Arkansas intelligencer., 1858-05-14

our race, but they excite our laughter whilst
the pop-in,jay of the opposite sex excites our
supreme contempt. There is one grand mis-
take into which many of the young ladies of
the day, fall aud to which may be attributed
in q great measure, the idea Of inferiority.-
This is the belief that so soon as we leave the
hands of tsaehes-we are educated fully and
completely. ThA "a is that the school
room is only the place in which We lay the
foundation of an education. The chief por-
ton of our education is by NO manner Of
means acquired by even the closest appliea-
ton in the school. We only learn there how
very little we know and should leave there
with the determination to make that little
great deal. 1t should be remembered also
that although Dickens, Scott Bulwer, James,
Mrs. Southworth and Others Of the same school
are excellent in their peculiar sphere, yet an
education based upon them will hardly re-
pay the possessor of it, and much less worthy
OF the name of reading is the perusal of those
trashy novels, those fugitive budgets os igno-
rance and absurdity, that unhinge the afec-
tions and unfit US for actual life. 1t is re-
markablc that the devoted novel reader is
invariably moral coward. Place him in an
ideal world and with imaginary weapons he
will do valiant service in an imaginary war
fare, place him in the midst of actual grief
and his courage suddenly creeps away from
his heart and entirely evaporates. He is en-
phatcally weak man, can the ladies expect
to extract wisdom from the source of his i'm
becity? 1t is a lanentable fact that ladies
generally quit study when they quit school,
the very commencement of the time for eifi-
cient stuly, they make the termination of
study and the beginning of novel reading,
needle work, visiting, gossipping and dreamy
sentimentasm. During the term of academ-
ical life much is to be acquired, bit reflection
is in measure, at the very bes. cramped.-
After this term, time becomes secondary
consideration and true and useful reflection
may be indulged. Then, 1t is that reading
and mature reflection have an opportunity OF
rendering us useful and wise. The close stu
dy of standard works gives sound moral tone
to the feelings, makes the heart right, this
effected little kar need be entertained that
woman in her sphere will be inferior, The
social duties OF woman will of course interfere
greatly with ler literary pursuits, and those
duties multiply as she grows older. We emay
then see the great Importance ofspcnding the
years of youth advantageoqsiy. The harvest
may always be predicted when we know how
the spring time" is spent. But to conclude
this long and fear uninteresting letter, let
me say that the being who implanted this
heavenly essence, which we call mind, will
call US strictly 10 account for the use made Of
it. When we neglect the cultivation of this
best gift, we commit the most presumptuous
sin. | care not how fervent may be the bo-
dy-worship of Gods people, it they arrogate
to themselves the right to neglect the mind
to put themsclve; in direct opposition to the
wisdom Of their Creator. He has given us a
mind as well as a heart, and wiIful neglect
in the cultivation Of tn" one will hardly bo
excused, because Of an improvement and train
ing of the other. Christianity is religion of
reason as well as of affection. CAsro2