Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-01-07
Labor for American Ladies.

earning livelihood for herself and family, and
nature, her refined tastes, and to the domestic
retiracy and seclusion essential to the modesty
and elevation of her character, and without which
the respect and admiration of men cannot be
inspired and retained. Fortunately the necessity
does not rest upon all our countrywomen to pro-
cure the means of living for themselves others;
but when we remember that such attachments as
are regarded by the world simply as accomplish
ments may, by proficient, be turned to proita-
BILE account in the hour of need, the injunction
we would impose win not appear unreasonable.
Excellence in almost any art, whether it be music,
painting, drawing, writing, or any other branch,
will prove, in prosperity, a source Of agreeable
recreation, or means Of procuring Injuries not
otherwise attainable and, in adversely, of secur-
ing subsistence without sacrifice of independ-
ence or self-respect But excellence is requisite.
Mediocrity will not suffice, and no lady should be
willing to stop at that point in her chosen and
favorite pursuit
We have read with much pleasure, from the
pen of Mrs Bateham, an account of q school of
design for women, in Philadelphia, being branch
Of the :. Franklin Institute for the Promotion of
the Mechanic Arts" The plan was originally
proposed in 1848 by Mrs. Peters, a benevolent
lady who conceived the project. We make a few
extracts from the Report of the Committee Of the
Institute, in which the adoption of the plan was
recommended:
"There is, in our city, great want of ways in
which female industry may be- proftably en-
ployed
" The person, therefore, who points out new
field for the employment Of female industry, must
be looked upon MS public benefactor.
ut is, however, very desirable that whatever
mode may be devised for the employment of fe-
male industry should be Of such nature as to
allow it to be exercised at their oVn homes, or at
least aoithou croacding them together in workshops,
and especially wihou forcing them into contact aoiM
the opposite se1-practices which are too fire.
quently destructive to female delicacy, 20 quality
not less valuable to the community than beautiful
in itself) even when they do not lead to habits of
actual immortality.
"One of the distinguishing peculiarities of the
female sex is, the very general possession by
them Of more refined and correct taste, and
power of delicate discrimination, especially in
regard to the effects Of form and color--effects
which strike almost every one among US, but
which few, except women, are able to analyze and
produce at will"
The committee recommend q school in which
young women may receive competent education
in the arts of design, and their various applica-
tions to manufactures, thus furnishing them with
a heretofore unoccupied branch of industry, for
which, by their various natures, they are pecu-
liarly fitted, and by which they may sustain them
selves by their own labor, while at the same time
they give to our other arts that stamp of origi-
nality and nationality in which they are now in
so great degree deficient.
THE successful establishment of such school
would moreover, fit them for employment in
many arts, such as wood-cutting and engraving,
for which their quick perceptions of form and
their delicacy of hand very especially fit them
while should they, in these and similar
branches of labor, finally supplant men entirely
no evil could occur, especially in a country like
ours, where such broad fields for male labor lie
entirely unoccupied.
'.The school has now been in successful opera
ton about year, and the present number Of
pupils is about sixty live. \
GAS soon as the knowledge of drawing is &C.
quired, the pupil, if skilfu can commence to earn
rapidly, while at the same time improving her
self. The occupation is so light and delicate, and
so lucrative, that, with skill, young woman can
seldom, if ever, do so well for herself in any other
way"
We wish great success to this school, and would
suggest to the intelligent and benevolent of our
land that in no other way can they SO efficiently
promote the welfare of the American people as
by designating the pursuits that are best adapted
to our fair countrywomen, and indicating the
means by which they may best be instructed
therein.
We are of those who believe that the manage
ment of the affairs Of the homestead is the pecu-
liar and appropriate duty of woman; but while
all women may not have the opportunity of dis
playing their taste and industry in this manner,
it is within the experience of all that these duties
are often too severe for her physical powers,
and so coarse and degrading that she ought not to
perform them. To relieve her from excessive
and inappropriate tasks is part of the benevolent
design under consideration.
In some of our cities ladies are eff cient sales
and command good salaries in these positions.
But we think that pursuits requiring less of ex-
posure and free intercourse with the world would
prove more promotive of the true delicacy and
dignity of an American lady, and they are GER
tainly more accordant with her own desires on
the subject.
Coup d'Etat.
As all newspaper readers are not French lin
gusts, explanation of this term may be accept
able. 1t means, literally, stroke of State, as
coup de grace means a stroke of mercy, coup de
solel stroke of the sun, &c. The pronunciation