Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-06-19

utary intellectual discipline. The bill of far,
IN female schools, like those in many othe
popular and bigh-soundng institutions, (evet
some Of our Coilegesl is not sustained by the
! quaiav and favor of the materials, nor in the
culinary dressings Of these feasts of reason
mere are, however, American women WHO
nave read the pages Of Virgil, and understood
well the theorems Of Euclid. So, also. we
Know American ladies who read Siliman's
journal, and may occasionally peep into the
scientific Review. But they are certainly rare
IN number, and Go not give tone, and spirit,
and principle to American society. They
are shining ornaments which adofn that socie
ty. They are 10 the country like rich pearls
worn on the bosom of charming woman, to
re valued and admired, but do not cons, u,e
thR prr''y OF mind. the excellence of csslIul
ters inc correctness uf conduct aut, ,i,S ayaae
OF manner, which, Far more than the bloom
on the cheek, or the mimickry of fashion,
constitute the charm of woman.
There Is one sort of Intellectual education.
however, in which American women, like the
American people generally, far exceed any
other people whatever. II is that practical,
realizing education, which Liberty gives to
all who breathe its air. 1t is the elennen, of
business, Of society, and of manners, which
the American Young Woman found round her
cradle at her birth, has grown up with, and
breathes in, through the whole atmosphere
of social life. 1t is the realization of things
as they are. This she did notget from school.
nor from books, however many she may have
read. She go,i from hearing conversation
from reading newspapers, from being brought
up in Society, just as if she were part of it,
like her brothers and neighbors. This is the
air of Liberty. 1t is the odour Of knowledge;
borne upon it through the curious mind. #
Is the most incomprehensible thing to for
eigners Hoo our young women can walk
In this way, without falling into pit-fall at
every step, was marvel even to De Tocuque-
vile himself. They do walk so, and in the
aggregate are both more useful and more vir-
tuous members of society, than the women Of
any other country. But we come back to
our enquiry. What is it that makes Ameri-
can women in their families, on the whole.
more domestic and happy than in most Euro
peafi nations. We have already mentioned
one thing-the realizing education of life
but, that is not all !; nor, in moral point Of
view; the most important. There are two Pc
culiar and predomipating facts in the donIes
tic life of American women, which have given
them wider and better influence than ever
proceeded from The ancient modes OF ciyilza.
ton.
l. The first is, that Marriage is voluntary
between the parties--and not forced, or con-
trolled by Interior persons or considerations.
II II is not love-match, as it is called; il is
In all cases voluntary one, morally as we'll
as physically. Whatever may have been the
motive Of the wife-whether a regard 10 mr.
son, mind, character, position, property; or oil
together,-tt was one, at the time, satisfactory
10 herself she felt as free agent feels the
responsibility of one 10 make the result success
ful and IL unsuccessful, blames no one but
herself. In this condition she has every DOS
sible motive for self-exeriion, for generous
allowance towards her husbands falings. and
for community OF interest. The same mo-
tives govern the husband for the same reason.
1t Is thus that in the MAJ ori:y of American
marriages the husband and the wife are what
they were intended to be, help-meets for each
other.
Now this state Of facts does not exist in
most countries in the world. In the oriental
Countries the very opposite Of all this takes
place: In South America, Spain, France, I,alv.
Sc, no such q state of manners exists.
2. The second and greatest reason why
American women are superior; is that they
are generally educated with a deep sense of
moral and religious principle. This is far
more important part IN education, than that
they should have more or less extensive
round of Academy studies. Happily for the
American people this religious sentiment of
American women has been part of the man.
ners--the very nationality of the American
people. The Anglo-Americans do not be-
lieve nor tolerate the idea that levity of man.
ners and light estimation of moral duties.
are compatible with the pure character and do
mestlc affections which they consider the
highest excellence Of women The majority
oil American women entertain in some form
or other deep sentiment Of piety, and the
public opinion Of men approve The cultivation
of that sentiment.
ii is discovered by intelligent men, when
not specially religious themselves, TO be
valuable element OF society. and 10 be a grace
OF character in a woman. Except in our large
commercial cities, very little encroachment
has ye; been made on this moral element Of
American women. He must be poor OBJ
server of Society around him who does not
see, also, what vast influence this character
OF women has had on the social elements.
II has influenced all the departments Of life !
IL has restrained the husband guided the
son, and thrown kindly ameliorating even
feeling into public affairs
GovE.-Charles Lever, in his new work of
"St. Patrick's Eve" remarks on the tender pas
sion as follows 1.-THE game OF love Is the same,
whether the players be clad in velvet or in holden
gray. Beneath the gded ceiling Of palace, or
the lowly rafters Of cabin, there are the same
hopes and fears, the same ieaiousies, and dis
trusts, and despohdlDgs; for, after all, the stake
is human happiness, whether he who risk it be
peer or a peasant ~