The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-09-21
Country Life For Women

WIG VI oh0 OulOOI VI Illt LIOuNycJtSCs
Everywhere now the voice of woman
is heard claiming new rights, advocating
new theories as to her future destinies;
and in her newly-awakened ambition
she is in danger of overlooking or des-
pising the opportunities for good and
for happiness within her reach. To
assert to-day that the limited sphere of
country life can afford her these oppor-
tunities, would perhaps accord little with
the spirit of the time. But here, women
talents and social advantages
of no common order, have thrown such
charm on secluded life, have stamped it
with such character of culture, refine
ment, and dignity, that, thanks to them,
Stockbridge is known all over the land
as place of social and intellectual pri-
vilege, as we'll as of natural beauty.
Here then, and on this occasion, country
life for women may well become the
theme of the hour.
TO be born in the country is a great
advantage. Not only it prepares the
strength and health OF the body, but it
begins the moral and intellectual de-
velopement in the right direction.
Nature is an admirable teacher, and
she has lessons for all ages she speaks to
the imagination of the child with as
much power as to that of the poet and
the artist. At the outset in the young
life, truth and simplicity are the founda-
tions of the character.
And as to the training of the mind,
the district school, with its inexorable lev
cling democratic spirit, is, l am inclined
to think, the most favorable beginning
of education. 1t has rough strength
which tells well on the character. With
no smoothing of difficulties, no false pre-
tense, it asks from the child what his
good sense tells him at once is of absolute
necessity for his success in life.
We go very wrong in the city in this
matter Of elementary education. The
poor little city scholar cannot, as we'll as
his country cousin, comprehend the ne
cessity of his task. Why, he asks,
learn this French jargon or thrum a
piano for hours? Do we half the time
know ourselves? And when we see in
the child indication of great talent, we
often put on such a high pressure that
we destroy the germ in the bud; while
in the mind of the sturdy free child OF
the country it slumbers and grows in
silence, and bursts forth at last in all its
vigorous individuality, for in this coun-
are never wanting.
In the village school a girl learns
what is absolutely essential she is in
spired with no morbid or exaggerated
ambition. If of dull limited faculties
she is contented with her lot; harmoni-
GUS and healthy in every point, she is
prepared for her humble work in life
and will do it well. But if her ambition
is quickened, it is III the right direction
on 10 false pretense, but on the strength
OF her character, and based on her love
for knowledge. She does not dream oi
being an accomplished woman of socie.
| ty, or OF writing for magazines,-she
wants to learn for the sake Of knowledge
itself. For society has not yet tempted
her, has not offered her q stage for the
display of frivolous vanity.
l have known some Of these brave
New England girls-and such 1 have
seen nowhere else-who worked two OF
three years in factory to earn the
means for better schooling; who taught
patiently for q paltry salary so as to Sc.
cure better opportunities OF instruction
They were in the right path. They hat
still q great deal to learn, but very little
! to unledrR.
"Oh!" said to me one day pretty
girl of New York, speaking of youth
ful millionaire. "These young mel
give us bouquets, escort us to the Park
or to the opera; but they love and marry
country girls :" And said, "They ar,
right w
But let us imagine woman settled il
the country living no longer in a lanc
of dreams, but in her own home, will
her simple household duties before her
A home in the country-what vision fol
some of dullness and monotony Il
others of sweet, pure, tranquil happiness
The woman married to the man sh,
loves and respects, mother of children
who promise to fulfill the desire of he,
heart, is SO blessed by Providence tha
she ought to be happy in any sphere
Household labor, "doing her own work,
is not drudgery when done for those she
loves.
Country life was for your forefatherl
a stern reality, an incessant struggle fol
existence; but Nature, even in hel
rudest aspect, is always loving mother
and she gave them the strength of char
acter, the steadiness of purpose, which
they have transmitted to their descend
ants.
Our country homes are very differen
from what they were in the old time
In accepting the advantages of the pres
ent we ought to guard jealously th,
modest simplicity which belonged to th'
past.
In the country, whatever her circum
stances of fortune, woman finds tina
which is an imperative want of her ma
ture-G refined home. In city, if poor
she cannot escape, OF shield her children
from, the noisy vulgar life swarmin,
around her; the tenement lodging, O
the second rate clearinghouse only re
main to her. But under pure sky, il
a balmy atmosphere, the humblest cot
tage nesting at the foot of the mountain
or under the shadow of one of our ma
jestic elms, can be the fitted home,
will not say of lady-the word is assc
ciated with too many vulgar pretention
but of q gentlewoman. This Jus
equality between the cottage and til
more costly residence, establishes at ono
easy social relations. If the eircumsta1
ces of position and education may mod
fly them, they never alter the kind fee
ing which renders the name of neighbc
almost synonymous with friend. = +
When young woman living near b,
and whom you all will recognize, guide
by natural artistic instinct, forme
over her door simple arch of the golde
rods and wild flowers of our forests, 81
l.