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Emblems
The use of emblems—visual images that inspired moral sentiments—were particularly popular. The tree, for example, symbolized the possibility, and the fragility, of every student.
Student: Henry Hill
Date: 1816
Collection: Copies of Literary Work
Page: 1
Transcript
Henry Hill’s Performance
Emblem of Education
See in what Evil plight yon vine appears
Nor spreading leaves, nor purple clusters bears,
But if around the elm her arm she throws,
Or by some friendly prop supported grows,
Soon shall the stem be clad with foliage green,
And cluster’d grapes beneath the leaves be seen.
Moral
Thus prudent care must rear the youthful mind,
By love supported, and with toil refin’d
‘Tis this alone the human plant can rise;
Unprop’d, it droops, and unsupported dies.