Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-08-05
womAx-IlER EDUCATION.

childhood are, often, more distinctly
remem bered than those Of saiddie
age; and even when time has erased
from the mind the most active fucul- |
ties, the fps will prattle Of the scenes
and incidents Of first childhood. The
pcrmanenee of first Impressions, and
their potent agency in shaping the
characters and destinies of men, for
good or evil, Indicate the Importance
Of the more thorough and practical
education Of females. e'rtA
II 1t be true, as we have assumed,
that the earliest impressions are the
most lasting, 1t will follow, as a
necessary consequence, that early
childhood is the crisis of life upon
which depend, toa vital extent, the
good and evil developed In after years
Of each individual. 1t also follows,
that since mothers have almost ex-
elaaive control over the future destin-
les of men, through their guardian
ship OF childhood, nsthing can be
half so important to the interestso Of
mankind, as the thorough prepare
ton Of woman for the grave rcspon
sibilities imposed Upon her by the
laws Of nature. At the moment of
her creation, and during her brief So
journ In Paradise, the fate Of man for
time aud eternity, was placed In her
hands the unlimited power, then
conferred, has not been revoked, and
since there Is no recorded decree
against its being exerted to save as
3 well as to damn, we must look to
woman for that reformation which
Rlone can save mankind from tile
consequences of those evils which
make governmentsa curse andsociety
loathsome exhibition of degrading
passions and vices. Can she1be too
thoroughly prepared for the accom-
plishment of this high and holy
mission ?olIf not, let her education
comprise every branch of knowledge
and every abstract sentiment that
will best tit her for the high position
of conservator OF social and public
virtue. ,tth
The idea, so prevalent, that the
sphere Of woman-the duties she Is
called upon to discharge demands
no such attention to her education as
is bestowed upon that Of man, is
founded, not in truth, but upon n
most mischievous errOr--a misunder-
standing of her relative position to
the opposite sex. A fair enumeration
of the duties incumbent upon her, as
wife and mother, would develope the,
generally Unidentified, truth, that
her proper education Is the surest
basis for all that is essential to the
Happiness and welfare of the human
race. Nan may be educated, and
womanremainignora but educate
woman, and man must share hel
knowledge, because she Is his teacher
vt period when the deepest impress
! ions are made upon the mind; he car
not, therefore, grow up in ignorance
no matter how much neglected b,
society. This, of itself, Is sufficient
plea for thorough female education.
1t is objected to the foregoing sug
gestions, that, US girls expect to pas.
from the school room to the nuptia
altar, and their education must b,
finished while they are in their teens
there Is no time for the acquisition o
solid Knowledge. The prevalence o
this idea is proof of n deficient system
ofeducation. The training ofchildrel
with view TO marriage before thei
constitutions are matured, and thei
minds stored with useful information
is ~ cruel wrong to- them and a ours
to society. II is the prolific source q
mental, moral and physical deterioI
alton; and to correct 1t, parent
should begin by giving their, daugll
tiers time forthe acquisition OF knowl
edge; etimeforshlll physical develop
ment, keeping in view theimportan
fact that accomplishments, so calle6
should be secondary to the highest q
all accomplishments, mind wei
stored with useful knowledge, and
heart indoctrinated with the love ,
every virtue, and contempt for tn
frivolous aud thc. false. When til
sexes are brought into fuller sym
.pathy by equal intellectual att,ii
ments, mere outward adornment
will depreclate in value, marriag,
he made happier and n solid fqund,
ton laid for n superstructure Sf il
llvidual and social happiness.
Youth IL the season for garneriu
comforts and enjoyments for old ag
Mere accomplishments adorn Il
period when youth and beauty lea
need their adventurous aid. B,
when beauty fades and youth merg
into old age, music and dancin
drawing aud embrolderlng lose the
charms. Then II Is that knowle,l,
and virtue step in To ensure respe
aud reverence and prevent the ng,
from sinking into childish garrullt
anu living proof that neglect,
youth Is followed, too often, by ne
lecied, cheerless, imbecile age.
1--WE advocate more thorous
female education, because woman
first, and may be the most ef'iclei
teacher Of childhood; because Il
well heing OF society Il dependel