Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-11-10
For the Spirit of the Age.
Woman's Influence.

We believe there are some of the gentler
sex who would dare to face the world, and
oppose all who polIute themselves in the stag
nant pools of vice. Having pure hearts and
cultivated minds, they aspire to something
above the 'giddy scenes Of girlhood's tickle
hours" and prepare themselves to fulfill the
duties of life. Such are truly .'earth's living
angels" spreading the sweet incense Of puri-
ty, innocence and love throughout their en-
tire sphere. For one Of these, will = sIordof
creation" stretch every nerve, awaken every
latent energy of his mind, arouse every dor
mantl feeling of his soul, and labor with
mighty effort to make himself truly a man,
in order that he may win her esteem and af-
fiction. For one of these, even I might be
enticed to emerge from the pleasing retreat
of Bachelordom, and beseige a fair citadel,
where intelligence governs the mind, and in
~nocence is queen of the heart.
IF woman was everything that our modern
writers say, a perfect embodiment Of virtue,
purity, innocence and love- well might we
exclaim with the Poet
"Ah woman lin this land of ours
What boon can be compared to thee
How slow would drag LIES weary hours,
Though mans proud brow were bound with
flowers
And his the wealth of land and sea,
If destined to exist alone,
And ne'er call woman's heart his oWnI'
But when we look out upon the world
l and view the GgglLa-see tie Ginollne dolls
q sPEttYR 6rpa1nenfs for a paff01 Ind pleasant
) tIme-killers,) basking in the sunshine of
q Incidence, or coquetting with earth's most
despicable characters, acknowledged tops, and
: learn that the standard by which they Judge
: young men is not virtue and morality" but
!, the tinseled gatherings of a polished exterior;
when I see the female mind so specifically
educated in our high schools, learned the ''or-
namentals," . 'extras" and "fashionables," to
is the exclusion of solid branches, and skilled
in all the arts Of show and making a sensa-
, tion," hut deficient in that high cultivation
i of mind and heart that makes woman loved
g for her noble qualities, not for her painted
g face and false curls | say when [ see all
" these things, not to say anything about those
Id whose duplicity ~tolerates sins of the deepest
n die, and receives attention from characters toe
Il base for f.male purity to behold, | involunta
rily withdraw to my retreat and philosopher
! on "Wonan's Influence"
T. From the very mode of their education, WI
ut would presume that their insight into human
nature and character, was limited. Skim
ho ming over the broad fields Of science, gath
cir ering here and there q flower, and weaving
ed them into beautiful garlands Of Information
.oo they never dive into their rich treasures, an,
- grasping their intrinsic truths, pluck golde
10 apples of knowledge from which the quint
US escense of education is obtained.
Hence we say, It's natural for our mobiles
a daughters, educated as they are, to Judge fror
lie externality, without ever looking into tn
ire deep recesses of the heart. This, we candle
in. ly 4 think to be a fault in our present systel
tor Of female education, and is the ultimate poir
W. to which we would trace all their ~friyolitie
- icklencss &nd vacillating propensities. The
I'LL with a superficial education for a base, d ma
uraE desire to retain every PERSONS esteer
and an inherent love of exterior beauty, v
nks can account for their varied influence in man
tits respects but how ayoung lady with a pu
heart and noble aspirations, can e%ncoura|
the attentions Of a young America" who
infamous character is not only plainly WI
90 ten in facie, but generally admitted, is mo
than a Bachelor, unaccustomed to the worl
ach can surmise. BACH.
zap Nomination, n. c.
ven The reply of Miss G.. was highly apprec
e ted. Would that every young lady in n.
would write with her and say virtue a
49, morality" is the standard by which you
IAU' men should be judged. B.