Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-04-25

sert them, they need not suffer as their mother has
done. may appear odd in my opinions, but i
consider it far more respectable for young lady
to be acquainted with every kind of necessary
work in family than to be ignorant of it. This
is an oldfashioned doctrine, but Mrs Seton agrees
with me, aud it will he the doctrine that we shall
act upon. 1t takes but a short time to learn all
these things, and is no hlndrance to the acquisition
of every other accomplishment"
After admirng the little Charlie, and conversing
a few minutes longer ordinary topics, | arose
to terminate my visit | was warmly urged to
repeat it, and after promising TO do so, and exact
ing similar promise in return-a promise we
have both frequeRty performed, departed, well
pleased with the interview.
My readers will be glad to hear that the benev-
olent shopkeeper not forg often, but that sum
sufficient to establish him in an extensive BUSH
ness, was furnished him by Mr. Temple, who
seemed determined that no one who had ever been
kind TO Mrs. Seton should fail of meeting re-
ward.
Mr.. Temple, as he himself asserted, seems ac-
tually to be growing younger every day; the chill
dern, under his judicious management, and that Of
their mother and Mrs. Morris, continue amiable
and healthy, and happy. The good grandfather
as we'll as the mother adhere strictly to their first
resolution of educating their children to be useful
f instead of making them mere paythings to be
looked atand admired. Their notions on the sub
iect of theeducauon of girls particularly, are, to-
be sure, looked upon as extremely odd by many of
+ their acquaintances.
You are giving your daughter the education
of servant said lady, one day, to Mrs. Seton;
t why do you not leave mental empoyments to the
I proper persons?"
&C am giving her such an education as every
J American female should receive; am giving her
! such an education as would have saved me many
D sorrow, and perhaps my husband from the alb
j ject poverty to which he was finally reduced.
tI,oo og
i for intend that her mind shall be stored with all
e that can make her an intellectual and accomplish
= ed woman But intend, at the same time, that
y she shall be familiar with every thing that will
make her most Use full as a wife, mother, and the
:, mistress of family"
2 " But with her prospects Of an immense for
tune" replied the ysiter, &C these low employ
ments will certainly never be necessary for her."
Perhaps not" replied Mrs. Seton, but is it
G certain that she may not by some means lose that
- immense fortune! My prospects were as
- good as hers and yet became reduced to Legga-
: ry. But, allowing that her wealth will never for
f sake her. mistress Of family, it will probably
o be necessary for her, day, direct others in
n their emplOyments But how can she direct 9TH
ers to do that which she is entirely ignorant Of her
G self? Believe me- there is frequently great deal
of domestic misery oCcasoned by the ignorance OF
4 the wife in these matters which you call low en-
n ployments.' 1t is strange what prejudice there
L is IN the community against teaching girls to work
v 1t seems to be thought disgraceful for them to
G know how to do anything useful. Nobody thinks
), OF bringing up boys in this manner, man would
O be thought almost an idiot who should suffer q
t family Of sons to grow up to manhood, entirel
= unacquanted with any kind Of busness--the help
less, useless, inefficient puppets, which most girl;
d of fashion are at the present day; and is it wise
then, to educate girls in this way? Is it Just? Do
Is you not suppose that brothers sometimes, whel
nj h.,
i labors of the counting house shop, think it rath
er hard, that while they always find their sister
e doing nothing, they should be subject to constan
IS and daily toll? 1t would be very natural re6ec
T., ton, and it would be very natural also, if a les
+ kindly feeling, and less affection should exist be
J., tween brothers and sisters on this very account"
d " Perhaps il may be so," answered the lady
# but then there is not the same necessity for girl
to work that there is for boys; boys are to become
4 men, and must know how to earn money to SUP
p. port their families"
;. Very true," replied Mrs Seon ''and girl
Il are to become women, and us women surely they
70 ought to know how 10 save, or to spend to the hes
" advantage what their husbands and fathers car
# thus earn; not by extravaganza idleness and waste
" so to discourage them as to drive them to dssipa
# ton, and perhaps despair. No, the obligation il
q mutual lift is the duty of husbands to labor TO
the support of their families, it is the equal dut,
of wives to render their labor as easy as possible
1t by taking care that what they earn is not idly
y, squandered. This they cannot do, unless the,
t: have learned TO become good housewives. and Il
e perform all the duties devolving upon the mstres
of a family
n The victor soon departed, to talk over with he
" friends the strange notions Cf Mrs Seton. Sht
" was too thoroughly indoctrinatcd in the fashiona
n bic mode of education, to derive much benefi
IL from that ladys example and precepts but if there
e are others who may be induced, by the perusa o
If this humble tale, to reflect seriously on the pres
d ent injudcious system Of education among girls
" and to resolve to adopt wiser course, the obec
!. for which it was written is attained