Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-03-24
FEMALE EDUCATION.

AN@H-AAAA4@ 49, S@-A@0NNf
In these days of general dissemination of
knowledge, when the means of education are
put into the hands of almost every parent, it
is a matter of no little Importance how those
means are to be employed, in regard to the res
pective claims of the sons and daughters
One theory, of the utiiitartdn stamp, would
make wide and distinct difference in the
whole course of their education. The theory
that takes no broader view of the design and
ultimate object of education, than to sharpen
the powers for the acquisition of gold, to give
efficiency to human toll, merely for the sake
of its temporal rewards, would mark out for
woman quite a distinct course of instruc-
ton. The "old fogy" System would, by all
means, forbid her to tread classic halls, or to
forsake the narrow orbit in which the would
be unitarian would have her revolve. The
beautiful grace of submission forms very prom
inent feature in this creed of woman's duties.
The superficial routine of the boarding school is
deemed sufficient. But, whatever may be the
general idea of education, inculcated in these
boarding schools for girls it is fact, demand
ing particular notice, that large majority who
graduate from these institutions are very poor
ly qualified to meet the duties incident to
the legitimate sphere of woman, or for the
position they should sustain, in intelligence,
refinement, and true intellectual greatness.
Their requirements, too generally, are of the
most superficial character. A meagre ac-
into ,b hat
be ofno possible use to them or anybody else
a smattering of music, little skill in painting Of
the most delicate character, and mere peep at
the fine arts in general, constitute most of the
valuables woven into the literary garb, manu-
featured at very many of our boarding schools
We trust this will not be construed into
thrust at any particular class of schools in our
country. But the idea of gathering an army
Of girls in some secluded apartment, and edu-
eating them for some fairy scene-some ideal
mission, contradicts the genuine policy of hui
man progress and happiness. 1t is, plainly,
question, whether the four or five years of
precious time, spent by our young girls, at
French, German, painting. music, &C., are not
squandered. 1t may be seriously asked,
whether the natural sciences, in all their length
and breadth, would not strengthen and indeed
refine the mind much more. The ripe, the
luxuriant fruition is the true glory of human
existence. But, in this 'work-a-day" world,
there are scores of human beings, who never
look beyond the confines of the sensual orbit in
which they daily revolve. The harmonious
union of the tive legitimate ends of education,
should be kept steadily in view
These remarks apply equally to the educa-
mind out amid the stern realities and duties of
this life, is to prepare the way for profigacy
and want. Many youth is shut up within
the walls of the academy and college, until,
perhaps, he has reached his majority, and then
he graduates with classic and scientific honors.
But when he is ushered into the broad, busy,
selfish world, he not unfrequently finds him
self unable to compete in business with the
young man, long since graduated at the COM
non school. He has vast amount of dmmu-
1ition, but knows not how to use it. He has
been wont to believe that the legitimate and
only sphere of the educated mind is among
books and manuscripts the strength and
beauty of education is seen in unlocking the
mighty treasures of knowledge, in lifting the
coffin lid of forms, buried in the dusty past,
md giving living and thrilling significance to
hose dead and teeming dialects. And hence,
you not unfrequently meet those who can talk
ong and learnedly upon the abstract pr;nci-
Pies of science, and, perhaps, in more than one
language, but they are not as competent to
meet the stern wants and exigencies of life,
IS many who have merely learned the real ap-
plication of a few simple principles, and can
barely understand their mother tongue
Thus it also is, in the education of daughters,
in very many of our public schools. 1t is sell
iom whispered in the girls ear, that there lies
before her high and holy mission and thou
sands of young ladies are educated, with no
especial reference to that highes: and hottest of
all earthly relations, the wife and mother. The
important fact cannot be disguised, that the
daughters of the present are to be the mothers
of the generation to come. There is, posi-
lively, a lamentable lack of domestic education
1t is certainly great misfortune, if the house
hold duties become an unpleasant necessity,
rather than a part of the business for which
the heart and hands have been educated.
1t is, therefore, the amount of knowledge
which daughter is enabled to make practical,
that viii really benefit her; and it is real prac-
teal knowledge that she most seriously needs.
The falsely called female accomplishments"
add very little to the real practical value of fe-
male character. Those are valuable accomplish
ments to us all, which render us more useful
in the sphere designed us by nature or Proyi-
dence. atltY
TELEeRAPHING. - We think that pspers
which take Geographic dispatches have good