The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-11-30
WHOLE NO. 1853.
OAK GLEN. Nov. 21st. $50.

OAK GLEN, Nov. 21st, SO.
Friend 7imes:-You did not receive q
letter from me last week, for two reasons
Firstly, had scarcely the leisure to write
line, and secondly was not in the mood.
The truth is, have had a long fit of home
sickness, and am only just beginning to re-
cover from it very little. And would YOU
like to know what caused this spell Of home
sickness? Well, then, it was just this
The attack was very sudden, and commenc.
ed while sitting at the window, watching
the snow flakes as they fell from the clouds
and in fancy were we borne back to those
rare old times in childhood, when with an
inseperable companion we hunted hens
nests, went to Sunday School, and slid down
hill together. Oh, those days of childhood !
when we spoke truth, except on occasions,
and kept sacred the commandment relating
to personal property, when preserve jars
wera not carelessly exposed, and no tempt.
ing little tarts were left in our way.
Oh, days of early piety when We revcr-
enced spiritual authority, scarcely allowing
ourselves such innocent little liberties as
putting powder in the Dcacon's pipe. Oh,
those brave, eventful days! when the con-
viction forced itself upon our tender minds,
that life was but a rough sea, and not with
out its blous and squalls; when, after some
youthful indiscretion, we were called to feel
how much the flesh could bear, and after
wards held an indignation meeting and 70
ted a csrtain ancient king humbug, for his
famous proverb respecting the bringing up
of children; or proposed the amendment,
"Spoil the rod and spare the child" or
passed resolution rcprehending the trees
about our doors for giving aid and comfort
to the enemy"-the very trees we had loved
and played under, furnishing the stern min
listers Of our suffering!
Well, upon my word, this is getting to
be an odd specimen of letter! Such rec.
objections, " though pleasant and mournful
to the soul,' are by far too personal for gen.
eral interest. SO beg your pardon for nv
runaway depression, my sudden dip into
the long sealed waters of the past have
lately heard that dear friend and former
schoolmate has just graduated at one of the
most eminent Female Colleges in our coun-
try, with the honorary degree Of Mistress of
Arts. And why not? Why may not wo-
man have the satisfaction of feeling that her
deservings may cntitle her to the marks of
appreciation of the learned in her own
sphere, and that her name may acquire a
general responsibility from honors worthily
borne In other words, why may not hon
orary degrees be granted by literary and
scientific institutions to all persons who
merit them? And why may not woman
publicly bear such testimonials, by append
ing to thcir names the same titles borne by
men under similar circumstances.
know there is large, worthy, and re-
spectacle class Of men, who, as some shrink
in undefinable horror from the sight of a
cat, feel nervous shudderings and morbid
vexation at the word, strength Of mind, as
applied to woman. These might, at the first
blush of the thing begin to vince at a lady
being styled A. NJ, F. r. S., eum ceteris
But if they will, if they can consider the
subject coolly, they will see that there is
nothing the finest womanly delicacy need
fear in the matter For my part, think it
| seem, altog ct'ier more befittfng woman's S
weakness to be ushered into public by the
stamp of masculine authority. think even
a aceat-minded woman could not disparage
her charms by seeking in signature the
protection of her superiors. Far be it from
me, speaking in modern cant, to draw wo-
man out Of her sphere. Iwould have every
one do her duty in that sphere of life in
which it has pleased God to call her. Let
man rule in the court, the camp; let him
make laws and enforce them; let him plow
the main, let him defend his country; while
woman soothes the bed of sickness and in
structs her children. Let her studies and
her efforts be to alleviate pain, to increase
mental development, and, above all, by pre-
cept and example, to watch over morals and
religion. These things she may do; these
things she daily does; but she needs en-
couragment, praise and rewards, to cheer
her course. NELL.