Barringer High School - Athenaeum Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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 2 HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL. Tho development of a nation depends upon personal exertion, and we all should sec to it that our exertions arc in the right direction. With action such as this, we may well predict for our country a future more glori- ous than the past, and our “ Centennials” will become monuments—ever increasing in number—of the development of our nation. Let other nations shout “ Fi'w L'Empereur P and “ God save the Queen 1 ” hut be it ours to join with heart and voice in that harmoni- ous strain, “Long live the Republic! ” TANTALUS’ CUP. BT KITTIK B. DAVIES. In tho mythical ages, it was decreed as a punishment to Tantalus, one who had dis- pleased the gods, that after death, he should be a wanderer in the lower world, and that whatever he wished to obtain should recede on his approach. If, with parched lips and burning tongue, he saw in the distance, a cool gliding stream, and hastened forward that ho might quench his raging thirst, alas! when he reached tho stream and stooped to drink, it shrank back as if it would not that its waters should 1» defiled by the touch of one so base. If, after pursuing the phantom of clear shining water once again, like the weary desert traveler, lie sought in despair the cool juicy fruit of the earth, in the hope that it might, in some slight degree, stay the fever that was consuming mind and body, just as he reached forth to pluck the fruit, even at the moment when his one desire appeared ready to lie fulfilled, did it seem as if he heard tho mocking laughter of the gocls, as tho branch was borne iieyond his reach. Thus he was doomed to wander forever, having every wish or thought, whose fulfilment could give him the slightest pleas- ure, thwarted. This thought is illustrated in what is called Tantalus' Cup. A siphon passes through the bottom of this cup, and in it the water, if poured in slowly, rises to the bend of the tube and then flows out until the cup is drained. Docs not the flowing of the water through this cup seem to illustrate the promised fulfilment and final disappoint- ment of our plans, hopes and aims in life ? The blessings of God . flow in upon us gently, lovingly, and we are happy. Then our plans and aims rise too high, we are not content with the slow in flowing, we must have more of the world’s pleasures and riches; our desires grow until they can no longer be satisfied with what it is possible for us to have ; we grasp after unattainable things, and for a little we seem to succed, for the water rises to the very top of the tube; but alas! as soon as the top is covered, then docs the out flowing begin ; although the receding of the waters may not be more rapid than was the in-flowing, still from tho very nature of things, it seems so to us. Wo see our pleasures, our joys, slipping from our grasp one by one, and we exert all our feeble strength to stop the out- flowing tide, but every effort is vain, and with despairing heart we see them all glide from us. But not like Tantalus, have we offended a revengful God, and been placed beyond the reach of all forgiveness; he against whom we have sinned, is a merciful, long-suffer- ing' Father, and from our bitter disap- pointments we may learn the lesson, to so restrain our desires, that we may be happy in the blessings which he gives. A DREAM. BT MAT BKDKLL. •• This Is I be staff thst drosms arc made oC.” It was a pleasant night in December that had been appointed by the Distrisyllabic Club for a sociable, to which they had in- vited their most intimate friends. This club was formed for the purpose of studying and criticising poetical composition; and their sociablo was to be held in their club-room, in a building known as Rhetoric Hall. Tho committee which had been chosen to make arrangements for the evening consisted of the most prominent members of the club; the Misses Trochee and Dactyl, Messrs. Iambus and Anapest. The chief attraction of the evening was to be the rendering of the Opera of the .Eneid by mcmliers of the club. The Encid had been set to music after much labor and no little disputation, during which, Mr. Cseaura, one of the members, a very quiet man, had talked of nothing but inserting rests, insist- ing that the pauses made the beauty of the ]H em. The club, after much opposition, de- cided that Mr. Ciciura should have his way, and then things went on as- smoothly as any one could desire. On the evening of the sociable, the com- mittee were the first to arrive. Miss Trochee, a gay young lady fond of sentimental poetry, came tripping in after Mr. Iambus, a young man who was the very picture of vigor and beauty. “ HU form was fair, HU cheek was health,” and ho was a fitting escort for bis charming companion. Soon after, Mr. Anapest, a young man of animated manners and forcible address, came humming tho words, “ From tho plains, from the woodland and groves. Hear the nightingales warble their loves.” The next arrivals were Miss Dactyl and Mr. Spondee. Miss Dactyl was a remarkably re- fined young lady, very sprightly in her movements, but so reserved and dignified that but few ever had the pleasure of listening to her humorous conversation. “ Cold is her heart, and as frozen as charity,'' was the verdict upon her by those who were debarred from her society. Her escort, Mr. Spondee, was long, long in every way ; he had a long nose, long cars, and a long head, and was a very long man altogether. He always carried on his conversation in a drawling manner, as though never particu- larly interested in anything; yet he was an eminently social individual, and you could never, under any circumstances, find him alone. After the arrival of the committee the rest of the company soon assembled. In one section of the room were heard the liar monious voices of the Rhyme family. There were good Rhymes, bad Rhymes, and all manner of Rhymes. Consonantibus Rhyme, a memlK-r of this family, a Frenchman, who was said to be very rich, was present, ami received much attention. Prominent among the guests was Mr. Stylus and his seven daughters; Purity, Propriety, Precision, Clearness, Strength, Harmony and Unity. Continually hovering around these young ladies was their cousin. Mr. Mannerism, always in conversation with one or the other of tho sisters. Amid the murmuring of many voices, Mr Cicsura came to the front of tho platform and requested that a pause be made in the conversation, as the Opera would at once begin. Immediately Mr. Spondee and Miss Dactyl came forth to sing the prelude, Mr. Hexameter heating time for them. “Anna virnmque ca, l egan Miss Dactyl; “ No Tro- jae qui,” sang Mr. Spondee; “Primus, chimed in Miss Dactyl; “ Ab oris, thun- dered Mr. Spondee; and so on to the grand finale, which consisted of a brilliant dance in which all joined, each having a peculiar step of his own. Although there were so many different ways of dancing there was no confusion, but all seemed to move and mingle in perfect harmony. Mr. Hexameter was just going across the room in six stately strides, when 1 awoke. It was only a dream. I had fallen asleep over my Rhetoric. Man has poetry mixed with the prose of his every-day life which is oftentimes better than that on which he spends his time, labor and thought, and which finally become» literature on which the giddy, thoughtless world may feast its imagination. Emma J. Dean. Man believes that everything, sooner or later, must have an end. Although this is so in part, correctly speaking there is no end; every end is but a loginning. Death is not the end of man. but only the dark river that lie must cross to reach the beauti- ful mansions that arc promised to the faithful. Lillie Adams.

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VOL. 2. No. 6. NEWARK PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL, JANUARY 1, 1877. THANKS FOR THOUGHTS. •• Montagu Review. IJke tidal fetter», letting loote. The aft-impri oned waves That flow in cleansing beauty through The secret darksome caves ; So is it when our evil selves Give up their long control. And floods of clear and earnest thought Come rolling o'er the soul. We know not whence these pure sweet thoughts Are brought into the mind; It may be 'tis by presence near Of unseen angel-kind. For sure it seems we would be led To think of purer things. The while the air is heaven clear With waving of their wings. And yet there is a higher source: Nor can we tell how much Of noblest thought, has come direct From God’s own loving touch. Oh I wondrous blessedness ! that He Should hold each soul so dear I That He. the Universal God. Should come to each so near! We lack in words of sweet accord Our greatful praise to tell. But smallest deeds of love add tone The harmony to swell. And for our blessed heaven born thoughts. Best songs of thank we give, When wc take heed from day to day That we more nobly live. ASSK F-. POCbSSON. Springfield, Mass.. Nov. 8. 1876. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. PRIZE ORATION OK THE CLASS OP '70. BY CYRI7B K. V. POOL. Development, wielded l y the haud or an Omnipotent Creator, for the accomplishment of his purposes, is the all-powerful instrument of change. Objects, material or spiritual, arc snhjoct to its influence.—the tiny gem. nursed In the bosom - f the earth, and the grandest intel- lect that ever nature produced, alike feel the effects of its power, and, acting under its command, rise higher and higher, ap- proaching nearer and nearer to perfection. In the study of it, wc see not only the physical and intellectual changes, but wc are led to consider the motive power, the ruling hand, the Infinite Mind. It teaches us to “ look through nature, up to nature's God,” anil we are lost in wonder in the contemplation of so sublime a being. In mental capacities, man, individually presents fine opportunities for the study of development; but it is in man, taken collect- ively In nations, where it is most impress- ively displayed. In all the intricate influences exerted by one individual upon another, a nation stands preeminent in the scale of development. Nations have risen from obscurity, to the mastership of the world. But, alas! How many, in assuming this position, have, like the scorpion, stung themselves to death. There was a time when Greece was subject to foreign domination ; a time when, weak and feeble, there was a struggle for mere existence; a timo when she might have been easily crushed; but in the hearts of her people, there was the fire of energy, which needed but the occasion, to burst into a flame which should extend over the world ; and the time came, when Greece sat upon her regal throne, and the world acknowl- edged her supremacy. But her elevation was the precursor of her death. Revelling in luxury as the result of her power, she becitno less patriotic, and. as a natural consequence, became the subject of a stronger power; and Romo, risen from humility, now swayed the sceptre of empire. Victory after victory crowned her exertions, and the nations of the earth poured tribute unto her treasury. But, intoxicated by her conquests, and blinded by her power, she j too fell—fell from the highest pinnacle of 1 glory, to the lowest depths of degradation— , fell with a crash which shook the globe. Rome, once “ Mistress of the World,” now conquered by a band of half-civilized sav iges—civilization subjected to barbarism. But though she fell from her seat of power, though her authority was gone, yet the influence she had exerted, still lived, and was largely the moving power of the world. Nations profited by her weakness, and it served to spur them on to nobler exertions. Nations rise and fill, but though they sink into comparative oblivion, yet their actions exert an influence which shall continue for- ever. Nations have sometimes given birth to other nations, which in their turn, rival their mother in power. Thus was it with Eng land and America. England rose from barbarism, to the height of influence and power. Through all the successive stages of her development, she was characterized by indom- itable energy, and unequalled foresight and perseverance. Her power became extended, and her ambition did not cease until she had planted a colony in the newly-discovered America—the El-Dorado of the Old World. 8hc was everywhere rewarded with suc- cess, and her colonics grew and flourished I under her protecting care. Her word was law! But there was a weak point. She was too jealous of her power, and encroach- ing on colonial rights, ahe attempted to compel obedience. But a true nation will not submit to tyranny, and England made a grate mis- take, when she supposed she could crush her American colonies. She found them invin- cible ! “ Sho had sown the seed of a nation, ami that seed had been purified through hardship and trials; it possessed vitality, and Iwg.in to germinate, and altogether it occupied years in coming to bud and blossom; it survived all the droughts and storms, and to-day, it shows tho frnit of energy and perseverance. But' though our past has been so brilliant, our future must not reflect discredit on the exertion of our forefather . “ There is a tid© in tho Affaire of men. Which, taken at tho flood, lend on to fortune : Omitted, all tho voyage of their life Is bound in shallow , and In miseries. On such a full aca Arc wo now afloat. And wo must take U10 current whon it aorvos. Or lose our ventures.” Mothers! you to whom is intrusted the early instruction of our youth,—is it not yours to instill into their young intellects, principles of morality and holy truth; to shape their plastic minds in the right mould ? then when they retch year of manhood, although they may not shine with the glory of the ” father of his country. yet their actions will not reflect discrc lit on their early training. Fathers! you to whom tho sons look up — is it not your provinco to set before them examples of integrity and uprightness, that they may l»u guided into the right paths? Toung men of to-day! you who arc about to hold the reins of government—it is your duty to sec that none but honest and honor- able men hold offices in the land ; and above all, to sec that the blessed troths of the Bible are preserved to our Public School . And young women ! you have a position in this growth of the nation. Although you may not elect the officers, it is your greater privilege, to see that brother», and those who arc netrer than brothers, do up hold the truth.

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3 REST. BY ANSIK k. TICHBBOR. Rest—the being free from whatever vcarios or disturbs—there is joy in the very word. It seems to imply all that is peaceful and quiet—it is like the fragrance of a flower stealing over the wearied senses. We have arrived at that season of the year when all nature seems to bo at rest. The waters of the rill are quiet, and the mighty torrent is silenced by the icy hand of winter. The voices of the forest are stilled, and «ature is enjoying its long night of repose, only to awake more l cautiful and resplen- dent when spring shall come agAin. Our Heavenly Father has in Ilia infinite kindness set aside one day out of every seven as a day of rest, and He has com- manded that we should “ remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. He knew how we would enjoy these little rests from the daily cares which vex us. With his far-see- ing eye Ho saw how these blessed days would seem like flowers scattered over the prairie and like green oases in the desert. Have you ever thought how all-wise it was in the Creator to give us night, in which wc may forget everything and lose ourselves in refreshing sleep ? Perhaps the first thought suggested by the word rest, is the ever-recurring need which every creature has of that which rest signifies. Even the smallest insect seems to require some cessation from its daily round of duties; as often as the body becomes fatigued, just so often docs nature Assert itself and call for rest. Rest is so great a requirement of nature, that sailors have been known to fall asleep on the gun-decks of their ships while in action. The French soldiers during the retreat from Moscow, foil asleep while on the march, and could only be aroused by the cry “ The Cossacks arc coming.” Men being exhausted, have been known to sleep while on horse-back; and torturer! persons are said to have slept while on the rack. Rest docs not simply imply inaction; Goethe has very truly said, “ Rc«t is not quitting this busy career; Rest i Uie fitting of self to one's sphere.” Ono of the most pleasant and beneficial kinds of rest is that of the mind, while the body is in action. We all enjoy our vaca- tions from study. We take great pleasure in roaming over the hills And through the wooded dells, examining and admiring the varied works of nature. Some times we rest beneath the bright autumn foliage and eujoy the songs of the harvesters, as they gather in the golden grain. All these experiences are like wild flowers in our path- way, and we should find many more oppor- tunities for glad, cheerful, helpful rest, if we would only take them as they come, and let none slip by unimproved ; for HIGH SCHOOL “ This life ia not all sadness. Its days aro not all gloom; Thoro aro many hours of gladness ’Twixt tho cradle and tho tomb. There ia no wave that rolloth On tho bosom of tho lake, But hath some white foam near it, Whon it may chance to break.” The very idea of rest, implies as a matter of necessity, some previous action, exertion, something which has taxed and wearied cither the mind or tho body. Just as wc could know nothing of the beauty of light, were there no shadow, so without exertion and weariness, the sweetness of rest would be unknown to us. If wc Jiavc been labor- ing and have become wearied, the rest which comes after only seems the sweeter on account of our great fatigue. So if in our life work, wc become fatigued in our appointed task, are we not assured that rest awaiteth us at the end of our pilgrimage? In every stage of life, in childhood, in youth, in middle age, and in the autumn of old age, we need and have our periods of rest. Those which we now enjoy are only glimpses of that which is to come hereafter, only suggestions of that unalloyed rest which shall 1« lasting as eternity. Life is like one grand piece of music with its rests here and there. There are the glad lively strains of joy and pleasure, and tho sad refrains which arc the echoes of sorrow. First come the joyous lively strains of child- hood and youth: there are peaceful tones, sweet, gentle murmurs, like the rippling of a brook through the forest. Sunbeams of rest arc scattered here and there, and once in a while the wild, tumultuous notes of the soul struggling against temptation. Then there is a lull in the storm, and the delightful rests occur again. Then follows the sadder more subdued strains of middle life, tho period in which wc generally encounter our greatest trials. The beautiful rests come in once in a while to make the harmony more complete. Then comes the grand final symphony of old age, which holds the audi- ence waiting to hear still another note, and there the final rest. These last tones repre- sent the winter of life, the drawing rear to the tide which rolls between us and the Infinite. The final chord is the merging of a life well spent, the passage of the soul into that grand sweet rest which lasteth forever; for “ Blessed aro the dead which die In tho Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” POETRY. BY ACOC8T OIKSK. sands of years ago; and the poetry of the ancients excels that of the present day. Poetry tends to ennoble and retine us, having the same aim as Christianity, that is to spiritualize our natures and the love of it; like the love of all that is pure and noble, should be and is our talisman. The countries that are the most familiar with poetry, are nearly always the most civilized and learned. By means of poetry, conquerors have often l)een checked in their ruthless careers, and almost all of the ancient nations had their poets, who, in the times of their countries’ peril, aroused them to a sense of its danger, cheering and encouraging them in the struggle for their freedom and their homes. The so-called bards of England, by their poems inspired and warned the people against tyranny, and so, to a certain degree, have our own poets. How grand is the mission of the poet! It is above all earthly glory; his is to banish vice and all bad passions, to purify our thoughts and to ennoble our feelings. It is bis mission to restore our faith in mankind, to lift us above all that is ignoble and im- pure, to teach us to scorn evil and temptation, and to love all that is good and righteous. There are many great men who have over- come all obstacles to perform the literary duties that tlicir minds have set before them. They have toiled and struggled against all misfortunes, and have conquered in the end. Such men are truly noble, and though too few in number, their names will remain im- mortal to all who can appreciate such genius. Alexander Pope was one of these; even in his childhood his health was broken, and his bodily infirmities remained through life. But did he shirk from what he considered his duty ? No, he worked on, and has pro- duced some of the most pure and unblem- ished writings. Milton, whose eyesight failed him in the latter part of his life, did not give up his labors, and as if he had collected all his energy for a final effort, he produced his two immortal poems, “ Paradise Lost,” and Paradise Regained.” It is a lamentable fact, that some of the greatest poets, during their life, were shun- ned, scorned And laughed at. It is hard to believe it, yet it is tho sad and bitter truth. How cruel must the world have been not to appreciate their efforts. Posterity first appreciated their great talents, and they are kept in memory, and their names shall live forever. Is it not sad to think that we can- not recall all those cruel taunts they bad to bear, and that the monuments now erected for them, cannot blot out the shameful treat- ment they received? Would they could know how their names arc respected and honored here below; they might in some measure be reconciled for all their sufferings on earth. But who cab say they do not t Poetry and music are the two arts that have the strongest influence over our charac- ters, that enlarge our sympathies, stir the heart with benevolence and love, and unite man to man. They were cultivated thou- A N N U A L. “ With equal pace, impartial Fate Knocks at the palace and tho cottage gate.”