The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-07-28
FUTURE OF WOMAN.

In article with this caption in late num-
ber of the Christian Inquirer of New York, we
have found number of observations which, as
they seem the product of uncommon judicious-
ness and great maturity of thought, are well
entitled to the consideration of parents and of
all who take an interest in the reformation and
amelioration of society. We subjoin few of
the remarks which have appeared to us peculi-
arly interesting and suggestive:
''We feel no disposition to limit the sphere of
woman. We would not speak harshly even of
those who have over r-stepped the ordinary limits
of retired duty. Remembering the Miriams
and Deborahs of old, we cannot join in the hue
and cry that is always raised against any
man who feels moved by genuine purpose to
be as the prophecies of the time, and bear wit
ness against predominating sins. Let the field
be open, and genius and piety be shackled by
no fetters. Yet with all allowances for remar-
kabIe cases, we must look to more retired scenes
for the true sphere of woman The home, the
school, the church-these the spheres of
her best influence, and that, too, without viola
ting the instincts of her nature.
/ at is enough to sadden any thoughtful mind
/ to know the deplorable ignorance of many
young women to the essential dignity and
utilities of home. Not to be harping always upon
household labors, let US take what may be called
a higher view. What is the chief grace and or
4 nameDI OF nome WDat is the GROWING accom-
plishment in the mistress of the home, the queen
of the social circle? Is it dress? no: for few care
for snowy apparel except she that wears it, and
ribbons and laces have little to do with making
home graceful or happy. Is it beauty? Even
that soon becomes an old story, and is inspid
enough If on the surface merely and not in the
mind. The chief q ace and ornament of home
the crowning accomplishment in her who should
be the arbiter of the social circle, is coNvERsA-
ITIoN-conversation apt, sensible, kindly, and
when need requires, brilliant and beautiful-the
words fifty spoken, far better than any painting
or embroidery, and like apples of gold in PICTURES
of silver. Some women there are, the splendor
and wisdom of whose conversation makes their
presence a benediction, and men wish that harp
and piano should cease, that they might speak.
But generally the power of conversation is en-
tlrely neglected, left to mere chance I; and we
will leave it to those most concerned in the mat
ter to decide what are the chief topics of femi-
nine conversation. With little more
care and discipline, the conversation of women
would be worth more to their husbands thou
sand times over, than all the music and dancing
. and drawing that were ever fourished forth
from the academies.
'Alas! that scarcely an hour is ever given to
its culture. and no place is assigned it in our
: systems of education. Let woman understand
, its power, and although few shallow fops nigh
deride her for eclpsing, by her apt, and good
sense, their foolish words, she would have pow.
er in the home and social circle that would save
the most brilliant of the from desiring to
stand at the bar or in the pulpit. New graces
and charities would surround the family fire.
side, and society, no longer crowd of rery iu-
Uenite persons, who come together to dance ano
: laugh and eat and drink would be a centre OF
refinement, intelligence, high thought, exalted
sentiment. To rescue society from its degrade
ton is the Office of her who is its great arbiter
/ To go to the rescue, the Gospel bids her, for q
: low tone of society is both the cause and the
consequence n Ia MOI nd reli
gion.
''Home is the great school, and woman the mos
powerful teacher therein. Let us not be though
assuming, then, in saying word of exhortatior
to parents, teachers and all, who have the care
OF those who are to be the women of the rising
e age. Do you not habtually place before then
: a very false and artificial standard of character
t and reputation Are you not educating then
b for creatures of sunshine, instead of making
f them equal to either fortune-for the dark a,
S well as the bright day? Are you not wrong il
making adequate provision for those reverse
d OF fortune which are common in country
, and which often make those who have no
: learned self-dependence, obi ged to take o
e themselves, or else be cringing guests in homes
: not their own, the partners of men whom no
: love but money has made their husbands, in al
IS adulterous although legalized connection :? Ii
: many home where fashion sits supreme, an,
:, capricious maidens are INDUCED in contempt o
utility, disregard of parental control, ridicule o
IuoSc WHO llVe IN 1QieneSS ana ores
|, in their gorgeousness-in many homes such a
II this, are you not thoughtlessly planting tn
r seeds that must bring forth q harvest of woes
: Is not female education, as it usually is, one
the chief, if not the chief abuse of the age
N There is some promise of better day. Heave
II speed its coming, and join beauty with utility
;, grace with wisdom 20
n BeA. Mr.. Hamilton, in his Fourth of Jul
70 speech at Tarrytown, New York, related str
N king anecdote, which he had heard from Talley
le rand's own ips:-ssWhen Talieyrand, havin
ic been compelled to leave France was, subs.
y quently, also obliged to quit England, becaut
II he was suspected of being spy, he went
e. Portsmouth to take passage While at the hot
I'd there, he was informed that there was an Anne
s' lean gentleman in the house, and he immediat,
ly sought an interview with him, to obtain SON
II particulars of the country to which he propose
ne emigrating. At the close of the interview, Ia
~ lcyrand told the stranger that he would fe
"A pleasure in bearing to his friends in Ameri,
rs any letter message he had to send. The a
of swer was, Il am the only man in the world wi
. has no friends in America On subsequent i
st quiry, he ascertained that the. stranger was
i other than Benedict Arnold.