Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-04-14
o RI GIN AL PAPERS
For the Spirit of the Age.
Facts worthy of Contemplation.
LCoNTINUED FROM OUR LAsT.)

CONTINUED FROM OUR LAsT)
How lamentable the fact that large
portion OF the female sex do not improve
the opportunities conferred for intellectual
and moral culture. Were they to improve
'fal thtully these opportunities, they would
soon frame an improved casket, store it
with bright scientific jewels, adorn it with
literary garlands, rich in flowers of every
hue, and clasp it with diamonds phospho-
rescing with all the beauty of faith, hone
and love. The opinion is sometimes ad-
vanced that more ladies enter heaven in
proportion to the number of each sex, than
men. believe no such thing. 1t is true
that woman's name is not so frequently
stigmatized by the blacklist crimes. Is It
sufficient that she brings forth no evil fruitg
Is not the tree that bringeth not forth good
trult hewn down and cast into the fire .
do those who spend all their time in idle
ness, bear good fruit9 Are not those who
labor, neglected while the wealthy Miss,
who has just brains enough to skim along
the deep sea OF eloquence, forded by fash
lonaole coxcombs, and relish the nonsensi-
Cal prattIe Of the would-be gentleman is
overwhelmed with polite attentions. Man
may boast, yea let him boast his superior
intellect and pecuniary advantages, but me-
thinks he degrades his holy nature, infrin-
ges his profound understanding and beo-
gars his lofty independence, when he weeds |
the heartless creature, though she were
made of wrought gold and studded with
diamonds of the first water, who has
just soul enough to luxuriate in blissful ig-
norance and exult in criminal extravaganza
Did such woman ever render home at
tractive confer any benefit OH society or
win any praiseworthy laurels! Was wo-
man made simply for an ornament, play
thing The pebbly crystals, the variegated
flower, the phosphorescent gems suit we'll
to adorn the princely mansions. The rab-
bit, the squirrel, the kitten would be more
appropriate pIaythings. If the Deity in
tended her for no higher purpose, why did
He endow her with a mind A mind, did
l say Yes, woman has mind-a mind
which rightly improved would render her
equal, intellectually, with man, But alas {!
alas, the vast number, like the ripple
on the wave, pass from the stage of action
leaving behind no trace of their existence
Alas ! the sin to thus squander precious
moments-to bury talents conferred for
holy purposes. Were all those females
who live in Incidence and lend their infu-
ence to vice and immortality, to engage in
some useful occupation, what mighty rev.
oluton there would be in the moral, intel
lectual and religious world.
Oh ! women of America, will you not
arouse to a sense of your duty and act well
your part on the great arena of life Op-
portunities for usefulness are daily offering.
Nor need you coyet high stations for the
theatre of action. She, who in the hum
bic cottage, brings up children in wisdom's
ways, administers to the sick and afflicted
and dispenses the bread of life to perishng
souls, discharges her duty as faithfully as
she could, did she live in the costly man
sion. 1t is true that woman's deeds are
less conspicuous, but are they not as neces-
sary and even more beneficial to society
- than those of the other sex See in that
humble cottage, the patient mother meek
ly performing her varied and laborious oc-
equations. All who know her delight to
hnger around her quiet home and dwell on
her irresistible charms. What renders heI
thus attractive' The pure, the gentle, the
pious soul within beauties her countenance
and gives her holy influence. Again VIC
see woman In the gildcd palace, possessing
the same qualities and transacting the same
deeds, yet she is no more lovely, for the
true woman is the same whether She dwell,
IN the low valley Of poverty or on the bicl
mountain of wealth and influence Il !,
the duty OF every woman to cultivate tc
the utmost extent her intellectual facnihes
What unparalleled advantages would resul
to society were she to do this. How mucI
light and knowledge she would then in
fuse. How insignificant the trivial accom-
plishments, superficial knowledge and ab
surd opinions she now entertains wonl
then appear
Then woman let your aspirations rise
"The mines of science are omen haforo ,,or
go dig for gems Go extract from then
gems, which emitting bright scintillation,
VIII prove that you are not only as suscer
tible OF as generous emotions as man I'm
have as many cells in your brain. @
plant IN the garden of literature, a win,
whose never fading flowers will be admire
by the hterati of every land. and VIII
clasPlng tendrils will infuse deep though
in the minds Of all who repose under /
wide spreading branches Would Won !
content TO live mere cipher in society
Why do You kill this hornet and that sn
derl Because they are troublesome ar
no use, you say. Do they not destroy ii