Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-11-08

lon the moon, to be kind Of corrupt Eng.
lish, from which infer thai this planet was
once portion Of grest Britain broken off in
some gren, convusion OF nature
As the fair Lunsrian. & myself proceeded
onward we fell in with concourse OF peo.
pie. My fair companion said. they we've go
ing to hear lecture on female education
as this is my favorite topic. | solicited my
compunion TO take me 10 the lecture room
A singular looking man who was stand.
ing upon platform, began speaking
Mr. President--I feel il TO be duty incum-
bent upon me as patriot, TO address you
upon subject intimately connected with our
future prosperity. Yet, Notwithstanding
do it with reluciance knowing that shall
be led TO say much which may seem drrog-
atory TO The literary utlainnenIs which some
fair aspirin, for fume, may think she possess
es but in this time which tries mems souls
| do not know why woman should be spar
ed. come forth boldly 10 discharge my
duty. In doing this, | shall not only give
uterenceto my own sentiments. bu; those OF
mankind in general By mankind, mean
ing men only; the very term itself implying
that man alone is the representative Of the
I uuUtdn race.
You are aware, Mr. President, that there
has OF late been great outcry made abou,
the education OF that weaker, vessel this
subject though apparently OF little impor
lance. has been gaining upon the public
mind, although under circumstances far
from suspicious The opinion that females
must have learning is gaining ground, and
will soon overcome all opposition. il we--do
not take decisive means against H.
And believe me. sir. its decision depends
the reputation which this generation will
leave 10 posterily. And shall We. men oil
science, share our reputation for wisdom
with females shall we admit them as com
pelitors for literary fame try il you that
dare. and succeeding ages will tell who
wins tell who wears the laurel with which
science encircles the brows Of her volares
| appeal to your pride, and your sense oil
dignity. We favored men OF the moon, wheth
er we are 10 be degraded by such competi-
lion. Here he paused aud seeing the con-
fusion but too apparent upon the face OF ma
ny gentleman and here, and there a fe.
male counienance beaming with triumph at
the confession he had made; he perceived
his error. and sought to retrieve it. MIR Pres
ideni, thousand pardons am neilhe. a
madman. or fool, but an excess Of zeal
has led me into the expressions OF sentiments
the reverse Of what intended; but people
often speak us they are inspired /; aud unwiI-
tingly utter prophesies. You have iInprov-
ed 1t nightly thought |. Again, surprising
the thing possible, where is the female. who
is possessed of mind strong enough TO en-.
ter the lists, as a rival os u man Of common
attachments know Of none.
may say. and without fa,tery. that the
females Of the present age are more learned
than their grand-mo,hers, YET they do not
rank very high in the scale OF intellect"
nor is it possible they should, their minds
are loo flexible loo much inclined to diverge
from the consideration Of subjects. which re-
quire deep & profound thought; and search.
ing for truth through the intricate mazes OF
error. Is the mind ofwoman capable OF ex-
ploring the mysteries OF science; Of mnking
new accessions TO its stores and OF unioldinc
the principles by which the operations OF ma.
tore are carried on? There are indeed
some subjects which even they can under
stand They can admire the flowers; listen
to the warbing Of the birds; sing, and read
novels and even write poetry. They may
gaze upon the stars. admire their brillian.
cy. number. and arrangement /; and the pow
er which created. and uphold them. think OF
the relations which they bear TO one ano,h-
or and Of suns with their systems.
This they may do. but as have said,
they cannot comprehend any thing Of mag
nitudc
Here thought I. you are of'the track, for
who can feel. and understand all that you
admit. without some idea ofphiosophical re-
lalions hut never mind. thought |, truth will
out Again. sir II this panic about female
improvement is not abaied. whit will be-
come OF our government, which even now
begins to tremble.
The ladies are even now talking OF their
rights, and soon we may see them clothed
with despoic authority and mankind spec
ious show OF administering justice. The
domestic duties will be neglected, and the
peaceful quiet OF OUT fresdes will be ex-
changed for learned debates. and party
wrangling that feminine sohness. and that
retiring modesty which we so much admire.
will be lost in the masculine manners OF
| the politician, and lawgiver. Society
will be wrecked. and man compelled to
yield his noble independence Of thought,
10 the diclation Of female pedants.
| Odreaded aiernativei But Mr. Presi-
dent. painful as is the thought, il is true, that
all must be sacrificed yes. government, do
nestle ficily. society. all. all must be immo.
lated at the shrine offemale ambition; a thirst
after thew know not what II is inevitable