Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-04-18

which are the same for children OF both
sexes, the experience Of teachers VIII
fully confirm our assertion, that females
will &C cquire lessons as readily as males;
and, that until the former is drawn from
the regular path prescribed for study, no
difference in the two sexes Is observa-
BILE, at least none prejudicial to the fe-
male. But as soon as the girl can un- :
derstand the effect Of dress, and that
power is very early developed, her mind
is distracted between the duties OF the
school and the effect of apparel. She
is told that she is delicate, and instead
of being furnished with garments to pre-
vent the influence Of the climate upon
her constitution, she is covered with
clothes corresponding with her o@n
comparative strength; thus the girl OF
sound health and robust frame Is fur
nished with habits to resist the weather,
while she of delicate mould must parade
the streets, in all the inclemencies OF
winter, with shoes calculated to absorb
and retain the moisture Of the pavement,
rather than resist their influence. We
are not desrous of writing a medical
homily, but these facts have bearing on
the question in discussion. The mind
of the female, we say, is weakened by
the distracting influence Of early amusea
ments, and the body debilitdaeG with
precocious displays of dress.
Until these evils ofmind and body are
visited upon the tender female, we haye
seen that she is apt in scholarship as her
companions Of the other sex; andeit is
not until she understands by diversity Of
habits and customs, and positive asser-
ton, that certain studies are beyond her
comprehension, or inconsistent with her
sex. that she falls into the rear Of the
male, and contents herself with writing
neat hand, making little CPS" and
bounding her reading to a cheap tract,
or the last novel, and her composition to
friendly letter, or sentimental SON.
net.
Another evil attending the formation
ofthe female character, arising out Of
this supposed "mental sex," is the neg
lect Of disciplining the mind with any
regular study; not but our female chill
dren have a sufficient number Of books
placed in their hands, but they are not
required to USE them. The primary
rules Of almost every branch of science
are readily obtained, because they en-
terrain by their novelty; but when that
incentive ceases, there is no habit of at
tention fixed, and no power in the hands
of the instructor to inforce application;
and mere lore Of study effects but lit
tie in children, unless directe and ap-
piled by a fear of censure for neglect.
Here is the beginning Of the evil; and its
effects are not only most evident in eve-
ry circle which we examine for proof,
but, moreover, so far from being dimin-
ished by the advantages which increased
means of education afford, they abso-
lutely augment with every years expert
ence. We will recapitulate our IDEAS
that the female is capable of receiving
every species of education, not directly
dependent on physical force, that the
male has ever attained; that the reason
to be assigned why she never has reach
ed a higher, to prove our axiom by a
prominent example, is, that formerly a
want Of confidence in her character, and
latterly too frivolous regard to dress,
and fear of discipline, false delicacy
in government, and most of all, the
wretchedly destructive habit ofcommen-
cling womanhood in infancy, have pre-
cluded the possibility of any attainments
beyond the primary studies of the school,
and the nomenclature of few popular
branches Of science. Let the expert
ment be fairly tried with any female of
ordinary capacities, and we will venture
to say, that in any and every branch Of
study that shall be shared between her
and a youth, her Improvement shall
equal that of her male associate. Wheth-
er such course Of instruction is best
adapted to the pursuits Of our females;
whether it enables them to discharge tho
duties of wives and mothers, is a ques-
:ion which we meant to answer in the
present essay, but which must claim an
other opportunity Sat. Eue. Post.
Governments, like clocks, 60 from