The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1871-08-05
For the Union.
Eenl0Le Education.

As time is speeding swiftly on, is it not as
tonishing that we are not improving more speed
ily than we actually are where schools and semi
naries are so numerous Is the fault with them,
or with our mothers? From the multitude OF
objects from which we have to form our opinion,
we are persuaded to believe the fault is with the
latter. Home certainly is the place, where the
basis for good and true education is to be form
ed. II remains with the mother. She it is who
is to be the female educator.
But in numbers Of cases which are constantly
presenting themselves to our gaze, day after day
aad year after year, daughters are sent to school
from the age of six until eighteen then return,
perfectly finished, highly educated in the minds
of themselves and of their parents. Now how
are they educatel2 Have they the kind of edu-
cation they really need? Have they practical
education that will fit them for the trials of life
such one as will teach them to be true hearted,
honest women Have they been taught to know
that the human mind is ductile, and that it is
capable of being drawn out and educated as long
as it is RATIONAL OF life lasts? Or do they come
home with the idea carefully slowed away in
their minds, that they repeat quite fuently
very large number of French and Greek phrases,
that they can play some fancy tunes upon the
piano forte, and think within themselves that it
would be unpardonable if they did mol excel
after so many years hard application Yet they,
if questioned, or conversed with, in French or
Greek, or asked to play a tune with which they
were not familiar would simper and sigh, blush
and turn pale and declare they never heard such
things before.
And for all this, who is to be blamed but the
mother II is just as much the mothers duty to
see what kind of foundation is being laid for her
daughter education as it is for her to see that
she has the proper kind Of raiment with which
to adorn the body. We think it is the most i'm
portant duty depending on the mothers. The
human mind is the best and noblest Of all gifts
with which God has endowed the human family,
will she suffer it to be tampered with Does she
forget that the impressions made in youth are
indelible and as lasting as if engraven on ada
mant ? Then why do they sow so little "good
seed by the wayside ?" They seem to forget that
it may bring forth an hundred fold"
Again, whose fault is it but the mothers that
her daughters regard the kitchen as place of
absolute vnlgarity Why not teach them that
the kitchen is just as essential as the parlor? 1t
is place where her presence is required, and
surely she does not think it more disgraceful for
her daughter than for herself. 1t would be far
more commendable in her TO have her daughter
with her there and teach her how to economize.
But have we not seen mothers, after toiling near
ly all of the day in the kitchen, come into the
sitting room and spend her few tired moments of
leisure in making furbelows for the daughters
dress while she has been reading the very latest
novel, or spending her time some other way just
As proftless And upon being asked whoseit was
and why she did it, she replied, at is Mollie's,
aad she poor child never did the like, and it is
SO tedious it would vex and worry her so that
she would not be in fit mood to receive Mr.. D.
this evening. He is very much pleased with her.
expect they will be married before long, and
then she can learn to make ruffiing for herself
| have always kept her out of the kitchen and
from doing anything that would chafe her tenn
pnr. have endeavored to rear her "a lady -
Will Mollie appreciate the mothers kindness
when she is married ? Will she not have enough
ty1- learn .sae, attend without IcsrniHa- osVto
make RI ffi ng after she is married
Do mothers not seem as if they are needless or
unconscious of the sacred trust that has been as
yued them by their Creator Is she not worse
,han her daughter? At the very time she needs
good, sound advice and some one to point out to
her " herein she is wrong, tell her what is wo-
manly and lecoming, to put her veto in all ex-
travagance, TO allay wild, romantic notions she
d ,es the very opposite, she encourages her on all
her wbims without regard to time, money or pa
tence. She seems to be ignorant of the fact that
there is romance and novelty enough in girls
q ature without cultivating it, and by linking
other peoples with the great amount they have
on hand Yet when there is an unhappy family
in the neighborhood, and the unfortunate wife
seems to be in fault, who so ready to censure
her as mothers
Is it any wonder that an old lady said the other
day 81 never want to see my VIII married.
A friend asked why, &c. She replied "Because
the girls now a days are not worth having, they
will do we'll enough to talk to, but they know
nothing about helping man to make living"
Now all mothers want their sons to have good
wives. How can it be accomplished unless all
mothers will educate their daughters to be good
wives Mothers the welfare of future homes de-
pends upon you. They will be just what you
make them. LIMA LINDEN.
July %, 1871.