The Cecil Whig., 1871-07-29

IN tnought and action, clearness, cando
and truthfulness of mind. That dignifiet
obedience, that takes no shame in ready
submission to order and law. The senti
ment of honor, which feels stain as {
wound. Chivalry of the heart, which
thinks ever with the right and for the right
however downtrodden, and against the
wrong, though it ride in the car of triumph
and wear the laurel; that calmness, gen
tleness and repose Of manner which have
their sources in the quiet consciousness o.
strength. These are things that books
can never teach. They can only be taught
by you; by the force and weight of youl
own examples, in the healthy atmosphere
of your clear minds and pure hearts,
From yourselves you must mirror these
virtues to others. A light to the eye-a
voice to cheer, incite and encourage; 8
hand to support and sustain; a will tenn.
perate and firm, to check insubordination,
to rule and command, such are the quail.
ties that should become teacher, and
for such teachers society has no honor toe
great, no praise too high, no career toe
brilliant
A people taught by such teaching, in
such school would be great, prosperous
and happy, though books were inaccessible,
and telegraphs, locomotives, needle-guns,
petroleum and printing presses had never
been invented.
For instance, heard recently of young
girl who was accused-wrongfully accused
of some petty theft, she strightway grows
weary of the sun and hangs herself.
Another female martyr, Of tender years,
finding her infant affection for some too
fascinating school-boy unrequltted, also
seeks refuge from her disappointment in
the silent tomb.
These, to be sure, are remarkable and
extreme developments of the disease. But
they should stand for warnings that in this
world of ours we cannot have everything
just as we wish it, we must all bear and
forebear, and that patience, endurance and
good temper are about the best companions
we can take with us in the journey of life.
And these virtues you in your career will
have a thousand opportunities of teaching,
for l do not regard you as teachers only
in school-woman is teacher everywhere.
1t is woman's mission to be counsellor,
legislator and chief executive officer in
that realm of which we are all citizens or
subjects, and to which we give tho blessed
name of "home." Yes, man may found
the city, may build the palace and furnish
it as sumptuously as he will, but it is
woman alone who can make it home.
Tartar-tent, Esquimaux snow-hut, prai-
rie editice of logs, single room in the tene-
ment house, no matter how cheap, how
poor, how rude, adorned by her kindly
influence, cheered by her smile, it becomes
the abode of virtue, hope, energy and con-
tent. To make homes peaceful, generous
and happy homes, to spread about them
an atmosphere of pure, noble and gentle
thoughts-this is woman's best and highest
mission, and man, even in his vainest affec-
tation of superiority, has no mission so
high.
This is, indeed, the practical work of
life. In virtuous and contented homes are
the source, the origin, the best type, the
only sure guarantee of virtuous and con-
tented nation.
The best laid plans of government, the
fairest dreams of progress and reform, can
picture no higher success than that-to
make the homes of the people happy. 1t
be achieved.
In the tolls of everyday life, through
checks and failures and disappointments,
man drifts, in his frail bark, down the
turbid river of life. The present, ever flow
ing from his grasp, is all he can claim as
his. Woman in her home, with her child
resting on her bosom, represents the years
to come, and in her heart, on her lips, in
her glance, treasures the power which
moulds and governs the future. Mems
characters arc almost always what their
any hour of mans life, unless he be wholly
depraved, that finds him out of the reach
of woman's teaching. Nay, 1 do believe
that if the story of any mans life were
truly told, it would be found that at her
bidding, or for her sake, came the first
impulse, the true motive which led his
career to triumph or to ruin,
You may a TX me, what has all this to do
with education which is to be purely
intellectual.
1t has this: intellect is light, but light,
too is heat, tho genial warmth which flows
from frightened intelligence upon kindly
hearts. From this union spring good man
ners and good taste. 1t is this refinement
of feeling, this unbought grace of life,
which best furnishes and beauties home.
This is the special gift with which the
fairies have endowed women-this spell
that can illuminate the dingiest and dark
est corner of the poorest habitation. 1t is
companion. It belongs neither to rank
nor station. have seen it in poor novels,
in the midst of hardship and privation,
and missed it from mansions of luxury and
splendor.
Trust me, the world is kind of mirror,
and returns our own face-if we smile it
gives us back our smile, and if we are sui
len and gloomy, it gives us back our frown.
Ladies of the graduating class, have
said my say. The pleasant scenes and Incl
dents of this day will not soon be forgotten
by any one present. You, at least, will
keep them among the most cherished men,
ories of your lives. In years to come, in
places far away; this day will como back
to you, and VT all shall meet here again.
The city Of New York has educated you
and watched over you thus far. twill fol
low your future career with affectionate
care, and will esteem you as among its
most favored ministers of good.
You owe it much. Love it. Be proud
of it, for it is great city, large-hearted,
open-handed, giant armed-free. Into
your hand it confides its best hopes of a
prosperous and happy future. BE this the
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