Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1837-01-17
WHAT CONSTITUTES AN ACCOMPLISHED
YOUNG LADY

There ia perhaps no term which has become
more perverted from lie Original meaning thsa the
word accomplishment Il sigrifcs Completeness
perfection. and implies finish 81 character to which
nothing can be 90 TED and which caves nothing TO
be- desited. Milton cslis las hertiuo Accomplish
cA Eve Now 1t is morally certain that she could
neither dance (lhat is by SYSTEM OF play draw,
or converse IN any other language than her own.
Where then we're her accomplishments True.
in her state Of innocence one oftie most beautiful
models Of grace propt ei' dictty aud humility
exhibited; and therefore we niust suppose that
the author of Paradise Lost had in view far DIFF
icrcut standard OF female cxceilonco than the fash
iouable one of our own times. What then cousti-
,utes an accomplished femalel We answer, Is
fitness for the sJtcre she is to occupy whatever
may be, und iiithiul and conscientious discharge
Of the duties belonging to tina, sphere She may
not as a wife AID mother have any occasion for
those Fashionable acquisitions which in some situa-
/ tons Of lie are both useful and ornamental but
she may aud vii have far higher opportunities Cor
blessing and being blessed She may he the suit
able companiCn of a sensible man the ldicous
mother Of rising family; The neat, orderly, ana
| frugal mistress Of an extensive household. She
may be qualified TO counsel her husband in the in
Ticacies Of liie sooho him in his trouble; tighten
his heart OF half its load, and render his home the
/ spot Of all others the most delightful She may
/ tram up her ohlldren IN the paths of pcly form
| them TO habits Of virtue and thus bequeath blcs-
sing TO society when she has gone 10 her rest in
! Heaven. If this is low station aud fit for moth
ing but vulgar qualifications, where on earth shall
we find one that is high or useful We would not
wish TO be understood TO set no value whatever on
what usually called accomplishments. Many
ofthcm are elegant and in cer,tin stations in life
aud where there is decided taste for them, may
be highly useful But we do deprecate the 'phren-
zy' of accomplishment which RACES among all clas-
scs, and induces them to sacrifice time and money
which if properly laid out, might have made them
ornaments TO society, III pursuits worse than use
, less. The young lady who spend but slS
months perhaps at a boarding school, must in con
formity TO custom, throw away two-thlrds Of The
whole Of that precious time in forcing a taste to
music, or dancing, OF learning French, when it |.
understood that at marriage thess hardly Learned
acquisitions to be laid aside never to be esum
ed. There is something wrong acre, aud il vii
never be remedled, until parents have good sens,
and independence enough 10 adapt the means in The
educatlon OF their daughters TO the end in view
| II they desire them 20 be any thing thnr
mere puppets trained TOR oispial, whose only al"
is to dress and be admired, they must teach then
by preccpr and example, that 'wha; is useful is in
hmteIy 10 oe preferred 10 Whdt Is dazzling an'
that virluous excellence is to be more arGcnty GOV
eicd than fashionable accomplishments II Solo
mons beautiful description Of ,iriuous wo,nai
TO be adopted the model OF female excel
lenoe, what change would be at once produced il
the moral aspect Of the world Some Of the mos
powerful temptations TO sin would lose the aur
ing charms and modesty, industry, and chastity
be once more what they should always have beer
the safeguards and the highest ornament Of wo
many. Y .1dr0cafe.