Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-06-20
M A EDUCATION.

FEMALE EDUCATION.
One of the proudest boasts of the nineteenth
century, is the improvement in Female Educa-
ton. And in this noble reform from heathen-
ish ignorance, our good old State is acting a
noble part. Our advertising columns attest,
that facilities for acquiring a sound, useful,
practical education, with all the necessary or
namental branches, abound in every section of
country. The importance of education seems
now to be universally admitted. It has become
the favorite subject ofsome of the wisest and
most gifted minds. It has incorporated itself
with the spirit of our vigorous and advancing
nation. 1t is happily defined by one of the
most elegant of our writerseas the mind Of
the present age, acting upon the mind ofthe merit
1t will be readily perceived how far this ma
chine surpasses the boosted lever of Archime-
des,esince it undertakes not simply the move
ment of a mass of matter, the lifting ola dead
planet from its place, that it might fall, per-
chance, into the sun and be annihilated,cbut
the elevation of that part of man whose power
is boundless,-and whose progress is eternal,
the raising Of a race, made but a little low
er than the angels to a more entire assimila-
ton with superior natures.
In the benefits of an improved system Of
Education, the female sex are now permitted
literally to participate. The doors of the tenn
pie of knowledge, SO long barred against them,
have been thrown open. They are invited to
advance beyond its Threshold. The Moslem
interdict that guarded its hidden recesses is re-
moved. The darkness of a long reign of bar.
barism, and the illusions of an age ofchivalry
alike vanish,-and the circle of the sciences
like the shades of Eden, gladly welcome anew
guest.
While gratitude to the hberality of this great
and free nation is eminently due from the fee
bier sex, they have still a boon to request
They ask it as those already deeply indebted
yet conscious of ability to make a more am
pie gift profitable to the girer as well as tn
receiver. 1t seems desirable that their educa
ton should combine more t~horoughness an
solidity, that it should be expanded over a wi
der space of time, and that the depth of it
foundation should bear better proportion t
the height and elegance of its superstructure
Their training ought not to be for display an
admiration, to sparkle mid the froth and foan
of life, and to become eneryated by that indo
lence and luxury, which are subversive of tn
health, even the existence of a republic. The
should be qualified to act as teachers of know
edge, and of goodness. However high thei
station, this Office is no derogation from If
, dignity,-andi its duties should commence whe1
5 ever they find themselves in contact with thos
E : who need instruction. The adoption of tn
motto, that to teach is their p~rorince, will il
spire diligence to the acquisition of knowledge
: and perseverance in the beautiful mechanism {
: pure example.
Z If the character of those to whom the chare
ofschools is committed has been deemed ne
+ unworthy the attention of law-givers, is No
her education of consequence, who begins hi
labor before any other instructor, who pre-o,
: eupies the unwritten page of being, who pr,
n duces impressions which nothing on earth ca
Q efface, and stamps on the cradle what will e,
ist beyond the grave, and be legiblein eternity
! The place Of woman is in the quiet shad
I to watch the little fountain, ere it has breathe
a murmuf. But the fountain will break for
into a stream, and the swelling rivulet rush +
v ward the sea and she, who was first at Il
e fountain head, and fingered longest near IL
infant streamlet, might best guide it to rig
channels; or, if its waters flow complaint
and turbid, could truest tell what had trouble
y their source.
p Let the age which has so freely impaired
D. woman the treasures Of knowledge, add yet
its bounty, by melting her to gather them wi
an unremitting and t%ireless hand, and by e
pecting of her the highest excellence of viii
her nature is capable. Demand it as a debt.
of Summon her to abandon inglorious ease.
a Arouse her to practice and to enforce tho
virtues, which sustain the simplicity, and pr
lie mote the permanence of a great republic.
re Make her answerable for the character of t
next generation. Give her this solemn char
in the presence of men and of angels,,-gi
as her to its fulfllment with the whole armour
y education and piety, and see if she be not fat
= full to her offspring, to her country, and
70 her God.
A~&~~~~-
WAKE FOREST COLLEGE.