Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-04-10
FOR THE SPIRIT OF TRE AGE.
Influence Of Woman-Necessity Of her
Education-An Objection answered.

the mind of man, at all times, in all c0ndl- "
tons, and on all occasions, is strong and al c.
most irresistible, | am induced to submit a "
few imperfect remarks, relative to the urgent fl
necessity of q better system of education, to h
develope her intellectual, moral and physi- f
cal capacities. The deficiency of the pres f
sent plans Of female education, generally f
speaking, is so obvious upon the slightest /
inspection, as to preclude the possibility Of {
argument consequently | shall not dwell
upon the many and peculiar imperfections Z
common to the existing systems; but sim 4
ply attempt to show her influence, and that
this influence, as it advances the noble digni-
ty of human nature in the same ratio as it
is guided by sound sense, demands a mode
of instruction more complete than any hith-
erto established.
We are not so presumptuous, dear Lady
EditresS, as to expect to advance anything
novel or especially interesting, in regard to
a subject upun which the poet and orator
have so vehemently detained. All that we
desire is, to deal with plain facts in our own
plain transformations way. In the first place,
then, this necessity will become apparent, by
rejecting upon the magnitude of influence
she exerts over the youthful mind. To her
is entrusted the special care, the management
and entire rule of the child. From the
Mother, it receives and mbibes those lasting
IAlIP tiioS ohl NO ANeNAS NSSah
The old adagest tt continues good Just as
the twig is bent, the tree is inclined" This
is in a striking manner applicable to the hu-
mar. mind. To change its direction in sub
, sequent years, would be a difficult, and in a
majority of instances, an unsuccessful task.
: Train up a child in the way he should go,
$ and when he is old he will not depart from
! it." The mind has been not inaptly compar-
G ed to a blank sheet, upon which you may
- A. Il IL A. ..a4
man-of the devil, or the blessed Saviour
to clay in the hands of the potter, ready to
receive whatever impress may be given to it;
to the virgin snow which a straw can enter,
N but after remaining a while will resist a
d horses hoof. Proper advice given at the
% proper time, even indeed a trlfiIng word,
b may make a permanent impression before
j. habit becomes second nature; but after the
eft character is formed, the most urgent appeals
u will be of no avail.
Ir- From such facts, a strong argument Is de-
e. duced in favor of thorough female education.
For if the mother is i"lliterate, it necessarily
follows, that she is unable to direct properly
II the thoughts of another. Appropriate in
se formation is the chart and compass with
nd which she is to guide the youthful mind in
m to that beautiful channel where it may con
IN. tinue to expand, and to act in obedience to
ny the natural laws of progress, in proportion
ent as it grows in age. Most assuredly it requires
ip- no little skill and wisdom to curb the irnpul-
ion ses and fiery passions of the young-to ma.
vas ture their judgments and to train them for
So future usefulness and happiness.
The celebrated DR.. Rush, in his work or
= the mind, says all great and distinguished
In men descend from active, intelligent women
.ote that he never knew or read of an eminent in
ing dividual whose mother was ignorant or in
a active. This ntimen seems to be cOrrOb-
Who grated by many examples recorded both IL
to ancient and modern history. The Gracchi
for two Roman patriots and orators, owed beyon
sus- a doubt, their superior eloquence and arden
the attachment to the cause of liberty, TO tn
and wise instructions and consummate ability
ives, their noble mother, Cornelia. Napoleo
and BOnaparte, whose brilliant career has affor
&c a ded a fruitful theme of controversy for tn
5 jEhyy S S%e PFg ana nm h9StGrlanv 0i % r. @RF'z ! j Il
In unphal car, and shook the thrones of prime
the and despots, said, "All that | am, [ owe
still my mother" 1t has been SAID that our ON
lend immortal Washington derived those graz
from and striking traits of character, so signal
,ney, displayed in our revolutionary conflict, fro
while the sound and pious admohitions Of his ey
words to be remembered mother.
ected The mysterious and complicated charact
of the famous Lord Byron, can be traced,
, and a great measure, to the lessons instilled
death a mother into his youthful mind. She was
said woman of fine native parts, but rude, l
cup, polished, even mia IN speaking
'osing this gifted poet, a beautiful WRITER remarks
q one might as we'll have tried to reason al
,od logically with a bowling hyena to hs
' sought by the persuasive tones of eloquel
to alter the course of nature, or by me;
Of his own physical force to demolish so
impregnable fortress, or cloud-hearing ply
mid, as to have tried to efface from his m
its first deep impressions"
;vo In the second place, the necessity of m
complete system of instruction, arises fr
the undisputed fact, that her influence is
doing confined entirely to the period of youth.
t step begins in childhood, at the cradle, but G
spirit not there. Her voice of reproyal and
it monition is heard and needed amid the sp
DELHI of boyhood-is heard to cheer, to amin
to the and to encourage amid the trying scene
;tantly manhood, and in the declining years of
Tt one. age the wise precepts instllled into
5 soon young heart pass in pleasing review be
&C, but US. Even when we come to die, the flu
lonitor looks brighter and more glorious. as the
empta- sons of early piety are brought to mind
h, how ISOLATED with the fond, endearing nam
= mil mother.
by in
to lure my mothers voice, how often creeps
to open Its cadence DER my lonely hours;
In the still unbroken air,
which Her gentle tone comes stealing by,
Like And years, and sin, and manhood flee,
ley are Add leave ne at my mothers knee"
Co"apaS She sways her mild but potent sc
T. "P- over the young and the old, and by
magic and witchery of her charms,
a;an- thxexs and ni!as1 eFPetthhan e n he e4o9a G
OF naN We find it at one time aboli
1oTace' the legal authority of imperious P
MO- now producing the extinction of the d
virl and On another occasion SAVING III
AGE. ltsek fem impending ruiz. CorioIann
general of a powerful army, Gnding h;
OF ), unopposed in the field, resolves 70 h.
- Zone itself Embassy after embassy
:" been sent to him in vain, including
; ma, 81 peace. At this critical %juncture'
-" all was at stake, as a dernier resort
~ ""u expedient, his mother, wife, and a mon
tram OF females were despatched to hi
> A""Ae latereede IN behalf of their beloved ci
CoHolanus, observing this train of We
e @e iemaes, determines to give them a d
but the tears and eioqneuce OF the wo
sS"e TOOK away the poser of speech. am
'"e ~h rough solder ceHd not helm sharing in
t of nay ted his bosom. brs th a passions a
sepplicants prevailed And this m;
H. caPesdn OF a mighty hos4 Of armed men II
> "a" Jug LOT vengeance on account of his
cried out an the deep anguish Of hs
aroma on mothet, what hast thon done s
Ou Rome. but lost thy son.
IT, -.