The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1842-11-17
THE EDUCATIONOF GIRLS.

~ elements Of learning, and acquired
a certain smattefing Of what she ought
thoroughly TO know, IS considered
ready to receive che finishing touches.
Accordingly, she is placed forthwith
at a fashionable boardingsehool 10 be
polished, or rather veneered--for her
6rst requirements are no better than
common wood, although the last may
be considered mahogany. This is
probably the very worst course that
could be pursued, and none could
more entirely unit her for the duties
Of life; upon which she is about TO en-
ter. The education which every f.
male wants, after having arrived al the
age Of sixteen, is that which will IN
spire her with a desire for knowledge
and love Of reading. For this, soil
tude and seclusiou are necessary not
the companioLship Of gay and giddy
! girls. An exact course Of study should
be preseribed-a course as requisite
for the health Of the mind, as diet and
exercise for the health ofihe body
The great exuberance Of animal
spirits which young ladies' enjoy, keeps
them in continual state Of bubble and
effervescence they are never quiet
they are mortal illustration Of perpet-
ual motion. The sentiment OF love
exercises a subduing influence, and
manifests itselfalways BY a certain re-
pose Of behaviour, very striking when
contrasted with the former restlessness
Of the person subjected TO its influence.
Although this sentiment is condemned
by parents and guardians as like to be
Injurious to mental discipline, we be-
lieVe on the contrary, that, provided
the object be proper one, sit is ofsov
ereign value. Itpresenis TO the mind
OF an amiable female the strongest in-
centiye 10 exertion. She feels that
most delightful Of sensations-ber inn
portance to the happiness Of another :
and she tolls With an untlring assiduily
to make herself worthy Of the love
which she has excited. Moreover,
her thoughts become fixed and regu-
lar they are not disturbed by society,
or dissipated by amusements. The
most admirable woman we ever knew
was one who, having formed atan ear
Ily age an attachment for a man oil
intellect older than herself and
capable Of directing her studies and
pursuit, was married after long en-
| gagement, and entered upon her do
/. nestle duties with a perfect confidence
| that her husband, having formed hel
FOR himself could notbe disappointed
1 since it remained within his power tC
complete the instruction which he haC
commenced.
The unbroken felicity which tbs Ia
dy seemed to derive from her hus,
bands influence, was conirasted by
US with the many matches, in the cir
Gle ofa very large acquaintance, form.
ed between young people--the gen.
tlemen being, for the most part, youth;
| fresh from college or clerkdom, and
veneered, that, like fine and useless
pieces Of furniture, it seemed impossi-
bic that they should serve for any bot
ter purposes than drawing-room orna-
ments.
The capital mistake that teachers
make, consists in the perpetual efTor
made to detach the thoughts Of youns
women from love and malFimony-ai
there were any power in precept Il
countervail the dictate Of nature. Sc
rena, at sixteen years, knows hersel
to be as complete a woman as he
. friend Lueretia, who is but eighteen
and hasiust been married; she knows
from thinking back a litlle, that twC
years or even folr years are not a verl
long period, and that they will Gid
away with sufficient rapidity. II she
happens to be in love, those year
will appear like weeks, no matter il
Jury composed Of matorns and probes
sors assure her that they are small
eternigies. We beg permission to asl
two questic' why, if girls are to b.
wives and .aers, are they not laugh
in a Hianue- to ft them Tor those i'm
portant relations ! Why are they con
i tiuually told lhatthey must nol think o
such matters +? We apprentice chill
= dfen 10 trades from their tender years
/ trades which sometime theyecquire il
, few months, and yet we teach on
5 daughters little or nothing, which vii
be available in the constant bushes
: of their lives. Parents should learn
( that the hearts as well as ulnds Of IN
: young should be properly trained and
s until they do, we shall continue 10 Sc
accomplished misses aud very ordiu'
rysmatrons. We do not mean to hsv
4 this remark considered as general
true but we do mean 10 say, that d
tendency Of our present system Of 4
4 male education is evil, and should B
Z ah-ended.
!. Smah harm would ensue if iasl
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