American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-07-21

q destiny which requires the greatest
attainable degree of physical, intellcc-
tual and moral culture. Physically
she requires great power Of endurance.
The cares and burdens of her house
hold, the due adjustment Of all tho
stores and garniture of larder, kitchen,
dining-room, wardrobe and pal}or the
industry, economy, order and neatness
that makes her peculiar empire, home,
comfortable and attractive, conspire to
impose weight she can never endure,
without a physical devclopcment and
habits Of business adapting her to her
sphere. Yet what numbers OF anxious
and dotihg parents are, at this time,
by blind disregard Of the laws of Ma
ture, in forming The habits OF their
daughters, trGining victims Cor the altar
of a Vitiated taste, and an unnatural
and ihorcilegs Fashion The Chinese,
in supposing that q lady's foot must be
full grown at birth, and in attempting
to compel nature to submit by pcrpet-
ual tortures, have not departed farther
from reason and duty that some Chris
tian parents. Did not the Creator
know what conformation to give the
human frame? And shall we teach our
daughters, in their very infancy, to
lisp the impious appeal to Him, "why
hast thou made me thus p A strict
regard to all the laws of the animal
economy, should direct every part of q
physical education. Then vigor, activ-
ity, symmetry and grace, will ordinari-
ly, during a long and happy life, re-
ward abundantly those who give early
and perseyering attention to this i'm
portant, but too much neglected part
of education, whether of males or fe-
males. But its discussion is not our
present aim. We only wish to bespcak
the earnest attention of parents and
instructors, and express the hope that
in this regard, VIC may at least edo
nothing against the truth but for the
truth. Let lis frame all our systems
and direct all our efforts according to
the knoTn physical laws that govern
our, being, and the clearly expressed
will Of the adorable Lawgivor, respect
ing their enforcement. -.
The material part is but the "earth-
ly house," the immortal occupant de-
mands our chief attention when speak
ing of education. ..... ,..s.r
Permit us here to mention some Of
the considerations which Impress us
with the duty of giving to young ladies
y thorough intellectual training.
1. Their minds are often richly en-
towcd, They are cmincntly successful
in the pursuit of knowledge. And can
we for moment admit that q Being
Infinitely wise and good, has given to
any of his creatures powers that arc
never to be developed or employed p
Will we charge Him with having be-
slowed gifts without design, or say that
the object of their bcstowmcnt is never
to be accomplished
z. Such training promotes intcllcc-
tual enjoyment. How the soul cxults
over her achievements With what
rapture does she fold her wings, on
some towering height, gained only by
the most earliest and pcrscvcring cXcr-
ton! | would encourage my daughter
to devote a portion Of her time to ms
thclhatical pursuits, though I felt IS.
surcd that she would never employ fig
urcs in btisincss, for tho sikc Of tic
plcHstto trising from the solution of its
difficult problems, as well rs for the
purpose of STRENGTHENING the mind by
such labors! | would require her to
study philosophy, not merely for prac-
tlcal purposes, but also that she may
have the happiness Of oSccrtaninc facts
and truth, the causes of things and
their phenomena, and Of having onlar-
gcd views of God and his works. BY
chemistry she will be enabled to invcs-
tlgatc the composition Of material sub
stances, and the changes which their
mutual actions produce. Astronomy
VIII assist her to career through tile
Yoids Of space, and contemplate the
mighty worlds that move in their ap-
pointed and respective orbits. What
emotions of delight must be awakened
and pcrpctuatcd by these and kindred
revelations of the mysteries and do
rlcs of the material universe! I'm her
progress through life, flowers bloom
continually in her path and gold and
diamonds shine and sparkle, in every
scene, i'll the heavens &bovc or earth
beneath, and each day she enjoys an
intellectual rcpast, known only to tic
well developed and well stored mind.
D. Can We resist tho conviction thSt
the intellectual attainmonts and habits
OF the present life, as we'll as mor&t
character, will influence our condition
world without end |? lf, as immortdl,
VIC arc Intellectual beings, shall we not
retain that nature forever? When VIC