Memoirs of John Adams Dix; comp. by his son, Morgan Dix.

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MEMOIRS OF JOHN ADAMS DIX.

THE SECOND TEN YEARS OF MY LIFE.
I had reached an age when my father thought I might be
sent to the principal academy of my native State at Exeter,
and placed under the tutelage of the celebrated Dr. Abbott,
who was for more than half a century the principal of that
institution. During that period it gathered within its walls
more distinguished men than any other academy of New
England.* The students were of a higher order than those
* Phillips Exeter Academy, one of the oldest endowed classical schools
in New England, was founded by Dr. John Phillips, of Andover. Its charter is dated April 3, 1781; it is therefore the oldest institution of learning established by State authority in New Hampshire, Dartmouth College having been chartered by royal grant in 1769. Dr. Abbott was
principal for just half a century-from 1788 to 1838.
In the Catalogue for 1869 there is a charming picture of Dr. Abbott,
who is represented as a man of firmness and dignity of character united
with great natural sweetness of disposition and suavity of manners: " He
never met the youngest academy scholar in the street without lifting his
hat entirely from his head, as in courteous recognition of an equal; and
an abashed and awkward attempt to return the compliment was the urchin's first lesson in good-manners and respect for his teacher." Among
the characteristic usages of the academy were these:
"4. After worship is begun they are not to rise up to any who may
enter. At all other times they shall rise and bow respectfully to gentlemen when they enter the room and when they leave it.
" 5. Every student shall be exact upon his attendance on all the exercises of this academy. He shall carefully prepare for them, and not fail
to sweep, kindle fire, ring the bell, shut up the academy, tend the fire,
etc., each in his turn, and exactly at the time required.
" 9. As the character and usefulness of men greatly depend upon amiable and engaging manners, the Preceptor would highly recommend, and
strictly requires, a constant and persevering attention to the rules of true
honor and politeness, and a careful endeavor to express the principles of
unaffected benevolence, by a cheerful readiness to perform every kind office in their power, and to do it in the most obliging and becoming manner; ever remembering that great favors are diminished, and that small
ones greatly increase, by the manner in which they are conferred. A
gift may be unkindly bestowed, and a favor kindly and politely refused.
"10. All students shall strictly observe and perseveringly practise