 | A present for young ladies |  |
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS
FOR 1807.
“'Tis education forms the infant mind,Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined.”
If this is true, how careful should they be,
Who train the twig, to form the future tree?
Nor is there aught a parent can bestow,
For which a child more gratitude can owe,
Than education! when with studious art
The teacher stores the head, and mends the heart.
While in each acquisition we improve,
To gain our friends' applause, our parents' love,
We are taught we shall not always tarry here,
Bade to press forward to a nobler sphere:
When if we have improv'd the talents given,
Tenfold will be our great reward in heaven.
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Knowing how much our future peace depends
On what we are taught in youth, who kindly grant
The means to attain those graces which we want?
Dear friends, behold our works, look round and say
Has your expense, our time, been thrown away?
Ah! if it had, how great had been our blame,
The slighted means, would dye our cheeks with shame;
And we throughout our future lives should mourn
The golden hours which never can return.
But while the needle's various arts we have pli'd,
The imitative pencil strove to guide,
History's interesting facts delighted,
Nor were the poets' magic numbers slighted.
The penman's nicer skill we have strove to attain,
And hope our efforts have not been in vain.
If you approve us on this happy day,
How light will beat our hearts to hear you say,
Well done good children! go on, persevere;
Yes, for those smiles to our young hearts so dear,
We will, nor slack on any vain pretence,
Since perseverance leads to excellence.
| A present for young ladies | |