Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-07-31

questionably brave fellows. We confidently believe
that if not for tho good taste, good sense,
good looks and good breeding Of the fair danes of
Petersburg the saucum nf the editors of that jour
nal would have been stormcd on the morning OF lust
Saturday-the cventful morning on which appeared
all article in the Democrat containing, among other
morceaux, the following
1t cannot DO denied, and, indeed the charge is 30
commonly made that it is lair 10 presume no
one doubts it, that a class are superficial,
lashy, unsubsuntial in intellectual requirements.
What papers that" says one Of Beaumont and
Fietchrrs heroes, aud mark the answer Of Pudrulno
a letter,
Blu, tis womsn's, sir. know by the hand
lind The false orthogrophy
Nor was the observations alone Of the times CT
those wondruus twins Of song; there has never been
q time when womanhood was not marked by this
"iase photography" condition Of things so re-
markublc and, in ysw uf the high desinies and du-
ties of woman, deplorable, Is worthy OF coou in
vesfiyatiOn.
What think you OF that, Master Brooke! Our
ne.hbors, We believe both Of them, are yet rejoicing
iu the delights of bachclordom they have nerer sur
rendered to--ra,hcr,-thcy havo never gaiued--she
charms of matrnony. Yet, with their eyes open,
and in the face o danger, they have dared 10 utter
such heresies-such unheard-of seventies upon the
fair SEX and these, too simply tor taus III orhoSra'
ply. Whoever heard Of a woman's mlsspellng her
on naael-aud is i. not asking too much in tho pre-
sent state of female education, TO demand higher
acouaiutsnce with the intrcHcies OF our language on
| their partl But are all our women hashy-superh-
cisl-unsubstantial in intellectual acqulrements'-
| Alas too cruel too unjust il such an impu'alon;
and, without intending 70 get our neiShoors INTO not
water we should Iik. 10 have the privilege ei expert
menting upon them with q few we know. Men that
they are, and brave, aud intellectual mon at that,
their checks would blanch, we fear, III an encounter
with some Of thu female wits State Affords
While in solid learning in profound requirements, in
rpcness uiu i:ItItl.y vf tn~-L. n"d viyor Of eA-
| pressoi,, there many very many, within the
limits Of the Old Dominion whom we we say 1t with
becoming humility. we trust, could ''not hold can
die to-" How our neiyhbors would compare in the
coufct it does not become US to Say-though' If VIZ
were in their places, we would decline the contest
But, again: Our nsiyhbors return 10 the charge al
! ter this fushion
We come now to our own .nes and at tn. risk Of
being considered hereto, we submit that soccty
! has not vet given woman her proper position. we
REQUIRE too little u her und too much. We exait her
and d-basa her nay we icbase her in onr e!aItHson'
Society looks for few fashionable accomplishments,
| rryynru5
| boarding schools for furnishing the very goods We
prasa and buy! Getting husband is the OBJECT OF
their lives III early years md getting husoanGs tor
their daughters their later life, the middle portion
| being occupied mainly with novel reUdins Gia Tue Tue
nursery. We expect them 10 make love sucreestu'y
when single, and puddings ma sons-ln'ia" succesS
fully when married, neither ot which occupations IT,
uuires q particularly extensive Or thorough educh'
toa IT, them scuols for girls are for thu most part
| nt-lled with Il view 10 secure those ends, whose
| fault isit
! S.rjouslv-for after our fashion We have been at
tempting banter contemporary on 'he lock OF GAL
lantry, nothing more-seriouuly, then Is there not
more truth than poetry 10 these charges Of our va.
liam, friends! And il true, to what are these defect.
in woman a,tribu,ub!c Our uei3hbors, with remark.
able accuracy, have erreted out the cause ma pre-
scrbcd the cure "There will have to be-" say these
nbv,icaus of the rneuta organization OF woman
"there will have to be great radical change IN the
constitution of society before tho wishes OF tnose
who de,rs TO sec tho MUSES. we'll as The Graoes re-
nr,seuted in modern female life can he Grathcd.-
cod schools can do much to attain this end il their
conductors will set their tnces flint against The
prevailing vice Of supcriciaty but the great change
must be made Oh the arena Of tue disorder. flis
and powder may alleviate the sucrlnsa OF the victim
Of cancer, but the knife alvne eradcates the evil.
The words blue Stocking must lose their terrors,
siren ,th Of mind must 10 be reproach osra-
o;sm must cease to hang every female who dares
10 think and write the arts must be opened in their
classic grandeur to the hand aud hsud OF woman o'
fore the De Staels and the Margaret Fuers ceoee 70
be prodgies or exceptions"