Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-06-15
From the West-C hester Herald.

II rom inc WESTMINSTER Herald.
Few persons regard to its proper ex-
tent the influence Of the female sex.
Separated as they are by custom and
the just lawsof propriety from commin-
Cling in the public affairs Of life, they
are apt to be considered as confined in
their exertions to the actual sphere in
which they allow themselves to move.
But this is by no means the case, and !
presume no rejecting mind vii! enter
tain Tor a moment the erroneous idea.
Its often the hand behind the curtain
which moves the machinery that aston
ishes the beholder; and as in the natu-
raj so in this instance is it in the moral
and intellectual world. The assertion
may be broad one, and at its first sug-
gestion, may appear unwarranted, but
l believe true one, that females do
more towards forming the character Of
society, and regulating its operations,
than the other sex. At the dawn of
existence, that period of life when the
mind is peculiarly susceptible of inn
Iprcssions that are both powerful and
lasting, the child is committed to the
charge of the mother. She holds at
that time in her arms being that she
may form for whatever station of life
she may please. Much is said Of the
natural disposition of children, and the
impossibility of countcracting or chan
ging the natures with which they are
endowed. But this is nothing more
than an excuse for the improper man.
agcmentand bad education Of those who,
after it is too late to remedy the evil,
compel their parents to invent an apo
logy for their own neglect. The moth
er forms the character of the child
Sheinspires into its breast its first emo
tions-she excites its first passions
she raises its first desires. The moth
err may teach the child that it has but
to ask, and its most unreasonable re-
quest shall be satisfied; and the infant
grows up to be an unhappy, discomfort
ed man, because he is not gratified with
his every wish. She may instil into
his mind the idea that he is the best
and the greatest Of his equals, and she
has formed young Caesar or Bona
partc. A different commencement and
more judicious instruction will give
to the world useful and respected
man. And when the fact is once adj
mitted, as believe every one will adj
NIT it, that female culture forms the
young and tender mind for future bene-
fit or injury to the world, the point is
conceded that that sex cxerts upon So
ciety more positive, actual influence
than thcother. But this is not all. Men
regard in their conduct in life the opin-
ions Of accomplished and sensible fe-
males. Any practice that in their O.
pinion ought to be discountenanced, is
decidedly unpopular. When they set
their faces against any evil, it is more
than half removed. The weight ftheir
influence in any cause is sufficient to
turn the scale in favor Of the side on
which they enlist.
The idea has gained believers even
in this day, that the God of nature has
not bestowed upon the tender female
as vigorous and powerful faculties Of
mind as on the stronger sex. Facts are
before the world to refutc this charge.
Who has read and not admired the half
inspired writings Of Hannah Moore?
Who has not been melted down by the
sweetness Of the harp when struck by
the hand Of Mrs. Hemans? Who that
loves to wander in the fields of imagi-
nation has not chosen Miss Sedgwick
for his guide? Who has not paid tri-
butte in heart at least to the poetry of
Mrs. Sigourney? Though they are not
called to fathom with us the depths Of
the abstruse sciences, yet even here, if
they choose, they need not JolloaO.
They were made for our companions
and equals, and gifted with talents a.
dapted to their sphere. The brightest
oflaurels shallbeentwined aroundthose
who distinguish themselves in the va
rious walks of literature, and the palm
yielded to them, though they deprive
us of the honor of wreathing it on our
own brows. PHILo JULIAN.
Envy AND The oldwri-
tiers show NO mercy TO the cnr;ous man:
and to the slanderer. Every college
boy, who has read Dalzel's book, re-
probably, the dying wretch
who was filled with envy, because he
saw his fellow criminal crucifed on
better cross than his ). This IS ex-
M less 81 travarant are the