Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-07-29
Something for Young Women.

Something for Young Women
Atihe close of the annual examination of
the Albany Female Academy, on The 2d inst
the Rev. DR. SPHAGUE, in the absence of
the President OF the Institution. Hon. w.
l.. MARCY, addressed the Graduating Class.
IN the course Of the address, he made the
following remarks, which are worthy Of eve
~ young woman's perusal. The Doctor did
rot recommend the Bloomer costume. by
the way, how Hannah More would have
looked in il.
would recommend to YOU rs an impor
tant means OF improving and elevaiiug your
characters. to study, as you have oppOr;uul-
~, some of the brightest models of female
excellency. | have happened, though am
not sure that it is very modest to speak of IT
here-l have happened TO know personally,
n number ofthe most illustrious female char
aciers OF the age. and there is one among
them whom | would recommend TO your
earnest contemplation and imitation above
all Others. And what name are you expec-
ting me to pronounce! Do you suppose II
was the venerable Joanna Bailliel She was
indeed beautifully primitive IN her manners,
and every thing she said was said with iuim-
liable simplicity, and evinced high iulel
gence as well as an exceedingly gentle spirit;
but it ~as not She Pelhaps you will think
il was Mrs Ope-No, il was not Mrs Opic;
end vet her good humor, her, boundless be-
'neyolcnce. her fine social qualities, IN con-
nection with her Quaker language and Qua
ker simplicity left grea(ul Impression up
on my mind. which | shall always ioud'y
cherish. Was it then Maria Edwo,ih! She
was indeed a Stat in her external appear
anco there was nothing winning, unless il
was an air OF strong uHmiStaheab!e honesty;
born and educated as she was in ireland,
there was not particle Of blarney Ia her
iure; but there was lrsh wit; aud so remar-
kab,e were he T powe ers Of conversation. that
you would have liked to talk with her, pen
in hand, that you might carry away with
.you all her bright thoughts aud piquant eX-
pressions; bot neither is Miss Edworh the
model that have in my eye. Aud finally,
is il good old Mrs Grant, of Lagean, who
nearly a century ago was passing her child
hood here in this very cry Of Albany, ard
who at the age OF Ihiry SIX or seven, told
me that she was quite sute that she should
sill recognize the old elm Tee al the corner
Of State and Pearl streets, Il she could b.
sci down beside ill She was uuly noble
type of a woman; YOU fet that there was
much oi the old Romaa in her nobility was
impressed upon her form and Ieatutes, YOU
saw it in the movements of her body and the
movements Of her mind; aud you may read
il in the whole story Of her eyentiul HE.
look ed upon her as tall maleslic old oak
which had withstood the storms OF almost a
hundred winters. ard WAS green and ilpur-
j.hinp still: and could not bnt feel that
though her earthly career might be included
within century. she had made provisions
TO perpeluate not only heriuiiueUce, bat her
name, through successive centuries. She
was indeed SPLENDID old woman; nature,
education, circumstances, atgersliy, pros
peri,y, all contributed to make her So Bot
she was not, ate all, the beauideal Of female
character which wish to recommend 10
you-that is no other than Hannah More
a name which seems 10 have become The &C
knowIedged symbol OF the highest female
dignity and excellence. saw her amidst
the hourshug Of the almond trees a3d after
the grass hopper had became burden bat
before there was any visible waning OF hei
noble intellect. felt an awe upon my spir-
it as approached her, but before ] was
ware OF it, had forgotten her illusuiou'
name in her winning gentleuess aud her be
nignant smile. Her figure was slight hut wei
proportioned: her features perfectly regular
her expression as bright and serene as benev
olence and intelligence could make II; he
conversation, which run chiefly upon th'
pss;, was lively and agreeable, occasionally
brilliant aud fascinating. And when she re
fer ed to her better and higher interest, sh'
did it with such manifest sincerity and hu
miIity, and there was evidently such kin
ding OF spirit at the thought of the gloriou
realities in the world unseen. in which sh
was so soon to mingle, that her chambe
seemed indeed privileged place, quite o.
the verge Of Heaven. 1t was the symmeu
OF her character as exhibited in her appear
ance and conversation, that most impresse
and delighted me; and if mistake not thi
is the quality that will impress you most
the study Of her life. You will find nothiu
contracted or illibera nothing but wh'
tells you OF bright intellect and an exalte
spirit: and though in her earlier days. tn
religious priuci, pics seems to have been bI
imperfectly developed, ye: in mature year
and under her Heavenly Fathers gtacior
discipline, she exhibited strength and iip'
ness of christian character, OF which 1t is raj
indeed TO find a specimen, remember III
hour spent with her as among the most i
vored Of my life; and if it were in my pow'
10 produce upon your minds the impressic
that she let upon mine | should feel sul
that | had SAID something at least, that 20
would always remember.