Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-04-14
LETTERS TO YOUNG LADIES.

| The Authoress of Letters to Young
Ladies'" Mrs. Sigourney, has long enjoyed
an enviable but merited fame, as one ia
vored by the NINE, and gifted beyond the
usual lot Of mortals. 70 the many proofs
she has given the world Of her superior
mental powers, she has now added another
which evinces not less the benevolence of
her heart, than it does the endowments of
her mind. We have seen no work of late
which we look upon as so well calculated
to do good, as this. 1t is precisely such an
one as was required to correct many preva.
lent and growing evils, among those to
whom it is addressed. 1t is written, as i,
should be, in plain, though agreeable
style, advisory and matronly, but diversified
and enlivened by anecdotes, and Apostle
Illustrations, which rivet the attention
while they enforce The advice given, OF
the position asserted. But we must allow
the gifted authoress to speak for herself,
and our fair readers to Judge for them,
selves. On The subject Of knowledge she
says:
acknowledge opens sources Of delightful
| cont emplation for domestic retirement
This renders it peculiar protection fol
the young. In their fondness for promis-
cuous society, they are often in danger oil
forming indiscreet associations. or rash at
tachmcnts. knowledge makes home
pleasant, and self communion no solitude
When am alone it talks with me. go that
have no need to go abroad, and solici,
amusement from Others said the philoso
pher Antisthenes. The lineament Of
knowledge, strongly recommends it to GU,
own sex, my dear young friends. Fol
home is our provnce-and it is our imper.
alive duty to strive 10 render it agreeable
and as we are never more disposed to be
amable than when we are happy, we shal
probably best succeed in imparting felicity
when we enjoy it ourselves"
sIn our age of line world knowledge
seems requisite to gain and preserve re
spect. Adulalon is the food of the young
and beautiful, but maturity requires stron
ger aliment. Nectar and ambrosia vanisl
with the brief goddess of beauty, and sh,
who feels the burdens Of life in their dens,
and uCcompromising reality, will gladl,
accept more substantial nourishment. =
In order to be upheld by the respect Of hin
whose name sho bears, and by that of tn,
household which she is appointed to govern
it is necessary that she should not disgrace
them by ignorance. There was tins
when humble industry and viruous exam
pie were all that society demanded of wo
man. That period is past. Education, il
comforting new privileges, erected tribu
nal where each eciplent is summoned t
give account Of her stewardship. TIL,
very children ofthe log cottages througou
our land, obey the Injunction OF one of i'll
departed politicians, and make a crusad,
against ignorance.
Want of fxedness of purpose is bu
too generally fault of the young. In
deed, to SO many employmenis are TIT
minds Of the young ladies' directed, that i
is exceedingly difficult to preserve unity o
design, But one thing they should neve
lose sight of; the danger of neglccling t
improve to the utmost, the priceless prvi
leges Of their season Of life. Then tn,
mind comes forth in freshness and beauty
Cares have not pre- occupied it-nor con
Trajectory trains Of thought stamped upo'
it a desultory character. 1T ,urneth a
wax to the SEAL How often, ere we IN
derstand the worth of this plancy, doe
rigidlty steal over the fbres Of thought
and the buildings Of character take de
terminate form, and we are young n
more"