Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1854-11-09
For the Fayetteville Obse,ysr.
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Female Education.

This is a subject replete with the
most thrilling interest to every indi-
vldual of the nineteenth century. ]
regret that an ADLER pen has not been
employed to present this subject to
your numerous readers; to depict in
colors sufficiently vivid, the many
advantages arising from the discip-
line Of woman's physical, mental, and
moral constitution, and the untold
evils consequent on the neglect of
her proper training. AS the light
Of truth advances in our country
as the time honored customs of our
fathers are obliterated,- the more is
the public mind awakened to the
grea: importance of female educa-
ton. In proportion as man energies
from heathenish darkness, in proper
ton as be is enlightened on the great
principles of human science and hap
piness, and of the origin, nature, and
immortal destiny Of the mind, in the
same proportion has the advance
ment Of this cause elected the inter-
est, and engaged the hearts of the
wise and good of every time and
country. Time was, when the edu-
cation of females was almost entirely
neglected, when the cultivation Of
their minds and hearts was thought
to add nothing to domestic peace
and happiness, nor to the progress
and prosperity of the country. But
fortunately, these times, to some ex-
tent, have passed away and these er-
rors exist on the pages of history as
monuments Of the follies of the an.
clients. We rejoice, that notwlth-
standing the mind of woman has
been fettered for ages, and the bright.
est faculties Of her soul permitted to
pine away thr pugh neglect, the time
has come, whdn this delusion is, to
some extent, aispelled from the mind
when woman is beginning to be edu
Gated as her position and sphere Of
influence demand. But nothwith.
standing great advancesshave been
mi de in the science Of female educa.
ton, woman education still is infe.
rior to what it should be. To what
ex tent then should woman be educa.
ted? We answer, to the full develop
ment Of all her powers, moral, phys
ical, and intellectual. Her education
should correspond with the high po-
sition she occupies in society, and to
! the various duties which devolve upon
her as daughter, wife, and mother.
1t is needless to remark how far short
Of this is the education Of females at
the present day. How often do pride,
vanity, affectation, constitute the ell
ements Of character among those who
have had superior advantages, who
have been taught the whole circle Of
accomplishments. They have learned
"a little music, and ITO speak bad
French, while perhaps they are igno-
rant of the English language They
have learned to paintand draw in ev-
cry style, to, waltz and affect senti-
ment, though often too heartlessl to
feel it. But after all their advanta-
ges and various accomplishments,
they have not learned how 10 think
they are ignorant of the cares and
responsibilities Of that life into which
they have entered. They have no
real fondness for literary improve
ment, no desire for knowledge, and a
few months only serve to efface from
the min D the few faint impressions
that haye been made, and leave it a
blank, al toy for those of more cult
walton ahd refinement. This course
Of instr nction, though fashionable in
certain parts of the country, is not
the best that could be adopted for
the cul tiyatiop and full development
of those immortal powers Of which
she is possessed, to enable her to
act with honor and usefulness, her
part in the great drama of human ex-
istence. Many parents think it of
but little consequence whether they
educate their daughters or not. To
dress them finely, and make them ap-
pear as much like butterflies as
possible, seems to be their highest
ambition. We trust the time will
soon come, when female education
shall receive-that attention its impor-
,ance demands. G.. +. II.