Easthampton High School - Echo Yearbook (Easthampton, MA)

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if-v LITERAR C 1 Iffzqlqowslci l 5 1 THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL 'tl,ook, the Lincoln iXl0IIl0l'i2lliM was the exclamation throughout, our bus. It was not necessary for our guide to point out this splendid edifice to any ot' ush- because we immediately recognized it by that which We had already read and heard. As we made our way over the Arlington Memorial Bridge and approached the grandeur of the shrine of Abraham Lincoln in Potomac Park, a sudden silence lcll over our enthusiastic group while we gazed in awe at this exquisite memorial of imposing size and beauty. This white marble temple, surrounded on all sides by open space, is indeed a conspicuous object-seen from such points as the Capitol, the Soldiers' Home zmd the hills of Virginia. We learned that it is placed on the axis of the Capitol and the Monument, and on the same line as thc Arlington Memorial Bridge. Our guide explained to us that Henry Bacon, the architect who designed the Mem- orial, believed that it should be composed of four features-a statue of the man, a memorial ot' his Gettysburg Speech, a memorial of his Second Inaugural Ad- dress, and a symbol of the Ynion of the Ifnitcd States, which was Lincoln's para- mount object to save-wand which he did save. - As we left the bus and proceeded to mount the steps that led up to the en- trance of the sanctuary, we noted the immense marble pillars surrounding the hall, which, in comparison to them, made us feel most insignificant. These col- ums, of which thcrc are thirty-six, express the Union-that is-one for each State in existence at the time of Lincoln's death, and on the wall above the colon- nade, with decorations of carved memorial festoons and Wreaths, are inscribed the names of the forty-eight States which now make the Union. The colonnade is one hundred and eighteen feet wide. The columns are seven feet four inches in diameter at the base and forty-four feet in height-the largest of their kind in the world. The capstones are the largest single pieces of marble ever quarried. Thirteen

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AN APPRECIATION There is in E. H. S. a faculty member who has been the guiding star of many successful students, and who indeed is most worthy of commendation. Many are the pupils who have passed through the rules of declensions under her supervision. Many are those who have camped with Caesar, debated with Cicero and wandered with Aeneas-all in Room 5. Herself a fine student, Mrs. Lovell tries to give her pupils the keen enjoyment in their studies that she herself experiences. Latin, with its complex syntax, teaches one to utilize all his thinking power. It forms a tremendous background for English,-in fact, most all of the modern languages. This is accomplished not only by vocabulary building but is found in the rules of grammar which are virtually the same in all languages. The drill that one goes through in obtaining a working knowledge of Latin grammar so impresses itself upon the student, that it is bound to enrich his English grammar. But probably the strongest argument for the study of Latin is its cultural aspect. In whatever field one works, he is bound to encounter this ancient language or its effects. For those who choose a business career, the chance of meeting it is possibly the most remote. But even here are found the results of a good Latin foundation. Argument is a prime factor in business. One cannot win a point without the ability to put it across. His chances of doing this are greatly increased if he has had the stiff training in Latin fundamentals which govern spoken English. ' All science' uses Latin continually in the name of plant and animal life and minerals. Astronomers designate the stars by names recognized only by the classical student. A study of Latin, as well as a knowledge of mythology gained successfully only in conjunction with a classic language, is vital in the work of writers, authors, artists, theologians, etc. By doing away with Latin in our schools, we are placing a tremendous re- sponsibility on the English teacher. It is from him that a student must gain the foundation formerly acquired by Latin. In other words, the teacher of English must also be a teacher of Latin fundamentals. Enough digression. Mrs. Lovell has given help to students not only in Latin but also in English and History, two subjects recently added to her curriculum. But her heart is with the Classics. Though Mrs. Lovell is not an alumna of E. H. S., her interest in the welfare of the school is supreme, and she is very proud of all our successful alumni. Her knowledge of the classics is extensive, moreover, she is very well acquainted with literature, mathematics, astronomy, and music. Indeed, she can talk most intelligently on any subject whatever. Truly she is a woman of culture. Twelve

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In the central hall-an apartment sixty feet wide, seventy feet long, and sixty feet high-we looked speechless at the statue-the collosal figure of Abraham Lincoln, seated in a curule chair facing the entrance, his eyes looking out through the columns to the Monument and Capitol. This statue was carved from crystal- line Georgia marble by Daniel Chester French. In the features, we could all depict those Qualities of the man which most have endeared him to us, in the serene gaze, we were conscious of his power and confident of his strength to per- form whatever task might have been laid before him. lVe observed that the shrine is divided into three sections, the central hall .fm each side of which a row of Ionic columns fifty feet high screens the north and south halls. In the south hall, a few of us paused to read the Gettysburg Address inscribed there. On the wall above, in the center, we discerned symbolical paint- ings of Freedom and Liberty-a group in which a figure is holding the sword of Justice and on her lap is resting the scroll of the Law, supporting her on each side are guardians of the Law holding the torches of Intelligence. On the left, at her feet, are two sibyls interpreting the Law and a group on the right symbolizes Im- mortality. The central figure is receiving the laurel crown and about her are Faith, Hope, and Charity. The vessels are of wine and oil-symbols of life ever- lasting. In the north hall, lettered inthe stone of the wall, is the Second In- augural Address. The paintings represent Unity, Fraternity, and Charity. Unity is -symbolized by the Angel of Truth holding the hands of the North and the South. Fraternity embraces within her outstretched arms the Father, the Mother, and the Child-typifying the Family. Charity gives the water of life to the blind and cares for the orphans. The inner ceiling of the entire building is supported on a framework of bronze beams decorated with intertwined laurel leaves. As we recall our visits to the Memorial, we feel that not only is the material form a temple, but also its atmosphere is that of a sanctuary. Considering the stately column, and painted symbolism, it is beyond a question that architect, sculptor, and artist have contributed their best to give it this character. The monumental inscriptions on the walls are also most impressive as they seem to bring us closer to the real Lincoln and to Lincoln's day. lVhether one visits this shrine in the afternoon and sees its splendor in the sunshine, or beholds it like a gigantic apparition looming up in the darkness Cas we were fortunate in doingj, it matters not because the sight will always cling to the memory. IIPALII It was a wet, dreary night with pools of water everywhere except where the person didn't wish to walk. Smoke lazily warmed its way out of a barn window and was immediately beaten down by a thousand spheres of water. The rain stopped and started as if deciding whether to stay or go, and, between times, when water drizzled upon the lone barn, the moon ventured out for an instant, glanced upon the earth, then disgustedly dived behind a cloud. Fourteen