The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-12-13
TORN PAGES
THE EDUCATION OF GIRLS

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THE EDUCATION OF GIRLS.
The best evidence of the unhtness
of the education now impaired, is the
insipid character of the conversation,
in which the majority of young wo.
men, who have just left the schools.
indulge. We appeal to every one, if
it is not generally Of most uninstruc.
tive and unpleasing nature. DISGUST.
tions rs to the last change Of fashion,
criticisms on the weather, or on the
last foolish love story of Cooley or
Graham; and, worse than all. recitals,
evidently with more disposition to ex.
pose, than to sympathize with them,
oflhe last follies or misfortune. of some
unfortunate acquaintance. We admit
there are exceptions; and onl y regre,
that it is our duty to allude to the
existence of a practice 50 inconsistent
with the merits of woman's natures.
We CO not wish to have it under
stood, that we are favorable to the
opposite extremes, oGconining women
exclusive v to the needle work, or the
cookery of the household, or that she
should negiec, these things altogcther;
and become a thorough blue stocking.
Nothing is more odous than one Of
these creatures, who converses of
nothing but the obsolete or antiquities
of ancient learning. When woman
gets to be one of these, she is no
longer woman. Her nature bc-
comes art, and her tenderness if cxhi.
bited at all, mere mechanism. Her
mind is a reservoir Of the turbid wa
tiers OF learning, which so far from
being the source of the henevoIcnces.
common with her sex, are the seat of
poisonous exhalations.
Independent of The advantage to
accrue to woman, and to those who
are to be her associates in society,
from conversation; it is a powerful
agent for the instruction Of younger
persons in the family. Schools are
not the only actors in the business of
education, nor books the only mediums
Of knowledge. The family circle, at
period when chiIdren's minds are
most easily impressed, is the great
theatre for instruction. The familiar
illustrations of the parent, the plain
little lessons taught at the knee, are
Of more value in after life, and remain
longer stamped on the mind than
much that is learned from books, and
in the Academy. To cause this
school to be ellie ctual for good, the
mother must lie educated. and edu.
Gated properly. 1t will profit her
children little to inform them that
there are major and minor shakes in
music, or Of the differences of the
chain and hem stitches in crochet. IF
discarding these frivolous engage.
ments, she is capable of recalling from
06Qha cultivated intellect. the
0(l5olo Z Xamples Of virtue, with which
history is pregnant; and of instructing
in those studies. which have direct
application to the duties of life, she
will 90 far to place in the minds Of
her children foundations Of piety and
knowledge, on which may be reared
a superstructure well worthy the
labor Of human lie.
But besides this, we would, in the
course we suggest provide women
with a stock Of knowledge, to interest
husband, when sallow complexion
and wrinkles, take the place of a far
skin and rosey cheeks. TO all wo-
men, this dreaded time will assuredly
come. Men will either insist on
beauty or sense. With neither. we
tell women they have no more chance
Of admiration, than mad dog has OF
living to a respectable old age, or a
cat, amongst a crowd of school boys.
To provide therefore for the inevita.
BILE impress of time on their faces, let
them set about laying in a stock OF
intelligence.