Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-05-21
ity of educating everybody? What use
have farmers for an education 2"

"It is well enough that lawyers, physi-
clans and ministers be well educated,
but why spend so much time and money
upon female education p
To the first of these objections we have
to answer, that instead of farmers having
no use for an education, it is they in reali-
ty, who should not only be educated, but
highly educated. The tillage of the soil
is the most natural and the most noble ee-
cupation in which, man can be engaged.
It is the most subs antial means of earning
a livelihood.
Tine scisneeDf Agriculture, neglected for
SO many ages, anaAsaighted by philosophers
both ancient and modern, is now beginning
to be better understood and appreciated
than at any former period It is science
which though formerly held in compara-
tive contempt, now enjoys the investiga-
tions of learned men, of scholars and of
literati. The pens of our most scientific
and influential writers are welded in its
behalf It attracts the attention of the
most intelligent men of our age, and is on
ly hooted at by narrow, vulgar and unap-
preciative minds. Agriculture is every
day rising in the estimation of the world,
and in its present state, presents an i'm
mense field of controversy, of scientific in
vestigation and discussion to the philoso-
piers and savans f our time. The day is
not far distant when it will become not on.
ly an employment but profession pleas
ant, honorable and lucrative. And the
dawn of that glorious period is al
ready visible. Even now, Agriculture is
elevated into science, and its votaries are
by the intelligent portion of mankind, con-
sidered as on an equality with the men,
bers of the learned professions. But we
60 further and assert, that, in point Of dig
nifty and utility, the employment of the
farmer is much above that Of the lawyer,
the physician and the statesman.
:, Considering the thing in the abstract,
!. the lawyer, the statesman and physician,
are in reality merely servants to the far
| mer. The farmer is the stay, staff and
support Of society, the government, its laws
| and institutions. And it seems to US, that
no one with any show of reason can doubt
the truth Of this remark, or object to the
liberal education of farmers
: To those who object to female education
r it may be answered equally effectually and
$ to the point.
!, The doctrine that the female mind is too
t weak, frivolous and negatory to be either
g much improved, strengthened or beautife6
: by the acquisition of knowledge, has long
n since been exploded, requires no further
L argument to prove its falsity. 1t is true,
d the mind Of woman cannot be conceded to
IS be as strong, as profound Or as energetic
i as that of man (; yet, if we carefully ana
lr lyse the characteristics and qualities of the
er two, we shall find that the farmer surpass
a es the latter in versatility, business of con
ception and accuracy of perception. The
l. characteristic popularity of the mind G
a man is profundity; that Of woman, accu
ID racy. Hence, if this be true, we are per
y fectly at liberty to infer that the former il
ed by nature better adapted to the study o
is the abstruss departments of knowledge ant
Is the investigation of the more arduous ant
be occult sciences and that the latter is bet
ter calculated to seize upon the discoverie
he of others and to apply them to their vari
he Gus uses in the economy of life. Hence
to the female mind is eminently qualified fo
de the acquisition and reception Of knowledg
m or practical education. Moreover, tn
'e, world is ruled by woman We would no
of be understood to assert that woman govern
of the world directly or Immediately, but W
b. do say, she does itindirectly. The Kings
u- the Emperors, the Sultans, the Presidents
10 the Generals and the Pachas,.. and all tn
'es potentates of the earth are all mothers
III sons, and like other men act very much al
lsc cording to the maternal precepts whic
he they learned in childhood; and in great 8
7er well as little actions, are in no small d.
1t gree swayed by the influences which SUI
$ rounded them in youth. On this accoun
ers if on no other, the greatest attention shoul
ht- be given to the subject of female educ
be tion.
r Besides, woman is our attendant-or
u ministering spirit through life. Her smi
:en and kiss are the first things that greet us
i'n cur entrance into this cold, dreary world
~ and they are the last that linger in Il
ing heart, and float in the Imagination as v
, oe, decend into the tomb. Her presence high
'nu ems the innocent joys Of infancy, the plea
,elS ures of youth, and her' hand smeothes II
ne- wrinkles of age. She is with us throus
= the whole drama of our earthly existenc
m VI and strews the pathway of life with flo
per ers. She is the first to shed her smil
nus like bright sunbeams on the cradle, and
W Gu last to drop tear on the cold, icy pillow
loe' death She is the first to teach the lispi
, u'P tongue of the infant to articulate wort
; ue and TO know their meanings, and it is FRI
~, her we draw our first ideas By all meal
neo ae then, let females be educated. Let thu
n Tue be conversant with knowledge. Let tn
aI tLeu be intelligent.