Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-08-23

| out long ago. Dut we nope there are
few noble spirits who will write as
long as there is hope of reformation,
and even after hope is fed, like the in
trepid Leonidas and his spirits OF bra
very, will struggle for the sake Of so
glorious cause. The Mentors of our
land should "cry aloud and spare not"
A persevering importantly is very oft
en- prevailing. The strong holds Of
biggoted custom should be shaken to
their very foundation. Enthusiasm is
not unbecoming on this subject, when
we consider its vast importance.
To mind capable of the simplest
ratiocination, it must be evident that
| community of well educated females
is the best shield for the prosperity
and happiness of any nation. Bya
well educated female. / do not mean
that she must know either languages
or mathematics, but only that she must
have ideas, must be capable of thinking
of reading through book that is not
"by the Author of Waverly," and of
spending and enjoying an evening at
home without "going every where ev-
cry night" These are horrible ante
deluvian ideas ! know, and are apt to
make girls think they look like their
Observation-Disclosures when in their teens
But still it seems to me, if this life
is not all mere show, and the girls
all mere .Automatons, that are to hop
and dance few moments, and in the
end receive the enviable plaudit of
"pretty little foolish things that will do
right well to pass away dull hour
WITH" 'twould be wiser to act some
thing like beings who had within them
spark of Divinity. Yes, Divinity.
that ethereal essence, which can never
be annihilated amid all the clangour OF
discordaht passions, nor under the lea
den accumulation of guilt,-that "per-
ilous stuff that weighs upon the heart
with force in comparison with which
Atlas becomes mere feather. With
out the least wish to initiate the fash
ionab!e siang Of modern gallantry, it
must be confessed in sober prose, that
Woman is lovely creature. View her
as the little bouncing schoolgirl, all
| artIessness and innocence, fearing no.
thing, dreading nothing, hoping every
thing, running from flower to flower,
too much delighted with all to take
| time to choose any, sporting through
| days, months and years, with such
speed, that it seems she might be able
to sound the depths of eternity;-as
the intelligent and accomplished young
lady, blushing and trembling as she
makes her first debut Oh the stage OF
life, shrinking back at the Threshold,
as if conscious her purity might be soil
ed in such crowd;-as the digniied,
sensible and protecting mother, with
mercy and equity for her landmarks,
| and reason and moderation for her
counsellors;as the afiectionate old lady,
smiling like guardian spirit on the
world she is leaving; with her eyes fix
ed on heaven in kind of holy rapture,
as though she were just on the point OF
dropping her mantle and taking her
upward flight; view her in all these pc
RODS, and who can affirm that woman
is not the lovliest work of God? But
for the want of judicious culture, the
rerersc Of these happy pictures often
presents itself in our country.
The bad effects arising from the con-
duct of uniformed mothers, were most
fopihIv illustrated in a scene once
witnessed in this state. A lady had a
number of very fine children. One
evening she was sitting sewing while
her children were playing round her
with so much glee, that one fancled the
most mischievous god in Mythology
had Just filled them with the tide OF his
inspiration. Among the rest, there
was little boy ten or twelve years Ola,
of most striking appearance. his
countenance had something eager, re-
solute, and at times, almost daring IN
it. Twas like the gaze OF the young
eaglet, when, with undannted eye, he
stares Phebus full in the face. Asyou
met his eye, he seemed to say was
not born for nothing; good or bad
l will do to an eminent degree. There
was Frightening about his counte-
nance which seemed to say, that he
would prefer being Brutus, Regu'
lus. a Washington, or some OF huma-
nity's champions; but that he would
| not hesitate to play Cssar's part, un-
less early trained to virtue; He played
and romped with the other children,
but he was so inquisitive with his very
sports, that one could easily see the
dawnings of superior genius. For IN
stance, once he came to his mother
with breathless interest, and said,"Ma-
ma, the candle goes out when put the
tumbler over it! tried it three times,
and il went out every time. What's