Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-05-19
To be continued.
FEMALE EDUC4TIONs

FEMALE EDUCATION.
Amid the various and important benefits Of
education none are more worthy of attention
than those which result from its possession by
the female sex. Its influence in the elevation
OF character, and in the general improvement
OF society, in enhancing individual aud social
happiness, and in furnishing qualifications for
usefulness, cannot be viewed in more inter-
esting light than in this relation. Nor is there
fact connected with the history of the pro-
gress Of science, at the present time, that can
be viewed by the enlightened legislator or phi
lanthropst with greater qualification than, that
female education is beginning to receive its
proportionate share of attention.
1t cannot but be regretted, that sentiments
and prejudces have existed, the tendency OF
which has been to prevent the thorough edu-
cation OF those, whom nature has invested with
the early and most important part of the in
struction of our species. Notwithstanding we
have the satisfaction Of seeing these evils grad
ualy retiring, an apprehension still prevails,
| that there Is danger in extending the limits of
female education too far. 1t is objected, that
an extensive acquaintance with literature
would disqualify the domestic manager for the
discharge of her duties. Why she should be,
from such cause, disqualified or disinclned
to discharge the duties of her domestic relation
any more than gentlemen in the learned pro-
LESSONS are, by their literary attainments, dis
| qualified for attending to variety of ordinary
concerns devolVing upon every master Of fam
| lily, we are at loss to determine. We think
that there is much more reason to fear that a
want of a cultivated literary taste may leave
these to seek their pleasure in handling the ex-
pensive toys of fashion, in mingling with pub
lie crouds, and in the dssipating ceremonies of
visits and parties.
An apology may be necessary for taking no.
tice of the objection, that there is want of
capacity in females to receive an education in
the solid sciences. In reply we will only OBJ
serve, that such mental deficiency has not as
yet appeared and that the uniform testimony
of teachers has been highly honorary to their
comparative progress in the sciences, to which
they have attended. Many -four Academies,
IN which both sexes are instructed. afford op-
portunity for this comparison to be made, and
to them we would refer every person, who
may be in doubt on the subject.
We would now, therefore, interrogate-
why should not opportunities be afforded to fe-
males for becoming acq tainted with the liber-
al sciences? No inconsiderable number Of
them are destined to become companions OF
those, who occupy the learned professions, OF
OF other gentlemen, who move i'll the circle OF
the enlightened world: and shall they not be
elevated similarly in mental rank? Is it sup
posed that they possess so great degree of in
tellectual superiority as to enable them to sup
ply the deficiency of literary attainment? We
! are persuaded that sober reflection on this sub
ject would result in correct conclusions and
that the consequence would be, that this in
teresting portion of the human family would
| be furnished with means Of mental improve
ment, corresponding with their respective sta
tons. Then would a superiority of intellec-
tual endowment no longer be asserted, to the
disrepute and injury of this equally favoured
portion of our species. Then would be null
tiplied around us, ladies of distinguished lite
rary worth, possessing, with all the grace Of
accomplishment, the less dazzling, but more
durable treasures of science; who would prove
enlightened companions for the learned, com
petent instructors for the juvenile charge, and
for Summaries for the more liberal education
of their own sex, and who might form constel-
lations in our literary hemisphere, to be con-
templated and admired by succeeding gener.
atons.
With reference to the mode of the educa.
ton of females, we are satisfied Of the expedi
ency of Summaries exclusively for their in.
struction. No other reasons for this opinion
are necessary, than the fact of the existence
in Academies for the promiscuous instruction
of both sexes, of numerous diversions from stu
dy, ofpremature partiaities, and other painful
circumstances not to be named.
Another consideration will also be duly APP
preciated. Most of our Eeminaries for the ed
ucation of young ladies are conducted exclu-
sively either by ladies or gentlemen. 1t will
be readily perceived, that young ladies cannot
receive their whole education from a gentle
man, and yet, the general opinion, that the
discipline and instruction of gentleman is im-
portant, is doubtless correct one. Let, then,
both a gentleman and lady be engaged in the
direction Of Seminaries designed for the liberal
education of young ladies.
We have only TO remark upon the advanta-
ges which might resultfrom systematic course
of instruction, and from limited number OF
classes IN Summaries Of the above description.
Much loss Of time may result to the pupil
from an improper arrangement Of her studies.
There is a natural order, in which they should
bepursued. Much confusion, and, therefore,
want ofimprovc ment arises from an injudicious
multiplication of studics at the same time.
Two, or, at most, three branches are sufficient
to occupy the attention of the pupil, at once,
and when these are perfectly acquired, and
not Till then, should others be commenced.
Without this proper division and arrangement
of studies, the education Of young ladies will
be likely to be very superficial, land at no pc.
Rod will either the parent, the pupil, or the
teacher, he able to determine how far she ha.
advanced towards finishing her education.
| The multiplication Of classes is a serious oh.
stacle to Improvement in our Summaries. In
proportion TO the number Of classes is the time,