Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-04-11
From the Southern Literary Messenger
DUTY OF MOTHERS.
by MRS. sIGOURNFY.

Mothers best discharge their duty to tho
community, by training up those who shall
give il strength and beauty. Their un.
wcaried labors should coincide with the as
pirations of the Psalmist, that their "sons
may b. rs plants grown up in their youth
thcir daughters as corDcrstones, polished
after the simlitudc Of a palace" They
would not wish TO leave 10 society, where
they had themselves found protection and
solnce, a bequest that would dlslioDor THEN
memory.
We, who are mothers, opght to feel pc
cnliar solicitude with regard 10 the manner
jn which our daughters are reared. Being
more constantly with us, and more entirely
under our control than sons, they will be
naturallJ considered as our representatives,
the truesis tests of our system, the strongest
witnesses TO future generation OF our fideli-
ty or neglect.
Unless women" said the venerable Eel
lenbcrg, "arc brought up with Industrious
and religious habits, il is vain tha, we edu-
cate the men; for they are the ones who
keep the character of men in its proper ele-
vatiou." Our duty TO the community, which
must be discharged by the education OF a
whole race, comprises many unobirusivc.
almost invisible points, which in detail may
seem trivial, or at least desu!tory, but which
ure still as important as the rain-drop 10 the
cisterp, or the rill to the broad stream.
long period allotted to study; thorough
implantation Of domestic tastes, and vigi-
LIANT guardianship over simplicity Of charac-
ter, are essential TO the daughters of re-
public. That it is wise 10 give the greatest
possible extent to the season Of tutclage, for
those who have much to learn, is a self-cvi-
dent proposition. II they are TO teach others,
it is doubIy important And there is no
country on earth, where so many females are
employed in teaching, as in our own. Indeed,
from the position that educated woman here
maintain, it might not be difficult to establish
the point, that they arc all teachers, all form
ing other beings upon the model Of their own
example, however unconscious OF the fact,
To nbridge the education Of the educator, is
TO stint the culture Of plant whose +" "lcavcs
are for the healing Of the nations"
was delighted 10 hear young lady say,
nt the age of nineteen, I" cannot bear to-
think yet Of leaving school; have scarcely
begun to learn" With propriety might she
express this sentiment, though she was emf
Dent both in studies and accomplishments,--l
if the great Michael Angelo, could adopt for
his motto, in his nineteenth year." dncord
imparo,"-and "yet am learning"
1t has unfortunately been too much the
custom IN our country, not only to shorten
the period allotted to the education OF our
sex, but to frittcr away even that brlcf period,
in contradictory pursuits and plcasures.-
Parents have blindly lent their influence 70
this usage. To reform il, they must oppose
the tide of fashion and Of opinion. Let them
instruct their daughters to resist the prnci'
pie Of conforming in any respect TO the ex-
ample OF those around them, unless It Is
rational in itself, and correctly applicable to
them as individuals. a proper expenditure
for one, would be ruinous extravaganza IN
another. So, il some indiscreet mothers
permit their young daughters to wnste IN
elaborate dress and fashionable parties the
attention which should be devoted TO study,
need their example be quoted as precedent!
10 do as others do, which is the rule OF the
unthinking, is often To copy bad taste and
erring Judgment We use more dIscrlmna-
ton in points Of irfing import We pause
snd compare patterns, ere we purchase
garment, which. pcrchance, lasts but for
single season. Why should we adopt with
little iuquiry,--or on the strength Of doubtful
prcccdcnt,-s habit. which may stamp the
character of our children forever?
When circumstances require, the Youngest
girl should be taught poi to fear 20 differ
from her companions. either IN Costume.
manners. or opiiion. Sinaulariiy ior It's own
sskc, nDG every approach TO ccccn,ricity.
should be deprecated aud discouraged. Even
necessary variations from those around. mus,
be- managed with dclicucy. so ts not t.
wound feeling. or esasperatc prejudice. Bu'
she who darcs no, to bo independent, whcr
reason or duty dictates, vi ] be in danger o
forfcning decision Of character, perhaps In
trgtiiy oi principle.
Snnplc attire, aud simple manners, are the