The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-04-27
FEMALE EDUCATION.
BY W. BEAUMONT oLARKsoN..
sxoriox 4.

sxorIoN 4.
In our second section, we said that
it was far from our intention to detract
from female intellect. We entertain
an exalted opinion of the capacities Of
woman but that they should be'culti-
vated for, and exercised in, their proper
sphere. Having distinctly stated this,
we will proceed to define Our opinion.
Perhaps the proportion of distinguish.
ed women, to the opportunities afforded
them of thorough eduoations, is almost
as great as tnat among men.
Capacities of individuals are posi-
bly, about as various as the stations in
life to which they are called, and it is
an unnecessary expenditure of talent
and education, for women to be compel-
led to perform duties, such as servants
of the most common capacities are CON-
PEELED to execute. Gifted women can
serve their generation far more uscfully'
Their time thus redeemed, could be EN-
ployed in improving their minds, com
municating knowledge, and successfully
training their children, or those whom
God in his wisdom has deprived Of
their natural guardians or, as they are
SO we'll qualified to do, and in which
they 6ud infinite pleasure, in minister
ing to the wants or happiness of all
within their reach.
1t would be as much a waste of mon,
tai powers to confue the intellectual
woman to drudgery, as to "cramp the
genius" of the learned physician over a
pestle and mortar.
Ifa moro extensive course Of educa-
tion were opened be ore females, they
would carry the enthusiasm SO 'charac-
teristic of them into every department
of learning We do not use the word
"cnthusiasm" here as expressive Of ia
naticism, but elevation of fancy aud
zeal in the prosecution of the desired
object. Many arc afraid of this leading
to vain confidence, in any pursuit, but
We apprcheud far more disastrous con-
sequences from luke. .warmness.
We claim for it vast influence in the
accomplishment Of mighty deeds. We
claim it as the secret Of success aud the
very soul of action.
The power Of habit has long been
acknowledged, but it is seldom that the
effort is made to break it. We have
been long accustomed to giving to
females superficial and limited cduca-
tions, and the custom to this day
continues in force. An undue prefer
ence is. still given to the lighter accom-
plishmcnts-those which do not cult
vate, or call into action, the powers of
the mind to it's utmost extent.
We do not object to light accomplish
ments. In fact, wo approve of them
but object to them when they interfere
with the more solid pursuits Of learn
ing.
Would that the time the precious
time wasted on the sensational novels
of the day, was devoted to the careful
reading Of works OF mcrit-works such
as give tone to the mind, by expansion
and cultivation. This perusal Of books
of solid information would bcgct taste
for solid literature, while we can con.
ccive of nothing more vitiating to
the human matchmaking that injnrcs
more seriously; or destroys more com.
completely the taste for solid literature,
than the reading of the trashy writings,
that, like an Egyptian plague, swarm
the country.
We have no space to discuss this
point; for to do it justice, would take
more time than we can appropriate
and more ability than We can command.