PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY. BY HERMAN W. STEVENS. An old man, my townsman, says,"It is sixty years since father left me in Exeter to fit for college. I cannot refuse to admit that the P. E. A. graduate of to-day is often found to have a better trained mind than the college graduate of my time." The foundation of the now famous Phillips Exeter Academy was due to the nobleness of John Phillips, Harvard college, 1735. "Without natural issue, he made posterity his heir." The alumni celebrated the end of the academy's hundredth year of work in 1883. The writer was admitted as a "Prep." We formed an irrelative crowd. There were neat and erect fellows from military academies, knowing high school boys, raw country chaps, typical city lads, and Westerners, Southerners, and Chi nese. found his place. Some did not return after the holidays. During this year a foundation was laid in Latin, under a most enthusiastic instructor, which was so full, so exact, and so enduring that I have known many a fellow to rest all his hopes upon it when he had become an idle senior. The weak and irreclaimable were largely dropped during this year. As juniors the grind became endurable, and we thought less of class and more of school. But enough of the unregenerate remained to furnish an excuse for another weeding out. The losses of this year were in part made good by a set who brought some experience from the classical courses of the public schools. When we became middlers, the written examinations increased in severity, and the "Prelims" were kept constantly in mind. For those who got away with ten subjects the senior year opened pleasantly. The preparation for "Finals" proceeded by easy stages, and we were graduated as the Centennial class. The first day was unlike any day which I had ever experienced, or of which I had heard or read. 'Twas surprising how soon the academy put its stamp upon every member. In a short time, though differing widely in breeding, inclination, and capacity, Exeter is simply a healthy, wellthe great mass was welded into a firm appointed town, of ancient date. It but mobile body. There were a good has secured little modern developmany disappointments. The work ment. Remarkably few temptations and methods of instruction were try- beset the students. The North Ameriing, and the strength of maturity, the can of July, 1858, says of the acadconfidence of previous leadership, and emy,-"Its students are steadily inthe complacency acquired under pri- creasing in numbers, drawn thither vate tutorship failed in many instances in part by its ancient renown, and to secure high standing. Recitation in part by its present reputation tests and frequent written examinations put us through sieve after sieve, and by Christmas every one had and charities. . The internal economy of the school is not unlike that of a well ordered college. The teachers constitute a faculty, in which hard work. The main thing sought are vested the government and is intellectual development. Honinstruction. Their support comes esty, inclination to labor, and power exclusively from the funds. They of endurance are imperatively de do not, therefore, hang on princes' favors,' or on the still more fickle favor of the populace. As a natural consequence, they are not obliged, by any consideration of interest, to listen to the capricious whims of boys, or to pander to the tastes of a superficial, hurrying people. The faculty can be systematic and thorough without becoming a topic for debate and denunciation in town-meeting." This is true to-day, and it is difficult to imagine a condition more likely to produce good results. Failure can come only through faculty weakness. There are in the academy four classes only,-Preparatory, Junior, Middle, Senior. The fit for college is not excelled; the English department is inferior to a good high school. Rules are few in number, but the wisdom of years has so fashioned them that their restraining power is felt throughout the course. The large degree of personal liberty, the absolute necessity of meeting certain well known requirements, and the strong democratic spirit of the school render it easy to assume college duties. The instructing body is remarkably strong. Prof. Pennell is said to have revolutionized the teaching of Latin; certainly no student ever sat long under him without great gain in celerity and precision. Profs. Went worth and Cilley are abler men than one sees much of in college. The method of instruction does not commend itself to the weak or indolent. Information is given only after success has been measurably secured by manded. Hence, anything in quality, habit, mental or physical condition, seriously interfering with a pupil's progress, is very apt to make his seat vacant. The ideal academy boy would seem to be one with vitality and human nature enough to be wayward, but possessed of latent manliness sufficient to conquer himself. The majority of the applicants for admission have had some training in small academies and high schools, and readily fall into the Junior class. Two years of sharp work fit them for entrance to any college except Harvard. A few graduates from classical institutions are admitted every year to the Middle class, of whom some complete the course and enter college a year in advance. Candidates for Harvard take the "Prelims" at the end of the Middle year, and "Finals" when through with the Senior. The faculty encourage base-ball, foot-ball, and rowing, and there is always a lively interest in the games. There are two literary societies. The Golden Branch was established in 1818, and has until within a few years afforded a common meeting-place for picked boys of the different classes. The Gideon S. Soule was organized in 1882. Neither makes any parade of mystery, and both are without doubt of considerable value. The best scholars are sought for membership. With a view to supply "the lack of a proper medium for the interchange of opinions and the discussion of matters of general inter est" by the students, an academy make no sign, but year after year paper was established April 6, 1878. The Exonian has been published regularly since during term time. It has been of signal service to the athletic interest, and given the latest news from other schools and colleges. Every student has an opportunity to see his views in print, if expressed in a gentlemanly manner, on all questions affecting the welfare of the academy. Nowhere is merit found out quicker than at a large school, and the boys at Phillips Exeter seem to take on with their new life extra discernment in this particular. If the new fellow can do anything well, he may be of any shape, age, or nationality, and get his due meed of acknowledgment, and if companionable, contract enduring friendships. The system of management is the outcome of steady growth. There have been no weak administrations, for at no time during the school's hundred years has the faculty as a whole been lacking in power. It is no secret that the set of the institution is towards Harvard. The present teaching force is made up altogether of Harvard graduates. The work of the Senior year does not furnish the best drill for advanced standing in other colleges, and the course might profitably end at expiration of the third year, but for the peculiar demands of Harvard. Phillips Andover is a lively rival. Its influence has been in favor of Yale, but '83 and '84 sent large numbers to Harvard. It is likely that the preliminary examinations will bring still nearer resemblance. If Harvard's new theories are repugnant to the old teachers, they "hit-up" the pace, and send the boys well prepared. Nevertheless, it would be instructive, perhaps entertaining, to hear the outspoken opinions of such fair exponents of the Harvard of a quarter of a century ago concerning the Harvard management of to-day. Whatever else happens, the new departure is likely to improve the English province of the academy. When our own language and physics are taught as ably as Latin, Greek, and mathematics, Phillips Exeter will be "far and away" the best school in the country. We never heard a student assert that the son of a wealthy man received better treatment because of his wealth, but it is widely believed that weak goodness sometimes gets the better of prankish ability in the matter of pecuniary assistance. School boys there, as elsewhere, are keen observers in their own sphere, and it may as well be said now, the marking system in use is never understood by the students. For a time the belief obtains that high marks indicate ability. Next, it seems certain that they are secured by sustained effort. Then the conviction is forced home that the marks of some of the dull are starred. Finally, marks lose all sort of significance to any save those who are struggling for scholarships; but the estimate of the faculty, expressed in other ways, has great weight. It is generally known that no academy affords more assistance to poor but enterprising young men. Tuition is remitted in many instances, scholarships supply great help, and Abbot Hall furnishes board for fifty at cost. But fears are expressed that rich chaps dominate the school in many entertain the same opinions, and lead ways not open to faculty observation. the same home lives. But the moNo foundation for such fears exists. ment one enters P. E. A. chapel it is Abbot Hall exerts more influence a new world. A corps of trained than Gorham and all other boarding- teachers, able men, who are neither places combined. It is to be regret- priggish, affected, nor unhealthy in ted, perhaps, that family and wealth, body or mind, confront him. Bright in some respects, have so little in- lads from every part of the country fluence. For it is idle to assert that challenge attention, and show him the banding together of a large differences in ways, thoughts, and number of indigent students favors speech. the fullest development. "Heavily Is the academy suitable for all ironed with poverty," the boy who boys? Perhaps not. "The discispends four years in Abbot Hall pline is not adapted to boys who needs the occasional company of his require severe restrictions." The more generously nurtured rival. The naturally shrinking, with few excepwealthy boy at Exeter is generally tions, may do better in their home. liberal and gentlemanly. neighborhoods. Too much has been said in favor of toughening timid boys. Then there is a class whose rugged minds will bear a good deal of disentangling and explanation. It does n't seem to do any harm to make their progress easy, since, if well started, they are sure to dwell long enough to get the needed discipline. To whom does the academy offer special advantages? To the boy endowed with health, determination, and ambition, the advantages cannot be over-estimated. It is well for the academy boy whose circumstances and aims demand unrelieved application if he has enjoyed a year's companionship and rivalry with bright high school girls. For many reasons it is better to enter the school as a "Prep." One comes in at a favorable period of life. Young, eager, and impressionable, he "catches on to the beat and tick of the course, and sooner warms and thrills with the great heart of the beardless democracy. And his alma mater deals tenderly with his juvinality and inexperience, and if he remains under her brooding wings, whispers secrets never imparted to those who come after their bloom and freshness have vanished. What special advantages has the academy over a good high school? Seemingly none, except to such boys as desire an exceptional fit for college, and yet, now and then, parents will be found reasoning something after this fashion: Any one of our high school cities or towns is a small place so far as area goes, and the boys generally come in contact with a single cultivated male instructor, meet few exceptionally bright shoolmates, hear the same ideas uttered on every side, It is possible that a return to the old system of boarding in private families would protect many boys from evil influences. It is well, however, to remember Dr. Arnold's conclusion, that the inevitable time of trial in boys' lives might be more quickly and safely passed in the fitting schools than elsewhere. And it is likely that the old system had its special defects. The very poor would certainly find it impossible to pay even the reasonable charges of private families. There is a growing belief that an academy faculty might furnish the family influence wanting in the dormitories. But let me tell you, future Exonian, Hervey, like John Buncle's Ralph Hawkwell, keeps an excellent eatinghouse, where you may enjoy social suppers and get choice things after a walk out on the Hampton road or a pull on the river, provided, all the while, you have the rem., and if you Even Mrs. Ruggles's tart-stand have not, though you were an apostle would not flourish here. The boys of a boy, Hervey would have very average at least seventeen years. little regard for you. CAMPTON, N. H. The following letter will explain itself: NEW BEDFORD, Mass., March 25, 1887. To the Editor of the Granite Monthly: There is a little point of local history in New Hampshire which may be of interest to some of your read ers. All the published accounts of the settlement of Campton agree in saying that the original grant of the township was to Gen. Jabez Spencer, of East Haddam, Conn. Now D. W. Patterson, Esq., who is thoroughly acquainted with the records of East Haddam, and with the history of the town, in a recent letter to me, says, "You may put it down for certain that there was no Gen. Jabez Spencer in East Haddam. There was Gen. Joseph Spencer, but he served through the war, and died in 1808. His brother, Jared Spencer, was born Nov. 5, 1718, and died at East Windsor, Conn., when forty-four years old, on his way homeward from New Hampshire. Joseph and Hobart (two of the early settlers of Campton) were without doubt his sons, and Hobart married, August 22, 1763, Eunice Barnes." in From this there would seem to be no doubt that Jabez is either a corrupt tradition, or an error of the copyest. A reference to the original record, if it is accessible, would show whether the latter is the case or not. This statement of Mr. Patterson's seems also to meet the objections of Rev. Mr. Hazen, in his centennial discourse at Plymouth, N. H., 1865, as to the early date assigned for the settlement of Campton. He refers to the statements in the Gazeteer, that the first settlers came to the town in 1763, or, according to Rev. Isaac Willey, in 1762, and says the evidence is not conclusive. the fact that Jared Spencer died in the latter year, on his return from New Hampshire, is pretty good evidence that he had visited the site of his grant in that year. The date of his grant was 1761, and although on account of his death a new charter was granted in 1767, it is probable that some pioneers had settled in the town before that date. Respectfully etc., But HENRY WILLEY. |