Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-07-28


 OiiltleS lncumb bent upon her in this life The necessity of expanding the intellect and ot storing 1t with such knowledge as will pive the understanding scope and jurisdiction over the multfarious relations of thinos is noy m; versally conceded. And it is highly necassarr Hn, that the intellect of woman be imnrova5 u,itL reference to all the sensibilties and canabilitias ot her nature The peculiar process of in,,,sr. lhg thls improvement comes within the layi+;. mate province of an instructor and will nat 'nereiofe, clam my attention on this occasion, Nether my age nor position would warrant ,lo III attempting to point out that process. or 'o name those studies, or branches the hest anapted sn to the purposes of female education. ne examination which has just transpired would relieve any speaker of the task: and no oouot those who were present are unanimously or the opinion, that the accomplished lady at the head of this institution unites to her cana 1 city as an lnstructress, an admirable iudgmeut as to the studies her pupils should pursue.
 The imagination too, should be cultivated It Is noble faculty; and, said Napoleon. "it rules the world" It is more congenial with the duties and nature of woman than to man It IS the faculty which celors, exalts. etherial | iHes-whlch lmparts to these who exercise if the most exquisite intellectual eniovments- whlch lends enthusiasm its celestial wings. and he who has never yielded an hour to its consid eratlon IS altogether unconscious of treasure ln Ills own bosom, to which Aladdin's lapon were tame comparison, and is unpardonablv lnsensible of his obligation to that Beino who placed 1t there. A beautiful writer has remark. ed that :" the influence of the imagipation on the conduct of life, is one of the most impor- tant points of moral philosophv-and it were easy by induction of facts to prove that the 1 imagination directs almost all the passions. and mixes With almost every circumstance of ac ton or pleasure" Another has said that [" the imagination constitutes the very lungs which breathe vitality and activity into the whole in- tellectual being" The imagination is then the pfth1una naoJiteo of the intellect-the thanksgiving of that wonderful machine, the human mind. It Is faculty which loves to contemplate the young and the beautiful as well as the lofty and grand-it is an earthly quality and loves the earth, and delights in visions of earthly glory. For the young, the imagination can weave the garlands of hope and open before them long vstas of bright and happy days.- Behold the youth reclining in solitude by the muFmurnS brook; there is sadness in his coun- lehahce, and were We to judge by its expres- sioh, We should say his heart Is sorrowful. But the conclusion would be erroneous. He is ouIalnS aerlal castles reveling in anticipated wealth, and blushlng honOrs are crowdiuc thick npon hlm-a being beautiful as Heaven is minr- Ing n hls dreams, and in a voice sweeter than muSlc's softcst note is uttering to him words ot kindness and encouragement. He is one of lmagnations happiest slaves. Disturb hin not m hls glorious reverie-let him dream on this sweetest dream of life, until reality shall place upon his brow the victorious wreath.
 hat there Is pronencss in the imagination to color falsely or too highly, admit-and if confirmed by habit, II must render it., victim the sport ot every gale that rutlles the current of ms existence. Imagination must be controlled oy feasoh' It IS an error to suppose that when persons are visionary in their thoughts. plans ana purposes their imagiuations are too strong he fault is in their reason. which Is either
 feeble or accustomed to slumber. Rather let these two faculties be strong, and seek not to bring them to the necessary proportions by en. feebling tie one, but by strengthening he other
 The 1cH which is defined to be that facal ty ol the mind by which we determine either to do or iorbear an acton,' should be strength ened and cultivated, for it Is the executive power of the whole being. It is indispensable to ooth sexes It Is that living working rrinc;- pc which characterizes the positive from the mere passive character
 But, however desirable and necessary strength of will may be, when it becomes so strenuous as to ind positive pleasure in the uncondi- uona and uncompromising exercise of itself. U becomes a gross defomty-aud in woman. draws away from her the very quiutcssence of her womanly nature, leaving that peculiar pro- duchon which everybody has heard of, an uo- body admires, "a strong minded woman"
 lu some portions of our land there is an an- taE"nlStlc spirit often displayed in upholding what are termed "womaI's rights" and many of the iar heroines consider themselves de- lrved of their just rights and equal privileges. silce by our Salic laws they are denied the ap- riause oi listening senates to c.mmaud, or the slogan of political strife to give-such their complaints but by our institutions gentle wo- man Is elevated to sphere more refined and appropriate, where she reigns supreme over the empire of the heart
 That the ladies goUeya, admit; but 1t is not the government of force-not the government tha5appeals to the sword or points To the gloomy cell or the bloody scaf,ld. Iti government that appeals directly to the finer and more im- lHes>lDle sensIb,lities of the heart-a govern inent by which the hearth is constituted the very shrine of domestic quietude and harmony.
 Sheridan says beautifully, Woman sovcr.s ns--'et us render her periect-the more she is en1 5hte0ed, so much the more shall we be- IL Is pE woman that nature writes or th9 hearts of man,