Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-09-01
ON FEMALE EDUCATION.

1t is in the relation Of the mother
that the necessity Of intellectual cultiva-
tion - most apparent. 1t has been re-
marked by Buonaparte, one Of the most
sagacious of modern observers, that
there never was a great man whose
mother was not woman OF superior
qualities. Notwithstanding our habltual
distrust Of such general and sweeping
a assertions, we are strongly disposed to
concur in this remark. The foundation
Of intellectual as well as moral character
are laid in the nursery. The influence
Of the mother in forming the moral char
actcr is universally admitted. Let any
one recur to his experience, and he will
find that the deepest impressions ever
made on his mind, were received from
his mother, in the period OF his childhood.
TO this source he can generally trace
the most prominent traits of his charac-
ter. He can frequently call to mind the
particular occasion and the precise mo-
ment in rhich, by some happy appeal,
which nature only can dictate to the
parent, she succeeded in impressing his
mind with some valuable precept which
has ever since continued 10 regulate his
conduct. Nor is her influence less in the
formation Of the intellectual character OF
her children. II she have the power in
the one case Ito fix the generous pur-
pose in the glowing breast" it is equally
her province in the other,
"-----to roar the tender thought,
To faa, h., hn, tn
" To pour the fresh instruction DER his mind"
to mould the taste, to enlighten the un-
dorstanding, aud to direct thought into
its proper channels. The objection that
this is the province of the teacher, and
the great object of that regular couise
of education either public or private,
which the child is destined, subsequent
ly, to pursue, loses much of its force
when it is considered how much may be
effect with the infant mind before the
system of regular education commences,
and also, what an important cooperation
the mother may afford to tho instructor,
in enforcing, explaining, and recon-
mending, his lessons. But il is more
particularly forreccommend,ng the taste
ot children in literature and the fine arts,
rather than in science, that the improve
ment of those faculties in tho mother On
which these depend, is Of the greatest
importance. II is in these departments
oflearning, associated, as they are, in
greater or less degree, with feeling, that
are calculated to make the deepest inn
preston. In poetry, in language, in ell
oqucnce in the fine arts, there Is no i'll
structor equal to "A mother 1t is there
fore, when we contemplate woman in the
character Of a mother, connected as that
endearing relation is, with the cause Of
education, that we are compelled to ac-
knowledge the Importance of intellect
ual refinement 1t is of the utmost I'M
pOrtance that these instructors should
themselves be properly instructed; that
those, who may be considered as form
ing the character of society, should be
be properly qualified for the arduous un-
detaking 1t was the parting injunc-
ton Of the Roman mother to her son,
when he went forth to battle, Farewell
my sOn-return victorious, or return
corps," that made invincible soldiers;
such was the moral influence Of Roman
mothers BY the inculcation of such
sentiments, they made soldiers who con-
quered the world. II was tic natural
consequence of people where mere
brute force, and animal courage, consti-
tuted tho surest engines Of success in
their career Of rapacity and conquest,
but, in modern times, knowledge is pow
er. Intelligence must triumph over ig-
norance, as naturally as light prevails
over darkness. Even for the vulgar
purposes OF conquest therefore, intelli-
gence is the most efficient engine which
can be welded by modern nations; and,
therefore, even for these purposes, we
should naturally look to the intelligent
mother, as the most successful instruct.
or Of the modern warrior But modern
nations have Il higher calling, and more
enviable career. 1t is theirs, not like
Rome, to overrule the world, but TO en-
tighten and improve it, It's only by the
triumphs of philanthropy, and not by
those of arms; by overrunning the world
with intelligence and refinement, moi
with fire aud sword, that modern nations
can acquire genuine and substantial
fame. Ii is tho moro dIgniied province
OF the modern mother, TO form her sons
for that lofty enterprise; nor will any
means be found so cfloctual Incidentally
in promoting that object, in strengthen
ing the hands of that amiable phllanthro-
py, which, in modern times, is shedding
intellectual! light on all the dark places
of human society, as an Improvement I'M
the system Of female education