Fryeburg Academy - Academy Bell Yearbook (Fryeburg, ME)

Page 21 text:

THE ACADEMY BELL 19 her shoulders. Towering around the open space in the wilderness were mighty peaks, snow crowned and glistening against the clear blue of the autumn sky. LEAH MCINTIRE, '30. CHARACTER SKETCH OF CICERO There is a great controversy of opinion regarding Cicero, the man, for, by some Latin students he is greatly praised and by others he is considered altogether con- temptible. By citations from Cicero's letters, where he ex- pressed his passing thoughts as well as his settled opinions, we can draw the conclusion that he was unpatriotic, coward- ly, and disloyal to his friends and family. But, truly, what public man of today could stand such a harrowing test of character? Many just biographers, however, after separat- ing his real and lasting sentiments from his false and fleet- ing ideas, agree that we was indeed a great and noble man. Cicero's worst enemies never accused him of vice. Al- though he was by nature timid and mild, he could, if neces- sity urged, become very heroicg While he was vain, he could not be called ungenerous or jealous of others, and through his worthy praise, many of his contemporaries were made more illustrious. In society, he was a great favorite because of his wit and genial nature. He was af- fectionate and true to his friends, and always ready to help them with advice, political or personal influence, and money, when they were in need. At home his family life was very unfortunate, his last years spent with Terentia were unhappy, his only son Mar- cus, was often a source of anxiety because of his inclination to be wild, his idol, his daughter, Tullia, caused him much sorrow and disappointment, but his loving and affectionate nature is well shown in his treatment of his slaves, who truly adored their kind and merciful master. He was al- most a brother to Tiro, one of his faithful servants, who was also his general right-hand man. As a boy Cicero was tall and slender, growing to man- hood a tall, graceful, and dignified being, making an im- pressive and inspiring appearance while standing on the Rostra delivering his orations. In summing up the characteristics of Cicero we con- clude that he was witty and congenial in society, kind to servants, heroic where occasion called it, by nature timid, mild and vacillating, vain, generous to friends in need, and, impressive and inspiring to behold. Plutarch described Cicero thus, He was by nature framed for mirth and jestsf' RUTH VVILEY, '29.

Page 20 text:

18 THE ACADEMY BELL having a good time. The movie drew to a close and the group of girls filed out of the hall, and each started for her respective home. Good-night, Betty and Bill! Be good. See you in the wash! And then quiet, except for the little girl with the brown curls singing, as she entered the house, Show me the way to go home. AUDREY E. PENDEXTER, '31, JAMES J. AUDUBON This great American naturalist was born in 1780 at Mandeville, Louisiana. He was educated in France but re- turned to this country and started his study of birds. He would sit for long hours in the forest watching his feathered friends, and as he was something of an artist he started to draw them. His father lost his money, and the family was so poor that James could not buy real paints. He made a brush of cat hairs, and the Indians showed him how to mix the juices of plants to make diiferent colors. One day the man that had taught him in France came to visit James. He saw the young man's ability to draw, so he gave him a set of paints with real brushes. James then began to draw the birds in earnest, and in 1826 he went to England to exhibit his drawings of birds. As these met with great favor he had his 435 paintings made into a book called The Birds of American now selling at 552,000 a copy. Returning to America he started work on a second book, Ornithological Biography. Audubon kept up his work until his death in 1851. The Audubon Society, an organization for the protec- tion of birds, was organized after his death and named for him as he was the founder of bird study. WILLIAM BERRY, '32, NATURE IS FILLED WITH POETRY The view from my study window was very entertaining. In a sunlit space on the edge of the forest a fire burned brightly, over it swung a pot, boiling and bubbling. Be- side the cracking legs stood a tall, slim girl in corduroy trousers, leather leggings and a much worn jacket. She might easily have been mistaken for a boy, had not her cap been thrown on the ground, letting her hair fall down over

Page 22 text:

20 I THE ACADEMY BELL An inspiration after reading Selected Letters of Cicero: TULLIUS T0 HIS BELOVED TERENTIA I received the good news today that our family has been set ahead one member. Me hercule! I am especially glad to hear this and will be home to see the little rascal soon. Don't forget to feed him, for good food builds up great strength. I Wish I could be there and see him at his first meal, but then--the fates are unkind and the gods for- bid. For the first week I think bread and milk would be a good diet, and then slowly give him some vegetables, and finally a bone. But don't give him too much meat, for the other poodle died of that, you know. Oh, by the way, have an extra bathtub installed, for I am bringing some friends home with me. Well, don't forget to feed the gold fish and put the cat out every night. Farewell. P. S. Don't catch cold and be sure to put up your window before going to bed. TERENTIA CWRITESJ T0 TULLIUS I don't know why I'm writing for I have nothing to say, but never mind, I am going to take my time doing it. I was very shocked to find that in your hurry to leave Rome you forgot your toothbrush. So, by Medusa, I am sending you one. Don't forget to wash your neck and ears. Vale. P. S. You big bum, you forgot to kiss me good-bye. Don't hang around with those fellows you've been accustomed to, especially that nincompoop Pompey. T CHARLES THURLOW, '29. THE HUMAN SIDE OF CICERO After reading one or two of Cicero's orations the ordinary person comes to the conclusion that Cicero could not have been human and his works are classed as some of the necessary evils of a Eatin course. But one does not see the real Cicero if he reads only the orations. Read his letters and you will soon find out he was really human after all. Take one of his letters to his friend Atticus. There one finds his plans for the comin: cam- paign and his wish to have his friend come and help him. Or take a letter written to Trebatius to Whom Cicero was