Excerpt
THE BROWNIES AT SCHOOL. S Brownies rambled 'round one night,A country schoolhouse came in sight;And there they paused awhile to speakAbout the place, where through the weekThe scholars came, with smile or whine, Each morning at the stroke of nine."This is," said one, "the place, indeed,Where children come to write and read.'T is here, through rules and rods to suit,The young idea learns to shoot;And here the idler with a grinIn nearest neighbor pokes the pin, Or sighs to break his scribbled slateAnd spring at once to man's estate.How oft from shades of yonder groveI've viewed at eve the shouting droveAs from the door they crowding broke,Like oxen from beneath the yoke."Another said: "The teacher's chair,The ruler, pen, and birch are there,The blackboard hangs against the wall;The slate's at hand, the books and all.We might go in to read and writeAnd master sums like scholars bright." "I'll play," cried one, "the teacher's part;I know some lessons quite by heart,And every section of the landTo me is plain as open hand.""With all respect, my friend, to you,"Another said, "that would not do.You're hardly fitted, sir, to rule; Your place should be the dunce's stool.You're not with great endowments blessed; Besides, your temper's not the best,And those who train the budding mindShould own a disposition kind.The rod looks better on the treeThan resting by the master's knee; I'll be the teacher, if you please;I know the rivers, lakes, and seas,And, like a banker's clerk, can throwThe figures nimbly in a row.I have the patience, love, and grace,So requisite in such a case." Now some bent o'er a slate or book,And some at blackboards station took.They clustered 'round the globe with zeal,And kept it turning like a wheel. Said one, "I've often heard it said, The world is rounder than your head, And here, indeed, we find it true. With both the poles at once in view, With latitudes and each degree All measured out on land and sea." Another said, "I thought I knew The world from Maine to Timbuctoo, Or could, without a guide, have found My way from Cork to Puget Sound; But here so many things I find That never dawned upon my mind, On sundry points, I blush to say, I've been a thousand miles astray." "'T is like an egg," another cried, "A little longer than it's wide, With islands scattered through the seas Where savages may live at ease; And buried up in Polar snowsYou find the hardy Eskimos;While here and there some scorching spotsAre set apart for Hottentots.And see the rivers small and great,That drain a province or a state;The name and shape of every nation;Their faith, extent, and population:And whether governed by a King,A President, or council ring." While some with such expressions boldSurveyed the globe as 'round it rolled,Still others turned to ink and pen,And, spreading like a brooding hen,They scrawled a page to show the bandTheir special "style," or "business hand." The teacher had enough to do,To act his part to nature true:He lectured well the infant squad,He rapped the desk and shook the rod,And stood the dunce upon the stool,A laughing-stock to all the school—But frequent changes please the crowd, So lengthy reign was not allowed;And when one master had his hour,Another took the rod of power;And thus they changed to suit the case,Till many filled the honored place....