The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1860-06-28
TFortto Nows.
LETTER FROM A FARMERS
WIFE.
Reply to "Uncle Ben" on Female Ed.
ucation, 8Jc.
ID Ar.rat MArrru q Innn 1000

from the Chief Of the Farmers De- !
partment" and it reminds me Of his
former letter, and his objections to some
Of my views. Ny previous letters we're
written without much thought but on
maturer reflection I would not change
the sentiments they contained, though
one who is older, more experienced, and
no doubt wiser than myself has seen fit
to differ with me in regard to the educa-
ton Of farmers daughters. 1 would
accuse "Uncle Ben" Of trampling on
Womaus Rights, were it not that he is.
also opposed to sending boys to College
He sees, no doubt as have seen, that
when boys are sent to College, they arc
scarcely ever willing to labor on the
farm. But "Uucle Ben" must remom-
Der that the boys who 60 to College
are generally those who have to fight.
through many difficulties to get there,
proving that they have moro than or
dinary intellect, and are competent to
study some profession, know of rich
mems sons who pay their own way to
College, first teaching, then going to
school themselves. One is quite
youth, and think is studying for the
ministry-au interesting and noble boy,
scarcely out of his teens, and already
the Superintendent Of Sabbath School.
Such boy is not destined for farmers
life, but for usefulness in a different field
of action.
I think if the masses were permitted
to enjoy a Collegiate education, there
would be many farmers who had been to
Colege-intelligent farmers, who would
make life rich and useful blessing, and
throw around the farmers life that cul-
ture and refinement that would raise him
to higher position Of honor and use
fulness in society.
1t seems that Uncle Ben" would do
away with our Colleges, Academies and
Seminaries, which most of persons deem
an honor to our country. He says
"Let the daughters be educated at home;
and if mothers are not qualified, they
should lose no time in gaining the proper
qualifications" tits not very probable
that mother could leave her family and
home to procure a suitable education to
teach her children; nor is it very prob.
able that parents could procure teachers
perfected in tho different sciences, OF
that very many Of them have the means
to do so, or the time to devote to this
object.
I must confess that one bright picture
rises before me which would have a
tendency to make me agree with "Un.
Gle Ben" I see a pleasant home, aRd
in it Christian mother, educated, re.
fined, and relieved from much Of the
drudgory Of household labor. AS her
children grow up about her, she has the
time, talent and education to teach
them, morally, mentally and physically
and the wealth to procure all things
necessary to give them the same advan
tages at home as they could obtair
abroad. This is the bright, ideal pic
turo; but turning from this, I see tn,
sombre picture of real life. I see tn,
farmers wife, bound down by heavy
toll and care; with but a limited edu
cation in most instances; with so many
difficulties in the way that would rem
der an education Suitable for the times,
altogether at home, impracticable, an'
I might say, almost a matter Of i'm
possibility. There is no one so com
, petont to train a child, spirituality as
Christian mother; aud she may i'm
, print lessons Of purity and truth upor
her childrons hearts, ere it is nee
, essary that they should leave her.
I would not, myself, have mer,
T children sent far from home to school
r but think it is a great advantage il
D sending girls of fifteen and sixteen
If they can only be inoited to obtail
e good education, they will be kop
o within college walls till they come Il
mature womanhood; till they are fit t.
= become wives and mothers. If the.
r do not have something to engage thoi
minds the first thing you know the
are bound to marry, ere they kno'
G how to choose a suitable companion 70
life. IF girls were kept at college
F reading history and studying thei
a books, instead Of being at home, run
n ming to parties, and reading all tn
r. novels they can get hold Of perchanc
D there would be a less number of un
happy marriages, and less misery in th
70 world.
e 1 would ask, who are the Superin
IS tendonts Of these Colleges, &o.2 The
J are generally men and women of tn