Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-30

| IN the female character, as to extend to ali
| women that censure which only few descr-
vcd' Indeed, and in truth, such generalities
are mean, low, and pitiful int the extreme,--
Vino does not see that man and woman are
the two terms of permanent and immuta-
( bic ratio; that in her web of human harrno-
MES, nature has closely entwined their des-
TIMES, and made the happiness on the misery.
the virtues or the vices of one sex dependent
on the other? | do not believe that a rela-
ton which flows from the very constitution
OF the physical and the moral world, and is
no less obvious than fundamental, can have
escaped Juvenal, Boileau, Milton, and Pope
NO, 1t did not escape them. Those celebra-
ted writers well knew that the vices which
their acrimonious and merciless satire so flu
r1ously lashed, either were exceptions no less
rare than monstruous, or, if generally pre-
valent, originated in the example, and infu-
ence OF superior depravity in the other sex.
can, in some measure, forgive Juvenal, Boz
leau, and Pope. But, Thou, sublime Mil
ton, Thou, whose mastery pencil had given
to the mother OF mankind such enchanting
and lovely features, not even the plea of do
mestic discord and unhappineSs, can induce
me to acquit thee!
In the second place, Gentle reader, does
tnat pohcy appear to you either manly or
wise, which Systematically dooms woman to
state OF comparative ignorance, Let us
not disgrace women and ourselves by sense
less and insipid fattery; but let us assign to
them their proper station. To be a helm
mate TOR man is the original, the sacred des-
tmatlon OF women. The Deity himself has
emphatically declared SO. How comprehen-
slve IS this endearing name, 1t does not
merely imply administering physical asss-
lance and comfort, nursing the helpless babe,
watching the bed of a sick husband, fa-
ther or brother; in short travelling through
the daily and laborious round of economical
duties. Oh No; it implies moral agency.
Mind alone can commune with mind. and
React upon the intellect. Whatever rank
the scale OF civilization in each particular
country may assign to women, above that of
saves, or mere drudges, to enlighten their
nlnds, and to inn rove their hearts, will be
round promotive Of private, and, consequent
ly, OF social good.-Surrender them to the
dull slumbers of perpetual ignorance, and
you will soon catch the lethean torpor, the
deplorable atony.--Educate them, but con-
flne that education to few frivolous accom-
pIshments, which, like the vivid and brilli-
ant hues on butterfy's wings, glitter in the
Vernai sun OF youth and beauty, but fade a.
way, even before the summer of existence
mas reached Its close, not only you impart to
them puny sentiments and frivolous spirit, not
only you SOW IN their bosoms, the seeds of osten-
tation, vanity, and coquetry, but you lay
snares IN your own path, and you may ex-
pect to be ultimately entangled in the nets
OF an'inSignifcant and contemplate inanity :;
tor repeat.lt, imam and woman are the
two terms otan immutable ratio, and what
ever affects the one, necessarily affects the
other. I'VE should, therefore, by a course
Oh solld instruction, TIT woman for the dignifed
ana important characters in which she is to
appear on the theatre of social life. We
Should mould her mind so as to render the
ascendancy which seems to be her birth right
as efficient as possible.-When l sneak of a
course of solid instruction for woman. I do
not mean that she should be made to climb
the rugged heights oftranscendent knowledge.
In the same manner as | would not arm her
SOFT and delicate hand with the heavy sword
OF Achilles, would not cucumber her lively
and versatile genius with the intricate geo
metry OF Newton. 1t is not that deem the
female mind incapable of soaring to that al
titude. Experience has proved that it can.
Out such a display OF native powers, glorious
and dazzling as it is, contributes but little tn
mt woman for the due observance of the en-
dearing and sacred law imposed on her bv
the God of Nature, when he ordered that she
should be help mate for man. Her mind
should be expanded and invigorated in a diff
terent way Her education should be so con-
Quoted as to enable her to Judge, feel, and
act tor herself; it should be such as to raise
her to that degree of moral excellence which
so beautifully characterizes the Mrs. Martin
OF the Old Bachelor; for, like Mrs Martin.
she is destined to be a mother, and, perhaps,
to form to virtue, to usefulness, and to fame
some new MarCeHus. A mother How
important, to society, how interesting, how
respectable in itself, this august Character
i shall resume the subject.-At present, /
must conclude, and beg leave to do so with
an extract from one of Mrs. Allear's letters.
1T Cen scarcely be imagined, saws my
good old friend, to what degree Of exaltation
children may rise. Their scnsibility Il, Gus
ceptble of incalculabe excitement: their
passions arc vehGment beyond all concept
on. The effervcsence of their blood imDat.ts
to their ideas and feelings glow which al
ways raises them above the narrow sphere
OF dull and groveling vulgar. Hwerc easy
to make u theh little fanatics and enthusi-
asta Their hearts are in unison with every
thing that iS noble, ardent, extraordinary.
What othaA period of fe is so suspicious for
planting the germs of nagnanimty, benevo-
ience, heroism, and every generous principle2
And what hand IS better calculated to plant
them with success than the hand of a mo
therH Alas too soon will the happy enthti-
siasm fthat age subside Too soon will that
warmth OfsenGmentb be chilled in the inclement
a ranc g.. b.. -