New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-09

-S%@~-e<&@S :
"cooing," aud then is launched forth into
the world this accomplished young lady as
married woman!
Girls at best but pretty buds unblown,
Whose scent and hue are rather guessed than
known.
Now she has different duties to perform
Singing, dancing and music must be par
TALLY laid aside for that which she lacked
most the knowledge, of which while under
the maternal roof she is totally ignorant to
perform; why, because she was not brought
up to It.
Important household duties are neglected,
extravagancies encouraged, and domestic
happiness thus ruffied. This fault, and a
great one it is, rests with mothers. Daught-
ers often have to thank them for the misery
they endure in welded life. However high
the station of woman may be, she should
not be above applying her hands to the full
| illment of domestic duties; for who can
tell when adverse fortune may compel her
| to employ those hands as nature intended
them. Certainly to be able to do so is no
disgrace. Men when they marry need do
nestle comforts, and to whom are they to
look for them but to their wives.
But families Of less ilustrious fame
Whose chief distinction is their spOtless name,
Whose heirs-their honOrs none, their income
small,
Must shine by true desert or not at all.
So with every wife, the more domesticated
she is the greater will she be priced.
Our modern mothers think if they have
| their daughters taught to sing, to dance, to
| thump the piano, and to be able to dress
them WELL their object is accomplished.
Yes, vainly done! but without any practical
benefit. If her ambition be gratifed, she ex-
ults in the idea of having her daughter styled
| as Miss such a one, being fine accom-
plished young lady She is forbid the
kitchen as being infradig. likewise she
might chance to soil her too delicate fingers
by kneading pastry, and they would, by
that process, render them too clumsy to
touch lightly the notes of a Pleyel or SUI
perior Grand" At the idea of washing a
collar, or cuff, she would FAINT. And
should her wearing apparel need the as
sistance of a seamstress, " Miss Is too
much of lady to ply her needle, except it
be to the tasty arrangement OF point OF
Brussels lace on Der dress.
This, then, is often the present case pur-
sued by mothers and guardianship exag-
gerated statement, a plain, unvaInished
fact.
Women possess vast share of influence.
Man may advise and think his power SUI
preme but without noticing it, to the will
of woman be must be subservient.
Be it either a weakness or vanity in
woman, this system OF education is highly
censurable; its evils are every day appar-
ent Families are being ruined. The seeds
of discomfort are being sown, maturing so
as to make married life still more wretched.
One great bane attending the instilling
of high and lofty notions in the minds of
young girls may not, perhaps, have been
noticed: nevertheless it is lamentable
fact.
A young man with moderate coupe
tency, and very DESTROYS of entering the
matrimonial estate, is deferred from doing
so by the extraordinary expectations of his
lady love. Mark the result; prey to dis
appointment, he yields to all kinds of ex
travagances; the barroom, the billiard
table, the bowling saloon, cards, and every
species of dissipation he resorts to, and the
most reckless companions are his bosom
friends.
Thus does he continue TO squander money,
vowing eternal celibacy, or stupid old age,
rlo, lx
might live in the happy society of domes-
ticated and affectiOnate wife had he but the
chance to marry.
Profiigaey and vice become thus encour-
aged, hardened and endured. Young men
pursue this reckless course till fortune sees
fit to smile upon them once more, and they
either quiet down as married men or die
old bachelors.
The evil rests not with men alone.
Eventually young ladies suffer. Finding
their expectations unrealized, they are COM
PEELED at comparatively advanced age to
choose between two alternatives-either to
accept that which they before refused or
pass their remaining days as happy old
maids,
These, then, are the evils-many more
might be enumerated. What. then, is to be
done How is this reformation to be
wrought are queries easily propounded.
Mothers, it rests with you. Shake off the
pomp and vanity of worldly notions, or
combine them with utility. Teach your
daughters to be thoroughly domesticated.
This can be done without neglecting the
higher branches of education. By doing so
you make your daughters ornaments to
society-blessed companions to husbands,
and worthy mothers.
Heroes have been immortalized for their
deeds; statesmen for their actions. orators
for their eloquerce; divines for their ex-
ample. Work but this reformation. modern
mothers, and your Dames will be immor-
talized and held up as bright examples for
centuries to come and for future genera
lions to follow. The greatest boon con-
ferred on society will be due to your exer-
tons BELLE BURNLEY.
For the Sunday Republican.
CONSCIENCE.