The herald., 1837-04-29
Female Education.

Mn. EpIroR,-Among the numerous discoveries
and improvements of this awkward age, In the pro-
gress of wholesome Innovation and amid the dcm0ll-
ton of time sodden systems in politics. morals and
fnancering, IL is rather surprising that you have not
entered more searchngly INTO the subjec, of female
education and enlightened us with sonc OF your sound
original opinions this important topic You have,
il IS true gwen few fancy sketches in your pecu-
liar racy and fecious of boarding school life
and living; ,eu have shown the boarding school
Miss in the parlor and at the dinner table, you have
exposed some Of the ridiculous absurdties which
still continuet-but you have not yourself serious
ly about affecting thorough and fetal reformation
matter so Intimately connected with the moral and
social welfare of society. You have not taken into
the school room and examined the studies and exer-
cises which are there pursued with view to
tanning their relative usefulness, their bearing upon
the pursuits of after life, and their influence upon the
health, the character and the manners of young
ladies'
You seem TO be aware that there is msch room for
improvement and you have accordingly denounced
in a general way the prevalent system Of female
education, but you ought to remember that II is the
duty of reformcr not only to point ost the faults
which he would eradicate, but also to indicate the
means by which this should be done, and in the pre-
sent case 10 suggest a better method substitute
or that against which he takes exception.
Almost everypcrson who has had occasion TO re-
fleet the subec, to notice the effect Of the
Of instruction and discipline pursued at fashlona
bic boarding hools must have become satisfied that
much time is employed in studies which valucless
pleasing and beneficial. But the unsatisfactory re-
suits Of the ordinary Of tuition probably
not after all attributed 10 the right causes.
We hear much talk Of the useful branches dis
tnguished from the accomplishments or ornamental
branches. Ii is said that the former are too much
neglected while undue attention is paid the latter
The distinction Of studies into useful and ornamental
is not correct many of those which called useful
are Of little available vt y and several of the orna-
mental are recommended chiefly by their usefulness
yalu hlp finn NJ. in avninu tho
meaning of words by committing to memory columns
IN the dictionary, or IN coming the pages of spelling
book What an inJudicious expenditure of labor IN
storing up in the memory tse unntelligble rules OF
grammar, and the endless catalogues of rivers noun
tans and islands which make up the bulk of ordinary
school biographies. am willing 10 admit that there
are some advantages attending these studes-I am
willing TO admit that some information is gained, and
that some benefit may arise from this laborons
else Of the faculties. But should coxtend that .
greater amount of Information might be obtained by
other and easier methods, and the mind nj the same
time improved and developed with less expense Of
health and comfort.
Under the present system the memory alone is cul.
tivaed, while the other faculties are permitted TO run
10 waste. Books are studied, not subjects Girls
become learned, not expert Ihe tuition OF the
tongue, the voice. and the limbs-ihc arr OF convey
ing the thoughts on paper or IN conyersation-that
charm of power in n wife, a mother, or lady, a
sweet deep toned and agreeable voice, the ., Of
nature only but created aso by the awakening of la
tent capabilities; and music, 'he natural language Of
the SOUL the ornament and delight Of social inter-
course the sympathzlng companion Of solitude ~
solace of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS which has more to
recommend Il on the ground Of mere ut iy than any
Of the pedantc index learning pereme etory insisted
on. These are taught as if they were the incidental
embellishments Of education and not essential add.
tons to the happiness and convenience of the future
weman wife and mother
In making these remarks do not wish to be un-
dersteod as intending dsrespcct TO any Of the ladies'
conduct Odr Il m hap mr.
to testify TO tho general talent and fidelity which cha
rncterIze their labors Nor do believe that The TO-
form which you and deem necessary, is to proceed
Immediately from the conductors of education, who