True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-02-11
FEMALE FDUCATION.

The subjectof the proper early train
ing Of the gentler sex is one upon which
much has been written and said yet
leaves much upon which to write and
say. M
The duty Of woman is Of the highest
and noblest nature, as 70 them is commit
ted the early training Of the youthful
mind and fix upon itthe impressions
which, in all the vicisitudes of after life
cannot be effaced. No man forgets en-
tirely the words spoken by his mother
when his mind, like The plastic wax, was
ready to receive every mark which might
beimprcssed upon il. We can trace the
1 greatness and purity Of Washington TO
the excellent training Of. his mother; he
himself always acknowledged this and
frequently referred TO her as the primal
source OF, all his success in life. Such
was also the case with Napoleon who,to
his latest hour Of public action, was near
ly always guided, by the advice Of his
mother, and in every instance where he
is known to have deviated from this ad-
vice, the result was disastrous. Many
Of our first statesmen have taken pride
in declaring that to their mothers they
are indebted for the first correct steps
which in afier life led them to the balls
Of Congress. Such being the influence
of woman. how great is the burden Of
destiny laid upon them! and with what
care should their minds be trained and
prepared for their respective duties ~
But how different from what IS the
proper training is the present mode Of
education. We can account for r1it only
from its being taken Tor granted that The
sex are inferior mentally to man. ,phis
false idea being assumed they are trained
to be mere, snowy puppets fit ohly'to
shine in. a ball room amidst the glareof
dazzling lights as false in reflection as the
paste diamonds upon which they shine.
The best spring upon human action rand
the best source Of worthy thought, 10 for
ali 10 have worthy thoughts Of them
seltes. If We placeiby improper train.
ing, women in such a situation al 70
have an unworthy estimation of her Dig
nifty, she will not seek to elevate herself
to the scale Of dignity worthy Of the no
Bile part she should play in life. Ifwo-
man was taught in early years that her
usefulness as o wife or mother depended
upon the elevation Of her standing in So
ciety as rational being, and that this
could dOnly be attained BY aproper course
Of Intellectual training, how different
would be the exertions used 10 what are
l now their daily study. The race Of Web
.sters and CIays among the StatesmenPof Of
our land are said to be extinct; and whyf
Because the mothers that trained them
are no more. The fimsy, snowy gloss
Of boarding school tesehing.p has taken
the place Of the deep, solid training Of
mind and thought, Then women were
taught to prepare themselves for wives,
noO they are educated in the best way
to catch a wealthy husband, without ons
thought for the future except how finely
they may shine in the ball room, or the
gaudy crowd Of butterflies Of fashion,
This should and can be remedied. The
future Of our nation 10 gtkat degree
depends upon the proper education OF
those who ate to be the wives and moth
ers Of our Presidents and lawgivers.l-
We would mot oppose the desire Of the
sex TO enhance their personal chnrms by
all proper means because the object, up.
on which the syes Of man has most fire.
qnently toi dwell during life shouldsbs
! agreeable.F Teslshis alone is Of too sfauE
ciful and;fissiing anaturet to come in cDms
petition with permanent mental enjoys
, ment. The manio Of intellect when The
takes a partner life; islor should be-
I deeply solicitous as to the disposition and
. intelligence of one with whomhe expects
, or hopes TO pass Through the trials Of q
! long life. ) she is be the intimate Of
!. all hours-the parlakeF Of all fortunes
the sharer in pain or pleasures--lhe molh-
J! er and instructress Of his offspring, .Of
\ what infinite, consequence is q that tho
! qualities Of the heart aud understanding
!. should be correctly trained. In compar-
B ison with these, mere external charms
: and ornamental accomplishments sink in
i 10 utter insignifiicance, Let mothers
Il think oi this when theyl look upon their
/. daughters. and moi forget that al wives
8 the happiness Of . husband may depend
3 on the daughters training. The prosper:
. lily Of nation may hang upon the few
9 early years Of those who are 100 ollpn
!. educated without q thought Of lheirfuIuFs
i usefulness in life.
N A DvEE. The Petersburg tva) Dem