Arkansas intelligencer., 1858-05-14
Some Talk about Woman Nature as Such.
To the Editor Of the Iateltigeneer:


WATcHrowER, May 10th, SO.
Sir-The mind seems strangely susceptible
to that species of idolatry which bows with
out murmur at the shrine of antiquity
Whatever er may be the dicts that come NUT
teringly from the dark clouds that envelope
the mighty past, we are prone TO stamp as
the offsprings of truth-the foster children of
deep philosophy, the quiutescence of wisdom.
The wrnkled brow of the antiquarian bends
patiently over the hieroglyphic inscriptions
that time has almost etfaced from the ruins
of ancient Rome or Nineveh. The Sculptor
gazes enraptured upon the symmetrical pro-
portions Of ancient statues, or mea sures with
the eye of wonder and awe the gigantic pro-
portions of the Parthenon or the Roman am
phtheatre. Precept and maxims meet with
no less Yenera,ion. Regardless Of truth we
hear the sayings Of olden time banded about
and passed for sound philosophy, whilst in
reality they have but the semblance of truth,
whilst they are the embodiments of error
In the multitudnous army of absurdites
whichdaily besiege us we see arrayed the oft
repeated sentence, "women are the weaker
sex" History, individual experience and res-
son all alike brand this as an error given to
the world by superficial philosophy and
fostsred by arrogant ignorance. 1t requires
but little insight into human nature, assisted
by mature reflection, to show to us the error
which nestles in these smooth words. The
difference existing between masculine nature
and feminine nature is not so much in degree
as in kini. The feminine mind is framed to
grapple with the affections, the masculine to
dive into mysterious sciences and rove amidst
the cold distractions OF met" physics and logic
Yet much is to be attributed to the course
pursued in the early training and education
Of the mind. Regardless Of the true mechan
ism of the feminine mind, our school teachers
force the pupils into uncongenial studies, which
begets distaste to all real study or hurry
them through a fixed routine of worthless
branches, virtually forbjddius them tha pri
viege Of rejecting for themselves The una
voldable consequence is that nine-tenths of
the ladies are possessed of smatterng Of end
less learning with no real knowledge Wis
dom is not to be derived from books, but must
spring from the mind itself Reflection is the
magic wand by which we open the treasures
of the mind and bring its gittering jewels
into use. Nature has wisely designed that
woman shall fill the domestic sphere. The
hearth, the altar of home influence is TIE
world of woman. 1t is incumbent upon her
to plant the seeds and nourish the flowers of
morality in the garden of the heart. Those
who contend that the difference in education
is the only difference between maa and wo-
man are far from the truth. Education en-
larges the sphere of influence in both man and
woman, but the sphere of the one is entirely
and essentially different from that O: the 9TH
er. A Joan OF de Stsel are remarkable ex-
ceptions to tn rule that generally governs
the pursuits of the feminine mind. Woman
was created not for the storming of citadels
bgt for the government and shaping of tie
affections, she was not created for political in
trigue but the custodian of morality and reli-
gion. The communication Of the ideas Of
morality and religion is effected in various
ways. The earspli;iing and heart hardening
rant Of the modern pulpit orator, the strange
and striking absurditiss of the revyalst, the
cold and unfeefng reasoning of the theologian
are by no means the most etlectual or the on
ly means of implanting the love of God in the
human heart. The nature of man is adverse
to force whether in physical, spiritual or
mental point of view. Freedom of will is the
highest attribute Of man and the mode of teach
ing which has a tendency to curb or destroy
this freedom is obnoxious, and can have little
efficacy. To subdue and moralize the heart
we must sssimiiate our method of instruction
to the model presented by the meek and low
ly Jesuit. This should be the standard the
method, as before remarked, are various
Every department of literature presents wide
scope for religious instruction. Philosophy,
poetry, history, presents alike SO many ayen
ues through which we may teach the heart
and educate the conscience. These avenues
are almost forbidden to the ladies of our gen.
Grafton. they can teach more ehectualy thro'
them but modern education prohibits, and
boastful men cry out women are the weaker
SEX The pious instruction conveyed to
world by Hannah Moore or Felicia Hemans
through the iIstramentality of poetry and
f;tlon, will ever manifest to US the grand and
happy effects that may be produced by cor
rectly educating woman. Order and appro-
bativeness are prominent qualities in woman,
hence they BY nature love dress, and when
we find them weak-minded they of course