Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-06-10
Ga6its' 9tpartmtnt.
Thorough Education.

AHOTOuRn EuucdblOn.
My daughter shall receive q thorough
education, is a remark which we who live in
the nineteenth century, very frequently hear.
But what is the meaning of it, as gener
ally understood and put in practice, and as
thus understood and practiced F? Is it the
kind Of education which our families need TO
III them for the active duties of life? And
If not, what do they need
These are important questions; let US
therefore, bestaw a few moments of careful
thought upon each.
First, what lie the generally understood
and p~racticed opinion Of the tn trough educa-
ton Of females Of the present day. The
true way to find out, is to take il for granted,
that our young ladies', who spent from four
to FIVE years ut boarding school, and who
have just returned therefrom, and have made
their debut upon the stage Of fashionable
society, are what is called thoroughly edu.
Gated Let us dwell for a moment upon
their knowledge. They have learned to play
%skilfully upon the piano their voices are
well trained, and the real music which they
have the ability TO produce, is a great pleas
ure to their friends. They have learned to
paint, ~ embrOider, to crotchet, to dance. to-
enter ard leave a parlor with gracefulness,
and many other accomplishments. Nor have
the more solid branches of education been
entirely neglected. They have passed a
creditHbie examination in the lower branches
OF mathematics, history, philosophy, some of
the sciences and the studies too numerous ~
meniium But are they qus.lfed to take
charge Of a family, and to provide for tbe
wants thereof? Can they preside in the
kitchen, d~iaing.room and parlor with equal
grace? Oh no we are told that their pa
rents are wealthy, and able to provide for
their every want there IS no necessity for
them 70 learn how to labor. But how did
their parents make their wealth: DO not
riches sometimes take wings to themselves
and fv awav? 'Ob yes but you know it
IL 80 understandable to work. This then is a
thorough education.
Secondly. is il the kind Of education which
females need to prepare themselves for life's
duties? Take one If these young Indies and
let us look At her history for a little while
After being in society for a year or 80, she
settles, and settles well. She steps from one
palatial mansion to another. For a while
all goes well, success attends her husbands
business. But by and Ivy, n cloud arises,
and grows larger aud blScker, until it finally
bursts uTon their heads. With sorrow he
informs her that their expenses have been
too large that they ure ruined-bankrupt
and that she must dismiss her servants sell
A'A N'Hh'l AAAbAAhAFg hlu INilDNt ITH1 DeF
fine house, to asmall cottage in a retired part
"f the city, aud there live in comparative Sc
%clusion, in order that by the closest economy,
he may recover his lost wealth. Is she pre-
pared with . heart full Of hope and trust. to
descend from the drawing-r0om to the kitch-
en- and 90 endeayor to tighten by her willing.
cheerful spirit, the blow which falls with a
crushing force upon him How should she.
She does not know how. She is as ignorant
otthe hot O. keepers duties, as the child that
sports by b.; side, needless Of her grief and
iruitlesS CXrlamatious. She knows nothing
OF true econumy, for she has never learned
and with - heavy heart, and murmurinp COM
plants, She iescends to daily toll. But dis
ordered ROOMS, undone or half cooked pro-
vision, hulf washed and ironed garments.
ana The amount wasted by mismangement.
all prove that if hers is what the world calls
"a 'thoro'nt education, the worla . sadiy
ne re slS ssse gssfasepsanaass.
weafS-A preparation for any emergency in
whih shg3 may 10 placed. Lot her learn frs
that labOT is no disgrace. That handsome
Is that handsome does Providence has de
creed that man should earn bis bread by the
sweat u his brow and although there are
those who roll in the lap Of luxury, through
uut their whole lives, yet the number who arr
obliged, at sumo time or other, to depend
upon their own resources for their maintain
ance, is proportionately muchs larger, Blu
l am asked would you discourage the learn
ing Of music, painting. and the other accom-
plishmCntsl Certainly not. Where Their
is a taste for music and the fine arts, let tina
taste be cultivated but do not let il have tn
preference, 70 the exclusion of the solid, an
more useful, and necessary branches Of study
Combine the useful with the agreeable an
pleasant.
One great reason why our females al
brought up in 50 frivolous q manner, is tn
station which public opinion has assigne
them. They are considered 10y some as fit
be only a slave, or a pet. Is this SO? IL,
not woman high, enn0bling qualities, whic
ht her with proper culture to stand wit
pride by the side of man rs his helpmeet
When she has received this culture, has 81
not proved herself capable of being no mea
assistant TO hum in his literae pursuits ?
When will her full Importance, as the mothe
wife, sister and daughter, be felt. 1t is ar
versally acknowledged, that women posse
a mighty power over the other sex, and he
can She WELD this power Alright, unless s.
be taught and fitted TO cope with man in
tellectual battle. Speak TO yen noble lookii
old man, who is the pride of his family, a
bis country ask him what has been {
beacon star 10y which he has so surely guild
his bark through the ocean of life, and o'
the shoals upon which so many Of his as
ciates and early friends have stranded a
him what has guarded him from the vince
and the billiard room he will tell you, VIII
his eyes kindle with enthusiasm, my mothe
prayers and entreaties.' Or, perhaps, it
been q sisters love and faithful warning
If the public would arouse, if they wol
yield To woman, the right of being a toom,
we should see the result in our cou'
National Congress, and our State Legi'
lures, and in all the various grades, aud C
ditions Of life. She would then be fitted
instruct her family, and to inculcate in Il
minds tho grand principles of obedience
God, and respect and affection for the p
ciples Of truth and right and we should
fewer specimens Of Young America 81
cyinced ia high places. KATE
Educate the whole Man.