A PAPER FOR SCHOOLBOYS.

Evening Star, Issue 3080, 2 January 1873, Page 2

A PAPER FOR SCHOOLBOYS.

(1 VelUmjton Independent.) Reading the announcement that appeared the other day in the Independent of the breaking up of the public schools for the ( hristmns recess, our thoughts reverted to the time when the word “holidays” was associate d in our minds with all that was p’easurablc—when it meant a release from drudgery ; the withdrawal of our attention from books (whose authors, professing to conduct us by easy stages to Parnassus, had the knack in perfection of perplexing us at every step on our journey to that famous eminence), and a happy deliverance from the fear of that instrument of torture ’yclept “ the taws. ’ The word was also suggestive of long merry days, “under green leaves:” of Hooking [A mjUre, bathing] ad libitum at Portobcllo ; of fishing for poddlies at Newhaven, or for trout at Peeb'es ; of making pilgrimages to the graves of some of the Covenanters (many of whose resting places, marked by rudely-carved stones and lichencovered boulders, are to be found on the green slopes of the bonny Peutlands) ; of exploring the ruins of some border keep, and peopling it, in imagination, with Armstrongs, > cotta, Johnstons, or other doughty freebooters, whom we regarded as heroes, and whose strong propensity to take herds and Hocks they had neither reared nor paid for, did not tend in the slightest degree—alas for the moral obliquity of youth—to lessen the feeling of admiration which we entertained for the whole tribe of mosstroopers and rievers. Many things painfully remind us that that time is long past. We do not now look forward to a holiday with that intense longing which we felt of yore, nor, when a respite from labour comes, do we welcome it with the same degree of ardor with which we should have greeted it some - well, we needn’t say how many years ago. We can no longer conceal from ourselves the disagreeable truth that, with us, the faculty of enjoyment is becoming impaired ; we feel confident that, for us, there remain no more surprises in life ; our stick of credulity (an article with which youth is liberally endowed) is rapidly diminishing. “Unmistakable indications,” the friendly reader remarks, “of old fogieism.” Well, somehow or other, old fogies derive no inconsiderable amount of pleasure from looking back on their school days, and prattling about them with those of a younger growth. This short paper is respectfully addressed to our juniors, and we hope its perusal will nob prove distasteful to those for whom it is penned. \N hen wc read how, that on a certain day, those youths who had distinguished themselves (and cvrtinguished their comrades) at the Grammar School would xeceive the rewards to which they had become entitled, wc asked ourselves the question, whether the prizes that have fallen to us during our manhood have afforded us as much gratification as ive derived from the few trophies which we bore off’ during the Battles of the Books? Truthfully speaking, in many instances they have not. Again and again, even when grasping them, have we felt “ vexation of spirit.” The prizes for which most men strive for some of which, we hope, you too will strive —such as wealth, broad acres, ribbons of various colors, civic honors, seats in Parliament, remunerative cures of souls, are laudable objects of ambition, and, when honorably won, confer pleasure ; but how few obtain these good things in as fair a manner as Tom this year got his medal, or Harry his book. Being brimful of charity, we don’t hesitate to say that few, very few, have been successful in trade who haven’t freely resorted to the “tricks” thereof; few have eat on Government or Opposition benches who haven’t, on some occasion during their parliamentary career, been forced either to the utterance of opirions they did not hold, or to the suppression of sentiments which they inclined to —in a word, to sacrifice a little of their self-respect, a little of their manhood. Bravery docs not always get the ribbon ; ability doesn’t invariably obtain the rich living. Colonel Blood knows who ought to have had the Order which he wears, and the Kev, Mr Jerome feels conscious that his living is too f d for his deserts ; so neither the soldier nor the divine are quite so happy with their good tbiugs as are our young friends Tom and Harry with their rewards. And while speaking of prizes, permit us to state that we are firmly persuaded jife is all nrizes. A man may make his life a blank through indifference and indolence. Pray do not misunderstand us. We do not affirm lliat everyone will achieve distinction ; that merit will always find itself perched on the top branches ; that the industrious will fare sumptuously every day; tbal intellect will

always be recognised and honored. What we affirm is this : that in the battle of life {as in the battle of the book*, Tom) whoever does his best will not fad to meet with an exceedingly great reward —to wit, the approval of conscience. Ah ! believe ns, Tom and Harry, and you, dear Ted—in the knowledge that yon haven’t shirked any duty ; that you haven’t bowed the knee to oust im when something whispered that the obeisance was a sign of cowardice ; that you have never given the cold shoulder to truth : that you have never throughout the struggle shown the “ white feather’' w to be found a prize, the value of which will become more and more apparent as the shadows on your life’s path begin to lengthen—when you are denominated by agreeable acquaintances, “oil fogies”—when that darkness, in which no man can work, begins to envelope you. A few' more words and wo will bid you adieu. It is right that you should know what we “old logics ’ expect at your haudi and that you should he hilly aware of the splendid field which your country presents for the exi rcise of your talents, for the use of those ac luhvmeats which you possets. In a few years you ace expect -d to occupy our plac s and to push forward the work of civilisation which we have begun 1 o raise ihis young Colony to a leading position among the numerous dependencies of the British Crown —to t- ako New Zealand really the -‘Britain of the South” this will be your task, and it is a noble one. Your industry must develop her resources. You will be required to frame her law's —the most enduring memorials of a. generation’s wisdom or folly. Your humanity will find ample employment in improving the condition of the native race, so that its members, inst -ad of being a drag on the wheels of progress will contribute to the aivancement of the State. Ami some of you may, perchance, lay the foundation of a literature from which your country will derive more fame than from all her stores—great as they undoubtedly are-of material wealth. To promote your country’s good and the w<l* fare of those by whom you are surrounded is your duty, and to enable you to discharge this duty effectually is the object of a liberal education, —M. S. C.