True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-12-23
Gnnntru Girls.

MRS. victoria ruler In lne Ona0 CULs
tivatOr, in sisterly way, thus talks to
country girls:
The farmers daughters are soon to be
the life as we'll as tie pride Of the coun-
try glorious race Of women which no
other land can show. I seek not to fiat.
ter them; for before they can become this
they will to make earnest efforts Of one
or two kinds. There are some who de.
preciate their condition, and some who
have false pride in it, because they de-
mand more consideration than they merit.
A want of intelligence upon all subjects,
and Of refined education. is no more ne.
cessary in country, than town bred
girl, in this age Of books and newspapers.
Many girls are discouraged because
they cannot be sent away from home to
boarding schools, but men Of superior
minds and knowledge of the world rath.
er have for wives, women well and prop.
erly educated at home. And this edu.
cation can be had wherever the desire is
not wanting. A taste for reading does
wonders, and an earnest thirst after
knowledge is almost certain to attain a
sweet draugh! of the "pierian spring.
There is farmers daughter in this very
room in which | am writing, a beautiful
refined and int elIeclual woman, in whose
girlhood books were not as plenty as now,
and who gained her education under cir.
cumstances that would have discouraged
any but one who had as a true love Of
study. y5i
| will state why I think the country
girls are yet to prove the hope Of the
country. The women of towns aud
cities are becoming so universally un-
healthy, and so almost universally ex-
travagant, foolish and fashionable, that
men are almost in despair of obtaining
wives who are not invalids, and providing
them with what they demand after they
have married them. Unless the young
man has the fortune (good or bad) to be
the inheritor Of wealth, he must spend
the best bloom of his youth to acquire
enough to "start upon," as people are
expected 10 begin nowadays. Many
even in high places would go to the
country for their choice if they met there
equal refinement and intelligence
Women are preparing to take a noble
stand in history and they cannot do it in
ignorance.
Town girls have the advantage gilmore
highly polished manners and greater &C.
complishments; but country girls have
infinitely more to recommend them as
rivals Of their fair city sisters They
have more truth, household knowledge
and economy, health, and consequently
beauty, simplicity, affection, and freshness
of impulse and. thought. When they
have cultivated minds they are more
chances in their favor for good sense and
real ability, because so much is not de-
manded by the frivolities Of society. The
added lustre Of foreign accomplishment
could easily be caught by such mind
from avery little contact with the muses..
! would not speak as though our farm
er's were deficient in education. Many
brilliant scholars and talented women may
be found among them. In New England
this is especially so; but | would seek to
awaken the ambition Of all to become
Itlat admired and favored class which they
ought to be, if they will but unite refined
culture with their excellent graces. ei
i A sweetcountry house, with roses and
honeysuckles trained to climb over it;
with good taste, beauty and intelligence
within; toll enough 10 insure health, and
leisure to court acquaintance with books
and flowers and the loveliness of nature,
with peace, plenty and love, is surely
one Of the paradises which Heaven has
left for the allainmenls Of man. @llea