Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-10-01
MISCELLANEOUS.
FASHIONABLE EDUCATION.
By Mhs. A. DICKINsoE.

When we cast our eye over this YES
country, so rich in resources; so amply re
paying the toll OF the husbandman, III,
mechanic, and the merchant; so abun
danIly rewarding the cultivation and em
ployment of intellect; SO richly endowed
with free institutions, so exempt from op.
presslve taxation; WHOSE merchants arc
+ princes in all the earth--wllose profess
ional men-lawyers. divines, physicians,
and statesmen; are held in high esrima,
ton among all people we are natural led
: To enquire the causes Of So much sulicitude
a.'t pecuniary embaIrassmenls. among
The middle and more elevated classes.
Far be il from us to disparage mental
cultivation. We would that The minds of
our daughters were disciplined, aud their
reasoning powers developed, by mucl,
more patient aud SYSTEMATIC pursuit oI
science. But We would also have them
pursue thorough course of mepta dis
cIpl!ne. not because il is fashionable, nnr
that they may practically demonstrate
their equality will. the sierucr seS; but
That they may be better fitted to discharge
their own appropriate duties; that they
may be more suitable companions for
Inose with whom they are 10 be most in
umalely associated; for those, perhaps.
whose lives are to be spenl in intellectual
pursuits, III thinking aud reasoning. that
they may secure grealer influence in So
ciety; that they may have strength OF
Character 10 train their sous, while YET in
the. nursery, lo habits of prompt and
cheerlu obedience; and may nfusc into
their miuds sentiments OF exalted yirlue
ard true phllauthropy; which may not
only be TIE means ui preserving Among
US sacred an inpluable regard to law
and constituted authority, but also of ad.
V"ncl"g Us IN every thing tiIat contributes
10 Render nation glorious and happy
NelIher would we have them indifferent
10 tnose exteruai accomplishments which
diversity aud euliveu social intercourse,
aud afford agreeable relaxation fro.n tho
iaborIOHs.S and-irftep ii--.i1t -f
IIie. Het we would uOt have them culli
vate, even these, fur purposes cl selfish
uess aud vanity, bui for tbr sake of con-
trlbulinS more largely TO the happiness Of
soclely. We would not have them. feel
lnal Ikey may neglect, even lcr the sake
OF these graceful accomplishments. but
would nave them redeem time lOr the
proper discharge of every duty, by habits
OF eerly rising, industry and ords'.
Leaving uul oil view for the present, the
hackueyed aud unwelcuiBe topic OF insub-
ordination, su prevalent in The community,
aud line germ Of 50 much misery, Is !; not
al uudeuIable fact, thai 10 too many in
stances, the daughters Of the wealthy al
tend schoUl, I'LL they are seventeen or
eighteen, become to some extent acquaint.
ed with Mat etnaIIcs, French, Drawing,
Music, Sc, turn higher reason than be-
canse It IS .fushtORatle! Aud ls 1t nut
true, thai the uanghers oil mauy mer-
chants, mechanics and farmers. UI small
capital ~ hu are loillus aud struggling to
sustain their standing III business, are led
to pursue the same course berely because
il IS fashionable! The difficulty does not
CONSIST chiefly III The course pursued; tho
iu mauy Instances, that Is sufficiently oh
jec,lonable; but mainly IN the motive for
dUius IL, .he making mere fashion The
handspring oI action, ~ being capable OF
understanding the relation Of lhiugs; ca
pable OF thinking aud rcasunng; capable
Of appreClaling he noble STIMULUS of BIZ
ing useful. They have delicate sensbIIi
ties, which If properly cultivated, would
make them shrink trou, The idea of being
ouly amusing toys, ELI joyiug life Of i'll
glorious ease, al the expense oil many
hours Of hard labor stolen from q mothers
ueedluI sleep, or the excessive toll and per.
plexily Of ali dllgent father.
The care ~ oru mother whose best years
have been spent in toll and self-deulal, to
procure her aushlers fashionable educa
lion, not unfreYueutiy complains in the
bitterness of her soul, that they feel no
responsibility in sharing her burdens, and
no gratitude for ALL her painful efforts on
their behalf. Poor moher she little
thinks she is reaping The legitimate har-
vest of The seed she has with ST. much la
hor been sowing. Can she expect her
daughters to seek happiness where alone
it is 10 be found, in ''oiug good, in study
ing to be really useful. when they have
been educated to think happiness con.
sisted in tho qualification of sell When
they have been accustomed from child
hood to see the comfort Of the family con.
slanlly sacrificed 10 procure for them ex-
emp,ion from effort, or the means oil idle
and ostenlalious display? when they have
been accustomed TO waste the bright and
joyous mornings Of youth, locked in drea-
my (orgelfulness. ill the second or third
call aroused TO consciousness, and remind
ed Them that the industrious portion of
the family were al The breakfast table 7
Well may many sad-hearted mother,
aud father too, blush and tremble for the
consequences, when they reflect, how,
morning after morning, those for whnm
they endure every privalion, and who. in
addition TO he duties Of the toilet, should
; have had al least an hours healthful en-
ployment to gaina good appetite, and pro-
mole the order of The family, come from
their room with nerves and muscles re-