Webster, Dr. Abbott mentioned an unexpected fact. He said that “young Webster showed an insuperable aversion to declamation. As ‘the boy is father to the man,’ it might have been supposed that the lad who was destined to be pre-eminent in oratory would have exhibited an easy fondness for declamation, but no persuasion could overcome his diffidence.”— St. Louis Republican.