Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1827-12-15
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For ne .9lr1casc.

For he 9dr1cGic
FEMALE EDJCATION.-No. ..
Ii IS not my intention. as heretofore stated TO
ch'ef INTO any discussion the ca2ucity of the
,cmatc mind, considering such discussions TO be
noth fruitlcss and unsatisfactory. | shall. there
lore, proceed to consider in this paper list. the
nuggets OF female education, and 2nd the time
usually employed in attaining these objects
ANA here it will be necessary to recr to orr
former principle, that the spheres of both sexes
are distinct, ana that in those talents which both
seem to posses N equal degrees there arc nice
shades o! d2ronca, which the eye OF pl.losophi-
cal observer cannot fail to- notice imagination
Tor instance, or fancy, that wonderful flcalty OF
'he Mild winch opens 50 many sources OF delight
ana Affords such an extensive range for the senses
Is a'iNc possessed by each, bat tie objects on
WhiGh that power is eXeried and the degree TO
winch 1t Is called into action, is commonly very
different. Emotions of the sublime with ali those
Htitia sources oi Its existence which have been
Lolh'cu out by writers on that subject, togetll-
or with the power of describing those emotions
IN the most str.,Ig manner seem more pee uliarIy
belonging 10 the mind of man. The taste of ie-
males is more delicate. and though sometimes like
'"e mighty cnchantress of Ulolpho" capable OF
conceiVIng the subimest emotions vet their mind
IS more particularly adapted for cnovinr the pleas
urcs OF beauty lii its different forms. of moral
sentiment ana novelty. OF Wit hunor and ri,liculc
aud ali those minor objects OF taste which impart
70 the sou! sensations mild and placid rather than
elevated aad agitatIag. II is not TO be denied
That there are many instances in which The female
mind has displayed the most skiIili mower of de-
sar,bing the Sabine, and indeed tho emotion in
Its more terTiolc aspect accompanied with those
circumstances that tend TO elevate it's awfulness to
the highest pitch, has formed the basis OF some OF
the ahiest productions OF female genius but it
must be admitted that tho general tendency OF
their MINDS inciaes to Tic softer and gcntcr feel
lngs. 1t IS also true that exceptions do not dis
prove the ruth Of a general proposition. 1t is not
iof such that We woal:l propose a:y particular sys-
ten OF cdl,ati n. Gcn;!s is cratic and like the
merry comet lsdains to be shachicd BY those rules
which itiicr interior minds. The generality of
women, however, cannot expect like the romantic
Mrs hadci!ii2 to soar amid tic higher regions OF
the imagination and picture scenes more remark
able Tor the terrific grandeur than thci. moral ef
iSet,-lor yet 70 hgurc III an opposite track and
like the famous daughter Of HeTschcIl dive into
the intricacics OF Mathematics and enjoy pro-
found and extensive acquaintance with that alb
StfiSe science. Ii is only n chosen few who are
gLitci with such powcTs-thc mass of females
cannot aspire to such pre-cmincnce but must be
contcnted with an humble but more useful sphere
If then the sphere OF woman is different from
i!at OF man, the answer to the enquiry proposed
toe beginning is obvious The object of female
C0"ca OH should be the attainment of excellence
III tina; path iOr which nature designed them Let
thcm pursue those studies that have relation 10
their naturo--ict them cultivate those craces tina,
may adorh their other accomplishments them
aim al those attlinmcnts whicbmay stsaaer them
ornaments to tie circle in which tli6f n36ee and
above all good wives &good mofNers 81 z5f s.lost
enlarged and liberal sense ~
iicLc It may asked would you then Ssprise
females o. 81 studies and pursiiits wisirh do no.
s,Hctiy al WHt:a your notions oftaIents g. tatstc
Iais qI"s.Po might perhaps be more properly
c"as"ared alter our mex! enquiry, but VIC answer
al oacc ~ tnc negative. The nature of the studies
n',i at all times vary according to the taste and
ab'alos Of tho female, and if any of the ladies
should Pr'icf Nc;',on's Principal or Bacons Or.
gnN'l'n N"y;lm ~ tic most celebrated of the Brit
ish SlaS3ic-, We would yield with due Difference
to such a iastc and wish them success in their alb
stusc !nraatatioas. Bat SAYS the director would
VA point oUj path for each sex, and confine
them within tho boundaries Of this imaginary line
oi distinction and prohibit the ono from encroach
ing upon tho department of the other? This eip
jeat'oD, however plausible it may SEEM is fallacious
IL IS Only an elementary system Of instruction that
we speak ol,-that system which is TO be pursued
WIZ iomaics IN forming their taste their morals
tlier habits Of thinking and Foundation for tf,r
future usefulness In sucha system a ccrtin degree
oiun'iormi,y is necessary, which after the mind i
Inat"rcd ana The Judgment ripened, may be rca
s2nabf departed from. But proceed to tho mex
consideration, after which any objections that DC
CIR may be IL Irc readily obviatcd
%nd. in estimating the time which is given 70
forming tho foundation Of a lady's learning am
pursuing any regular system in her instruction.
snail not attempt to prove what it might be. o
ought to be- but simply what time is in rcalit,
ca2oycd for this important purpose 1t could b.
81 40 practical utility 10 consider what error