Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-12-24
A WORD to the Girls.

We never expect to tire in interest or
in labor for the girls. We see SO much
to hope for. in relation to the young fe--
males, of our, country and so much that
is defective in their education, that their
interests-their good lies upon our
heart. like a perpetual inspiration
When we see girls educated in the school
of folly and fashion, selling themselves
body and soul to the Establishments of
the shop-keeper and 'mantua maker,
idleing their young lives away in gossip
and NONSENSE taking early lessohssin
E;sg ss4lsal 5 ssl sssE
ly teens, looking forward to making a
future matchj as their only hope and
care molife, forgetting all that is great
est and best in their minds and hearts,
Ignoring all ,womanly aspirations, and
aims, giving no heed to the preparations
for life S great duties and Joys, my heart
blceds within me. How many good peo-
pie are trying to improve, the homes of
tho world, How many are seeking to
awaken in human hearts a tguer esti-
mate of home virtue, more thorough
insight into home duties. How limited
will be their success unless the hearts
of the girls can be warmed by the bur-
ming zeal of improvement. olW oman is
the mistress, the presiding genius of
home; and she must. become true to her.
self, true to womanly qualities of mind
and heart, ere the homes of this world
can be what they should be. She
must cease to worship at the shrine of
folly; she must cease to place her sole
on marriage; she must cease to regard
herself simply as the doll or plaything
of man. she must cease to desire to be
his pet, or anybody's pet; she must
cease to lean on father, brother, hus7
band for support, for instruction. She
must feel that she has a mind to be ed
ucated, a soul to be Taught the way of
duty She must learn to be independ-
ent in her. opinions, her actions, her du-
ties and her aims. Every girl should
have some aim in life, and educate her
self for some place and duty. Her ed
ucation should be solid and thorough.
Why should the boys be sent to college
from fourteen to eighteen. and the girls
to a seminary or academy as many
months. Why should the boys be three
or four years learning trade or profess
sion, and the girls never learn to do
anything? Why should the boys be
all their minority learning agriculture
with their best books. instructions and
experiences they can get, and the girls
that are to be their wives be ignorant of
everything that pertains to their future
duties and trials? Why should it be
the province Of the boys to know SO
much and the girls to know so little?
We want to see the girls of this age
wake up to a new life and every one of
them fix on some great attainment that
they will secure. First of all let them
aim to be true women, Intelligent, self
reliant, virtuous, high n,indcr, sober, af-
fectionate, thoughtful, loving, all that is
truly lovely and nothing that is not, de-
manding of all their associates that they
shall be honorable and respectful. Sc
condly, let them determine that they
will know the most they can know about
the practical and useful duties of life,
that their hands shall be taught to be
useful and their minds active come what
fortune may. Thirdly, let them learn
how to preserve their health, to care for
and do for the sick, to be judicious man
ayers of household, sick-rooms, nurse
ries, and whatever falls to the common
lot of men and women. Fourthly, let
them learn to do something by which
they could earn an honest and comfor-
table living were they thrown upon
their own resources. Fifthly, let them
read and acquire useful knowledge
With such efforts the girls of day may
be glorious women for the next forty
years. Valley Farmer.