The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-26
FOR THE MADIsONIAN.
FEMALE EDUCATION.


The subject Of Female Education must commend
Statesman, the mind Of the Patriot and the phan-
thropy of the Christian.
II should al all times find ready and jealous advo-
cate In every intelligent freeman who cultivates the
soil OF liberty and properly estimates the vast and sa
luary influence which the character Of that sex is
destined to WELD the genius ard institutions of
this favored Republic. The page of our early history
Is embelshed with the heroism, frmDess, and con-
stancy of American mothers. If in an age Of the Sc
serest privatons and trials opatience and gentleness
were seen such fruits of their pety, il was because
they were enlightened by education, that patriotism
prompted them to aid in the establishment of those
rights which are highly priced, and SO sacredly
guarded BY their descendants. They powerfully felt
the truth ofthat just maxim, ''hat nation cannot
be vrtuous unless it be enlightened fol- it will be sub
ect to its passions and ignorance always generates
sel6shness" If at the present day we recur to the
records ofour National Council, shall discover that
education has received not only its full share of legis
latve wisdom but the most liberal Endorsements of le
gislative munfcence Every State has it's "Ama
Mater, every city its Aourishng Academy and every
village its titled Seminary. But for whom are such
advantages providedl The statesman and the sol
der the divine and the physician, the counsellor and
the merchant, it is true in the circle Of such chosen
privileges, obtain that knowledge which is required
qualify them for their several professions, and these
reap the rewards and honors which are aw arded to
the favored sons of Baccalaureate distinction. Such
however has not been the good fortune of the fair
daughters of our Republic. They have been banisl
cd nv trih al IF hall If
sophers, and the academies Of the great In vain do
they look for the Corinthian capitals of national
structure in which their virtues and requirements ike
the "Acanthus Of the Gods" may beautify and ndorn
the columns of the State In sad reality may it just
y be said, in view of such prisation-
."But knowledge to their eyes, her ample page,
Rich with the spoils of time, did ne'er enroll"
In every age Of the world the idea has prevailed,
and the sentiment has found advocates, that the female
sex incapable of that elev alton of intellect which
is the pride of the scholar and the glory Of the sage.
If ther traces of that pride and sel-suffciency
could be found which excited the highest order ofcre
ated intelligence to rebel against heaven they would
to show themselves in the absurd and illileral
sentiment that woman, in her capacity for intellect
and scientific research inferior to the learned repre-
register Of facts has forever senced such unounded
assertions in the splendid achievements which it has
preserved in the literary requirements of illustrous
and distinguished females
In gancng at that period Of English history which
recouns the extraordinary endowments of remarkable
women, it is delightful to review the character and
the attanments Of the royal and gifted Elizabeth.
With mind of the first order of intellect, enriched
by the treasury Of ancient learning she disputed with
the philosopher and instructed the scholar She GO
verned by power, but it was the power of knowledge.
She swayed the sceptre but it with the authority
of mind
1t was during the reign of this illustrous Queen
that the daughters the celebrated Sir Thomas Moore
fourished in the maturity Of their well meried fame
One of them was particularly distinguished for her
TALENTS and genius She said TO have written Latin
in pure and elegant style, and in the natural sci
ences preserved very high rank among the learned
of her day. For the superiority of female intellect
need only to be reminded of the gifted but unfortu-
nate Lady Jane Grey. The study of Plato was her
avorte amusement. She critically skilled in the
knowledge of various languages, thoroughly versed
in the science of Natural Philosophy and perfect mia
tress of all the Fine Arts. 1t is The pen of the
compshed and learned Mrs Carter, that the student
of the present day indebted for correct and highly
finished translation of Epctetus, and who that con-
templates the gigantic mind, and the towering aspra
tons of the first of her sex, tn "migh of mind"
Madame De Stae will presume to assert that woman
unequal to the task of scientific research or that
nature has doomed her the restraints fservile ODE
dience and domestic drudgery. The iustrious names
of the Baroness De StaeI, Madame De Genls, Ma
dame Dacier, and Madame De Sevgne will forever
add ustre and dignity to the literature of France
while those of Hannah Moore, Mrs Barbauld Mrs
Sherwood, and Felicia Hemans, will form the boast
and pride every mother and daughter of the British
Isle. And is favored America without her
fair escucheon Outright and gifted daughters Every
where do they greet US with tie rich offerings and
nobling productions of their enlightened and viruous
minds Their lessons of piety-their moral essays
their correct and practical views of educalion-lhe
graceful and easy style of their higher productions,
and the enhancing melody of their measured musings
daily improve, instruct and delight u.s. And how
should it be otherwise in republic of letters as well
as of freedom, here opportunities are every day in
creasing, and means multiplying, and fresh resources
hourly developing themselves for the expansion and
| Improvement of female intellect? 1t is gratifying to
| view the exertions which everywhere making by
competent, skilfu and enterprsing teachers to aord
to young ladies the best MEANS and the most approved
plans for complete and finish ed education 1t is not
only necessary that female minds should be enriched
with the graces and refinement of polished educa.
ton, but that they should be thoroughly instructed in
those active duties and more sacred relations Of life
which alone constitute the true happiness, the eory
and the dignity of their SEX The brilliant clare and
the dazzling ornaments of external accomplishments,
do not form finished picture of female oveliness.-
must be superadded the soft and subdued shades
of contemplation, study and mental requirement.