ambition of becoming a greater “settlement;” it is only then that trees which a few years before were all blindly cut away, are now carefully replaced by regular plantations, and the general aspect of things is brought under consideration. But the hamlet at the Red Brook has not yet reached this point of progress. Many trees have been cut down, scarce, one set out. There is not even a classic birch within shading distance of the school-house; one looks in vain for the
| “—— birchen tree |
| Which learning near her little dome did stowe.” |
The “birchen twig,” that whilome sceptre of power in the hand of dame or master, is, however, no longer an essential part of the school-house furniture; like Solomon's rod, it has well nigh become a mere tradition. The red-cherry ruler is in modern times the ensign of office.
Many, indeed, are the changes that have taken place, without and within the school-house walls, since the days of Shenstone and the dame who taught him his A B C, a hundred years ago. It is no longer a “matron old whom we school-mistress name,” who is found presiding there; and all that part of the description which refers to her, has become quite obsolete:
| “ | Albeit ne flattery did corrupt her truth, |
| Ne pompous title did debauch her ear, | |
| Goody—good-woman—gossip—n'aunt, forsooth, | |
| Or dame, the sole additions she did hear.” |
An elderly person acting as master or mistress of a common school, is an unheard of circumstance throughout the country; it may be doubted if such an individual could be found between the
