The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1872-08-23

coltFlOuteS neF ready WIZ ana quick
conclusion to the volume of our con-
versation, that society so interests
and fascinates. 1t may become how.
ever a field Of Usefulness for woman,
not inferior to the Forum or the
Council Halls of State among man.
There she is absolute sovereign. -
Her taste, her views of the public
morals are law, and mould the lives
and conduct of thousands who pass
thence to present duty in the world
OF action. |! was there, that
Madame Roland ruled the best spir-
its of the French Revolution, and
there the Countess Of Huntingdon
inspired the noblest sentiments in
that band of noble men, who in the
last century sought to evangelize
Christendom anew.
But for the full development of
power in this field something more is
needed than mere accomplishments
1t will demand the highest culture
and most extensive knowledge.
There is an old art esssentia! there,
which every year grows more rare.
Il is the art of conversation II is
useful at home, when He travel or
tarry, everywhere, but in society is
still the sceptre of woman's sover-
eighty, Less brilliant than the
magic of song-less fascinating than
the may dance, in which too many
love too much, "to chase the glow
ing hours with flying feet, it is still
one Of the rarest and highest of
humble accomplishments There is |
much tall in these days but less con-
gersation. Too often the loud laugh, /
the vapid sentence, The senseless /
giggle, betray its want and too often
the dance or game, exclusive occu-
pants OF the evenings entertainment,
debar its enjoyment, until you arc
assured that brains arc there Sn-
perl@oas.
No woman however rare her 9th
er attractions can afford to dispense
with the cultivation of this art or can
desire a wider field of influence than |
it will secure her. It is happily /
aided much by cultivation and TO
converse with animation, variety and
sense, requires much reading and
previous thought on a wide range Of
subjects.
Permit me here a word in regard |
to your reading, Whatever else
you fail to do after graduation you
will read much-it is one Ameri-
can habit-and ! shall be bold to
predict gu will read some novels.-|
/ have a weakness that way myself
and instead of the usual invective
will simply recommend you TO read
good ones. The art of writing Fic-
ton is one Of the fine arts and as in
all of these, an acquaintance with
the best models, will induce a dis
gust with all that is inferior. 1t has
been the happy privilege of our lam
guagc to have been enriched lately
with the productions of two Of the
best writer's of this or any other age
-Thackery and Dickens-the one,
who with so merciless a scalpel has
| laid bare the foibles and faults of pc
lite society, and the other. who has
taught us SO well the many virtuous
ways in humble life. Let me urge
you to read their works and such as
these and to read them with thought !
Study the plot, the characters, the
sentiments, the language. Learn .
the reason why you are pleased or
nos pleased. In Tasso's beautiful
poem, the men who sought to rescue
the brave Rinaldo from the enchant
ed isles, carried with them q golden
loand that disarmed the art of the .
magicians. Thought, iu novel read /
ing, will be to you as the golden .
sg0nd which shall dissrn much Of |
the evil influence of these enchant-
ers.
But l have said enough to suggest
to you the wide field of woman's in
fuence in the civilized society Of
which she is so important 3 part,
and the need even after graduation of
continued preparation for the active
duties which await her.
For those who will return here
again to prosecute their studies, my
hope is, that what / have said will
inspire the desire to use diligently
present opportunities. And it is
one of the encouraging and pleasant
features of our time that there is a
more intimate relation constantly
growing up and strengthening, be.
tween the knowledge we acquire and
the daily uses of our lives.
In the Cathedral Church of Sienna
in Italy, there is preserved with the
greatest care one of the most inter
esting groups of statuary existing, |
which some years since was exca-
waited from the ruins near by.
They are known as the Graces on
Charities and are represented in |
y0sth, Of o;,gi,s purity and Innocence,
with cIQSped hands as they seem 70
move forward in graceful yet state
ly dance. They are symbols Of
beautiful thought, not without its
lesson. They were represented in
youth as denOting the constant duty
we should ever cherish of giving and
vaoo; ,,;,, 2. Iy;odnassas. IS s.;s.o;s, a,s,s =;